Since its genesis in the mid-1960’s, Star Trek has in one respect been something of a rarity in science fiction: it depicts a positive future in which humanity has come together to resolve Earth’s problems and has taken its place as part of an interplanetary Federation. Most of the future worlds we’ve seen in sci-fi for the past few decades have had a distinctly dystopian, downbeat air about them (i.e. Soylent Green, Blade Runner, Children of Men, etc.), and, while it can be valuable to examine the possible horrors awaiting us, it’s just as essential in times like these to imagine something better.

After the Star Trek franchise’s mass appeal had fizzled out in the past few years, with a disappointing movie (Nemesis) and the cancellation in 2005 of “Enterprise,” the last of six Trek TV series, J.J. Abrams (creator of “Lost” and “Alias“) has, with his new film, simply titled Star Trek, managed to make it as popular as it’s ever been. The movie is a mixture of sequel, prequel and remake, re-casting Kirk, Spock, McCoy and the rest of the original crew, giving them an origin story while at the same time carving out new territory for the inevitable sequels. When examined purely as a science fiction adventure, it certainly has some irksome flaws–lazy set design (the Enterprise’s lower decks were filmed at a Budweiser brewery, and it shows), a weak villain who flies around in a ridiculous Jungian nightmare of a spaceship, and the overuse of handheld cameras and artificial lens flares blasting in from the sides of almost every shot. This latter feature reflects the current conventional wisdom in filmmaking–that greater realism can be achieved through feigned incompetence in composition. These flaws are more easily forgivable on a TV screen, but I wish more and more that Hollywood directors would actually make films for the big screen again. Even Sergio Leone, master of the sweaty close-up, knew to cut to a wide shot on occasion.

That said, when it works–which it does much of the time–Star Trek is downright exhilarating, and in some moments, with the assistance of Michael Giacchino’s soaring score, even majestic. Abrams has hit a home run with the most delicate and essential element of all, the cast. He has put together an ensemble of mostly lesser-known actors in these established roles, and there’s not a false note in the bunch. They embody their characters without excessively imitating the original performers. The script, by Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci (who also wrote both Transformers movies), has smart enough dialogue and good pacing. As a lifelong Trek fan, I appreciated the many nods to established lore peppered throughout. I can honestly say I’m very much looking forward to the sequels.

The trouble is, I think J.J. Abrams really wanted to make a Star Wars movie, not a Star Trek movie–he’s more or less admitted as much in interviews. I’m certainly not the first to note the striking similarities to the plot of the original 1977 Star Wars (see YouTube for details). For as much as people get the two franchises confused, there are deep philosophical differences between them that should have been respected. Abrams’ Trek storyline is littered with absurd coincidences that can only be explained away by using the word “destiny.” How, for instance, do three important characters who have never met manage to get stranded on a desolate ice planet within walking distance of each other? This isn’t the sort of thing that would vex Luke Skywalker–the Force works in mysterious ways, after all–but such happenings have a quasi-religious convenience about them that doesn’t belong in the secular world of Star Trek. And I seriously doubt that the painful product placement (from Nokia and–you guessed it–Budweiser) would fly in the socialist utopia of the 23rd Century. As someone who was practically raised by Captain Picard, I couldn’t ignore these issues, but they certainly won’t ruin the experience for most people. After all, when the end credits roll, and Alexander Courage’s original stirring theme plays, Star Trek might just have you exactly where it wants you–excited about the future of our world and eager to explore beyond it. It’s not a bad feeling. – [DVD] [Blu-Ray]

Action/Adventure/Sci-Fi

Rated PG-13

DVD Release Date: 11/17/09

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