The real danger with a reboot like Star Trek is that it sets a precedence that any sluggish entertainment franchise can simply re-write the rules, and in essence, restart a series without any repercussions. That's what happens here, with a time travel scenario that explains how Star Trek can again boldly go where no one has gone before by erasing over 30 years of history in one 2 hour swoop.

This is a rare film where the antagonist neither makes or breaks the film. The villains in this new Trek movie are besides the point, really. The whole point of this adventure is to re-introduce the original characters in a way that a new direction can be set forth with them. And that is precisely what occurs. The renegade Romulans are worthy opponents but aren't iconic villains, and their plot to go back in time to carry out genocide is a rather simple bit of writing (Nero's back story should have been explained a bit more, in a way similar to the comic book prequels.)

As it turns out, the great chemistry between the wonderfully chosen cast members is the real star of this show. There is refreshing comfort level achieved with how well Kirk, Spock and McCoy interact with one another. I found each of these characters to be expertly interpreted as their younger selves and none of them came across as cheap knock-offs of their originals. The rest of the fringe cast members are also well represented and find themselves in situations that actually impact the story. The spacejump sequence, for one, was a great way to be reintroduce to Sulu!

In all, I enjoyed this new Trek but felt as though there were some poor decisions associated with it (Spock's romantic flame, coincidental encounters, etc). But, considering the mammoth task of writing a story that can touch both new and veteran fans alike, this was a reboot that succeeds perhaps like none other.

Now, that really is boldly going somewhere!