Movie Megan Rating: 4 out of 5 Recommended For: High school age and above
Starring: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, John Cho, Ben Cross, Bruce Greenwood Directed By: J.J. Abrams Running Time: 2 hr. 7 min. MPAA Rating: PG-13 for sci-fi action and violence and brief sexual content. Genre: Action/Adventure, Science Fiction/Fantasy
I can't go into much plot detail without spoiling several twists, but I can say that the latest Star Trek film breathes new life into the old, familiar Starfleet crew, creating depth and excitement that was sorely lacking until now.
In just a few seconds, J.J. Abrams manages to pull his audience into a fantastical realm, keeping them fully entertained for the full two hours. The special effects and action scenes are so enthralling that you end up not wanting the film to be over. The characters are believable, their complex relationships make you care about their situations, the actors are brilliant, there are laughs around every corner, and when it seems nothing could surprise you more than the last thrill ride, Abrams ups the ante and delivers punch after punch. If you look closely, Star Trek is just another formula action blockbuster, but Abrams uses the formula to his advantage, and gives the viewers exactly what they're looking for.
Are there a few plot discrepancies? Sure. As one friend of mine pointed out, "How can you go from intern to captain in one day?" But most summer action flicks suffer from unrealistic events, and generally we're too busy enjoying ourselves to complain.
PROS
His whole life, Spock (Zachary Quinto) is told he has a disability by being half human. He is taught to defy his emotions and rely solely on logic. But emotions are what make humans so beautiful and unique, emotions are who we are. While it is never good to be controlled by our emotions, in the end, Spock learns that by balancing both logic and feelings, he can achieve greatness. He even allows Uhura (Zoe Saldana) to comfort him to an extent after his mother dies.
Even though rebellious James T. Kirk (Chris Pine) has no interest in joining the Starfleet until Captain Pike (Bruce Greenwood) dares him to, he steps up to the task and risks his life valiantly for others over and over again.
The Starfleet crew of the USS Enterprise bands together and demonstrates loyal teamwork on numerous occasions.
CONS
But is the new Star Trek a family film? Sadly, I have to say no.
The movie is jam-packed with explosions, mild swears and sexual references, dozens of violent fist fights, scary monsters and aliens, mangled faces, lots of blood, drinking, torture, people die in shocking ways, and the list just goes on. All of this makes for a highly entertaining and high-octane film that keeps you on the edge of your seat, but it is NOT for the kiddos.
There is a very inappropriate scene in a female cadet's dorm room. Kirk and a green-skinned woman are stripped down to their underwear while horizontal on her bed. After he is forced to hide under the bed when Uhura enters the room, he watches Uhura undress, all to the excitement of every man in the theater. When Uhura discovers Kirk, she makes him leave the room, but ushers him out in her underwear, not even thinking twice about covering herself up. Not only does this give our young girls the wrong idea of what being a woman is about, but it gives young men the idea that peeping on undressing women is something heroes should seek out and can inevitably get away with. (Not to mention that our hero, Kirk, is constantly ogling every girl in a short skirt that walks by.) The scene lasts maybe a minute or two, but it's there, and you'd be hard pressed to cover your child's eyes the entire time. Make that a double or triple pain if you brought more than one child to the theater.
Other than that, there is a brief child birth scene, Uhura makes a distasteful comment about bestiality, a woman is called a "whore," and Kirk, as a boy, steals a classic car and proceeds to take it for a joy ride and crash it, all in the name of fun. It's a great scene that put a smile on my face, but I'm just afraid some kid somewhere is going to get the idea to "try it at home."
Final gripe: at the end, Spock's father tells him to, "set aside logic and do what you feel," which completely negates the balance Spock needs so desperately to achieve throughout the film. I could go on and on about how much I disagree with this statement, but I'll leave it at that.
OVERALL
The best action film of the year so far, but leave the kids at home.
Movie Megan
About the author:
Megan has been involved in countless plays and musicals in her lifetime. Her experience both in the spotlight and backstage, as well as playwriting and film-making, has seasoned her into a well-rounded film critic. She enjoys the excitement of finding the diamonds in the rough for you and your family, even if it means sitting through hours of tasteless or boring films. Email Movie Megan
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