With Star Trek Into Darkness ready to warp (groan) into cinemas this summer, we thought it was high time we examined the cultural phenomenon that is Star Trek and why it's absolutely awesome...

10. IT GAVE US WILLIAM SHATNER

William Shatner can literally do no wrong in our eyes. If it isn't his spoken-word albums (His most successful was titled 'Has Been') or his ability to make fun of himself and his persona, it's his speech pattern and acting abilities. His birthday (March 22nd) is International Talk Like William Shatner Day. Make sure. You. Mark. In your.... Diaries.

9. THE SOCIAL / POLITICAL THEMES

Anybody who watched Star Trek: The Next Generation will tell you that it dealt with weighty issues like racism, religion and our relationship with technology. In fact, The Next Generation is cited more often in Sociology / Anthropology / Law dissertations than any other pop culture phenomenon. One episode in particular, The Drumhead, deals with the issue of censorship and is just as relevant then as it is now.

8. THE INFLUENCE IT HAD ON TECHNOLOGY

Are you reading this on a smartphone? Thank Star Trek for that. Their little communicators directly inspired the creation of mobile phones. Yeah. We're still waiting on replicators, mind.

7. THE BROMANCE BETWEEN SPOCK AND KIRK

Kirk and Spock is the perfect bromance. One's hot-headed, egotistical and driven by instinct. The other's calm, collected and above all else, logical. Not only that, the banter and chemistry between them - both in the original series and in JJ Abrams' reboot - is magnificent.

6. THE SPACESHIPS

The updated Enterprise in Star Trek and Star Trek Into Darkness looks like it was built by Apple - but it totally works. Everything looks so crisp and clean, mixed with fantastic set design and lighting. One dude took it to an extreme and built an entire apartment based on the interior of the Enterprise-D. For non-Trekkies, that's the one from The Next Generation.

5. THAT AMBIENT NOISE WHEN THEY'RE ONBOARD

Ever wanted a 24-hour video of that noise? Look no further!


4. THE PARODIES IT SPAWNED

Jim Carrey's early-90's comedy show parodied Star Trek. Carrey's impression of Shatner is absolutely pitch-perfect, not to mention drawing attention to the fact that Kirk would mount anything with a pulse.


3. THE CELEBRITY FANS / GUEST STARS

Seth McFarlane was such a huge fan of Star Trek, he included Shatner and Star Trek in his opening monologue. He even had a guest spot on Star Trek: Enterprise. The Rock also guest-starred in an episode of Star Trek: Voyager, punk legend Iggy Pop had a bit part in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac was a villain of the week in Star Trek: The Next Generation.

2. THE THEME TUNE

Not gonna lie, I had this as my ringtone for a VERY long time.

1. STAR TREKKING ACROSS THE UNIVERSE

Altogether now! There's Klingons on the starboard bow, starboard bow, starboard bow!