Released worldwide in May of 2013 - this $190-million dollar science-fiction action film, the twelfth
entry in the long and illustrious "Star Trek" franchise is poised to break a profit only
a week into it's American run.
Directed by the extremely popular J.J.
Abrams, this PG-13 rated space adventure, like its predecessor, is a re-imagining of
the optimistic and exciting future Gene Roddenberry so expertly crafted in the 1960's TV show.
Part remake, part reboot, and part sequel, the latest tale of the USS Enterprise is an
effective blend of everything we go to the movies for, and is tremendous fun because
of it.
Joining the excitement mid-mission during a thrilling cold open, we're reintroduced
to Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, John Cho, Simon Pegg, Anton Yelchin,
and Bruce Greenwood: all returning for the roles they were so perfectly cast-in for 2009's
"Star Trek".
Thankfully, each of them get enough screentime to shine, and strut their often amusing personality
quirks - a perfect embodiment of what made the original characters so iconic: especially
Pine and Quinto, whom, dare I say - showcase better chemistry than their aging counterparts
did.
It's hard not to have an emotional connection to these well-defined characters as the film
effortlessly slides from light-hearted action to its dramatic conclusion.
Joining the cast is Alice Eve, an extremely sexy science officer ostensibly introduced
as a eye-candy, but rarely featured; Peter "Robocop" Weller as a Federation admiral whose
curious motivation and unenthusiastic delivery make him mostly an afterthought; and finally
Benedict Cumberbatch who positively steals the show as the picture's primary villain:
a fiercely intelligent, well-spoken, and cut-throat adversary who challenges our heroes to their
deadliest showdown yet.
When he taunts the Enterprise crew by maniacally asking, "Shall we begin?"
- the tension and anxiety are ramped up considerably as the impeccably paced adventure flies along,
despite some confusingly edited battle sequences.
Scored wonderfully by Michael Giacchino, the sharp and witty writing makes the exciting
material accessibly to all audiences - brought to life by incredible visual effects by ILM,
from the super cool warp-speed shots to the seamless integration of exotic locations and
the actors that inhabit them: with fewer annoying lens flares than the previous installment.
Containing a number of throwbacks to past entries, like a glimpse of the NX-01 prototype
ship from the "Enterprise" TV series, an appearance by a fury tribble, or a shameless cameo by
Leonard Nimoy.
Although the 132-minute picture relies a bit too heavily on tired ticking-clock mechanisms
to maintain tension, a hectic space jump sequence, that sees Pine slaloming between space debris
wearing only a thin suit, is undeniably thrilling.
A 2nd-act reveal abandons established cannon and reasoning with a shocking development
for non-fans, but it's unmotivated and pointless otherwise.
The final minutes are gripping, emotional, and wonderful to watch unfold, as the picture
plays homage to the original series.
Best experienced unspoiled, this feature is one I thoroughly enjoyed, and will definitely
watch many times again: but it isn't without flaws.
A slight improvement over 2009's reboot, this is easily the franchise's strongest entry...
I can't wait for lucky thirteen.
"Star Trek Into Darkness", a "Gripping blockbuster fun.
Trek's best."
Now lets hear your thoughts from the YouTube comments.
Our scores for "Star Trek Into Darkness" on the rate-o-matic...
TWO NINES.
Praising Cumberbatch, the visuals, and humor, 72% of the vote was split between the highest
scores, you thought it was AWESOME.
So far, the best film I've seen in 2013, and while I loved the remake/reboot blend, I was
definitely annoyed by the irrelevant twist.
Still, it's a supremely entertaining popcorn film that gives me hope J.J.
will make "Star Wars 7" work.
I too thought it was AWESOME.