Rated PG-13 for sci-fi action and violence, and brief sexual content.
Directed by J.J. Abrams (Mission Impossible III)
Starring Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Karl Urban, John Cho, Ben Cross, Bruce Greenwood, Simon Pegg, Winona Ryder, Zoe Saldana, Anton Yelchin, Eric Bana, and Leonard Nimoy
TREKKIES REJOICE!!
The greatest adventure of all time begins with Star Trek, the incredible story of a young crew's maiden voyage onboard the most advanced starship ever created: the U.S.S. Enterprise. On a journey filled with action, comedy and cosmic peril, the new recruits must find a way to stop an evil being whose mission of vengeance threatens all of mankind.
The fate of the galaxy rests in the hands of bitter rivals. One, James T. Kirk (Chris Pine), is a delinquent, thrill-seeking Iowa farm boy. The other, Spock (Zachary Quinto), was raised in a logic-based society that rejects all emotion. As fiery instinct clashes with calm reason, their unlikely but powerful partnership is the only thing capable of leading their crew through unimaginable danger, boldly going where no one has gone before!
I promise that I will not use any of the million Star Trek clichés. No “New Star Trek beams into theaters” lines, no “Warp Speed” or “live long and prosper” jokes. I’m not a Trekkie (don’t want to be one) and although I’ve seen all the movies, I honestly could not give you a synopsis of any of the films without going to imdb.com. But the new Star Trek is flat out awesome!
Star Trek gives us the perfect balance between some extremely cool special effects and an exceptionally strong story. Some of those special effects include the new deck that looks like an Apple store (not like the blinking lights behind some cardboard on the original TV show) and the battle scenes against the Romulan warrior, Nero, that look extraordinary (not the shaking camera and everyone leaning the same way tricks). All this, while staying true to the spirit and of course those original uniforms and gadgets.
The origins story itself is fresh and clever. There’s plenty of humor as we meet that lovable and memorable crew of the Enterprise. And without giving too much away, there is a time warp element that allows everything we know about the Star Trek world to be changed. So yeah, I’m looking forward to the squeals.
As far as the cast goes…they are all perfect! From Zachary Quinto and Simon Pegg, to relatively new comers Chris Pine and Zoe Saldana, each one breathes new life to their iconic roles. And JJ Abrams does an amazing job of putting it all together. I think it’s safe to say that with his work on TV’s Alias and Lost, and now with Star Trek, he is at the top of his game.
A great director, a great story, a great cast and great special effects…this will definitely make my top ten movie of 2009 list…it's “Worth Buying!”
SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
Star Trek is rated PG-13 for sci-fi action and violence that is typical and nothing that I found to be offensive. The brief sexual content consists of Kirk kissing a green skinned alien who are both in their underwear and Uhura undressing.
Conversation Starter
Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):
- What are some of the messages or themes you observed in this movie?
- How do you suppose we—as serious Christ-followers—should react to this movie?
- How can we move from healthy, Bible-based opinions about this movie to actually living out those opinions?
