J.J. Abrams' nimble reboot of the "Star Trek" film franchise may well be the greatest "Trek" flick ever produced (though arguments could also be made for "Wrath of Khan" or "First Contact"), with near-universal acclaim from critics and an overall air of good will on the part of the moviegoing public.

The neat trick Abrams pulled off here was in making the film accessible to those largely unfamiliar with the complexities of "Star Trek" lore while also keeping the majority of the fanboy contingent happy. Add to that a solid cast (Chris Pine in particular made an indelible impression as a young Captain Kirk), genuinely suspenseful action sequences and gorgeously-rendered special effects - the freefall sequence alone possesses an almost elegaic beauty - and you've got all the ingredients of a new sci-fi classic. - CE