STAR TREK (2009) Film Review - 10/5/09

Now this was a film I was really debatable about? Having seen various Trailers though, it had enough Trek in it for me to go see it. I thought it would be best on the BIG screen and as my local IMAX is closed I opted to purchase an advanced ticket for the BFI IMAX screen in London and it was worth every penny of the £15 I spent on it! Just as well I booked ahead as all weekend shows were fully sold-out. The sheer scale and clarity of this film was well suited to the IMAX format with it's immense sound and crisp images. As to the film Star Trek purists will be shouting 'cheat' with something akin to JJ Abrams mind bending 'LOST' taking place. It is either an incredibly big gamble to rekick-start the franchise again or could sink $200 and Trek down the pan if it alienates the hardcore fanbase? If you take this quote from May 2009 'SciFiNow' Issue 27's Cover Story "...the nature of time travel in this movie doesn't negate original continuity, instead it creates a separate timeline..." (Well worth getting for the free DVD Preview disc of 'Star Trek' with a photo gallery & TV/Film Trailers) so some fans will be howling! I myself approve of the revamp and the story does explain why things are as they are. They also certainly don't waste time with the story sticking in a little background after the momentous opening sequence and diving ( Literally!) headlong into massive battle scenes and world shattering destruction. Characters you have known, loved and grown up with feel even more real and down-to-earth as they all start out with a new beginning and we even get some gravitas with the original Spock in the form of Leonard Nimoy also showing up for the ride.

Renegade Romulans flitting through time cause untold havoc to the timeline as the original (But new!) Star Trek Enterprise denizens start off at the very beginning of their journey before their original 5-year mission. Word has it that the cast has been signed for three films and the sequel is already underway - Listen to those cash-tills ring!