YAB Review: ‘Star Trek’
Posted by meredith on 05-13-2009
Today’s Youth Advisory Board movie review comes from Alyx Steadman, a newcomer to the “Star Trek” franchise. Remember, you can communicate directly with any member of the Ypulse Youth Advisory Board by emailing them at youthadvisoryboard at ypulse.com…or just leave a comment.
What was the biggest draw?
I had so many reasons to see this movie, but the biggest one was that it was “Star Trek”! Just the simple fact that it was supposed to be a revived hit made me interested to see it. I didn’t realize who the director of the movie was until after I had left the theater, but knowing that it was J.J. Abrams would have enticed me because I’m familiar with his previous works. Also, every time I saw the trailer I got a big silly grin across my face because I was so excited. Who doesn’t enjoy a good sci-fi classic?
What did you expect going in? How much did you know beforehand?
I expected a lot from this movie. I was hoping/praying that it would be the new “Star Wars” and I was so not disappointed. I’ve never been a huge “Star Trek” fan (a.k.a. Trekkie) or actually seen a single episode of the old show, but I love blockbusters of any kind, especially the fantasy type, so it didn’t take much to convince me to go. The trailer piqued my interest beyond humanly possible (just going to show the power a well-made trailer has), so I just knew I was going to see it.
Describe your moviegoing experience
The movie premiered last Friday, but I didn’t end up going to that showing (instead I saw “Wolverine”), but I went on Sunday and I was kind of sad I waited because it was so good.
I went with my friend and her dad (who claims to have watched the show in his younger days). The theater was packed with a range of people. I did notice that there were a lot of older folks (almost outnumbering the younger) ranging in ages, but most seemed like they had grown up watching the show. Also, I saw some younger kids that were dragged along, but probably couldn’t really comprehend the movie that well. I’m sure they basically just enjoyed the flashing lights and weird looking aliens and they could dream up their own adventures when they got home that night.
Sum it up:
I wasn’t familiar with the original series, but I didn’t need to know much to “get” the movie. Maybe if I’d seen some of the old shows I would have gotten it a bit more, but there was no confusion that couldn’t be fixed by just waiting and watching the movie. Basically the plot starts out with James Kirk being challenged to do better than his father serving for Starfleet (the galactic peace keeping organization that deals with space ships, sorta like America’s military). After thinking about it James joins Starfleet only to have things get more complicated as there is attack on a neighboring planet. I don’t want to give it away, but if you loved “Star Wars” at all then you’ll be thrilled with what “Star Trek” has to offer.
What did you walk out of the theater thinking?
The movie was a great set up for future installments that could go on and on with a million different possibilities. There was lots of adventure including hand-to-hand combat, blowing up space ships, running from alien lizard creatures, and some pretty impressive laser gun fights. I expected this from the movie, but the quality was what impressed me. The people who made this movie put time to make things just a little new and different making the experience less predictable. I knew the basics of what was going to happen, but I didn’t really care because it was just so good.
The movie industry hasn’t impressed me lately with what they’ve been putting out for the public to watch. Maybe I’m just harder to please as I grow older, but I’ve liked stuff I’ve seen but not loved it. This movie though, was one of those that I did love. Teens and adults alike will flock to this movie from the great buzz that people will say about it, making it an instant classic that is sure to have a few follow up movies that hopefully will be just as good. The Trekkie legacy has been reborn in today’s youth and at this rate there will be generations more of Trekkies. Congrats, Star Trek your franchise has been rejuvenated.
About Alyx
Alyx Steadman is a freshman in high school in Montana, and loves every minute of it. He loves reading, writing, acting, singing, and being a social butterfly. In the past people have accused him of being a YouTube addict and a pop culture junkie (and sadly Alyx cannot deny these accusations). His love for teen culture has led him to many hours slaving on the computer soaking up every piece of drama Hollywood has to offer. In the future he hopes to pursue a writing career as some type of journalist. Excited doesn’t even begin to cover how he’s feeling to be in the Ypulse Advisory Board. “Today the world changes so quickly that in growing up we take leave not just of youth but of the world we were young in.”
Categorized under: Movies & Music, Youth Advisory Board