Movie Reviews: "Star Trek" *Kevin Smith Praises Chris Pine*

[JamesG]

Movie Reviews: Star Trek
6 May 2009 2:28 AM, PDT

Early reviews of the latest Star Trek movie following several "world premieres" that took place late last month and several others that are slated for tonight (Wednesday).

Calling the film "immensely satisfying," New York Post critic Lou Lumenick writes that it "has a healthy balance of humor and action while retaining the original series' Kennedy-era optimism." He describes the special effects as "state-of-the-art dazzling."

Likewise Joe Neumaier in the New York Daily News writes that the film "is more than a coat of paint on a space-age wagon train. It's an exciting, stellar-yet-earthy blast that successfully blends the hip and the classic."

It's "the best prequel ever," enthuses Ty Burr in the Boston Globe. It "approaches the late Gene Roddenberry's original science fiction world not on bended knee but with fresh eyes, a spring in its step, and the understanding that we know these people better than they know themselves," he observes.

And Michael Phillips in the Chicago Tribune notes that while the new Star Trek appears to be aimed directly at young audiences, "It's a real movie" nonetheless. Phillips, who awards the movie three stars, writes: "The film may not be memorable science fiction, but it's an engaging pop diversion."

Not so enthused about the movie is Rafer Guzmán in Newsday, who writes that the plot "borders on incoherency." However, he quickly adds, "the action scenes move quickly, and in any case we're mostly interested in seeing the first glimmers of lifelong friendships."

-IMDB News




Star Trek Director Advises "Purists" To Stay Home
6 May 2009 2:28 AM, PDT

While the new Star Trek movie is receiving mostly approving reviews from film critics, director J.J. Abrams is apparently bracing for an onslaught of criticism from those he calls "Star Trek purists."

In an interview with Australia's AAP wire service, Abrams has this advice for them: "Don't waste your time." He indicated that he has already heard from some who were particularly critical of the fact that he did not find a slot for William Shatner, the original Capt. Kirk, in the movie.

"For them I say, 'Don't see the movie. You'll just get angry. It is not Shatner playing Kirk, so I do apologize."

And actor Chris Pine, who plays Kirk in the new film, indicated that he went out of his way to avoid watching Shatner movie and TV appearances.

"I know how I work and by watching a lot of Mr Shatner's performances as Captain Kirk I knew by osmosis I would get on set and try and impersonate Mr Shatner," he said. "It was not my job. I didn't want people to start paying attention to whether I was doing a perfect William Shatner."

-IMDB News

[Nighthawk76]

Even though I have been a Star Trek fan since 1987, I have no plans to see this movie. I'm not usually close minded, but I just don't have any interest in seeing the original characters played by different actors. The only person who could ever play Kirk is William Shatner, the only person who could ever play Spcok is Leonard Nimoy and so on. I also saw clips from the film in a preview last summer and it looks really corny. I'm also not a big J.J. Abrams fan. I liked Alias but that is about it,

[JamesG]

More Movie Reviews: Star Trek
7 May 2009 2:23 AM, PDT

Glowing reviews for the new Star Trek movie continued piling up today (Thursday).

While, many critics express qualms about a few relatively minor plot details, many take the position of Claudia Puig in USA Today: "Unlike previous incarnations, there are no weighty scenarios or moral quandaries in this refashioning of Star Trek," she writes. "It's an energetic sci-fi extravaganza, with spectacular action sequences and nifty visuals."

Roger Ebert in the Chicago Sun-Times begins to pick apart some of the movie's plot inconsistencies, then cuts himself short. "Stop me before I get started," he writes. "I mention these details only to demonstrate that the movie raises its yo-yo finger to the science, while embracing the fiction."
He concludes: "The franchise has become much of a muchness. The new movie essentially intends to reboot the franchise with younger characters and carry on as before. The movie deals with narrative housekeeping. Perhaps the next one will engage these characters in a more challenging and devious story, one more about testing their personalities than re-establishing them. In the meantime, you want space opera, you got it"

Peter Howell in the Toronto Star expresses not a single misgiving about the movie "reboot." "This is the Star Trek true fans have been missing, but barely dared hope for: a return to the original characters, in all their giddy glory and with all their hilarious hubris. ... It's as much a relief as it is a joy to watch."

Amy Biancolli concludes in the Houston Chronicle: "[Director J.J.] Abrams' redo isn't just a blast from the past. It's a blast."

And Tom Maurstad writes in the Dallas Morning News: "The summer movie season has barely begun, but already one thing is certain: It will have at least one indisputably great movie -- Star Trek."

-IMDB News

[JamesG]

Smith Loves New Captain Kirk
14 May 2009 1:30 AM, PDT

Moviemaker Kevin Smith knows the secret behind the success of the new Star Trek movie - newcomer Chris Pine.

The J. J Abrams' blockbuster has beamed up to the top of the global box office following its release last week (09/10May09), taking a staggering $72.5 million (£48.3 million) in its opening weekend at the U.S. box office alone.

And director Smith isn't surprised the sci-fi adventure has attracted so many cinemagoers - because the new Captain Kirk is the hottest thing in Hollywood.

He tells MTV.Com, "That dude (Pine) is astounding. To be able to involve Kirk without doing a Shatner impression? That performance was so electric and so wonderful to watch.

"That dude is an instant movie star… That dude is gonna work forever. He's so good and effortless in his delivery."

And the Clerks auteur is so taken with Pine's acting abilities, he'd even watch the young star get intimate with his own wife.

He jokes, "I'd watch that dude do anything… I'd watch that dude have sex with my wife at this point. He's such a good actor."

-IMDB News