This is the best "Star Trek" flick that I can remember. It's even better than a couple of "Star Wars" episodes. It takes to the screen like a snowball in space and never loses momentum. Big action, snappy direction, good acting, respect for the past. This is the summer blockbuster to see.

Kudos to all the young actors with big shoes to fill. It's quite a challenge to take the screen as replicas of icons. Icons who are still alive no less. But Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto as Shatner and Nimoy are as good as could be imagined. Especially, Pine as Kirk. He's charming and charismatic in his own right, but the resonance in his voice rasps of Shatner and his quickness to radical action resurrects a young rebellious Kirk.

It's such a fun exciting ride that audiences will no doubt completely forgive the following flaws (myself included). Good story, but at the heart, the time-travel bit certainly is confusing and might be impossible. Lacks regular citizens. Nero and the bad guys' costuming, set and lighting -- a tad Halloween cheesy. Bana as Nero gives a narrow performance. Especially given the story, I'd have loved to see a much deeper agony inside him. Instead, he just seemed mildly peeved. Further, he never reacted to the one thing (regarding Spock) that he'd waited years to see. Was that scene deleted?

Fortunately, editors minimize screen time for Nero and his unscary henchmen. And this fiery film remains a dynamo. If you've never been into the series, try this incarnation. And if you're a Trekky -- well, I can't believe you haven't seen it already.

-- Books by Author/Illustrator Ross Anthony --