Set phasers to thrill!

I went to see the new Star Trek movie last night, with my mate Kev. And LOVED it.

Now, I've never been a Trekkie/Trekker/Trekk-ite (?) although I watched the Classic Series as a kid

( of course ) and occasionally caught an episode of Deep Space 9. Kev, on the other hand, has always been a fan of the Starfleet boys and girls in whichever permutation they beamed down in. So I think he found this reboot a bit harder to take than me, what with its "alternate timeline" and all.

( Whoops...spoilers! )

So the viewpoint of a non-fan: Wow! The film starts with a massive, pre-credits spaceship battle and doesn't let the pace slacken from then on. You get action, spectacle, humour, a minimum of exposition and some economical introductions to the characters. The movie never gets too bogged down with backstory or Starfleet Directives ( so mercilessly mocked in Red Dwarf ) and just barrels along until the end when you're left wanting more. Compare and contrast with any random 1980's or 90's Trek episode: people with bumpy foreheads debating, er, something; cheesy moralising; endless beige starship corridors. Brrrr!

My only real complaint is that Simon Pegg didn't have a lot to do as Scotty, other than provide a few laughs. Hold out for the sequel, eh? Most of the other cast members seemed to be having a whale of a time ( or was that Star Trek IV? ), especially Zachary Quinto as Spock and Karl Urban as Bones, who were both perfect. Oh, and Uhura's Hot. Just thought I'd mention it.

Live long and prosper, or at least get one sequel.