Star Trek
So I went to the midnight showing, of course.



So yes, it is an alternate reality. BUT everything is explained as to the how and why, and I feel this is done in a completely plausible manner, so I accept it. It's obvious in the beginning of the movie, but they do a really good job of explaining it about halfway through, so if you start out skeptical, my advice is give them a chance to explain it.

The casting is superb. While I like many of the actors chosen, I was initially doubtful about some of them in their respective roles. Having seen their performances, I think they all did an excellent job of both adhering to the original characterizations and adding a new perspective. This includes, but is definitely not limited to, Chris Pine. Naturally, the pressure is greatest with him, and I had never seen him in anything before, so I walked in with a clean slate opinion of him. He really does FANTASTICALLY. I felt like even though there were a couple of things about Kirk's personality that were different, they could be chalked up to having an alternate childhood. I did, surprisingly, feel like there was a bit of an homage to Shatner in his performance. AND ZACHARY QUINTO WAS AWESOME, BUT THAT GOES WITHOUT SAYING. And yeah, Leonard Nimoy being awesome. <3

They keep to tradition very well- they kill off a "redshirt", the characters all get to use their taglines, and the Enterprise doesn't look like some unrecognizable new-fangled design. And Sulu swordfighting! Even the soundtrack uses music styles similar to the original soundtrack of the show, which was also an unexpected delight.

There was unexpected Spock/Uhura (I have to admit, that is a pairing I haven't seen before), but it didn't bother me or become too much of a focus. It wasn't nearly as unexpected as Tyler Perry. Admiral Tyler Perry. That's what I'm going to call him from now on.

The visual effects were stunning. The Romulan ship looked like some eldritch horror from the depths of Lovecraft. Also, silence in space! Yes!

I'm sure there was more I meant to comment on, but I can't think of it right now. All in all, I very much liked the movie. I'm sure a lot of people will get caught up in the fact that it's an alternate timeline, but once I accepted that the "normal" timeline was still going on elsewise, I could enjoy this one for what it was.

And poor, poor Porthos.



Seriously, guys? Go see it. :D