The film is as much about these two epic characters as it is about the supporting characters who round out the crew. Dr. Leonard McCoy (Karl Urban), who becomes Kirk’s pal early on, is a nervous fellow who says his wife “divorced me and took the whole planet.” Montgomery Scott (Simon Pegg) is a Scottish brute genius. Hikaru Sulu (John Cho) seems like a fragile flower until he whips out a can of whoop-ass on some adversaries he’s battling back-to-back with Kirk.

Pavel Chekov (Anton Yelchin) earns many laughs by talking himself tongue-tied with an impossibly funny Russian accent. Oh and Uhura is a sexy, sultry drink of water who won’t let that get in the way of all these men taking her seriously. It’s just a perk that Uhura is played by pura Dominicana Zoe Saldana. But why, oh why, did Winona Ryder steal the role of Spock’s mom from the little old ladies with real wrinkles that could have taken on the role?

I must have seen the original “Star Trek” episodes, though I remember little of them. And the film banks on sneaking in all those little unforgettable lines that true Trekkies love. I don’t remember hearing “Beam me up, Scotty,” but there were plenty of other juicy lines. That all these classic quips dovetailed so neatly with the film’s dialogue, inducing plenty of laughter from the audience with not a cringe in sight, proves that someone invested as much in the dialogue as in the special effects. This should not go unappreciated after considering the schlock that rolled onto the screen before the opening credits of “Star Trek”: the awful and LOUD, bombs-bursting-in-air clips from mega-blockbusters like G.I. Joe and the next Transformers.

Did I mention that “Star Trek” is fun? Just so fun! Not only was my heart rate was rising from all the action packed in, I was on an emotional rollercoaster from the special moments of character development that cast Jim, Spock and the crew in a new light. “Star Trek” serves as a reminder that Hollywood isn’t just mining the old stuff because it’s lazy. Thanks to this fresh focus on “Star Trek,” new generations who come fresh will be anticipating the next film incarnation just as eagerly as old diehard fans will.

And the focus is really fresh. There is even a time warp subplot that will explain away continuity issues and perhaps, let fans once again boldly go where no man has gone before. But lest we forget where it all started, there is an awesome cameo appearance from one original (Jewish) cast member that will leave audiences cheering.

Listen to NPR talking about the new film: “Star Trek”: That Final Frontier, Boldly Reapproached