When Justin Lin was announced as the new director for Star Trek, I wasn't excited because I felt he was going to continue the JJ Abrams effect of making Star Trek less nerdy and more blockbuster friendly. Well, the man not only delivers on some brain fodder in the movie, but he somehow has made a better Star Trek than the two JJ Abrams offerings. Let's dig in...
Chris Pine and his ensemble cast are back as the new generation of Kirk, Spock and Bones... if those names meaning nothing to you (why you still reading this!?). It's safe to say we are all are now accustomed to the cast and it's very interesting that part of the plot has to do with the characters being too comfortable with who they have become and wanting a change.
The movie becomes a chance to explore reasons for the different cast members for sticking around the Enterprise, whilst throwing in questions around the nature of peace, progress and leadership. Yes, the heady stuff makes a comeback but is interrogated amongst the carnage and mayhem the Enterprise goes through.
Lin loves motion, and the camera is constantly in motion so is the plot. For once the action scenes do not feel forced or contrived. They fit nicely into the story and Lin knows when to slow it down, when to pause and when to create some visual metaphors and when to ramp up the action.
Kudos also needs to be given to Simon Pegg who plays Scotty and also co-wrote the film (with Doug Jung). He includes all the nostalgic Easter egg nuggets scattered through the film, dials up the humour factor and gives us a cohesive plot that has emotional depth.
Although Star Trek has not let go of its ambitions to become a blockbuster, which is evident in the action pieces, it's cool to see that Pegg's script is filled with great character moments. These fit well in the overreaching story, with characters like Krall (played effortlessly by Idris Elba) who aren't one dimensional bad guys.
So in my books, this Star Trek is way better than Star Trek Into Darkness. It has action (which is to be expected, it's Justin Lin after all), a cool soundtrack, characters that actually grow and develop during the movie and a terrifying villain with a rationale for his villainy. If you haven't seen it, go check it out.
****
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Rating
*Rubbish **Meh ***Aight ****Good *****Classic