Movie/TV Reviews « Truth-In-Sight

Cast of Star Trek

“Space, the final frontier…” It never seems to be final if you are a Star Trek fan. Hollywood has found a new way to engage fans for another two hours of popcorn and fun: go back in time to the beginning. How did James T. Kirk, Spock, and the rest of the original crew of the USS Enterprise come together? That’s the story line of the new Star Trek film.

My teen daughter and I went on opening night last week, both anticipating different things. For me, I brought my memories of sitting in front of my black and white TV, watching William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy and the rest of the original crew form the foundation of the Star Trek legacy. I kept wondering how this new film could pull it off—staying true to the characters but providing something new and interesting. My daughter only knew of the existence of Star Trek, but had no prior knowledge of the characters and their individual quirks. How would she take to the young versions of the old characters, never knowing them first as adults? Finally, we both wondered what themes would we experience that would prick our Christian worldview somehow?

Firstly, the acting, special effects, and overall cinematic experience were very good. We both were “wowed” by the development of the characters. Sure, I chucked at some of the familiar antics of McCoy and Scotty. But a young person experiencing them for the first time also can appreciate their individuality, mainly because the film took enough time to explore each character without forcing the issue. Sure, Kirk and Spock received the most attention, justifiably so. Bones, Scotty, Uhura, and Chekov were on TV and are now in film the supporting cast to the Captain and First Officer. Their growth as people and as friends kept both the series and the movies alive for so long. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that the two could not be more different, a fact that provides much of the tension and the humor of the film.

If I have one criticism of the movie, it’s the story-line. I found it hard to follow and somewhat worn at times. I guess going back in time proves that “there’s nothing new under the sun.” The writers of this Star Trek did not come up with an especially original story compared to the previous films. Earth is in mortal danger—can Kirk pull a rabbit out of his proverbial hat and save mankind from destruction? Been there, done that. Another criticism, as a Christian and a father, is the use of a couple of curse words which certainly could have been avoided. Also, one scene showing a scantily clad Kirk and his date (Uhura’s roommate at the Academy) could have been toned down as well. Kirk’s a lady’s man—OK, we get it. No need to show too much skin in a movie that is generally family-friendly in most other ways.

What keeps the movie interesting and new, as mentioned previously, is the fascinating characters. The cast did a fine job playing their parts without becoming a cartoon version of a 70’s TV show. Instead, they poured new emotion and vitality into the roles while retaining the qualities that made them unique. In my view, and my daughter’s as well, Scotty and Chekov stole nearly every scene they were in.

From a Christian worldview, the character of Spock is easily the most fascinating. His dual natures—Human from his mother, and Vulcan from his father—reminds us of the Apostle Paul’s discussion of the two competing natures in a believer that war against each other. In Romans 7:21-25, Paul writes: ”So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin. “ The way Spock wrestles with his two natures reminds us of how we also wrestle, as Paul describes, with our two natures. As many have said in the past, the nature that wins the wrestling match is the one you feed the most. Spock finds that he identifies with and therefore feeds his Vulcan nature the most. However, he has moments of rebellion where he gives into his human nature. At times, as in his relationship with Uhura (OK, that was a little creepy to me), giving in to his human nature is a plus. At other times, such as when he is bullied by young Vulcan classmates, it’s not. His Vulcan nature (the logical-based one) serves him and the Enterprise crew well and brings out his best. Our spiritual nature, speaking as a Christian redeemed by Jesus Christ, also seems to be the one that serves us and our “crew”– our friends, family, and coworkers–the best as well.

All in all, Star Trek is an entertaining movie with plenty for old and new fans to enjoy. With a few noted exceptions, mature Christians have plenty to smile and think about well after the popcorn is gone. I give it 3.5 stars out of 5.