Star Trek (2009)

I don't know why I thought that this movie was nominated for an Oscar for Best Picture, it was nominated for Oscars yes (and even won one for Best Achievement in Makeup), but it was not a Best Picture Oscar nominee - I thought it was, and therefore had it as required viewing for this blog (and I have a list, which I failed to check in this regard). 

You see, I know my mistake is because 2009 was a big year for Sci-Fi, after aeons of being ignored, both Avatar and my South Africa's own District 9, were nominated for Best Picture (Finally Sci-Fi and Fantasy can be considered worthy, I think we have Lord of The Rings to thank!) - but in my head Star Trek was the third... Accordingly I had a whole other post, anywho, moving right along...

Star Trek is the ultimate franchise reboot, and who better tasked with the job than J.J. Abrams (can't wait to see his version of Star Wars). We start at the beginning with the birth of Captain James Tiberius Kirk amongst inter-galactic tragedy which will forever impact the reality of the crew of the Starship Enterprise. A rogue horde of Romulans are out to cause devastation and our good friend Spock is at the center of it all...

The task at hand was a giant one, Star Trek had pretty much been relegated to the area designated for an elite group of appreciation owned by them Trekkies - these are the guys who gave the previous attempts to reignite the cinematic universe a chance. But that moment of success was lieing in wait and J.J. Abrams did what I never thought would be done again, made Star Trek the cinematic force it deserves to be - Best Picture Nomination worthy? Absolutely not (park previous ranting post), sheer enjoyable cinema? Abso-F-ing-lutely!

I am a fan of J.J. Abrams, blame it on Alias, one of my favourite TV shows of all time, there I said it - Throw Lost into the mix and J.J. was destined to make movies, and deliver so well to that potential that was promised in TV land that now he is entrusted with making magic in movies (and I mention Star Wars anticipation again), and would that even be possible if Star Trek hadn't come along first? I don't think so...

But J.J. is not alone in delivering the magic that is the Star Trek movie, there is a perfectly executed (coulda been cheesy) but so necessary cameos and then there is Winona (oh how I miss You) Ryder, the movie world needs a comeback I say! But to go to the principals:

We have Chris Pine, whodatis? Pretty cool oke (South African slang for dude), he has made some movies, he is in Hollywood, and he is a good Captain Kirk - moving along... 

Zachary Quinto, okay so we met you on Heroes and you were pretty damn creepy, but could anyone ever have been better genetically equivalenced as to split their fingers in greeting and breathe life into a piece of celluloid history? Kudos to you Mr Quinto, live long and prosper son! 

Simon Pegg is Scotty!!! Brilliant! Brilliant! Brilliant!   

Eric Bana, Signor Hulk new era first version, Mr bad ass Jewish assassin from Munich - Fine, Fine performance as the Romulan Psycho Nero - cold man, Cold!

And then we have  Zoe Saldana, I sped past the others to get to you oh Sci-Fi Princess! Now had Star Trek actually been nominated for a Best Picture Oscar that would have made you officially the Sci-Fi Queen, because we all know that no-one rocks the blue like you, and now the green for a point of fact - but Siguorney still reigns supreme! But let's not diminish the joy that is your Uhura, an iconic role that must have been much coveted, and you have seemingly arisen out of your pointy ballet shoes (yes, when I was younger I was forced to suffer through Center What-What), a fanboys answer, to take charge of not one, not two, but now three Sci-Fi hot-shot properties. Sci-Fi Princess, and Queen for sure to those who are not learned in the power that is Siguorney (Oscar Nominated Sci-Fi Performance might just be all that stands in your way).

But this movie is not perfect - and I must hold Anton Yelchin accountable for bruising me with a Russian accent that grated my nerves, is it real (your surname makes me think it is), and if that is the case, shame! And my worst, Karl Urban, what the hell, how badle can a man act, by God man!

I enjoyed this film, even the second time around (and I am at peace with the fact that I watched it with unfortunately self imposed pretenses, but now I'm primed to watch the sequel I ain't yet seen - bad movie blogger), and I recommend it to those who know what Star Wars is (and no you don't have to have a themed wedding - seriously I knew someone who did that) and those who don't, grab your popcorn and your coke and enjoy!

nuff said...