The characters are believable and there are many twists and turns along the way. The 3-D technology is stunning - done the way 3-D should be done - you almost feel part of the action, instead of merely having background elements thrown at you, as was the case in prior 3-D efforts. Highly recommended.
I would not call myself a 'Trekkie,' but I've followed Star Trek for years. Being familiar with the characters certainly added to the entertainment value (I had a grin on my face and chuckled often throughout the movie), but it really is not a requirement. Even viewers who are not familiar with the history of the Star Trek franchise will be entertained by this movie.