It's Alive!!! 
Thank you both.
I was beginning to think maybe it was a bad question because the thread is so dead, but at least someone was willing to respond and put some life into it.
I think William Shatner did a wonderful job as the James Kirk that grew up with his father as a guiding force, but Chris does a wonderful job as the somewhat renegade version that didn't have that luxury and misses it.
I do wonder if as he goes through these movies if it won't end up being a blending of styles, though.