21st Century stars: Spock (Quinto) and Captain Kirk (Pine) Credit: Paramount Pictures

Cast: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Leonard Nimoy
Director: J.J. Abrams
Screenwriters: Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman
Rating: 12

Normally when we are invited to review a film we already have an idea of who’s in it and more or less what to expect, but this time we have blindly signed up for Vue Cinema’s innovative secret screening experience. The whole idea being that each month movie lovers pay to see a pre-released mystery movie that is not revealed until the opening credits. Those that don’t like the chosen film can leave in the first 20 minutes and get their money back.

Mystery movies monthly’s very first screening took us where no one boldly had gone before with the highly anticipated summer blockbuster Star Trek. The sci-fi adventure begins with a classic Starship Enterprise battle scene that instantly illustrates how director J.J. Abrams (Cloverfield, Lost), has transported (at warp speed) the previously nerdy franchise into planet mainstream. However, while the film manages to attract a mainstream audience by portraying an enjoyable modern take on an iconic and legendary franchise, it fails to leave a lasting impact to make it truly spectacular.

Even though there are some great suspense scenes, there is never a time when you truly sense that harm will come to any of the leading characters. Some of the best scenes are when young, confident and cocky Kirk (Chris Pine) and Spock (played by Zachary Quinto from Heroes) engage in some headstrong clashes when the fate of the galaxy lies in their hands.

It is, however, hard for even the least likely of Star Trek fans not to get sucked in when the rebellious, adolescent Kirk is introduced racing a car down a dirt track alongside the blasting beats of Beastie Boys’ hit ‘Sabotage’. While for those die-hard fans there is the appearance of Leonard Nimoy (from the original Star Trek television series) woven into the plot as an older Spock who delivers the classic Vulcan salute and Star Trek catchphrase, “Live long and prosper�.

The tattoo-faced baddie Nero (Eric Bana) is a Romulan who has travelled back in time from the future with the intention of destroying Spock’s home planet as an act of revenge for Spock’s actions that take place in the future. At times the past/present/future conundrum, brought up through the complications of time travel, makes the plot difficult to follow and a little perplexing.

British comedy actor/writer Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz) has some hilarious one-liners as Scotty (of the ‘beam me up’ fame). Whether you have previously seen an episode of Star Trek or not, Abrams’ young cast still manage to reel you in and allow you to associate with the characters due to his insightful introduction of how it all began – taking them from their adolescent years to young adults who begin to resemble the characters known and loved by so many. Is it the spectacular masterpiece anticipated? No. It is however, entertaining and no longer a franchise just for Trekkies.

Star Trek is out now via Paramount Pictures

For more information on monthly Mystery Movie screenings at Vue Cinemas nationwide visit http://www.myvue.com/mysterymovies/ where you can register for updates on forthcoming screenings happening near you.

By Laura Corns