"Star Trek": Film Tie-in Novelization [Paperback]

Once you get over the initial very pleasing shock of SEVEN DISCS & EIGHT HOURS OF STORYLINE, and the initaly slight disappointment of a lack of sound effects you're on a roller coaster ride!

Alan Dean Foster is a veteran Star trek writer. He's made excellent use of the story which Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman wrote for JJ Abram's 2009 film, "Star Trek".

On a practical level there are chapters on each disc, so you don't have to "fast-forward" or "rewind" if you're trying to find a bit you missed!
The box set has 3 dividers and it's nicely packaged with a pleasing "Star Trek" logo, looking carefully you'll see the characters from the new film embedded into the letters!

It's a LONG LONG story. So we get more than the film shows us. But that's no problem. Of course we don't have the visuals, or the sound effects.

What we DO have however is a genuinely enjoyable book, read by someone who shows their great enthusiasm for the variety that in essence IS Star Trek.

So how has Zachary Quinto done? Well, his menacing chilling interpretation of the Romulan villain NERO is spot on! Sylar might need to look to his laurels.. We also hear the tender side of humanity as Uhura takes form in this recording. ZQ is capable of a wide range of voice control, emulating feminine voices without pantomime.

As for his interpretation of Dr Leonard "Bones" McCoy, that irascible Southern Gentleman's drawl certainly comes close to that of Karl Urban, who in turn is often second cousin to the late marvellous DeForest Kelley.

Zachary Quinto is well known as Sylar from Tim Kring's "Heroes". Of course he is the actor who plays the younger Spock in the film, and was the first actor JJ recruited. ZQ plays the younger version of Spock in the film, and continues his excellent portrayal of everyone's favourite Vulcan Science Officer [well, favourite to all apart from Nero, any number of Romulans, Klingons, etc etc ..].

Personally I'm not so sure of his "Older Spock" voice but then in my opinion nobody apart from Leonard Nimoy is Spock. However - he DOES do a pretty good job. It's logical - he spent quite a time with Leonard Nimoy on the film set and before.

At times the script bring hoots of laughter - especially where Scotty is around, and ZQ does a fair imitation of Scotland's finest Chief Engineer. Simon Pegg did have the edge but when ZQ intones in rich brogue: "I like this ship - it's exciting" it's a good echo of Pegg's nod to James [Scotty] Doohan, so sadly missed now.

As for his "James T Kirk", no, he's not a mini-Shatner, but he certainly shows the various emotions and conflicts of the character through careful voice changes and controls.

Captain Christopher Pike is indeed a senior, well-tried opfficer, and again Zachary Quinto expresses that well, tempered with concern for his crew and a particular new, very raw cadet in particular.

So all in all, the recording is good fun - I've listened to it on my commute to work this week and it's been great! I've got more of the "backstory" to the film and some things are explained more clearly than I expected.

So thanks to Alan Dean Foster for the words, Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman for the original script, JJ Abram's for his idea to renew this Enterprise, and to Zachary Quinto who exudes such enjoyment for Simon & Schuster's latest recording in the Star Trek series of tie-ins.

Live Long and Prosper [well, at least for 7 discs worth!]

Captain Cohen, Coventry, UK

This a review for the film tie-in novelization of the JJ Abraham's Star Trek film released in 2009. The novelization is authored by Alan Dean Foster. No stranger to novelizations, Science Fiction or Star Trek. I understand that this is his first Star Trek novel for 30 years. Before we get to the book let me give you a few of my thoughts on the film to position this review.

The film was a huge success. It delivered what was required of it: a re-branding of the Star Trek franchise via a big budget summer blockbuster to introduce Star Trek to a new generation. What was delivered was a beautifully directed, fast paced film, with a cast of actors doing a great job, satisfying new comers and existing Star Trek fans, with continuity references and the right balance of humour and action. (not dissimilar to what Casino Royale did for the Bond franchise)
Job done.
If I had any gripes with the film, it was the story. The story wasn't great, somewhat lazy, but functionally it served a purpose: there is now a blank canvas to work on, canon is out the window. For all those die hard trekkies out there you have your shiny boxsets with 100's (thousands?) of hours of Star Trek to watch and debate on your forums, let the masses enjoy this rebranding.

The question is, why would you want to read the book? The story presented in the film was not particularly well laid out, it's not particularly challenging and not a patch on the quality of writing within the TV series.
I gave it a try. In the past I have been a "the book is better than the film" kind of guy. I wondered what I may find here. Given a sequel is in the offing, the writers would have to raise their game given that the novelty of the new "look and feel" is likely to ware off.
The book offers little above what we have seen in the film: the birth of Spock and Kirks brother leaving home the only memorable elements that have been added.
The book is no effort to read, it is fast-paced and generally what you would expect having seen the film. Unfortunately, there is no further character development and no fresh perspectives here. Viewers who have watched the film seeking more will be disappointed. Perhaps those seeking more should take a look at the Countdown prequel graphic novel.
As a stop gap between seeing the film at the cinema and the film being available on general release on DVD it was enjoyable. Once the DVD is on the shelf at home, I cannot think of an occasion where I would pick the book up again.

In summary: don't waste your time with this book - there are far better Star Trek stories out there. Everything that was good about Star Trek XI was visual, wait for the DVD.

Zachary Quinto gives a great reading of the story, with great characterisation, and while it is generally difficult to get a convincing Scottish accent if you aren't Scottish, his characterisations are all full of charm and great to listen to. It makes a lovely bedtime story at night, and his soft tones are very relaxing to hear, while his methods of increasing the tension and atmosphere are incredibly well managed. Just another string to an already incredibly talented bow! If you liked the film you'll love this.