Star Trek: The Future Begins

Chris Pine as Captain James T. Kirk

Eric Bana as Romulan Leader Nero

Zachary Quinto as Mr. Spock

Zoe Saldana as Lt. Uhura; Karl Urban as Dr. "Bones" McCoy

Star Trek Crew from Original Television Series

STAR TREK
Outstanding "Origins" Film

5 Stars - Best Action Adventure, 2009 - starring Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban and Eric Bana; directed by J.J. Abrams - Paramount Pictures

What an enterprise! And I'm not talking about the starship! Star Trek has been, hands down, the most successful television franchise ever. You can't come up with a show that even comes close to the 5 (!) television series, plus a motion picture series, and now this new series. Gene Roddenberry, who created the original television series back in the 1960s, upon which all these are based, couldn't have foreseen the spectacular success his brainchild would have. And I was there (!), sitting on the floor, watching it at a cousin's house back in 1966. I'm just wondering what they're going to do for the 50th anniversary, which is in 7 years.

Not only is Star Trek the most successful television franchise, it has a cult following that is second to none, holding annual conventions in full costume, and to whom star William Shatner once told they needed to "get a life." And they still keep coming back! What is it about this series. Well, the new Star Trek movie, Star Trek: The Future Begins, which deals with the origins of the original crew, gives you some clue. The new film is all about the personalities of the crew members and the actors that are trying to fill the shoes of the original cast. Do they succeed?

It starts out gangbusters with the birth of James T. Kirk, and the almost simultaneous death of his father, a starship commander who gives his life to save his crew, wife and child. This scene shows us where the younger Kirk gets his maverick leadership style, as well as sets the stage for a Romulan attack when James T. is grown. From there, we alternate between the development of Kirk and that of Spock.

As a Vulcan youth, Spock is being teased and insulted by his fellows for his earthly mother, and loses his temper in a very un-Spock-like fashion. The adolescent Kirt is being chased down by a cop for racing his step father's vintage Mustang convertible, and almost loses his life in the process. Later we see Spock as a young man, played by Zachary Quinto, giving up the Vulcan Science Academy for a career in Starfleet - also because of an emotional provocation. Kirk as a young man, played by Chris Pine, takes on some starship crewmen in a bar when he tries to pick up Lt. Uhura (Zoe Saldana), and as a result is recruited into Starfleet by an old family friend, Captain Christopher Pike, played by Bruce Greenwood. Greenwood is, in my opinion, one of the better casting decisions, and gives one of the better performances in the film. He actually seems like a starship commander, whereas Pine never quite makes the transition - nor does Quinto as Spock, for that matter.

How Spock and Kirk end up on the Enterprise is vague and questionable, to say the least. Nothing in the film seems to follow military protocol, whereas in the original television series, they do. As a matter of fact, writers Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman seem to be totally ignorant of military protocol, so that by the time all the original characters are on the bridge, you're wondering when the grown-ups are going to arrive and establish some order. But I have to say that, while this is probably the weakest aspect of the film, it is not very consequential in this first installment. It may be later, so I hope they gain some discipline by the next one.

The best part of Star Trek are the introductions of the main characters. Old fans will love it. Dr. Bones McCoy (Karl Urban) is the most enjoyable of the crew, in my opinion, and turns out to be the best character and actor throughout. He almost steals the show with his caustic but good natured personality. Chekov (Anton Yelchin), who delightfully butchers all references to the Vulcans with his thick Russian accent, and Scotty, who amazes even himself with his engineering feats, are both fun. But the heavy, if there is one, is Eric Bana as Nero, the Romulan leader. As with almost every other role he's played, Bana is terrific. His makeup is also terrific, but I hate to think how long he had to sit in the makeup chair to get that on.

As far as action, it's non-stop. The best scene is when Kirk, Sulu (John Cho - my least favorite of the main characters) and another officer skydive from space and try to land on a gigantic Romulan drilling rig that is boring a hole into the core of the planet Vulcan in order to destroy it. The photography, special effects and stunts are phenomenal. My other favorite scene is the final showdown on the Romulan vessel.

This truly is a great kickoff to a strong future series. But there are a few problems I think the producers will need to iron out if it is to be the best it can be. I mentioned the military protocol issue. There's also the issue of James T. Kirk. While I think Chris Pine certainly has the chutzpah for Kirk, he lacks the finesse and polish. He's too rough around the edges, and I don't see that disappearing with maturity. I know that finesse and polish are part and parcel of William Shatner, but Shatner defined the role, as did Nemoy the role of Spock, and that has to be respected.

Which brings me to Spock: a love affair with Lt. Uhura? I don't think so. There is no precedent, that I am aware of, for that. It is, as Spock would say, highly illogical and most improbable. Which may be why the filmmakers went there, but it leaves no where for the Spock character to go in future episodes. If you plum his humanity in the first film, that's it for him. You have to leave some kind of mystery to Spock, who is, and should be, the most mysterious of all the characters.

Star Trek is great entertainment. I am presently reading Starman Jones by Robert A. Heinlein, and can see in it where both Star Trek and Star Wars got their inspiration. Heinlein defined the space genre, which is strange considering how few of his novels have been made into motion pictures. The only ones I am aware of are Red Planet and Starship Troopers. I'm surprised Starman Jones and Stranger In A Strange Land haven't hit the big screen, as they are both naturals. It seems that filmmakers are content to continue rehashing old formulas, rather than "to boldly go where no man has gone before," as the Starship Enterprise did. They just lack Kirk's chutzpah.

PG-13

Star Trek Resources

Here is a selection of products that will help you enjoy Star Trek even more:

Own the DVD

Own the book Starman Jones by Robert A. Heinlein, that inspired the Star Trek series

Own the Original Star Trek Television Series

Own the Star Trek Movies

Own these Star Trek Books

Own other Star Trek Series

Waitsel Smith, May 19, 2009

Text © 2009 Waitsel Smith. Images © 2009 Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved.

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