Star Trek XI: The Journey Begins Anew

"Space, the Final Frontier. . ." Those words began the legacy of James T. Kirk and the starship Enterprise. Star Trek is one of the classics of television and film. To date, there have been ten films and five television series's (six if you count the Animated Series) to carry the title. Every television series has ended its run, and it seems like forever since the last film hit the big screen. But in Summer 2009, the crew of the Enterprise will return.

The film was formerly known as Star Trek XI (the title I used here), Star Trek The Beginning, and Star Trek The Journey Begins. Now, it's simply Star Trek. Whatever. Ther film is the brainchild of Director J. J. Abrams of Lost fame. It's been in planning for some time, filming having wrapped earlier this year. Paramount studio executives screened an early cut of the film in late July. The response was quite positive.

This film promises to reintroduce Star Trek to the world, essentially a reboot of the franchise. We seem to be seeing so many of those these days. A reboot may be needed here, given the performance of the last film, Star Trek Nemesis. Nemesis was a visual treat. Certain scenes were hard to forget: Picard's impalement of Shinzon, Data's jump from one starship to another, the Romulan Senate's turning into ash. But the plot left much to be desired. Why was Worf back on board the Enterprise, having just accepted position as Federation Ambassador to the Klingon Empire (per the end of Deep Space Nine)? How many decks does the Enterprise really have? Did Picard have hair during his Academy days, or not? When did Picard and Crusher first meet? The film seemed to carve its own canon with the established character, and thus alienated some fans. Others were not convinced by the idea of Picard's nemesis, the younger clone. Some just thought Star Trek had reached its end.

Well, Abrams's film seeks to return the franchise to its roots. Reboot the series and tell a new story about Kirk and Spock. Now that's more like that! The only problem: the actors who played Kirk and Spock are much older now. Since the story is set in their past, these main characters had to be recast. Sounds awful, doesn't it? But there's good news.

Leonard Nimoy (Spock) is part of the cast. The film takes place in the post-Nemesis time period, featuring an aging Spock travelling back in time to prevent a Romulan plot. The film will show us Starfleet Academy and the younger days of Captain Kirk. According to sources, the Academy Administration brings a young Kirk to an academic trial for cheating on a major test. Of course, Star Trek fans need no explanation. That test is the Kobayashi Maru. And a certain plucky young Vulcan has something to do with it. Exact details remain here and there, mostly elusive. Nonetheless, the project has all the makings of a modest hit and succeeding to reanimate an old franchise.

Why? Well, I refer you all to one of my other articles: Why Did Star Trek Enterprise Fail? where I discuss the weaknesses of the last television franchise. Yes, I believe Enterprise ultimately failed, though it did secure an audience of its own, albeit smaller than the other franchises. Enterprise tried to establish itself in a pre-Kirk era, but followed its own path, at times even avoiding established canon. Plus, there was the franchise fatigue of Deep Space Nine and Voyager, which had just finished. Audiences weren't ready for another Star Trek. But Abrams intends to keep the respect for established canon and reacquaint us with very familiar friends. His formula can work.

I still have reservations about the prequel idea. But the more I see and read about this new film, the more excited I become. Abrams and his crew have brought the original Spock into the mix. So what about William Shatner? Controversy surrounds him and Abrams right now. Ultimately, I'd like to see him in the new film, but I don't believe it would be the same. In the post Nemesis time, Kirk is dead (at least in on-screen canon). So Shatner would have to play another character, maybe an Academy director. That could work, but it wouldn't be the same, and I doubt Shatner would have gone for it. In the end, I don't think it'll make a difference.

The trailer for the film appeared in mid-January. It features clips of a construction crew in an assembly yard, with sparks flying everywhere. Bits of famous Space Race speeches play underneath the footage. Finally, Leonard Nimoy's voice proclaims "Space, the Final Frontier. . ." as the camera pulls back and allows us to see the object of construction, the saucer section of the Enterprise.

It looks very promising. Enough time has passed between films, and Enterprise ended a few years ago. I believe the world is ready for another Trek. This film could give us just that. I hope to be surprised.

Live long and prosper!