Sorry, but the SW prequels were unfairly attacked by critics. The acting was no worse than the original trilogy, and while Episode I was a misfire, the other two were still better than Return of the Jedi and almost every Trek film. When you think about it, Trek only has three good films. Wrath was the best, Undiscovered Country was sweet and First Contact. Sure, people, including my Grandmother who doesn't even like Trek, liked "the one with the whales," but only because of the humor. It wasn't a "good Trek" movie, just a silly entry that boarded on self parody.
A Trek prequel with young Kirk, Bones and Spock is a bad idea, mostly because we've seen it before. It was called Star Trek, it aired in the 60's and episodes with updated special effects are on the WB.

Um, Jeff, I hate to point this out, but "The Empire Strikes Back" is part of the "Star Wars" films, not "Star War" films, as your column states. I too have mixed feelings about the upcoming "Star Trek XI", but not because of the casting. I'm glad J.J. Abrams is directing because I thought his "Mission Impossible III" is the best of those films and most faithful to the original show. But, I'm a little "Trekked out" myself. I probably will wait untill the film comes out on DVD to watch it, in spite of the fact the J.J. Abrams is at the helm. Paramount and CBS should just simply let the "Star Trek" novels published by Pocket Books take the francise forward.

This new STAR TREK Movie Will not again even compare to the ALWAYS Great STAR WARS Films,The STAR WARS Movies Should Continue,with A Third Trilogy,while for the STAR TREK Films of those their should be No More of those.

THE STAR TREK FILMS Along with the TV SERIES Have always been terrible

I just read that Shatner is not going to have any part in the new Trek. He made an interesting point about the property having his identity, yet he's not involved.