A big thank you to the Contagious Network team for bringing us the preview screening of the new Star Trek. JJ Abrahams' adaptation of the sci-fi epic Star Trek series is something quite new & different. Right from the outset, where we meet the trouble making Kirk, who likes to steal cars and start bar fights, we know we are in for a Star Trek unlike any of the 10 films before it. This is certainly not a Star Trek for the purists (considering their reaction to the slightly alternative Enterprise TV series).

JJ's Star Trek takes us back to when Kirk and Spok were trainees at Starfleet Academy. They do not get along and have run-ins. Before they have even completed their training, a vicious Romulan from the future (played by Eric Bana) who is hell bent on destroying the Federation arrives to wreak havoc, and thus our two heroes are thrust together to try and save it. 

As this film is a relaunch of the Star Trek franchise, JJ spends the first half of the film taking us back to before Starfleet was created so that we can get to know the characters. It spends its second half on delivering the action we can come to expect from the franchise. Like Batman Begins, it does this pretty well, although Star Trek does try to rush both elements a little, fearing the 150 minute run time Batman gave us. 

Chris Pine does a fair job in playing a young Captain Kirk. The girls will love him and he did remind me of a young William Shatner. Zachary Quinto is perfect for the role of junior Spok - but for those Heroes fans out there, it will be hard to see him as anything but Sylar. Eric Bana is sensational as the evil Romulan Nero and for all those original Uhura fans out there, Zoe Saldana will send your hearts racing.

This film is more like Transformers in its direction, cast and feel, and less like the past few Star Treks, which isn't a bad thing. JJ has revitalised what had become a stagnant franchise. It may lose some purists, but given their vintage, I'm not sure that really matters. What it will do is bring to the franchise new recruits. Gen Y will relate better with the new crew, as opposed to those led by Captains' Picard, Old Kirk or even Archer.

JJ's "Star Trek" is the 3rd franchise launch of the series. This debut film is better than the William Shatner and Patrick Stewart franchise debuts, however, it will be the second movie of this franchise that will define it. The Wrath of Khan and First Contact were both excellent ... let's see what JJ has in store for us. I am excited.

Rating: 4/5