So I saw Star Trek

First, here is yet another articulate article talking about the historical significance of the original series of Star Trek.

I went to a matinee today. And I will agree--it was entertaining. It's the kind of movie perfect to see on the big screen--huge explosions, huge emotions, huge homages. So besides being enjoyable, what did I actually think? Of course I have mixed feelings.

*Mild spoilers follow*

First, the conceit of having a time-traveling Romulan essentially "reboot" the entire series so Abrams can do whatever the hell he wants with it is part fascinating (ha), part genius, and part annoying. It sort of fits in with the Star Trek universe. Though Star Trek has used time travel at times, it has never really treated time travel in the Terminator fashion or in any sort of existential fashion or in any way more than a simple plot device. This time travel not only reinvents the Star Trek universe, it has intimations of being deep, but is really just a device to allow Abrams to mess with the mythology without getting into too much trouble for it.

Second, nitpicky things: Cameron from House is Kirk's mom? Bruce Greenwood is a great actor, but too old to be Christopher Pike in this movie. Nokia and Budweiser and The Beastie Boys survive to the 23rd century, huh? Red matter? Where is Pike's #1? How can they enter an atmosphere in merely space suits? Fuckin' Tyler Perry.

Third, not exactly nitpicky, but...Spock and Uhura? It's kind of awesome and almost makes sense, but also is kind of weird. I couldn't get used to it the whole movie.

Now to the actors: all of them great. Except Chris Pine. I can't fault him: he really tried his darndest to be James Tiberius Kirk. And there were glimpses of moments. But he just can't do it. No one can. I almost wish that they had just let 90-year-old William Shatner keep doing the role, no matter how incongruous. But yes, all the other actors were great in their iconic roles. Two (excellent) exceptions: Spock and Scotty. Of course I love Simon Pegg, but his Montgomery Scott injected some non-forced humor into the film, and his exuberance translated on screen so well, and really, he was just a pleasure. And Zachary Quinto as Spock was amazing. He captured the character in a way that made the rest of the actors look like they were just doing caricatures. His voice, his smirk, his raised eyebrow, his eyes struggling with emotion and logic--I understand why Nimoy personally passed the torch.

My obligatory J. J. Abrams complaint: Abrams is a sentimental hack. Women and children are just objects of emotion for men. He puts way too much superficial emphasis on relationships and family. All under the veneer of women being tough and wise and beautiful. I find it a bit insidiously ick.

But of course at the end, they play the classic theme song, and Spock recites the monologue, and I tear up. And if for nothing else, for a space nerd like me, that made it all worth it.

*update*
Maybe in the future, he will at least appear...

Oh, and though I did miss the social subtext in this film, I do have a sense of humor about my nerdiness. The Onion, as always, brilliantly illustrates.

Okay, I'll shut up now about Star Trek.