The movie begins with the climatic birth of James T. Kirk  (Chris Pine).  Born on an escape shuttle running from an attack from a Romulan Spaceship that absolutely dwarfs it in ship. A troubled but brilliant youth.  In another part of the galaxy on another planet,Vulcan, Spock (Zachary Quinto) is be teased as an outsider, another brilliant youth but with the "disadvantage" of being half human.  With a will to rebel established, the two are of course destined to meet at Star Fleet. The Genesis of Star Trek Mythology.  Finally our introduced villain is a Nero,  " a very troubled person" a Romulan played by Eric Bana that is on  a mission to extract vengeance.

One of the first challenges to this is establishing a relationship of the Star Ship enterprises crew.  Having a fresh canvas to paint on in more than one way helps Director J.J. Abrams to accomplish this in more ways than one.  First there is a time paradox thrown into the plot that can create a parallel reality. This lets the writers explore a more adventurous plot line with out compromising the past accomplishments of the 40 year old franchise.  Second in a prequel condition he can have fun with the characters and drawing both from the past and Gene Roddenberry and the current screen play writers, Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci  in creating a new dynamic for invigorating the franchise, and giving rise to a whole new generation and a whole new audience the excitement of the first TV series.  Computer Graphics now can take over the troubled parts of sets, and space animation. 

One by one we are introduced to first Nyota Uhura, ( Zoe Saldana) young, very intelligent, and in a very critical part can speak and understand the Romulan dialect and is promoted to chief communications officer.  Dr "Bones" McCoy is introduced and makes an instant fried of James Kirk, an in a twist of fate makes a decision that will forever change the space time continuum because of that friendship.  When an urgent transmission form another planet can not be handled from the normal Star Fleet, the new recruits, untested with a new modern Star Ship the U.S.S. Enterprise and a host of other support Star Ships jump to action.  Spook by now is through the academy and one the finest Star Ship officers, serving under Captain Christopher Pike played by actor Bruce Greenwood. On board we see Pavel Checkov ( Anton Yelchin ) and a new Navigator and ships pilot Hikaru Sulu ( John Cho ). 

J.J.Abrams gets to introduce the quirks and personalities of the different characters in this first significant action sequence.  Each time the Audience roars with delight as we see the personalities of the characters come alive. Even if you have never seen a Star Trek movie or any one of the numerous television episodes spanning almost 40 years you'll cheer each little encounter until by a preordained mission there is one time where Kirk, now finally a Star Ship Captain sits into the Captains chair and makes his first order.  With the total crew including Montgomery "Scotty" Scott, Simon Pegg the crew of the Star Ship enterprise races off to save the Earth. 

The movie is never short on action but might be a little short on reality.  Black Hole knowledge and the effects of Black holes on light and matter are much better understood today than 40 years ago but we still get to see them using it as a "gateway into a time warp.  The mysterious " Red Matter" is somehow contained on ship but can be introduced to  planet or star and cause a singularity or Black Hole .  another mystery never explained is a drilling platform that is suspended from a space ship and emits a flame that drills into plant crust, on earth the flame can penetrate water. I especially like the suspension of buildings on cliff rock out takes dangling in new form of Art Deco.  First what happened to gravity?  What happens if the cliff cracks ? Who would be so stupid in the first place? Not a Vulcan! 

I also want to hail the comeback in a short but well played role  of Winona Ryder who has been on a self induced sabbatical from 2002 -2006 and now is finally getting back on the actual silver screen in a major release.  You'll remember her first real role in 2006 was  in A Scanner Darkly.  Now it seems this is a welcome home role. See plays Amanda Grayson, Spock's mother.

For the die hard Trekkie they will see this movie several times. For the action junkie it is a must see. Comedy, romance, and the usual shenanigans of Scotty, Bones, and Kirk.  Emotions of grief and loss, and the elation of good triumphing over at least non logical evil. 

This movie is going to be a major hit in a season that is still full great promise.