This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
The twist introduced to change the course of future Star Trek events was well done... this was a gamble taken at the risk of alienating hardcore Star Trek followers (Trekkers and Trekkies alike), but it was pulled off nicely.
The only weakness I found in the story was the "Red Matter." Spock Prime is flying around the Universe in Vulcan's fastest ship with an enormous cache of unstable cargo. It was shown in the film that only a minute amount of "Red Matter" was needed to create a "singularity," an event that could destroy whole stars and planets. That said, why was Spock traveling with so much of the destructive substance? He could accidentally crash, or be captured (which actually did happen!). In contrast, Spock traveling with so much of the Red Matter would be like Tony Stewart racing in a Ferrari on I-90 with a thousand pounds of enriched Uranium in the passenger seat. It's dangerous and highly unnecessary.
Otherwise, the rest of the movie, including the special features and extras, is spectacular. I can't wait to see future installments of this franchise.
What's great about it: Great twist on an old Sci-Fi Staple