Paramount

Chris Pine takes the helm of the Starship Enterprise in "Star Trek," the prequel.

Summer escapism, we have liftoff!

"Star Trek" is a relentlessly entertaining thrill ride that travels at warp speed.

Despite an elderly and overworked pedigree, there's still plenty of life in the pop culture phenomenon that launched a million fan conventions, if this new entry in the franchise is any indication. This is a prequel that introduces all of the beloved characters in their younger years. As such, it raises the potential for a whole new array of galactic adventures if it cleans up at the box office -- which it surely will. After more TV series and movies than you can count on your fingers and most of your toes, this outing is the best thus far in the movie category.

Previous "Star Trek" adventures came with a whiff of endearing cheesiness. William Shatner, the original Captain Kirk, is a master of self mockery. (Has there been a more enjoyably obnoxious TV character than Denny Crane in "Boston Legal"?)

Though director J.J. Abrams retains the campy costumes (leisure suit spin-offs and go-go boots and miniskirts) of the Starship Enterprise, he opts for honestly won humor and adventure over camp this time around.

The movie begins with an exciting battle sequence that depicts the birth of James T. Kirk. A Romulan villain named Nero has a vendetta against the planets of the Federation, and Earth is one of his targets. Eric Bana plays the evil Nero with a malicious determination that's enhanced by his skinhead facial tattoos and Goth outfit.

Chris Pine picks up Kirk's character as he grows into manhood. Kirk is a barroom brawler, hard drinker and womanizer, but Captain Pike (Bruce Greenwood) of the Starfleet Academy realizes his potential and persuades him to go to the Academy in order to become a spaceship captain. There, he continues his iconoclastic and hedonistic ways. He also develops an adversarial relationship with a half-human, half-Vulcan superior named Spock. Zachary Quinto plays the cerebral Vulcan originated by Leonard Nimoy. Much of the appeal of the movie involves the evolution of this prickly friendship.

Meanwhile, the story introduces other mainstays: "Bones" McCoy, the grouchy doctor played by Karl Urban; Uhura, the language specialist played by Zoe Saldana; Sulu, the technical genius played by John Cho; and Chekov the spacecraft prodigy from Russia played by Anton Yelchin. Scotty (Simon Pegg), the irrepressible beam-me-up expert with a Scottish burr comes along later.

The academy's green cadets are ordered into action aboard the Enterprise in order to thwart Nero who is still creating mischief around the universe. This time, he's drilling into the center of the planet Vulcan in order to create a black hole that will obliterate it.

Abrams, who directed "Mission: Impossible III," cranks up the action and dazzling special effects without ignoring the human element. He and his writers incorporate black holes, time travel, alternate realities and other mysteries of space into the plot. Yet Pine and Quinto don't let the technical wizardry overwhelm the satisfying buddy element of the movie. Then there's the tantalizing hint of friskiness between Spock and Uhura, much to the puzzlement of Kirk. Along with the main actors, Leonard Nimoy (the original Spock), Winona Ryder and Tyler Perry make appearances.

Hardcore "Star Trek" fans may take a scalpel to the movie, or they may love it -- the verdict is out. But those who have enjoyed the franchise but don't wear pointy ears or give the Vulcan salute will find it a blast. It's probably the fastest two hours you'll spend in a theater until Labor Day.