Even if the viewer isn't grounded in Start Trek, this film deserves 10/10 for its ability to invoke sentiment, wonder, and depth, all within 11 minutes, (My 9/10 acknowledges that at its core, it is more a love letter to fans than completely stand-alone.)
Although referred to as "fan fic," this is a remarkable film, co-produced by William Shatner, and with the full backing of Paramount (for a change),
It takes place just after the end of "Star Trek: Generations," delivering a more-satisfactory conclusion to the longevity & breadth of the original series. It's full of cameos, and uses both practical and digitally-rendered prosthetics to re-create James Kirk, acted by the brilliant Star Wars/Star Trek custodian of lore, Sam Witwer, who looks nothing like Shatner in real life, a tribute to his chops as a fan and an actor. It's hard to believe that the only scene in which the actual Shatner appears is at the very beginning, and that's in a clip from "Generations."
I have spent my whole life, literally, with my good friend, Star Trek. After this short film, absolutely *no* 😥 from me, promise.
