Star Trek….Spock-on!

About 20 minutes into JJ Abrams Star Strek, I had a flashback to myself as a young boy sitting in a darkened suburban cinema, frothing at the mouth and barely able to sit still as I watched The Empire Strikes Back. I doubt that feeling of unbridled excitement and awe I felt as I watched Vader reveal his parental lineage to a limbless Luke will ever be matched, but gosh-darn it, Star Trek was evoking a similar sense of excitement in me.

From the first frame, I was sold. Star Trek is a big ball of juicy fun and really sets itself apart from the majority of action blockbusters being released these days. In many respects, this is old fashioned film making; an engaging story, solid action, a villain we love to hate, and of course some great characters to root for.

For me, the Spock/Kirk relationship was the glue that held this baby together. Watching their rocky road to friendship was good fun and held us captivated between the action scenes.

Sure, there was a decent serving of cheese in this intergalactic sandwich, but it was offset by its tastier ingredients and contained enough meat to make it a satisfying meal. Having said that, the film did have a flaw…..one that could have sunk it; Frankly, Kirk is a bit of a dick. His arrogance and demeanor made him seem like a complete tool, and it was only the last quarter of the film that the character redeemed himself enough to become half-likable. Hardly an innocent farm-boy like Skywalker, Kirk is more like that cocky, self righteous jock that used to beat you up behind the toilet block at high school.

But aside from that minor quibble, Star Trek gets the thumbs up and stands tall as one of the best pics of the year.

Drink it in.