The image above is not mine. It’s from Futurama. I Googled it myself.

Here’s a confession if ever there was one:

If I was not a Christian, Star Trek would be my religion.

I kid you not.

Given the an opportunity to hypothesize, some may cite Buddhism and other faiths. But me?

Forget deities that have been respected the world over for thousands of years.

I want a phaser and some Romulan Ale.

Remember when I posted the trailer? I said that if I thought the film was awful, then everyone would know?

Today I would like to thank J. J. Abrams. J. J., you have given me a movie that I am going to see in the theatre more than once. And that NEVER happens.

I have a bit of a spotty Star Trek history. The only series I know in depth is Star Trek: The Next Generation. In fact, TNG is the first and only television show of which I have seen every episode.

My viewing of the other series has been admittedly sketchy.

Nevertheless, I feel confident that I have a fairly strong sense of what Star Trek is. Good Trek, bad Trek. I like to think I can tell the difference.

And Star Trek, my friends, is some Very GOOD Trek.

Some critics bemoan the fact that no politically galvanizing storyline was involved. Historically speaking, one thing Star Trek is renowned for is its plots involving social metaphor.

But you know what?

When I stepped into that theatre Saturday night, I wasn’t looking for a brain-bender. I was looking for a good time.

And I got one.

Not that Star Trek isn’t a smart film. (It is.) But the basic function of this effort was to (re)introduce the characters to a new generation of fans. And that it did.

By the by, here are some (spoilerific) things that mess with Star Trek canon:

In the new film, Spock and Uhura are an item. I first heard about this via an interview on Youtube. My brow furrowed, and I think I made a face. I was truly perplexed.

But it works in the movie. And I actually like their pairing.

Mind you, I’d like it even more if in the forthcoming movies they are given something more substantial to do than snogging in the elevator. Or in the transporter room. Speaking of those scenes, I don’t mean to be glib. I know there’s something there.

And quite frankly, I’d like to see more of it. Whatever it is.

Regarding Vulcan: Spock doesn’t have a home planet any longer. Nor does he have a mother. (Masterfully played by Winona Ryder.) Of all the things that happened in the film, I wish she hadn’t died. It seemed to me that Amanda Greyson would have been an interesting character.

Oh well.

“Are you out of your Vulcan mind?” still makes me laugh. The delivery of that line was impeccable.

The film held my attention from start to finish. The special effects, the lighting, the writing, the costumes, the music…From the bits with an orchestra to the Beastie Boys(!)…And of course, the acting…Everything clicked. I–and several other viewers–clapped at the end. The closing credits were gorgeous.

I cannot wait for the next installment.

Dear J. J.

I want another Trek. By no later than 2012, OR ELSE.

Bless you.

~Claire~