You don’t have to know the Klingon language to enjoy the new Star Trek prequel.

Or at least that’s what stars Chris Pine and Zach Quinto say.

The duo reprised the roles of Captain James T. Kirk and Spock for the film, which will hit theaters May 1, and recently spoke with The State Press about the reinvention of the beloved series.

“Now that the movie is starting to screen and we’re getting feedback,” Quinto said, “I think the thing I’ve heard most consistently is from people who have not been Star Trek fans who felt exhilarated and connected to these characters much more than they expected to be.”

Despite the futuristic setting and sci-fi feel of the film, at its heart are “really accessible characters and situations, feelings and emotions that we all go through,” Pine said.

This installment of the cult series is the first by director J.J. Abrams, who hopes to get rid of the “Star Trek stigma” that he says alienates many potential fans.

“What J.J. brings to this series is exactly what … any big-budget franchise needs,” Pine said, “a commitment and a focus on character and relationships and the drama behind all the great effects.

“So I think he’s pretty much the best medicine for the series.”
One primary goal of the summer blockbuster was to revitalize the popularity of the series, the stars said.

“If we do what we set out to do, then yes, I think this will be something that revives the franchise and brings it back to life in a really bold, vivid way,” Quinto said. “[It] draws new people into it and generates the kind of excitement that is not so specific to science fiction, but [is] on a broader sort of mainstream level.”
The men also sought to make their characters accessible and distinctive, they said.

“What Mr. Shatner did was so unique and specific and wonderful,” Pine said of his predecessor. “I found that I was just placing an undue kind of burden of creating an impersonation rather than an original incarnation.”

As for half-human, half-Vulcan Spock, the updated version is even more conflicted.

“My version of Spock is definitely a little bit more unsettled,” Quinto said. “He’s less in control of the duality that exists within him.”

Pine’s version of Captain Kirk is “a bit more brash and arrogant and young,” he said.

Despite his extraordinary circumstances as captain of a spaceship, Kirk faces the same problems as anyone else, Pine said.

“I think it’s learning —his journey is to learn how to mold this kind of angry energy into more of a polished commander and leader of men,” Pine said.

Surprisingly, neither Pine nor Quinto were fans of Star Trek growing up. Both were born into the Star Wars generation, but said that only since working on the film have they developed an appreciation for the legendary franchise.

“Now that I’m older and I have an appreciation for some of the themes that were being addressed in the original series of Star Trek,” Quinto said, “I understand that Gene Roddenberry was actually really visionary in the way that he used the world of Star Trek to sort of allegorically explore … in some cases, subversive themes.”

Loyal followers of the franchise will not be disappointed, the actors said.

“There are little things in the movie that diehard fans will love and appreciate, but it’s done with, you know, a light touch,” Pine said.

“Nothing is heavy-handed, and I think it never becomes about the moment or about that little piece of Star Trek lore hidden in the scenes,” Pine said.

“It’s always about the story first and foremost. So, you know, it’ll please fans and novices alike.”

Reach the reporter at melanie.kiser@asu.edu.