When you are out of ideas, it's time to look back on what worked. That seems to be the Hollywood mantra these days, with some of the newest projects coming from movies that have been around for decades.

Unfortunately though, very few of these re-makes ever encroach the exclusive classic status of their predecessors and for the most part go down as another money-making ploy. Not all remakes are a complete travesty though. In fact, 2009 will see a complete reboot to one of the world's biggest, most lucrative franchises ... and it looks like it might actually work.

The project is of course "Star Trek," helmed by J.J. Abrams.

As a writer, producer, director and all-out entertainment genius, Abrams has shown a genuine knack for developing strong, realistic characters and placing them in settings that they will go beyond the screen and come to life. Take for example "Alias," his five-year spy drama that was launched on the back of "Felicity." Originally envisioned as "what if Felicity joined the CIA," the series drew in some of ABC's highest ratings, particularly the post-super bowl episode "Phase One."

Despite the sharp writing of the show however, "Alias" struggled in his apparent absence during the third season. It was only when Abrams re-tooled the series at the beginning of the fourth year that the series began to recover. He also invigorated the floundering "Lost" pilot script and is in the process of launching his next series, "Fringe."

More recently, "Cloverfield," written by Drew Goddard (who has made quite a name for himself) and produced by Abrams, was roaring success and pulled in a gargantuan $170 million worldwide with only a miniscule $25 million budget. Then there is "Mission Impossible 3," which remains the most compelling of the trilogy. Abrams is certainly the man to go to for re-developing stale ideas.

It has been six years since we had the misfortune of "Nemesis" and three since "Enterprise" came to an end. To say that it was the right time to pull the plug on "Star Trek" would be an understatement because the right time would have been before either project got off the ground on a coin collecting crusade to continue the unique glimpse into the future from one visionary individual.

The Great Bird of the Galaxy done his job well and he should be remembered for that, not these name-grabbing efforts.

But nothing can keep "Star Trek" down. When he launched his controversial ideals into the airwaves in 1966, Gene Roddenberry created something bigger than himself -- a creature that will never die out. So if "Star Trek" is to continue, then it is for the best that J.J. Abrams is the man tasked with resurrecting the flagging franchise.

Even the teaser for the movie (which reveals nothing about the story) carries with it a more serious, sophisticated and realistic tone than any of the other incarnations ever came close to. Then again, chances are the others never had Abrams in the captain's chair and a sizable wallet in his back pocket. Beyond bringing back "Star Trek." though, Abrams looks set to do something that the franchise has struggled with since conception: make it cool.

As a labor of Abrams' fan-love and complete brilliance, the 2009 release looks set to mop the floor with the previous efforts and bring a new level of coolness and acceptance to "Star Trek."

Alan Stanley Blair is the assistant news editor of Airlock Alpha and its sister site Rabid Doll. Contributing from his home country of Scotland, he is currently studying for a diploma in freelance journalism and can be reached at ablair@airlockalpha.com.

Feeling a little horrific? Get your daily dose of horror news straight from The Doll, Rabid Doll that is at www.RabidDoll.com.

Hear Michael Hinman on SyFy Radio every Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT at www.BlogTalkRadio.com/SyFyRadio.

Follow Airlock Alpha on Twitter! Add SyFyMichael to your follow list today!

Become a part of the Airlock Alpha Facebook community! Just do a search on "SyFy" and join us!