Out Of Reality

It’s that time, my friends. I’m excited, are you?

(Don’t deny it.)
Alright, the first film I will be tackling is Star Trek. I feel I have a unique take on this film because I watched it (twice) as a totally stand alone production.

What I mean by that is that, unlike most people, I have never seen any of the old series or movies in the Star Trek franchise. This film is my first true exposure to all things Enterprise. And I got to say, I liked it.

A lot of reviewers get caught up in the performances of the actors or the production values of movies. These two are what drive “Oscar worthy” performances. I don’t care about those things.

The only thing I care about is if I was entertained. Did I enjoy my experience? Would I watch it again?

Case in point: I watched The Wrestler a few weeks ago. While I can see why people thought Mickey Rourke had a fantastic performance, I don’t need the lead actor dying at the end of the movie, the culmination of a horrible life. That doesn’t make me happy.

I need to get out of reality.

Star Trek has the elements to get you out of reality.

Funny moments? Check.

People in space? Check.

Crazy looking people? Check

Keeping me on the edge of my seat? Check.

Characters you enjoy? Check.

Believable, strong villains? Check.

A good ending that makes me happy? Check.

A character doesn’t have to be played by Sean Penn to make me like what I saw. Jack Black can do it, as did Chris Farley when he was around.

Chris Pine did it especially well. When he was introduced, he rattled off a few lines that instantly made you like the character. It’s never good to have a stiff leading man, and Pine’s Kirk was by no means a stiff.

A leading man almost has to have unrealistic qualities. Is it possible that this guy can be a MENSA level genius who can instantly figure out all this stuff while on the ship and rise to the top of the Starfleet food chain with little to no effort, coming from a life where he accomplished basically nothing beforehand.

Basically, he is just one of those people that can get what they want with a snap of a finger.

THAT DOESN’T HAPPEN!

Other than in movies, and that’s what makes me go.

Is there ever going to be a real life person like Spock?

No. That’s what makes you go.

When I first saw the movie, the whole Leonard Nimoy “J.J Abrams had to figure out a way to get me in this movie so he created a “future Spock” and a whole contrived story that was hard to follow” seemed a little out there. But once I figured out was going on, the story was spectacular. While obviously unrealistic, I don’t care. It was new. It was interesting. I had never seen anything like it.

The movie developed Spock’s backstory very strongly, which helped you to understand the story, as much of it involved around his character in the future. If they had left out his story, things would have gotten really confusing.

The basic idea here is that it’s an enjoyable movie. It had a nice, modern feel to it. It had a lot of things you would want in a movie. That’s it.

Rating: 3 ½ stars.