--- title: "Star Trek: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/star-trek/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/star-trek" critics_score: 84 critics_reviews: 9 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Star Trek (2009): what the critics said Critics' score 84 from 9 reviews: 9 positive, 0 mixed, 0 negative. Most critics welcome Star Trek as an energetic revival that respects familiar characters while making their early adventures accessible to newcomers. Praise centres on Abrams’s pace, humour and casting, with Chris Pine’s Kirk and Zachary Quinto’s Spock drawing particular attention for their rivalry and comic timing. The reviews also favour the effects and refreshed design. Many find that the action leaves enough space for friendships and character development to matter. The differences are chiefly in the degree of enthusiasm, though some reservations are specific. Slant Magazine finds the opening weak, the film uneven and the villain and action short on originality, while still valuing the supporting cast and humour. Total Film, by contrast, singles out the opening as a strength. The Los Angeles Times notes an over-caffeinated quality and occasional missteps, but shares the broader view that Abrams successfully brings old and new together. ## Screen Daily Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 22 April 2009. Abrams is praised for injecting enormous energy into the long-running franchise and creating an immensely satisfying prequel with invigorating humour and strong casting. The review highlights the director’s understanding of modern audiences and the film’s potential as a summer hit. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/star-trek/5000394.article) ## Little White Lies — Jonathan Crocker Rating 4/4/4. 7 May 2009. Abrams’s reboot is hailed as the most purely enjoyable blockbuster of the summer for its speed, style and exhilarating action sequences. The critic singles out the dynamic rivalry between Pine’s cocky Kirk and Quinto’s ice-cool Spock for particular praise. [Read the review](https://lwlies.com/reviews/star-trek) ## Sight and Sound — Kim Newman Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). The review praises Abrams’s bold reimagining of the early days of the Star Trek crew. It highlights the love and respect with which the reboot has been mounted despite being a radical rethink. [Read the review](https://www.bfi.org.uk/film/fe40d453-7dfc-5f82-9235-c6211fe54536/star-trek) ## Time Out — Tom Huddleston Rating 4/5. 5 May 2009. Abrams is commended for updating the franchise with enthusiasm and fun without dark allegory or excessive violence. The critic praises the witty design updates, strong cast and clever script that works for both fans and newcomers. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/star-trek-1) ## Radio Times — Andrew Collins Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). The reboot is described as a successful revival of the classic formula with big-budget effects and in-jokes that appeal to new and old audiences alike. The young cast and Abrams’s direction are credited with breathing fresh life into the series. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-yfut2p/star-trek/) ## Los Angeles Times — Kenneth Turan 8 May 2009. The critic finds the film successful overall in bridging old and new, with a satisfying young-years setup and strong action sequences, though it has over-caffeinated aspects and occasional missteps; Abrams’ playful instinct for popular entertainment ultimately saves it. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-star-trek-review-20090508-snap-story.html) ## Slant Magazine — Bill Weber 6 May 2009. The critic views the film as a qualified success that recovers from a weak opening but remains goofily uneven, crediting it with restoring the scale of the Trek universe through fan-service references and a strong supporting cast while noting the villain and action sequences lack originality. The presence of Leonard Nimoy as older Spock and comedic riffs by the new cast are singled out as highlights amid the revisionist plot. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/star-trek/) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw 8 May 2009. The critic praises the film's focus on the bromance between Kirk and Spock as the greatest of its kind. He singles out the inspired, lovable performances by Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto for their power, passion and comic timing. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2009/may/08/star-trek) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Ray Bennett 20 April 2009. The critic praises J.J. Abrams for giving the over-the-hill Star Trek franchise a full refit with warp-speed pacing, spectacular action sequences, and an expert cast that makes the familiar characters instantly recognizable. The film is highlighted as so much fun that it will appeal to both saga fans and general audiences seeking a sensational ride, with special effects and production values singled out for praise. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/star-trek-review-movie-2009-jj-abrams-93063/) ## The New York Times — Manohla Dargis Rating Critic’s Pick. 8 May 2009. The critic praises the film as a bright, shiny blast and pleasurable rethink of the franchise, an origin story directed with a sure touch and perfect tone by J.J. Abrams that turns back the narrative clock to the characters’ early days. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/08/movies/08trek.html) ## Total Film 8 April 2009. The film is an exhilarating, breathless and lavishly mounted adventure that delivers the first genuine blockbuster of the year. It is singled out for its powerful opening and the way it brings the Enterprise crew together. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/star-trek-1-review/) ## Variety — Todd McCarthy 22 April 2009. The critic calls it a smart and breathless space adventure that transports fans to sci-fi nirvana, faithful to the spirit of the original while exciting on its own terms with youthful energy, strong casting, and top-notch effects and score. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2009/film/markets-festivals/star-trek-3-1200474457/) ## Den of Geek — Mark Pickavance Rating 5/5. 20 April 2009. The critic is ecstatic that the film delivers a fresh yet familiar Star Trek experience that is highly entertaining, with exceptional visuals, action, and strong characterizations, especially from the lead actors. He singles out the dynamic action sequences and the way the film balances spectacle with character development for praise. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/star-trek-review/) ## Digital Spy — Ben Rawson-Jones Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 20 April 2009. The critic praises the film as a gripping reboot that blends breathtaking visuals with a character-driven script, delivering an enjoyable blockbuster focused on Kirk's coming-of-age story and the formation of key friendships. He singles out the strong performances and Abrams' direction for balancing action and character moments. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a153226/star-trek/) ## The Wrap — Michael Adams Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 5 May 2009. The critic finds the film one of the most rollicking sci-fi adventures in a long time—smart, funny and emotionally satisfying. He singles out Abrams' genuine curiosity balanced with reverence and humor in handling the familiar material. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/non-vulcan-beams-star-trek-2884/) ## Paste — Paste Staff Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 8 May 2009. The critic finds the film an exciting, dramatic, and intelligent summer blockbuster that is more than mere spectacle. They single out the nimble story by screenwriters Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman for linking to predecessors with minimal plot holes and the blazing pace and smart dialogue. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/j-j-abrams/star-trek) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/star-trek.md