So, went to see the new Star Trek. Feeling profoundly conflicted and leaning toward "did not like" as my reaction. Now, I'm not going to call it an epic pile of shit like the last few TNG-based movies, 'cause that's a kind of fail from which there is no redemption. So I'll try to simplify my thoughts a bit.

First off, when you go into a huge franchise that lasted as long as Star Trek (admittedly, longer than it should have), you better be ready to be compared to what has come before. So...

Bones: Excellent work by the actor. Would've been great had it not been for some dumbass script-writer cramming his old catchphrase into the dialogue in a decidedly awkward fashion. Loved the play between him and Spock.

Kirk: Actor caught all the good from Shatner without the horrible, excessively-punctuated delivery. Good job.

Spock: Good shot by the actor. Fine and dandy. Cramming the whole "Whatever remains" quote from other movies in there should, again, result in a script-writer being shot. Him sucking face with Uhura still pisses me off. Where the hell did that come from? "Oh, it's an alternate universe, so let's do something really fucking retarded." Does not work as a couple. Only thing that made it remotely worth it was Kirk's horror when he found out. But that's like 5/100 on the redemption point scale that I just made up.

Nimoy: Awesome appearance. That was definitely my Spock, though he felt a little out of place in this... recreation.

Sulu, Chekov, Scotty: All very cute side characters and no complaints there.

Navy Nods: Appreciated seeing a little more Naval tradition in there. The "Stand By" moments when Kirk, Sr.'s skipper went for his shuttle in the beginning and the way they read Kirk's citation for valor were both pretty cool.

Character-wise, overall was very good. My only major complaint was the awkward shoe-horning in of lines from previous movies/episodes in what I can only assume was an attempt to pull it in for the "old-school" Trekkers. As someone who was retardedly obsessed with the franchise in my early teens, I think I'd say: Hey, if you're going to rehash the characters and update them, stop dragging up old shit that only worked way back when. Leave the past behind. Go forth, and all that.

Plot/franchise/overall movie: Yeah, about that. Feels painfully like they just broke the glass and smacked that big, red "reboot" button in the back of Paramount Studios. "Hey, guess what, this is an alternate universe (cough, nudge, stomp floor, smack podium) now, so we can do whatever we want with the series. Spock and Uhura are totally doing it, Kirk's dad is dead, Vulcan no longer exists, and people are going to wear less clothes." Sex and violence have their place, but that place is not in my idea of Star Trek.

Of course, my idea of Star Trek really doesn't matter, since I'm sure there will be sequel after sequel of this... whatever this is that will be wildly popular among the general public. I suppose, at this point, it could go either way for me. I really feel like, overall, they've just turned it into another dumb sci-fi and that Gene Roddenberry is spinning in his grave right now.

I'm not trying to be high-and-mighty and say that I only watch smart movies, but there are certain expectations I have when I go to see certain genres/titles/etc. If I go to see Clint Eastwood, I expect to see a lot of people get shot while Eastwood acts like a badass. If I go to a Pixar film, I expect silliness and maybe a neat little message in a bottle. If I go to see something Marvel-esque, I expect someone with some freaky abilities/technology to fuck shit up. When I go to see Star Trek, I expect to have something to think about after the movie. Y'know, aside from why I feel more conflicted than the Jonas Brothers at a nudey bar.

Note to Self: Rewatch Wolverine: Origins to remind myself that there is still hope.

Overall Rating: -shrug-