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Star Trek

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 9, age appropriate for kids over 12; suggested age 12.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Classic franchise gets new life in rousing space adventure.

Themes in this movie include:   friendship, revenge
updated 09.25.09

Why We Rated This on for Ages 12 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Even with its sci-fi action and occasional flirty sexuality, the movie has positive, welcome messages about individual responsibility, collective accomplishment, institutional tradition, and working for the greater good.
  • Role models:

    Almost every character in the film puts aside something -- regret, pain, selfishness -- for the ultimate mission, with good work as its own reward. Zoe Saldana's Uhura is a strong female role model. Good cast diversity.

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    The sci-fi military-style action violence is plentiful but not especially bloody. At one point, an entire planet (with a population in the billions) is destroyed. The crews of various starships are pummeled by explosions, struck with torpedoes, sucked out of hull breaches into space, and generally assaulted. A character is impaled with a sharp-ended staff; another falls to her death; another receives several harsh pummelings. Some fistfights. Humanoid aliens are shot close-up; a monstrous beast threatens a character.
  • Sex:

    Some suggestive talk and kissing; two female characters are seen in their underwear. An underwear-clad couple makes out on a bed. There's a joke about "farm boys having sex with animals."
  • Language:

    Relatively mild, including "arse" (in the context of kicking), "damn," "ass," "hell," "oh my God," "bulls--t," "goddamn," and "whore." One clear (though not particularly noticeable) use of "f--king" in the lyrics of a Beastie Boys song played during a scene.
  • Consumerism:

    The movie is set in the 24th century, but somehow Nokia and Budweiser manage to make appearances.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Characters drink beer, wine, and hard liquor, sometimes to excess.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Star Trek was written by James Rocchi

Parents need to know that although this slick, upbeat sci-fi adventure isn't much more violent than the earlier Star Trek movies, there's a heightened feel that gives it a little bit more edge. While the action is (mostly) bloodless, it's also intense; expect lots of fights, battles, and hand-to-hand combat. At one point, the villains destroy an entire planet of humanoid aliens. Some of the comic relief scenes have a flirty, playful sense of sexuality (Kirk has always been a ladies' man), but that's balanced by the mature depiction of a relationship. There's also a bit of language ("bulls--t," etc.) and some drinking.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about the enduring appeal of Star Trek -- what makes people become such faithful fans? Why do you think the studio decided to make a new version? How does it compare to the older movies and TV shows? 
  • Talk about revenge, which is a major theme in the film. Ask kids whether it's ever justified to hurt others in the name of revenge. How much of the movie's violence can be traced back to that motivation? How much impact does it have compared to the violence in other action movies? Why?
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More on Star Trek

What’s the Story?

Re-starting the Star Trek franchise from its very foundations, STAR TREK begins as a time-travelling bad guy comes from a far-flung future to the early days of the Trek universe. Seeking to avenge a future tragedy, unstuck-in-time villain Nero (Eric Bana) attacks the very foundations of the Federation, including Vulcan and Earth. The only ship that can stop him, the Enterprise, is in the hands of untested Starfleet officers Spock (Zachary Quinto), McCoy (Karl Urban), and a rebel who just barely made it on board, James T. Kirk (Chris Pine).

Is It Any Good?

Rocketing at warp speed without ever slowing down, J.J. Abrams (Alias, Mission: Impossible III) directs Star Trek as a smart, speedy thrill ride that doesn't indulge in nostalgia for its own sake and welcomes newcomers while still delivering every moment fans might want from of the crew of the Enterprise. Quinto and Pine are both excellent in their own right and also have a real chemistry between them, while Zoe Saldana turns the thankless role of communications expert Uhura into a vital part of the story.

The film isn't perfect -- there are a few minor missteps -- but at the same time, it's also lovingly made, speedily paced, and completely aware of its job: to entertain audiences without leaning too heavily on speeches or sadness, opting instead to deliver action, adventure, and (perhaps a little too much) comedy. Still, in an era when too many summer blockbusters think they can get away with being dumb by claiming to be "fun," it's a pleasure to see a movie as well-made, clever, and charming as this actually seem to want to earn our money by putting on a real show.

Movie Details

Studio: Paramount Pictures, Director: J.J. Abrams
Run time: 126 minutes
Theatrical release: 5/8/2009, DVD release: 11/17/2009
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for sci-fi action and violence, and brief sexual content

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    Good for action seekers

    Good movie good action, good story, but a breif sexual moment and sexual refrences might not be good for very young kids

  2. I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it 4.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    Great movie with fairly mild action!

    Star Trek is such a great movie with little violence and sex. There is some language, but nothing too innapropiate. It's a must-see if you like action movies, space movies, or are a fan of Star Trek! It's a bit long, but it keeps you interested the whole time you're watching. One of the most positive messages in here is how to show teamwork. Star Trek even has a few lauughs here and there. You definetely should see Star Trek if you are over ten. If you don't, you're missing out on a great movie!

  3. I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this movie!! My 10 year old & I have seen it over & over....

    My 10 year old & I have watched this movie over & over. I had several issues with Transformers 2 but Star Trek is great. The "sex with farm animals" comment is said in a joking manner & even the original series in the 60's had an occasional "D'mn it, Jim." ALL of it is brief and is left in the dust by the heroic teamwork, emerging relationships, humor, fast pace and magnetic characters. The script was fantastic & the casting perfect. Even if you've never seen TOS or any of the other movies this is a MUST SEE INSTANT CLASSIC!! And if you are a Star Trek fan you'll enjoy it even more because it's full of subtleties from TOS (I saw it 5 times before I noticed the Tribble!) I hope J. J. Abrams & the cast want to do many more in this new story line. Gene Roddenberry would be proud.

  4. I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    i thought that this movie was hilarious, and action packed. there was one scene that you could probably skip, and that was a almost sex scene, and then they got walked in on, and if that is not enough, he hides under the bed and the girl started changing, although only her bra and underwear were shown. other than that, this is a great movie. MUST SEE!!!!!!!!

  5. I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Great Star Trek Movie!

    LOVED IT!!!! As a lifelong ST fan, I think this is one of the best (possibly the best) of the movies. It´s very hard to pull off, resurrecting well-known and well-loved characters, and it really worked. My son enjoyed it, although the plot was a little complicated and it was good to see it on DVD so we could stop and explain things. Didn´t love some of the extended fisticuffs scenes. The "intimate" scene was nothing, lasting a few nanoseconds, and it pretty much went over my kid´s head -- it seems that some parents are making much ado about nothing. It´s generally a good vs evil type plot and perhaps could be used as a jumping off point to talk about similar things that have really happened in the world (probably for somewhat older kids). As for adults -- enjoy1

  6. I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    awesome remake

  7. Parent Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    excellent for

    exciting, well acted, well written... talk to your kid about anger, revenge, risk, ambition and conflict... very positive...

  8. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 3.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    Tweens

    Okay movie. If you didn't see it in the theater, don't see it the only good thing was the special effects.

  9. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 3.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    Tweens

    Okay movie. If you didn't see it in the theater, don't see it the only good thing was the special effects.

  10. I rate this title on for age 16 and give it 1.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content

  11. Parent Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 4.0

  12. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it 3.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    I think this movie is pretty good. ALOT of somewhat scary voilence and bad language.

  13. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it 4.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    11+

    2 or 3 parts where iffy but I thought it was good.

  14. I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    Why did they have to add the sexual content? Other than that, there's some language and some intense action. Altogether, Star Trek is an excellent movie.

  15. Parent Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Exciting, fun, and worthy of the show

    (spoilers) I loved the movie, and look forward to owning it on DVD, but it will be a while before my daughter is allowed to watch it. My main concern is when Vulcan gets destroyed. It was a great part of the plot, well written, and the special effects were great. As a lifelong fan of Star Trek, I also found it heart-rending. But I don't think my daughter needs to confront the idea of genocide until she is much older.

  16. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in Connecticut
    I rate this title on for age 9 and give it 3.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    okay, you have to know star trek to like it.

    you must know the characters to like it. a little violent, a little sexual content, kissing and more. nothing a 9 year old can't handle

  17. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title off for age 14 and give it 4.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    Off for 14 and under.

    Any reference to b****tiality is definitely not for 12 year olds.

  18. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Illinois
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Words Cannot Describe How Entertaining this Film is!

    Now, I am not a fan of the Star Trek series... at all. In fact, I don't even like this series. But this looked like a new start for the series; frankly, it looked awesome. So when I went, I was in for a huge surprise; it wasn't just better, it was absolutely fantastic! I loved it! It was original, thrilling, and funny! PARENTS: Although practically bloodless, it is quite intense with major battles and some frightening creature images. It also has a brief sexual encounter (no nudity). Thanks for reading, and please rent or even buy this film; it's a real treat! - Movie Man

  19. I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Great for people who know the whole series like I did

    I really injoyed It because I really like Chirs Pine,Lenord Nimoy.It also has great storytelling and great acting.

  20. I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism
    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    Good for tweens!

    An entertaing but violent story of heroes that travel space.

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