Star Trek

J.J. Abrams has the golden touch. Embracing deep characterisation with an emphasis on the visual storytelling he seems to be quickly becoming the Alan Moore of film. Star Trek is the sort of cinema that ALL summer blockbusters aspire to be. Sexy, fast and potent in delivery it is simultaneously funny and gripping!

Star Trek’s aesthetic execution, right down to the visual effects, is one of the key components to the film’s success. Often we are privy to million-light-year-away planets exploding, spaceships teleporting from one corner of the screen to another and occasional frantic, European-style camera work from American cinematographer Dan Mindel during action. Every single shot oozes such intricate story-centred thought you could watch this as a slideshow and still get what’s going on. Even simple talking head shots are more dynamically filmed than in the average film.

The script has been given attention in same way as the cinematography. Transformers scribes Orci and Kurtzman reload the flagging series with real flare. All the characters seem to be particularly well developed in this instalment. From Chris Pine’s initially self-doubting bad boy Kirk to Eric Bana’s brief stint as insane Romulan villain Nero, the characters grow rapidly into ever more complicated predicaments.

Surprisingly it is Spock (Zachary Quito) that develops most and he is certainly the character that is easiest to empathise with, to the point perhaps where Kirk could have taken a back seat earlier on. Quinto, of Heroes fame, is a daring choice for the role but one that immediately pays off, as he plays the part with a reserved intensity that is at once charismatic and impenetrable. Abrams’ direction is spot on and Quinto performs with relish. Of particular note was Winona Rider as Spock’s mum. A performance so powerful and delivered in only a few moments, it is a perfect example of how tightly written the script really is.

This story is fantastic and while seem initially silly, plays out with such a sincerity that it never even entered my mind that it was ridiculous. My toes curled in delight when two goodies beam aboard an enemy craft to the scream of: “Starfleet officers on the bridge!” The pair proceed to carve up everything in their sights with their phasers set to kill! Geekdom was never this cool! The visual effects provide plot-centred spectacle and the slew of perfectly cast actors all benefit from the lovingly crafted script. This is a production where everything has come together beautifully. I highly recommend Star Trek. Just try to watch it on a screen bigger than the one on your mobile!


By D.F.I