Successfully relaunching the long-declining franchise, rising director JJ Abrams delivers a less cerebral, more adrenalin-fueled take on the voyages of the USS Enterprise. In the process he reintroduces critical elements the franchise has not seen in years - cultural relevance, suspense, and a fresh sense of wonder missing from a mythology so heavily explored and exploited over the years.
The story is too generic and lightweight, the performances too self-conscious, and the humor too pithy to cite this as a role model of rebooting ala "Batman Begins" and "Casino Royale." Yet like those films, full credit has to be given to the filmmakers for successfully striking the right balance of reverence and renewal. Hardcore fans may not like the change of tone which ditches the deeper exploration of themes in favor of a sensory thrill ride, yet the film very much retains the feel of Gene Roddenberry's universe albeit trimmed of some of the moral shadings and political allegories.
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