Star Trek XI breathes new life into the Star Trek franchise, much like Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins did for Batman. J.J. Abrams takes an even bigger step into the world of Sci-Fi as producer-director of the eleventh Star Trek movie, after films like Cloverfield and Mission: Impossible III. Star Trek XI is a gripping rendition of the early days of Captain James T. Kirk and members of the USS Enterprise. The casting was an important element to the film’s success, paying homage to the classic cast, while introducing some new blood. Leonard Nimoy returns as an older Spock after declining numerous roles in other sequels, while Zachary Quinto makes an excellent apprentice and replacement. The cast bustles with cult favourites such as Karl Urban (Pathfinder), Simon Pegg (Hot Fuzz), John Cho (Harold & Kumar), Anton Yelchin (Terminator Salvation) and Winona Ryder (Alien: Resurrection). Each choice brings a legion of fans from different subcultures in Hollywood, and adds a diversity fit for audiences around the globe. Eric Bana and Bruce Greenwood add more experience and dramatic weight to the new Star Trek episode, with lesser known stars Chris Pine and Zoe Saldana taking up the slack as Captain James T. Kirk and Nyota Uhuru.

Trekkies will be just as impressed with the new Star Trek as fresh converts. The movie blisters with spellbinding visuals, trailblazing pace, action sequences and a host of reboot characters. The writers add a touch of comedy to lighten moments and the movie is an exhilarating action adventure in every respect. Star Trek XI is high on entertainment value, which makes it a smash hit with just about everyone. The revitalised story, cast and characters bring new energy to the old franchise and will rekindle interest in its origins for old and new fans. J.J. Abrams knows how to deliver big blockbusters and serves Star Trek on a silver platter with all the right ingredients. Whether it’s the dazzling CGI effects of Romulan alien spacecraft, or the USS Enterprise piercing its way across the universe through time warps, it’s all just phenomenal. The new installation gets extra points for keeping the spirit of the original alive, while resuscitating the classic series with fresh new faces and a new angle.

Star Trek XI has been well-received by critics and movie goers alike, and has already announced a follow-up sequel, scheduled for 2011. Most reboots suffer because they lack passion, are too irreverently different or are too much of a rehash to offer anything new. The new Star Trek succeeds by balancing the old and the new without stepping on anyone’s feelers. It pays homage to the original Star Trek, and manages to capture the spirit for a new Trekkie generation. Yes, it may be another cash cow coming in from the fields, but the film has been so lovingly made by J.J. Abrams, cast and crew, that you can almost forgive them. This is leagues ahead of films like Starship Troopers and fits in nicely with other Star Trek sequels like The Wrath of Khan and First Contact. Die hard Trekkies may find fault with the new Star Trek’s high emphasis on entertainment over dramatic depth, but it’s the sort of film one could easily watch again.

The bottom line: Trailblazing.