I finally caught up to what this thread is about, and offer my own POV.
1 - regarding Canon - JRR Tolkien's LOTR (especially his characterization of Aragorn) is not exactly what Jackson put on the screen. There was dramatic license taken all over the place. Yet the LOTR Trilogy did well in theaters, despite PJ's mangling of what many Tolkien fans considered canon. And a whole new audience of Tolkien fans was created along the way. I count myself in that crew since my first take on the movie (via McDonald's commercials) was to discount it as yet another piece of Hollywood merchandising. I subsequently read the Trilogy, Hobbit, Silmarillion, and Children of Hurin, among many of the books out there. Many forgave PJ his excesses because the storytelling and the characterizations in the movies were done well enough to overcome the risks in taking license. Trek can live with that too, provided the movie's storytelling and characterizations are well done and this isn't just some lovefest with technology and cool SFX. The Trek movie library already has examples of how not to do it.
2 - Paramount's (CBS') interest - they are out to make money, make no mistake about that. Trek, in any incarnation, will stand or fall on this movie's success or lack of same. If Paramount or CBS are looking for ways to keep Trek alive, then this movie represents their last, best hope for years to come. The views of an aging fandom are not necessarily going to count much when developing any future movies or series. In fact, if anything one could accues Hollywood of laziness given the reworkings of other well known movies vs writing all new material (The Women comes to mind). That said;
3 - there is a risk in simply appealing to a "wider audience." ENT attempted to do that and failed miserably, despite the rescue effort mounted in Season 4. DS9 stands for many as an example of doing Trek well, even though it was not universally well liked due to its 'dark' tone (the war stories). Folks wanted a more upbeat series, but many appreciated the risks DS9 took (In the Pale Moonlight anyone?) over the long term, and I see indications of that in this thread.
Reading this thread I get the feeling several posters are hoping they walk out of an upbeat movie as the credits roll. At the same time, there are those who simply cannot accept a new vision of Trek. Many felt (and still feel) that way about the new BSG. Like it or not, the movie is here. Like it or not, it may turn out like the new BSG - well done, thoughtful, and challenging to watch.
I don't know yet if I will go to the movie. I am not interested in anything that makes techonology the star over personal interaction and development. I got enough of that in Star Wars Eps 1-3. I may wait for the reviews first. In the meantime, while I understand the views of those who are appalled that this movie potentially insults Trek canon, I think we all need to take a breath and see what actually happens in May.