Review: Star Trek

What is it with Hollywood's obsession with the early years?

Since Smallville hit our screens it seems the film bosses have decided it's time to reel out old stories of the 'college years'.

Hot on the heels of Wolverine hitting the big screen in the first of the X-Men Origins series, Star Trek appears on cinemas this week.

While the new X-Men film, although an action thriller, seems to meander along among a tired plot, Star Trek manages both plot and action in equal measure.

Bursting into action from the start with dramatic scenes, the film is entirely watchable.

Both the early period showing Spock and James Kirk's adolescence as well as the climatic ending ensure the audience is gripped, even if the middle period, which sees the duo join up with the Starship team, drags a little.

Of the cast, Chris Pine excels as the young Captain James Kirk.

Zachary Quinto, previously in Heroes, is equally effective while Eric Bana perfectly portrays the evil Nero.

While Karl Urban's role of Bones is slightly off-key, Simon Pegg's appearance as Scotty works well, and you can't really go wrong with bringing in Leonard Nimoy to play Spock back from the future.

For director JJ Abrahams, the real trick - apart from the excellent casting - was keeping the Trekkie fanatics happy alongside those just out for a good time.

Abrahams admits he is not a huge Star Trek fan and it's probably this which allows the film to be more accessible to the masses.

Gentle prodding from his team made sure he did not bastardise the formula.

Star Trek out in cinemas on Friday May 8.