This may take a while to explain, seeing as how I've been a burgeoning Trek nerd ever since I first saw The Next Generation when I was rather young.  I really have to analyze the film from two different perspectives, both as a movie reviewer as well as a Star Trek hyper nerd.  I'll go with the plain ol' movie review to begin with.

In basic movie terms, I have to say that Star Trek was by far one of the best big budget actioners I have seen in quite some time, probably since "Iron Man" the summer before.  It deftly balanced the action with characterization and didn't turn into either a weak-willed action movie (like Terminator Salvation) or a special effects extravaganza (like Transformers 2).  What's even more impressive though, is that this movie managed to push Star Trek into the mainstream in a way that it hasn't been possibly ever.  There have been Star Trek movies coming out since the '80s, but none of them have ever garnered the kind of widespread acclaim and positive critical reviews.  It's incredibly gratifying as a lifelong nerd to see one of the favorite properties among all nerds to finally get a little bit of large-scale applause.

The film was pretty great in all respects, both from the unique story, the very well cast set of characters (I have to admit, I was definitely nervous when I heard the casting calls for Kirk and Spock), and the retooled imagery of both the U.S.S. Enterprise, Starfleet, and the Star Trek universe in general.  Everything was given a nice polished sheen that seemed to sublimely straddle the line between modern polished chrome and plastic with the retro feel that so embodied the spirit of the original Enterprise.  All the key special effects were there in similarly rebooted fashion and as a Trek nerd, I have to say that overall J.J. Abrams paid good homage to the original storylines.  However...

My inner nerd was on fire from the instant I found out that time travel was going to be key to the storyline.  Time travel always ends up muddling stories, and always depends on the rules that the writer or director decides to impose.  Not to mention that amount of continuity and storylines that must now be called into question as a result of the changes made to the overarching Star Trek universe.  I figure that most of the people reading a Star Trek review probably have some level of nerd pedigree, but if not, prepare to be nerd'd out of the room.  The entire historical arc of the Star Trek universe was completely changed when :: SPOILERS :: Vulcan was destroyed.  In the original continuity, Vulcan survived deep into the next century, into the TNG years.  With this change, everything that occurred after the events of the movie has been called completely into question and cannot be considered.  As a fan, that seems like an affront of the worst kind.  I mean, sure, the movie was great and almost certainly revitalized the franchise with a new cast and new purpose, but what price was paid in the end?  Overall, I don't think the movie could have turned out much better than it did, but I'm waiting patiently to see where they take the series now that the origin and cast have been re-established.  I have great faith in Abrams and the cast seems to have plenty of potential, so long as they can keep the crew together for at least one more movie.