JJ Abram's new Star Trek movie has indeed done the unthinkable and rejuvenated the ailing Star Trek franchise. With an all new cast (bar one awesome guest star), a bold new direction and production values that are far beyond anything ever seen in a Star Trek film before, the classic icon of space-based Science Fiction
entertainment is reborn for a new generation.

Chris Pine was a controversial choice for Kirk when he was announced in the role, but he has turned out to be every bit the cocky upstart we'd hoped Kirk would be. Spock is spot on, or even Spock-on, if you will.

Could it be true? It looks as though the unthinkable has happened- a new Star Trek movie that will bring the franchise back from the edge of oblivion. After Star Trek: Insurrection and Star Trek: Nemesis failed to set the box office alight, Star Trek: Voyager coming under fire from fans during its final years and the prequel series Enterprise being canned after four seasons, it looked as though the Star Trek franchise was about ready to fade away.

The story of a young crew’s maiden voyage onboard the most advanced starship ever created: the U.S.S. Enterprise. On a journey filled with cosmic peril, the new recruits must find a way to stop an evil being whose mission of vengeance threatens all of mankind. The fate of the galaxy rests in the hands of bitter rivals. One, James T. Kirk, is a delinquent, thrill-seeking Iowa farm boy. The other, Spock, was raised in a logic-based society that rejects all emotion. As fiery instinct clashes with calm reason, their unlikely but powerful partnership is the only thing capable of leading their crew through unimaginable danger, boldly going where no one has gone before.

LESSON #1 - Intrigue!

A movie must deliver a lot - people want the drama, the thrill of the ride, the love interest, the mystery to solve, and some comedy thrown in to boot! That's a tall order to fill! But if your script can seamlessly integrate all of the above you've got a hit on your hands!

Now the romance doesn't have to be full blown just indicated as an attraction between two people. Star Trek did an excellent job of this between Spock and Uhura.

LESSON #2 - Characters Who We Care About

They brought to life characters!

With the J.J. Abrams Star Trek "origins" movie, this significant franchise is getting a much-deserved reboot into the popular consciousness. At the very end of the movie, when Leonard Nimoy recited the famous "Space: the final frontier..." intro and we heard the original TV show theme music, I was suddenly beamed into nostalgia land.

I never considered myself to be a Trekkie, or Trekker, or Trekkist, or whatever you want to call them. Nevertheless, as a kid I made sure to catch every episode of Star Trek because the stories were thought-provoking and just plain fun.