It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

Your blood may run cold, but you now find yourself pinioned to the story.

Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.

Blistering performances.

I've seen my share of Star Trek fan fiction produced and released on YouTube. If I were to characterize what I had seen before Axanar showed up on my radar, in a single word, I'd say it was "uneven." Sets tend to be quite good, graphics variable from mediocre to near-studio-quality, and acting which, while it has its moments, never leaves the amateur ranks.Then, something over a year ago (June of 2014), the trailer for Prelude to Axanar showed up in my "What to Watch" list on YouTube. Out of curiosity I clicked on it ... HOOBOY! Whoever was doing this, I thought, they were SERIOUS!* Sets - Perfect * CGI - BEAUTIFUL! * Music - Original and well-done! * Acting - 100% PROFESSIONAL!That last should be no surprise, considering that many of the actors working in the service of this brief piece were veterans of actual Star Trek episodes. Two months later when Prelude to Axanar came out, there wasn't the slightest drop in professionalism or quality in any aspect of that beautiful short film. This is work worthy not just of the name Star Trek; it is worthy of big-screen time. That sentiment is reinforced by a teaser first scene, released on 10 July, 2015, involving Gary Graham as Vulcan Ambassador Soval and Kim Fitzgerald as Minister T'Lera, discussing critical issues relating to a conflict which will culminate at Axanar.This is quality work, the likes of which I haven't seen outside of the major studios, made by people who love Star Trek and want to represent it at the highest level possible, even though they cannot make a single dime off of it. They are to be saluted for their hard work and dedication ... and I just can't WAIT to see the final product!

I think I've watched Prelude to Axanar six or seven times now, and that never happens. With most fan films, I can barely make it through watching them once, and I don't think I've viewed more than a small handful of them even twice. That's not to say that other fan films aren't worthy of viewing; many of them are, and their creators certainly put a commendable amount of time, effort, and passion into making their best possible version of Star Trek.But there's something about Axanar…something very special.It's hard to put my finger on any one thing that stands out above the rest, which might be the reason I've been enjoying watching this gripping 21-minute masterpiece over and over again. And I didn't expect to have such a reaction to a "documentary" made up mainly of lone actors in front of digital backgrounds simply talking to the camera in isolated scenes. How could such a seemingly sparse film come together into such an engaging, rich, and wholly satisfying viewing experience? The reason is that Prelude to Axanar is more than just talking heads. The short film is loaded with some of the most jaw-dropping visual effects sequences ever seen in Star Trek (and that would include JJ Abrams' two cinematic efforts). But the impact of those breath-taking FX is the result of more than simply the masterful efforts of Visual Effects Supervisor Tobias Richter. While stunning, these visuals are taken to an entirely new level of spectacle thanks to sound design and editing by industry veterans Frank Serafine and Mark Edward Lewis, who laid down dozens of layered audio effects tracks to make each space battle, each phaser blast and disruptor explosion, and even a simple impulse turn feel rich and all-encompassing. You don't just see the visual effects, you hear them and FEEL them! And underneath both the dazzling VFX shots and the spoken interview scenes, give a listen to the original musical score by Alexander Bornstein. It spans the range from distant and ominous soft horns and dissonant strings to a driving and urgent military drum beat. Suspenseful scenes get your blood flowing faster as you watch (including a sprinkling of short Klingon-inspired measures that draw the viewer back to the familiar music of Star Trek films without copying it directly). There is even one series of inspirational symphonies building to crescendos that almost make the viewer want to jump up and cheer.Tony Todd (more familiar to Trek fans in the role of Worf's brother Kurn and the older Jake Sisko from "The Visitor") plays Admiral Ramirez. Somehow, through a performance that I can only describe as passionately complex, we see a man internally troubled by the things he's seen and the decisions he's had to make, and yet outwardly committed and confident in their justification and ultimate outcome. At times quiet and contemplative, Tony Todd also puts his all into a single speech that has become so iconic to Axanar fans that the phrase "I do not fear the Klingon Empire!" has since been put onto T-shirts.Ramirez's foil in the story is Klingon warlord named Kharn, played by Richard Hatch (known to fans as Captain Apollo from the original Battlestar Galactica and Tom Zarek from the newer version). If Tony Todd's performance can be called passionately complex, then Richard Hatch's performance can be called nothing short of masterful. Here is a Klingon supreme commander the likes of which we have never seen before. Through dialogue that seems always quite measured and controlled, you nevertheless feel the anger and resentment mere inches away from boiling over and exploding outward from every syllable.Indeed, all of the acting in this film is superb—from J.G. (General Martok) Hertzler's gruff and gritty portrayal of Captain Samuel Travers to Kate (Ellen Tighe from the new BSG) Vernon's no-nonsense Captain Sonya Alexander to Gary Graham reprising his role of an older Vulcan Ambassador Soval from Star Trek: Enterprise. These are all veteran actors of Star Trek and sci-fi, and they fall easily into their parts, making Prelude to Axanar all the more believable and compelling to fans.Most surprising of all is newcomer Alec Peters, who stars in the role of the legendary Captain Garth of Izar (Alec also wrote the script and serves as executive producer). He doesn't have the industry resume and acting pedigree of the other performers n the film, and yet he stands alongside them as equally impressive in his role. You see Garth as a humble man who wanted to be an explorer and instead was reluctantly thrust into the role of warrior and strategist. And perhaps to his own dismay (and even everlasting regret), discovered he was really quite good at the latter.All this in a simple documentary? Don't be fooled! Prelude to Axanar is a documentary in format only. In substance, it is a movie unto itself. It's a story, with a beginning, middle, and end. The "interviews" with the major players of the Four Years War aren't merely History Channel-type recollections of events but actually rich glimpses into the very souls of these brave and noble men and women. Both Prelude to Axanar and the upcoming main film, Star Trek: Axanar, aren't simply the stories of the Four Years War and the Battle of Axanar. War is only the setting. Like the best of the films about World War II and other significant historical events, the Axanar series will tell the stories of people. The events are merely a way to deconstruct the characters, place them into challenging and dramatic situations so these people can learn and grow, fail and suffer, walk through the fire and hopefully come out on the other end. For the better, worse, or somewhere in between…we won't know until the closing credits roll. The only thing certain is that these men and women won't emerge from the events at Axanar unchanged. And isn't that the best kind of storytelling?

This "little" production stays true to the vision that Gene Roddenberry started many years ago.Hands down, this is THE BEST independent adaptation to date. When the full length feature is made, it will make going to the movies a true adventure.The cast, special effects, make-up, costumes, & camera work came together in such a way that it makes you want more! This is something that the whole family can watch and have fun with, and learn something about our own current events.For my own reasons, I have not been to a movie theater since 2002. This short production makes me want to go in on the opening day.

Richard Hatch has that Klingon swagger down as he projects an intimidating character as well as Kate Vernon who plays the character she was meant to play for a long time. Gary Graham is great reprising his role as the Vulcan Ambassador. John Hertzler who was famous for playing Martok is great in this role as Captain Samuel Travis. Alec Peters will make a great Captain Garth. The reason I got hooked on it was because of Christian Gossett who is the Director and one of the writers. My two favorite things in stories are military history and Star Trek and this is what Christian said in the trailer and they delivered on it BIG TIME!