Title: Star Trek

Year Released/Rating: 2009 PG-13

Starring: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Simon Pegg, Leonard Nimoy

Directed By: J.J. Abrams

Written By: Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman, and Gene Roddenberry

Star Rating:  4/5 stars

Trivia: The film's teaser trailer (welders working on the half-built Enterprise starship, amidst narration from U.S. President John F. Kennedy and Leonard Nimoy's Mr Spock) was personally directed by J.J. Abrams. Real welders were brought in to film the trailer. The words of Spock and Kennedy were taken from the 1960s (the decade where Star Trek began) and thus linked past and present, enhancing the film (as well as hinting at the time-travel). According to Roberto Orci, Kennedy's words were also chosen as he was the one who started the "space race," and so would be appropriate for a space film: "If we're going to have a Federation, it makes sense for Kennedy and his words to be in there."

Extra Trivia: To prepare for his role as Captain James Kirk, Chris Pine watched classic episodes and read encyclopedias about the Star Trek universe. However, his research was rudimentary, as he wanted his performance to be original and not an imitation of William Shatner. He based his performance on Tom Cruise's Maverick and Harrison Ford's Han Solo and Indiana Jones, heroes who Pine felt possessed the archetypal hero qualities Kirk has (humour, arrogance, decisiveness).

Once again we skipped Q for the next letter.  And this time we went for action.  I love J.J. Abram's re-imagination of the Star Trek universe.  It's fresh without compromising the original tv show and movies.  I especially love Chris Pine's Kirk.  He plays it as that arrogant bastard that somehow you still like.  It's a perfect fit.  I also love the little nods here and there to the original.  It has a nice nostalgic nod.  As much as I like this one, I am concerned about the sequel being planned.  J.J. Abrams doesn't have the best track record when it comes to continuations  He has great ideas, but then makes the show more complicated and confusing.  Hopefully he has good people to help guide the sequel.

P.S. This also appears on IMDB's Top 250 movies list.  So it's counting for my Day Zero Project also.

Best Bits:

Christopher Pike: I'm Captain Christopher Pike. To whom am I speaking? Nero: Hi, Christopher. I'm Nero. ~~

James T. Kirk: So what type of combat training do you have?

Hikaru Sulu: Fencing.

~~ Spock volunteers for what could be a suicide mission] I'm coming with you. Spock: I would cite regulation, but I know you will simply ignore it. James T. Kirk: See? We are getting to know each other. James T. Kirk: [slaps his shoulder] ~~ Christopher Pike: Russian whizkid, what's your name? Chanko? Cherpov? Pavel Chekov: Ensign Chekov, Pavel Andreievich, sir. ~~ Christopher Pike: Be careful with the ship Spock, it's brand new... ~~ Spock: Under penalty of court martial, I order you to explain to me how you were able to beam aboard this ship while moving at warp. Scotty: Well... James T. Kirk: Don't answer him. Spock: You will answer me. Scotty: [pause] I'd rather not take sides. ~~ Spock: Get him off this ship.