Having seen the film a couple of nights ago, I think it'll be a huge success. It's the perfect film for a mainstream audience who are either a) unfamiliar with Trek or b) put off by the 40-odd years of back story. It allows them to get "in on the ground" so to speak. At the same time, it contains enough references to Trek continuity, with various in-jokes and noRAB to the fans, that those who've loved the series for donkey's years won't feel pushed aside. And of course, Leonard Nimoy is there to connect things to "our" universe.
You should give it a try, though it can be a bit jarring at times, seeing younger, brasher versions of the characters we know and love (and in some cases seeing their interpersonal relationships tweaked in a MAJOR way).