MESSAGE IN THE MOVIES

Star Trek Rated PG-13

Directed by J. J. Abrams.  Starring Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto


Photo © Paramount Pictures
Movie Review by Rev. Bruce Batchelor Glader

Space... the Final Frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. Its five-year mission: to explore strange new worlds; to seek out new life and new civilizations; to boldly go where no man has gone before.

In 1966 the TV series Star Trek was created by Gene Roddenberry.  Each week the starship Enterprise would visit different civilizations throughout the galaxy.  Along the way, moral lessons would be learned. 

Since the United States was involved in the Vietnam War and also struggling with race relations, this combination of space opera and intelligent reflection (accompanied with cheesy special effects) appealed to a lot of viewers, but not enough to keep NBC from cancelling the series after just three seasons.  The show went into syndication to local TV stations, became a cult hit, and spawned many movies and subsequent Star Trek series, including Star Trek: The Next Generation, which some fans consider superior to the original series. 

Now, 43 years from its creation, J.J. Abrams has directed a prequel to the original TV series, in which we learn about the adolescence and early adulthood of Captain James Tibirius Kirk and his Vulcan assistant, Spock.  Kirk is an orphan and Spock is a half-breed outcast; Kirk is emotional and passionate, Spock is reserved and logical. 

And, once they get the starship team together, there is an unhinged Romulan captain to deal with.  Why am I telling you this much about the Star Trek series?  Primarily because there is no great message in this movie, but it is a great deal of fun if you are a fan of the first show. 

There is a real sense of play in this film and it is loaded with a lot of in-jokes that include catch phrases from the franchise.  The plot (as it is) is much simpler than some of the later Star Trek films, and it can be enjoyed simply as a character-driven adventure film.  I’m not sure that your kids will enjoy this movie, but the kid inside of you will probably have a great time. 

Pitchfork Rating:
Three halos (A fast-moving and fun film celebrating memorable characters from a beloved TV series.) One pitchfork (A brief scene of sexual innuendo in the first half hour (quickly dispensed with), mild swearing.]

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