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Star Trek

(2009, Rated PG-13, Science fiction, Starring Eric Bana, Zachary Quinto, Chris Pine)
  • 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

About Star Trek

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.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • 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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Our Members Say

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  • What did you think about Star Trek?
  •  I think this movie is

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See all 104 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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

  4. 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.

  5. 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

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Idaho
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 4.0

    Loved it

    If you like the Newer Star Trek series it has the same intensity. Some sensuality-They show a Green women in her bra and panties and another women in her bra-the scene is short. Other than that it's great

  9. I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    OK Or Fine Movie/Film

  10. I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    OK Or Fine Movie/Film

  11. I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language

    "Die hard fans of Star trek should see it."

    The first half was painful, but then it came together and wowed me. when the end credits started everyone actually stood up and started clapping. No, I don't mean that in the bad way.

  12. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    simon pegg is the only good actor in the movie

  13. I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    I really liked this movie and I'm not even a Star Trek fan.

  14. Parent Reviewer
    I rate this title off for age 8 and give it 5.0

    Prefect for kids 8 and up, but not for younger children.

    Really cool special effects! Everybody needs to see it (if they want to,). There is volence and swearing, so recommand this movie to children ages 8 and up.

  15. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    I rate this title iffy for age 9 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    older kids

    iffy for 9: STRONG VIOLENCE, MODERATE LANGUAGE, BRIEF SEXUAL FOREPLAY AND DRINKING

  16. Parent Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

  17. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    NOT GOOD FOR ANYONE UNDER DOUBLE DIGITS. IT'S A GREAT FILM THOUGH.

  18. I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    OK

  19. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    Lives in Idaho
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Absolutely and amazingly fantastic

    This is one the of the most absurdly amazing movies in the whole entire world. Though that is, of course, a matter of opinion. I thought they did an abolutely wonderful job in the recasting of the original characters, and bringing Leonard Nimoy into the movie was a stroke of genius. There was a bar fight near the beginning that was definitely touching on the violent side, a bit of language, and a bedroom scene that was most emphatically not appropriate, but it was a truly spectacular movie.

  20. Parent Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    The new old generation

    This is a great addition to the Trek Canon, and uses a cute trick to avoid the wrath of the Trekkers.

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