Fast-paced "Trek"

I was never a fan of Star Trek. Not the original television show and its subsequent incarnations, nor any of the films. I found them too plodding, too slow. In an attempt to be cerebral, they wound up being dull.

However, the reviews from London on the latest Star Trek film, which re-imagines all the original characters during their formative years, make it sound like something completely different. Here's an excerpt from the Times of London review:

Star Trek, released in Britain on May 8 and given its premiere last night, is perfectly pitched to satisfy Trekker nerds and a more general action-flick audience. Abrams, who directed Mission Impossible III, brings his blockbuster flair to bear on a story that starts with a massacre and rarely draws breath for the next two hours as it unravels a deadly battle between the Federation and a rogue Romulan from the future who is bent on destroying Earth.

Then there's this from the London Daily Mail:

The result is not only by far the best of the 11 Star Trek movies, it must rank as the outstanding prequel of all time.

For those too young to remember the original TV series and its spin-off movies, or (like me) unconvinced that they were in all respects works of untrammelled genius, the movie ticks all the boxes as regards big set pieces.

We see space battles, planets sucked into black holes, chases, space aliens. Stupendous special effects and a magnificent score by Michael Giacchino make it a treat for the eyes and ears.
The picture moves at a terrific pace, and is a satisfying tale of good versus evil, with Eric Bana a highly hissable villain.

The movie is scheduled to open here May 8.