Requiem for the Kelvinverse: 5 Things the J.J. Abrams Star Trek Movies Did Right

Requiem for the Kelvinverse: 5 Things the J.J. Abrams Star Trek Movies Did Right

November 5, 2025

The End of the Kelvinverse

Well folks, it seems the Kelvinverse has officially closed its doors, and boy, what a ride it’s been! Who would’ve thought that J.J. Abrams’ 2009 Star Trek reboot would be the starting point for such an adventurous space journey? Now, Paramount is looking for a new direction, but let’s take a moment to pay our respects to the universe that gave us so much to giggle about and reflect on.

1. Adventure Awaits!

Critics have often slammed the J.J. Abrams movies, and I can’t blame them. Some say they turned into space operas that would make even Jedi roll their eyes. Instead of diving deep into the philosophical musings that made the original series a treasure, we got our beloved crew sprinting down Enterprise corridors, probably looking for a coffee machine! But, admit it, folks – there’s some undeniable charm in the adventure. Watching a young Kirk chalk up space-bound mayhem is like a cosmic rollercoaster that’s just too much fun to resist!

2. Characters Over Everything

Another bone of contention? The portrayal of our favorite crew members! Chris Pine’s Kirk and Zachary Quinto’s Spock received quite the makeover. Pine’s Kirk is more of a daring rogue chasing after ladies than a seasoned Starfleet officer. Meanwhile, Quinto’s Spock clearly has some serious issues under that stoic exterior. But hey, the charm is still there! From Bones’ grumpiness to Uhura’s fierce comebacks, the characters still managed to steal the show, and for some, that was more than enough.

3. Outlandish Aliens Galore!

Okay, Trekkies, let’s get real. It’s a bit of a letdown when the galaxy’s inhabitant list reads like a “Where’s Waldo?” book of humanoids with funny foreheads. Thank heaven for Abrams’ budget! Suddenly, our beloved Enterprise was swimming in a pool of wonderfully wacky alien designs. Whether it’s Scotty’s buddy Keenser or the drop-dead gorgeous Jaylah from Beyond, these weird and wonderful creatures added spice to the cosmic stew while showing us that, yes, aliens can be a little more diverse than just ear decorations!

4. Preserving the Best of the Past

Let’s take a minute to praise perhaps the most powerful moment in Trekkie history – George Kirk’s self-sacrifice in the 2009 film. Can we grab the tissues? But here’s the silver lining! With the destruction of the Kelvin came a new timeline, allowing our crew to blast off on wild tangents without erasing the treasured history we hold dear. Vulcan may have bought the farm, but this new pathway opened up galaxies of opportunities!

5. A Hopeful Future

Alright, let’s wrap this space adventure up. While Into Darkness may have laid a cinematic egg, the other Kelvin flicks did their thing: they dared to explore fresh corners of the Star Trek universe. With a fearless spirit, they reminded us what Star Trek is all about – boldly going forward! Despite their hiccups, the Kelvin movies planted seeds for what’s next in the final frontier, and we can only hope today’s Star Trek carries that adventurous glitter into the future!