Wagon Train to the Stars

I am a loyal Trekie, having my young impressionable adolescent mind nourished on the enchanting science fiction series throughout my childhood. The intelligent story lines wove a romantic account of a perceived evolution of humanity that had our species adventuring among the stars encountering aliens with social issues mirroring our own. It was full of amiable characters who were heroic and were impeccably moralistic representatives of the human race, except when under the influence of some alien evil agenda. It made a futuristic life venturing among the stars easy to comprehend and, when all was said and done, utter fun. It was Gene Roddenberry’s concept of "wagon train to the stars." Check out my Buddy James Kirk's article: Ten Best Star Trek Episodes of the original series.

When I went to the theater to see the 2009 manifestation of the series I was extremely apprehensive. I had experienced perversions of the pure individuality of the TrekCept within many of the later motion pictures being disappointed that producers had strayed from the original formula that had worked so well. As these fresh frames played out on the silver screen before me I was enamored with director J.J. Abrahams’ new vision of the Star Trek concept as we are reacquainted with the series’ delightful characters long before they come together on the bridge of the USS Enterprise. Abrahams took painstaking precaution to remain true to the sanctimony of the original series. 

Not only did this new version protect the theology of Star Trek, but it reinvented and modernized it for a new generation who have never had the privilege of experiencing the original TV series. With genius foresight Abrahams crafted a story line creating an alternate timeline giving future efforts freedom to expand into fresh stories without having to face consequences form the Star Trek purists (often zealots at times). The brash James T. Kirk tries to live up to his father's legacy with Mr. Spock keeping him in check as a vengeful, time-traveling Romulan creates black holes to destroy the Federation one planet at a time.

 That being said, this version remained true to the many concepts that made Star Trek so endearing for those of us who grew up on the show. Who can forget anyone who wore a red shirt was doomed on an away mission? I love how Wikipedia explains the concept:“A "redshirt" is a stock character in fiction who dies soon after being introduced. The term originates with fans of the Star Trek television series (1966–69), from the red shirts worn by Starfleet security personnel who frequently die during episodes.^[1] Redshirt deaths are often used to dramatize the potential peril that the main characters face.” In the 2009 adaptation the homage is paid early on in the first away mission as a skydiving red uniformed officer is burned up in a Romulan plasma drill. Other concepts include Chekoff's troubles pronouncing "W's", Kirk's affinity for having relations with alien women (especially those of the green hue) and Scotty's mantra of, "I'm giving it all's she got Cap'n." These all are included in loving homage within this picture.

Also, the 2009 film preserves the relationships between the characters, which I found the most enjoyable in the movie. When I heard Bones' rapport with Spock, calling him a "Green Blooded Goblin," I spit the soft drink from my mouth. The only deviation was the Vulcan Spock's relationship with Ohura.

My hopes are that this 2013 adaptation of Star Trek due for release next month stays as true to the original show's theology as the 2009 version did.