When I was ten years old I made an oath: I, Christian White, will never willingly participate in the viewing of Star Trek, be it on film or television, for I have chosen Star Wars! Back in those days (and I’m talking pre-prequels here), such was the loyalty of the nerd who had chosen Wars over Trek. It was as deep-seated in our consciousness as the war between Montagues and Capulets. Nintendo and Sega. Jean-Claude Van Damme and Steven Seagal.

After all, Star Trek is about a bunch of old guys with garage door openers set to stun, aiming them at alien races who look suspiciously human… right? Yet there I sat not two days ago, waiting to be beamed aboard the latest Star Trek in the franchise. So what happened? Well, the oath I made was a long time ago, in a galaxy, it seems, much further away than I ever thought possible. 

Three fundamental changes have occurred since I was ten years old.   

The first change was biological. I began a pubescent and very secretive love affair with Jeri Ryan’s Seven of Nine character from the Star Trek: Voyager television series. The half human/half Borg temptress, clad in tight silver garb was more than enough to whet my teenage appetite. It wasn’t exactly Princess Leia’s slave bikini, but it was a good start. I’d have shouted my love for her to the twin suns of Tatooine if only she weren’t a Capulet. 

The second change occurred when scruffy-looking Nerf-herder George Lucas fed our beloved Star Wars Universe to a computer generated Bantha. The Bantha then digested and passed what millions had devoted their life to worshiping. Lucas sifted through the mess it left behind, found three decent sized chunks and named them Episodes 1, 2 and 3.  A generation of loyal followers were left wondering… why?     

The third change, of course, was the most important: Jeffrey Jacob Abrams.  The man is a genius, a true master of the craft. The fact that old J.J. had decided to helm the 11th instalment of Star Trek was reason enough to check it out.

J.J. Abrams is a busy guy. When he’s not confusing the hell out of us with teleporting polar bears on Lost, he’s scaring the hell out of us with a giant city-destroying monster Cloverfield. He doesn’t even have time to use his full name. OK, so he did pen Armageddon, my all-time most hated movie (who would train oil drill workers to be astronauts instead of training astronauts how to drill?) but everyone deserves a second chance. And that’s what the new Trek is all about. It was a chance to go back to where it all began for the crew of the Enterprise and reimagine the franchise for a new generation.      

From the very first frame J.J kicks things into high gear as we see the birth of the child who will become Captain James T. Kirk and the death of his father amid a sudden and chaotic space battle. It is an intense opening sequence that crams all the action and emotion of a full-length film into ten minutes or epic space opera. It seems the Trek world no longer has its phasers set to stun.    

The story follows young Kirk (Chris Pine) and Spock (Zachary Quinto) through their brief time at the Starfleet Academy and on their first mission against Eric Bana’s Romulan villain Nero. Along the way they meet up with other familiar members of the crew who are destined for big adventures in the future. The acting is solid enough. Chris Pine is satisfactory as Kirk. Eric Bana gives a decent performance as the Romulan villain, albeit a little small. But it’s Zachary Quinto who seems to have been born to play the pointy-eared stoic enigma that is Spock. That there were no other breakout performances speaks not of the actor’s ability, but rather to the story itself. It’s not exactly Shakespeare these guys are delivering. At heart Trek is an action movie. 

The film moves at breakneck speed leaving little time to catch our breath. It maintains interest but always puts action ahead of story. That’s not to say the story is necessarily bad, it just lacks the kind of big-thinking that Trek films always had over Star Wars. Aside from future Spock (Leonard Nimoy) turning up on Planet Hoth for some expository alternate timeline business (a pivotal scene I happened to miss when my jumbo-sized Sprite sent me to the restroom halfway through the film; I had the scene described to me afterwards), there’s little here to tantalise the brain. This complaint, however, is a small one. Abrams achieves good character development on the run and there’s plenty of humour and emotion to be found amid the explosive set pieces.

Aesthetically, Abrams has found the perfect blend of futuristic (according to the 1960’s) and realism throughout. He’s created a very believable world. The aliens are subtle and are achieved with mostly physical effects. This kind of restraint is like a breath of fresh air after having C.G aliens crammed down our throats by Georgie-Boy in the Star War prequels. This universe feels fast and refreshingly new.

Ultimately, Star Trek is a solid film. It’s fresh, fun and stands out in an era of origin stories. And whilst the alternate timeline twist may leave a few hardcore Trekies with the taste of betrayal in their asthma pump sucking mouths, a franchise is reborn! Abrams’ outer space, the final frontier, is mysterious and infinite, as are the possibilities for more sequels that will undoubtable be on their way. As the U.S.S Enterprise heads off to explore the far reaches of the galaxy, we’re left eager to go along for the ride. 

Maybe now Jeri Ryan and I can finally be together.

Three stars.

Directed by the master of 21st century sci-fi and fantasy TV, J.J. Abrams (Lost, Cloverfield), Star Trek is the eleventh film to come out of the mega-series and chronicles the lives of the main Star Trek characters before they all jet off on the USS Enterprise.

For those (like myself) who know jack all about Star Trek, here is a run-down of the back stories (or are they front stories in a prequel?) of the main characters:

Captain James T. Kirk

The main character of the Star Trek series and star of the new film, James T. Kirk was originally played by William Shatner and is characterised by his stern tone, humour and arrogance. Kirk becomes the captain of the USS Enterprise, and Trekkies generally consider him to be an iconic hero and the quintessential leader.

According to actor Chris Pine (Smokin’ Aces, Bottleshock) , the Kirk in the 2009 rendition of Star Trek is “a 25-year-old [who acts like a] 15-year-old” and is “angry at the world”. He is depicted as a “reckless, bar fighting-rebel” who, over the course of the film, reaches maturity before becoming captain of the USS Enterprise.

Christopher Pike

In the original Star Trek series, Christopher Pike is James Kirk’s predecessor as captain of the USS Enterprise. The 2009 Star Trek movie depicts Captain Pike taking an interest in the young, wayward James Kirk and daring him to join Starfleet. Pike coerces Kirk with tales of his father’s heroism and the opportunity to preserve the legacy.

Played by Bruce Greenwood (National Treasure: Book of Secrets), Pike can be seen in the new Star Trek trailers advising young Kirk of his future with the Starfleet.

Dr Leonard ‘Bones’ McCoy

Leonard McCoy becomes the chief medical officer aboard the USS Enterprise under the Captaincy of James T. Kirk. Dr. ‘Bones’ McCoy and Kirk become close friends, almost to a brotherly extent. The depth of trust Dr. McCoy places in this friendship is often indicated by his jealous, passionate arguments with Kirk’s other confidante, science officer Spock.

The sometimes cantankerous McCoy (nicknamed ‘Bones’) is characterised by his great compassion for humanity and role as Kirk’s conscience, offering a moral counterpoint to the cold logic of Spock. Kiwi actor, Karl Urban (The Bourne Supremacy) portrays McCoy in the 2009 reboot. Urban trained with a dialect coach to replicate the original McCoy’s accent (traditionally played by DeForest Kelley).

Nyota Uhura

Uhura joins the USS Enterprise as a lieutenant and serves as the chief communications officer to later become a full commander under Captain Kirk in Star Trek: The Original Series and Star Trek: The Animated Series. Uhura becomes a love interest for Captain James Kirk.

She is significant character in the original Star Trek series, traditionally for being an African-American actress on a major TV show in the 80s (first played by Nichelle Nichols). The interracial kiss Uhura shares with Kirk in the original show was highly controversial at the time. With a rep like that, Trekkies will be judging Zoe Saldana’s (Vantage Point) performance as Uhura quite harshly.

Mr Spock

Another iconic Star Trek character you can expect to see is Mr Spock – originally played by Leonard Nimoy who reprised his role to star alongside Zachary Quinto (Heroes) as the younger Spock.

Spock is the science officer of the USS Enterprise and like Dr. McCoy, a close friend of Captain Kirk. He is half human and half-Vulcan, and will eventually sacrifice himself to save the ship after he transfers his katra – his memories and experience – to McCoy, despite their turbulent and competitive relationship as Kirk’s two closest friends.

Nero

The super-evil Romulan baddie, Nero, is described as a “half-mad captain” who “seeks the death of every intelligent being and the annihilation of every civilised world”. Part of his future involves escaping from the Klingon prison, Rura Penthe.

Aussie Eric Bana (Love the Beast, The Other Boleyn Girl) plays the crazed, young Nero as he plots revenge when his home planet, Romulus is destroyed by a supernova.

Montgomery “Scotty” Scott

Scotty is a Scottish Starfleet engineer and was originally played by James Doohan throughout the original TV series and in the first seven Star Trek films. He eventually serves as the Enterprise’s Chief Engineer and Second Officer.

Scotty is more commonly known as the character who inspired the catch phrase “Beam me up, Scotty” – a line that has gained currency in pop culture even beyond Trekkie circles. In the new Star Trek, Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead) portrays the knowledgeable Scotsman.

Star Trek is in cinemas on 7 May 2009.