Category | Arts & Living

New Star Trek movie attracts die-hard fans and newcomers alike

Published on April 28, 2009 by Michelle Landrein

The world will be transported to a different universe on May 7 with the opening of the new Star Trek movie.  It tells the story of a new crew’s first flight aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise, a highly advanced starship. Their perilous journey is a result of an evil being whose vengeful mission threatens everyone on Earth. The galaxy’s fate rests upon the shoulders of two rivals teamed up in an unlikely, yet powerful, partnership. James Kirk is a rebellious daredevil farm boy from Iowa and Spock was brought up in a society that shuns all emotions. Together, they boldly venture to places where nobody has dared to go before in an attempt to conquer evil.  

   Judging by the trailer alone, you can expect that this movie is going to be an action-packed adventure that will appeal to a broad audience. “I think this movie will do what Star Wars I failed to do: captivate the younger audiences along with the older generation of fans,” said Steven Whitton, a sociology major and “Trekkie.”

Actors Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto play the two main characters in the film: James Kirk and Spock, respectively. Quinto assured that audience members who are big fans or newcomers to the Star Trek series will enjoy the movie.

   ”Now that the movie is starting to screen and we’re getting feedback I think the thing that I’ve heard most consistently is from people who have not been Star Trek fans who felt exhilarated and connected to these characters much more than they expected to be. That’s probably the most consistently encouraging feedback that I’ve gotten. So the hope is that the movie itself transcends the connection to Star Trek for people that might not have exposure to it. And J.J. [Abrams] has said openly and many times that he didn’t necessarily make this movie for Star Trek fans. He made this movie for future Star Trek fans. And that’s something that I think comes across in the film,” said Quinto.

Pine added, “Yeah, I think quite honestly the movie has to do with relationships and good characters. And I think it doesn’t matter that it takes place in the future and on a spaceship. At the heart of this movie are really accessible characters and situations, feelings and emotions that we all go through. And it just happens to take place in this different space. No pun intended.”  

   One of the most interesting aspects of the movie is that it’s a prequel, which will fill gaps as well as inform viewers about past events. Writers Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman have a fluid, intelligent way of creating ideas, so the elements of this film should be similar or parallel to those of past movies. The special effects look incredible and the drama is intense. It appears that most viewers will have to buckle their seatbelts for this ride-or should I say flight?