Since the original Star Trek series kicked off in 1966, there have been ten movies and several TV series produced. So most people will be familiar with the USS Enterprise and the concept of boldly going where no one has gone before. But with the 10th film in the franchise, Star Trek: Nemesis, not faring so well at the box office and the TV audience steadily declining, the Star Trek phenomenon looked to have had its day. But not wanting to quit such a lucrative brand, Paramount has turned to director J.J. Abrams to 'reboot' the franchise for a new generation.

As the producers of Batman Begins & Casino Royale also did, Abrams decided to go back to the beginning, to see how all the familiar characters came to be the crew of the Enterprise. And with a clever time-travel twist in the plot that results in an alternate reality, Abrams has complete freedom to reinvent the series. Star Trek begins with Kirk's father sacrificing himself to save his ship's crew, including his wife and son—James Kirk (Chris Pine). Fast forward a couple of decades and Kirk finds himself aimlessly drifting through life until he signs up to join the Starfleet Academy. It is here that he meets Spock (Zachary Quinto) and most of the future Enterprise crew.

Soon enough they are all called to duty as it becomes apparent that, in seeking revenge for the destruction of his own planet, the Romulan Captain Nero (Eric Bana) is determined to destroy the Federation. What follows is an action-packed adventure as the Enterprise crew battles the Romulan forces while trying to find their feet in their new roles aboard the infamous ship. It's exciting, enjoyable, and generally just a great all-around action film. And despite being a reboot of the series, Abrams stays true to the original characters, so most Trek fans should be happy.

The production values are excellent. From the clever casting, the slick production design, and the amazing musical score, everything is in place to make this a very successful film. And for an action film, there is a lot of character development. As Kirk's bad-boy image threatens to derail his chances of captaining the Enterprise, Spock, who is half-human and half-Vulcan, is struggling to find his identity. Watching the two of them, along with the other crew members, settle into their roles on the ship is great to watch as Abrams hits all the right emotional notes.

There are a number of great themes flowing through the film as well. From the outset we witness a courageous act of sacrifice as James Kirk's father, having captained his ship for only twelve minutes, gives his own life in order to save the lives of 800 of his crew—including the lives of his wife and new baby boy. It reminds us that there is no greater love than that of someone who will lay down his or her own life for the sake of another.

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay his life down for his friends." (John 15:13 NIV)

Then there is Spock. A half-human, half-Vulcan struggling to find his true identity. And don't we all ask this at some point in our lives? Who am I? What's my purpose? The truth is that we only find our true identity, our true purpose in life, when we surrender to God and acknowledge that He is our Lord and creator.

And then there's the theme of revenge as highlighted in the character of Captain Nero. He is consumed by hatred toward those he believes responsible for destroying his planet. He becomes a slave to this hatred and must at all costs exact revenge. But it is this unholy quest that brings about his downfall. The Bible teaches that forgiveness is the best path to walk; it helps heal our pain and enables us to live in freedom, rather than slavery.

So at the end of the day, with a great action-packed story filled with solid themes for us to reflect on, Star Trek is setting a course for a successful new series of films.