Whilst I admit I was a bit of a fan of The Next Generation and Deep Space 9 when I was younger, I am anything but a Trekkie so do not be put off by this review.

When I first heard they were resurrecting the franchise (which - as far as I’m concerned - died with the first episode of Voyager) I was pretty much indifferent. The last two series were terrible and the last three films not much better so I wasn’t expecting - or even interested - all that much. Even when I heard the usually excellent J.J. Abrams (writer of TV show Lost) was directing and self-admitting geek Simon Pegg co-starring, I could not muster any enthusiasm.

This feeling of indifference, however, was blown away within the frantic first 10 minutes of the film. A blockbuster of an opening in which photon torpedoes are fired, spaceships destroyed and captains self-sacrificed. I do not want to ruin the film for those who haven’t seen it by revealing the plot but rest assured it does not let up. One blistering scene seems to lead to another and special credit should go to the writers as well as Abrams for a script which has warmth and depth.

The tone of the film is - at least compared to previous Trek outings - a gentle one. Gone for the most part (although not completely - to appease the fanboys) are the tedious techno-babble lines (’my visor is picking up resonating maison polar activity’ - TNG) and baffling technology (’neutrino displacement grid’ - DS9) and in are bar-room brawls, one night stands and all round grime. Yes, this is a Trek universe which has actually been lived in. Engine rooms are dirty and unmanned outposts have fungus climbing the walls. This all leads to a Star Trek film which is way more accessible than its predecessors and definitely the most fun to date.

Abrams has been quoted as saying that as much work went into the casting process as anything else - and it shows. Every character is carefully thought out and brings more to the table than just a funny catchphrase or a mini-skirt. Speaking of Scotty (Pegg) and Uhura (Zoe Saldana), as well as other classic characters ‘Bones’ McCoy (Karl Urban), Chekhov (Anton Yelchin) and Sulu (John Cho), all are solid, but their time will come in later Trek movies - this is the Kirk and Spock show.

Zachary Quinto (Sylar in Heroes) is superb as the new and (in my opinion) improved Spock. He brings all the logic, composure and assuredness that Leonard Nimoy did for 40 years but does so in a more, well, likeable way. Meanwhile, Chris Pine does an equally good job with the angry young Kirk. All rebel without a cause, he is arrogant, charming and funny and breathes new life into a massively over-used character type. From their first scene together, there is a chemistry between these two and a lot of the movies best scenes are when they share the screen.

There will be more movies I’m sure and if any of them are as big or as bold as this first attempt then we are all in for a treat. A real summer blockbuster, there is action, laughs and even a little romance to enjoy. Hats off to Abrams for guiding a swinging sixties vision of the 23rd century into the 21st.

-John