Movie Review: Star Trek Into Darkness

Prepare to "Boldly Go Where No One Has Gone Before" once more, as J.J Abrams and his ragtag crew of cast members return to the U.S.S Enterprise for another interstellar adventure across space with the new Star Trek film, Star Trek Into Darkness!

After successfully rebooting/ reestablishing ties with the Trek franchise with the 2009 film "Star Trek", Abrams and his studio Bad Robot Productions have proven their worth and reintroduced Gene Roddenberry's brainchild into the new generation. By injecting action and danger ala Star Wars (which he will direct Episode VII of in 2015) and reestablishing Trek lore firmly with an alternate reality based on The Original Series timeline, we have fresh faces to root for and more spaceventures to look forward to.

As the title to the sequel suggests, Into Darkness pushes things into a very dark place, and it's not only a great sequel... but possibly the best Trek film in recent memory! Certain SPOILERS be contained here in this review, but I won't SPOIL THE OBVIOUS TWIST (If you haven't figured it out already that is from leaks and web info alone). Coming from an old school Trekkie like myself, I'll be forward and frank with my thoughts on this stellar film.

Special thanks goes to Solar Entertainment Corporation, United International Pictures, Paramount Pictures, and Bad Robot Productions for the special premiere screening on IMAX, and delivering an EPIC SEQUEL worthy to "Live Long and Prosper".

And without further ado, here is me punching it to the review proper!

Star Trek Into Darkness

Directed By: J.J. Abrams

Release Date: May 15 (International Release), May 17 (U.S)

As a direct sequel to the 2009 successful semi-reboot film "Star Trek" which saw an alternate reality of Trek lore established, Star Trek Into Darkness dispenses with introductions to the crew of the U.S.S Enterprise and dives right into the action. As they embark on their new assignments to "explore strange new worlds", Captain Kirk, Spock, and the rest of the Enterprise personnel face their greatest crisis yet. When the crew is called back to Starfleet base on Earth following their recent mission, danger follows in the form of rogue Starfleet officer "John Harrison", who systematically launches attacks that deal a blow to society and the peacekeeping intergalactic organization. Taking matters personally following this, Kirk leads a manhunt to capture the terrorist, only to find out that the stakes are bigger than he could imagine. With the threat of war looming and countless lives at stake, Kirk and his crew must find a way to overcome the odds and defeat their adversary before everything is too late.

Star Trek Into Darkness Official Trailer #3 (2013)
I've got to hand it to J.J Abrams - He DEFINITELY gets Star Trek and has presented us with another gem that's more or less an instant classic. He definitely carries over a lot of themes established in his first adventure with the new Enterprise crew in the 2009 film, and Into Darkness is no exception. With the "alternate reality" continuity established, everything old is new again, and you can expect a lot of familiar elements and nods to TOS (The Original Series) and movie lore when you go and see this film. Those already anticipating what the twist to this movie is, your confidence will be rewarded. I don't think I need to spell out what that is, but Benedict Cumberbatch is certainly the freshest and PERFECT choice of a villain/ antagonist for this new installment. The "Sherlock" man has acting chops that will get a lot of people praising and talking beyond the movie, and he certainly earns his stars for playing "John Harrison"... Who is "He who was named and speculated". Trekkies will certainly rejoice over how this theme has returned, yet may be a bit surprised at how different things will play out. I'll leave that matter as a surprise for those who have yet to see this film and want to be stoked by what they find.

Casting wise, I've grown to love and respect the new cast behind the faces of "Star Trek" and "Star Trek Into Darkness", and they've certainly stepped up since the last time they boarded the Enterprise and took their baby steps forward to prove their worth. Chris Pine returns as the arrogant yet brave Captain James T. Kirk, and he certainly shines more here at the guy willing to do whatever it takes to complete the mission based on his gut. I'm still a big fan of William Shatner's legendary portrayal of the character, but Pine has earned my admiration and respect. He carries the torch well, and literally grows into the role as you watch both films based on his perspective. The same holds true for Zachary Quinto's performance as Spock. Here we have the somewhat emotionless and logic centered Vulcan channeling Leonard Nimoy, but it's not all the same in the alternate reality continuity. Spock has flaws to overcome and a lot of strength to convey by balancing both of his heritages, and the film exploits those qualities well enough. These two characters are very different of origin, but learn to become the best of friends in order to fulfill their duty and save the universe from anything that threatens it.


Star Trek Into Darkness International Trailer
Also returning of course is Karl Urban, Zoe Saldana, John Cho, Anton Yelchin, and Simon Pegg as the "gallant crew" of the U.S.S Enterprise - reprising their roles as Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy, Nyota Uhura, Hikaru Sulu, Pavel Chekov, and Chief Engineer Montgomery "Scotty" Scott. Channeling his inner McCoy mannerisms once more, Karl Urban strikes me as the most convincing doppelganger for the role immortalized by the late, great DeForrest Kelley, and he hasn't lost touch in making his "Dammit Jim, I'm a Doctor" wise cracks or insults to Spock in true Bones fashion. The same holds true for Simon Pegg's scotty - definitely the comedian and miracle worker of the Enterprise like the late James Doohan before him, and he's all aces again the second time around. Zoe Saldana lends her lovely expertise as communications and linguistics officer Uhura in the film, as does John Cho's Hikaru Sulu with his precision and skills as a excellent pilot and helmsman. Finally, what more can I say about Anton Yelchin as Chekov? The young navigator always looks in over his head, but is brave nonetheless and is a valid member who proves himself more in this sequel than ever before.

Rounding up the principal cast is the return of Bruce Greenwood as Admiral Christopher Pike, former captain of the Enterprise and Captain Kirk's mentor. His presence here also adds validity to the themes present in the previous film, and it's great to see the relationship between him and his students fostered all the more. Imagine my delight when I saw legendary "Robocop" actor Peter Weller added to the cast as Admiral Marcus of Starfleet, and you have two "Batman" voice actors in him (Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Part I and II) and Greenwood (Young Justice and Batman: Under The Red Hood) present on a Star Trek film. That's saying things in one perspective, but back on Trek fandom, having a "Marcus" present means a familiar role is not far behind, and Alice Eve plays the role of his daughter - Dr. Carol Wallace/ Carol Marcus, a character Trek veterans will know from the popculture classic film that is "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan". Saying more at this point and explaining the twist of the film would ruin the fun, but I leave the guessing games be.

I guess all there's left to say is this - DEFINITELY WATCH STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS. Any Star Trek fan, be it Original Series, The Next Generation, or beyond will enjoy Abrams' second take of the franchise, and he pays excellent homage to established canon and themes by simply taking things in a different spin and chugging out the action anyway. There's plenty of mystery, ship battles, klingons, and familiar names, terms, and faces popping up, so there's no way you'll be disappointed with the outcome. Perhaps there'll be a few headscratches or speedbumps, but that's all overlooked since the experience is made worthwhile by two factors - a.)The U.S.S Enterprise and b.)The awesome Benedict Cumberbatch. With that, I leave you to see this, and it can be either on 2D or IMAX 3D. Either format is great already, so boldly go to your nearest cinema and see this space action masterpiece on screen.

Rating - 5/5