Aylmer to Zazzoo and Beyond: Star Trek Into Darkness

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Star Trek Into Darkness - Review

Star Trek
Into Darkness
(2013 - May 16)
Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi
2 hr 12 min

Rated: PG-13 Intense sequences of sci-fi action and violence. Read more
Grade: B+

Director: J.J. Abrams
Writers: Roberto Orci (written by), Alex Kurtzman (written by), Damon Lindelof,
(written by), Gene Roddenberry (television series "Star Trek")
Stars: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Benedict Cumberbatch, See full cast and crew

The crew of the Starship Enterprise returns home after an act of terrorism within its own organization destroys most of Starfleet and what it represents, leaving Earth in a state of crisis. With a personal score to settle, Capt. James T. Kirk (Chris Pine) leads his people (Zachary Quinto, Karl Urban, Zoë Saldana) on a mission to capture a one-man weapon of mass destruction, thereby propelling all of them into an epic game of life and death.

I reviewed the 3D version, honestly I don't feel it added all that much. There were a few good spots where its utilization was effective but otherwise many times it seemed a distraction. It is obvious that they are using this film to set up a franchise of sequels. I liked the film but I don't think it is as effective as its predecessor.

That said, I do like this franchise incarnation better than any of the others, be it TV original, The William Shatner/Leonard Nimoy or Patrick Stewart film series, or The Next Generation etc., etc. The majority of Trekkies will probably think J.J. Abrams has committed some degree of heresy but the Trekkies were never really the intended audience (loyal as they are their numbers are not enough to fund a blockbuster).

I like the energy that Chris Pine brings to the Capt. Kirk character, and he is a lot easier on the eyes than is either Shatner or Stewart. The entire young cast of the two latest J.J. Abrams films are great fun to watch, they have been cast so well to look like the youthful Shatner cast that they are supposed to be.

I found this film not quite as entertaining as the first one directed by Abrams, but enjoyable it is, and yes there is a cameo appearance from one of the original cast members. Should this franchise continue (and I understand Star Trek 3 is already in the works) I wonder how many more of the originals will be ready and willing to lend their faces and support.

There is one unnecessary scene with Kirk in bed with twin alien girls with tails, thankfully it isn't at all graphic but the whole aspect of his promiscuity is an unwelcome distraction.

There is a lot of action, perhaps a bit too much, it seem that they go from one life threatening scene to another with precious little respite in between. Is anyone's life really packed that full of adventure and excitement. They are constantly on the go.

Star Trek Into Darkness has plenty of violence, they battle Klingons, there's gunfire, fights and people being killed, falling to their deaths or being sucked into space, or shot or blown to bits, Starships shooting at each other and buildings and their inhabitants destroyed, and characters are frequently being placed in life threatening danger.

There is also a little use of profanity but generally not any worse than what you find on TV, I applaud the writers and director's restraint. This is one you can safely take your family to see.