[NOTE FROM CHUCK: this post from our friends at TFAW isn't strictly speaking about comic books, but I'm a Star Trek fan, so I'm posting it anyway. Read on and prosper.]

by Elisabeth@TFAW

Okay, let’s cut to the chase. Go. See. Star Trek. J. J. Abrams was able to reboot Star Trek and make it heart-stoppingly gorgeous, exciting, and relevant–while staying true to the original series. I saw a preview screening in a packed theater, and the enthusiasm and–dare I say it–joy was palpable during the entire movie. When it was finished, the entire audience cheered, and I realized I hadn’t felt so energetic and fulfilled after seeing a movie since . . . I can’t even remember when.

Let me rewind a bit, and shout out a bit of a warning: I’m going to strive not to give away any major plot points, but a spoiler or two might sneak out, so be prepared.

I am what you might term a medium-level Star Trek fan. I’ve seen probably every episode of the original series, thanks to syndication, and I followed Next Generation pretty faithfully. I’ve seen all of the movies with the original cast (Star Treks II and IV are my favorites), and I have an enthusiastic appreciation for the franchise. I don’t know all of the episode titles or technical terms, but I’ve got a great deal of affection for the characters and their relationships with each other.

Back to the movie: it starts out with a big bang (or rather, a black hole) that sucks us right into the middle of the action. It’s a little disorienting, yet familiar, like a half-remembered dream you’ve been wanting to revisit. Right off the bat, we’re treated to the last moments of the U.S.S. Kelvin, the ship on which George Kirk just happens to be First Officer.

His fate ends up altering the course of Star Trek history, which took care of my first concern about this reboot: how are we supposed to be surprised when we’ve already taken this voyage before? Abrams swiftly and decisively cuts Star Trek free of decades of continuity in a way that’s exciting, and . . . dare I say . . . logical. This is a universe populated with the characters we love, and anything can happen now.

So how about these characters? Across the board, the actors are amazing. None were physically carbon copies of the original actors (except perhaps a phenomenal Zachary Quinto as Spock), and no one was caught out doing a cheap impersonation. They simply inhabited the characters, in many respects bringing out additional nuances and facets that were brilliant. I felt a chill when each character was introduced–each had his (or her) grand entrance with a flourish and a sly wink, and then the movie kept rocking on.

Zoe Saldana brought dignity, intelligence, and bite to Uhura–plus, she sells a very interesting character development that was totally unexpected and yet felt completely right. Karl Urban was pitch-perfect as Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy–cranky, stalwart, and dryly funny. Simon Pegg (Scotty), John Cho (Sulu), and Anton Yelchin (Chekov) were also perfectly cast and hilarious. Quinto had perhaps the most difficult job–Leonard Nimoy’s portrayal of Spock is so deeply ingrained in our cultural subconscious–but he confidently showed us all of Spock’s carefully controlled layers, and brought an unexpected jolt of heat to everyone’s favorite ice-cold Vulcan.

And then, of course, there is James Tiberius Kirk himself. Well, rest assured, Kirk fans, Chris Pine was in full command of the iconic–and randy–space cowboy. Endearingly charming yet convincingly authoritative when needed, Pine looked good in the captain’s chair, and not just because he’s pretty. Because he is. Pretty. Yeah. More importantly, however, Pine and Quinto captured the crackly, energetic chemistry between Kirk and Spock–the most famous bromance in sci fi.

I’m not going to give too much away about the plot, but this is a deftly executed origin story, as well as a slam-bang adventure. There are hundreds of clever callbacks to the original series that seemed inspired, not forced. Kirk horndogs lots of ladies. Spock says, “Fascinating.” Bones declares, “I’m a doctor, not an (insert alternative here).” In an especially funny moment, Kirk and Sulu are sent on a mission by Captain Pike, who has requested volunteers with extensive hand-to-hand combat. While on their way to try to disable a giant drill manned by angry Romulans, Kirk turns to Sulu and asks, “What’s your training?” to which Sulu responds, with an enthusiastic grin, “Fencing!” Hilarious to those who have watched the original series, yet still funny in context–and relevant to the movie! The original theme song even makes an appearance late in the game, wrapping up an excellent movie that left me eager to see the sequel.

So, if you were worried, don’t be–J. J. Abrams and company have this one covered. There wasn’t a single moment of this movie that made me feel like they weren’t sure about what they wanted to do, or where they were going. My only problem? I’m dying waiting until Friday to see it again!

Excited? Check out our Star Trek Theme Shop for a little retail therapy before the movie comes out. Comments? Questions? Post them below!