For decades, 'Star Trek' has been known mostly for its fan conventions and sci-fi fanbase, but the new 'Trek' manages to amp up the action (and, yes, the humor) on the U.S.S. Enterprise, without losing any of the geeky sheen of the originals.
With a new cast of characters playing Spock, Captain Kirk, Uhura, Bones and the gang as Starfleet recruits, fans new and old will get a richer backstory for some of the most recognizable pop culture icons in history.
Want to get the inside scoop before the movie premieres Thursday, May 7? Check out our interviews with Zachary Quinto, Chris Pine, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, Clifton Collins Jr. and director J.J. Abrams to find out Spock's first name, learn how Quinto and Pine knew each other before becoming Trekkies and to see Karl Urban expertly work the words "monkey" and "wagon" into every interview he does. -- By Maggie Furlong
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Star Trek' Premiere Photos
Australian actor Eric Bana (R) shares a joke with his wife Rebecca at the world premiere of "Star Trek" at the Sydney Opera House in this April 7, 2009 file photo. Bana, star of movies such as "Troy" and "Munich," let New Yorkers in on a different slice of his seemingly glitzy life this week at the Tribeca Film Festival -- his passion for cars and motor racing. The green monster of 2003's "Hulk" who returns to movie screens on May 5 in big-budget "Star Trek," has made his directing debut with a documentary revolving around his love of cars. REUTERS/Tim Wimborne/Files (UNITED STATES ENTERTAINMENT)
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Actor Jeffrey Dean Morgan poses on the red carpet as he arrives at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood for the premiere of the movie "Star Trek" in Los Angeles on April 30, 2009. AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)
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Director Robert Rodriguez (L) and actor Jimmy Bennett pose on the red carpet as they arrive at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood for the premiere of the movie "Star Trek" in Los Angeles on April 30, 2009. AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Director Robert Rodriguez (L) and actor Jimmy Bennett pose on the red carpet as they arrive at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood for the premiere of the movie "Star Trek" in Los Angeles on April 30, 2009. AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Actres Rachel Nichols poses on the red carpet as she arrives at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood for the premiere of the movie "Star Trek" in Los Angeles on April 30, 2009. AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Actres Rachel Nichols poses on the red carpet as she arrives at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood for the premiere of the movie "Star Trek" in Los Angeles on April 30, 2009. AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Actres Rachel Nichols poses on the red carpet as she arrives at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood for the premiere of the movie "Star Trek" in Los Angeles on April 30, 2009. AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Actres Rachel Nichols poses on the red carpet as she arrives at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood for the premiere of the movie "Star Trek" in Los Angeles on April 30, 2009. AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Actres Rachel Nichols poses on the red carpet as she arrives at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood for the premiere of the movie "Star Trek" in Los Angeles on April 30, 2009. AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Actres Rachel Nichols poses on the red carpet as she arrives at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood for the premiere of the movie "Star Trek" in Los Angeles on April 30, 2009. AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Reader Comments (4)
gdscadden at 1:32PM on May 9th 2009
the movie was awesome for those of us who grew up with Star Trek, it was a blast!!
Carolyn at 9:46PM on May 9th 2009
I agree- it was awsome!!!!!!!! To really enjoy it, you had to have grown up with Star Trek and know who all the original characters were. These new guys looked like the original Enterprise crew. I loved the movie!!!!!!!!!
alex at 11:49PM on May 9th 2009
I didnt grow up watching Star Trek, nor do I know who the original characters are. But I still thought the movie was awesome! If you cant decide whether you should watch it, i'm telling you now, its worth it. :)
Janis at 1:34AM on May 23rd 2009
I'm 62yrs old and after the movie I just sat there and cried cause the movie was so awesome. I gew up with Thr Adventures of Flash Gordan, then came Star Trek in Living Color. This 2009 version is going to make Millions.