I see somebody is adapting this Robert J. Sawyer novel to a series. I happen to have read this book, along with one other Sawyer novel (Calculating God), and don't recall enjoying it as much as I do an average breakfast. Sawyer is a mediocre writer who doesn't seem to know much about the real world, writes prose doodles to fill out his manuscripts, but does come up with some interesting story ideas. Now he's sold one to TV, and if the adaptation takes some liberties with the original it might actually have promise as a series.

What is amusing about reading Sawyer, a Canadian, is that Canada has a much higher profile and importance in the world of his fiction: whenever a list of current events is required, the list inevitably includes a headline or two from Canada; characters have to travel to Canada, and when they're there they must remark on how clean and orderly everything this (unlike that foul smelling America down south of them); and Canadians contribute all kinds of wonderful things to the world. Which is funny because when I think of great things Canadian I struggle after naming Rush, Kids in the Hall, and... what? Trailer Park Boys? Ice Hockey? Oh Canada.

I've gotten to the point where I so loathe movie theaters I'd usually rather wait a few months for a DVD release rather than venture out to a multiplex. It's the other creatures in there that disturb me, all crowding together in communal consumption of entertainment, each full of their odors and noises, they repulse me. In order for me to remain calm I must have the three seats to either side and those immediately in front of and behind me empty of any sort of ape creature (and this applies even to anyone who came with me -- I'm a lousy date) or I get claustrophobic (anthropophobic actually: a fear of the company of other people, but in my case almost exclusively in movie theaters). So the point is, I don't go to theaters to see movies. I didn't go for the new Indiana Jones or the new James Bond. I even skipped Watchmen, a film I've been waiting to see for over a decade. It has to be a very special movie to lure me out to a theater, like a new Tarantino or a special screening of Blade Runner. Or a new Star Trek.

I'm too lazy to compose paragraphs now, so here are some bullets re: my ambivalence over the new ST:

<*>It's not that I dislike having a regurgitated Enterprise crew to knock around -- and this one is as good as any -- it's just that I'm not sure *why* we have it. Maybe I haven't been sold on the whole "series reboot" concept; when there are so many great options for new franchises lying around and so many great characters why resurrect this one and these? Marketability?

<*>The villain is yet another rehashed Khan with less charisma (cleverly named Nero of the Romulans). Thank the gods he didn't quote Shakespeare or Melville.

<*>I wasn't seriously annoyed by all the nonsensical science elements, even the black-hole time travel, the magical red matter, and the galaxy-threatening supernova. There's worse in many episodes of each of the TV series.

<*>I usually like Michael Giacchino's music but this new ST score is terrible. Why start over from scratch when you've got music by a great composer like Jerry Goldsmith at your disposal?

<*>The characters plot was much better than I expected; rather than chunking the familiar names together and immediately re-establishing the old Enterprise esprit de corps there were realistic character conflicts and unexpected interactions. I especially liked the way Spock and Kirk came to understand who should be captain; the universe has a way of ordering itself.

<*>Uhura is practically a brand new character in this movie. Her infatuation with Spock is a little odd; maybe it's a reference to this weird scene from the original series. (Incidentally, doesn't the blond beehived Yeoman Rand in that clip look like Chloe from 24?)

<*>The slapstick elements felt out of place (especially Kirk's allergic reaction and Scotty in the tubes)

<*>Once again we are proffered the concept that Kirk is a "genius". Why does Kirk have to be a genius? In fact, we have Kirk, Spock, Scotty, and now with the new movie also Uhura and Chekov -- all geniuses. Why can't normal people crew a starship?

<*>There was too much territory to explore with a mere movie. I would rather have this as a series. Now get busy.

7 out of 10