Why the World Needs Star Trek Right Now

The new movie is out to glorious reviews. I could not agree more. What a wonderful film this is! I could review the film with glowing prose and tearful joy at how wonderful it is. I could tell you that the sound, the lighting, the pacing, the sequences, are all perfect. (They are by the way.) I could tell you that the actors absolutely NAILED their parts and that it is different enough to be original and traditional enough to be respectful. I could sing the praises of this film for about three weeks straight. However, I’m not going that route this time. This movie deserves so much more.

I think that the Star Trek film reflects what American society needs right now. We have a war to contend with, a failing economy, swine flu, and the list goes on and on. Star Trek does not go the route that Battlestar Galactica did in its pointed portrayal of humanity in all its fallen and desperate, depressing state. While Galactica offered some hope for us at the end of the series, it was largely dark and brooding and…well…scary. That has its place and everyone who knows me understands how much I love BSG. However, the new Star Trek takes a different route. The movie returns to its roots and offers an almost joyous sense of optimism without being preachy or over the top. There is a sense that humanity just might be alright after all if we can reach inside and past our fallen natures. There is still good waiting to be harvested. Trek gives joy to adventure once more and excitement that is tempered with humor and drama. Even if this sense of hope for humanity is unrealistic or even if this hope is false, the movie gives a glimpse at what is great about human beings. We seek out strange new “anythings.” We boldly go where no one has gone before. In short, we are the movers and shakers of the universe. It is how God made us. We should sense that created nobility that we all have. Trek is the right movie at the right time. It offers optimism in the face of difficult days.