WARNING – THIS
REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS
Star Trek: Into
Darkness is the latest in the new Star Trek reboot series directed by JJ
Abrams. The first in the series, Star Trek, is still one of my favourite films
of all time.
I went into the
cinema with high hopes for the sequel, especially since the cast is so
star-studded. Returning actors Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto (Kirk and Spock)
reprise their roles excellently and their characters’ relationship is once
again one of the many highlights of the film. Also reprising his role is Simon
Pegg (Scotty). Pegg’s character plays a much larger role in this film and I am
certainly glad that he does since a huge amount the humour in this film comes
from him. I also enjoyed Leonard Nemoy’s cameo as future Spock. Although, the
main appeal of this film’s cast is the addition of Benedict Cumberbatch as the
main villain – Khan.
The only real
problem I had with the first Star Trek film was that the villain was so bland
and uninteresting to the point where I didn’t care at all about his story. It
takes some really bad writing and casting to make someone completely
indifferent to the extinction of an entire race of sentient beings. But with
Cumberbatch it’s a completely different story. Khan’s story is moving and
compelling. It almost makes you want him to achieve his villainous goals if not
for the amount of murder he commits throughout the course of the film.
Into Darkness is
full of really great moments like heart warming scenes such as when Kirk ‘dies’
with Spock by his side, as well as adrenaline pumping action scenes like when
Spock is chasing Khan through a bustling city in the wake of Admiral Marcus’
giant war ship crashing to Earth. However, there were a few moments that were rather
uncharacteristic of Star Trek as a franchise and of the characters those
moments involved. An example of this would be Spock’s “KHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN”
moment. As much as I love Zachary Quinto’s portrayal of Spock, I could never
imagine Leonard Nemoy reacting quite like that.
Star Trek’s
visuals are breathtaking. However much people whinge about the over use of lens
flares in films by Abrams, it really does suite the sci-fi universe of Star
Trek. The designs of classic elements of the original series we all know and
love, such as the USS Enterprise, have been done exceedingly well, and as the
friend with whom I saw the film correctly said “the space pictures were EPIC”.
I simply can’t
talk about Star Trek: Into Darkness without mentioning the music. Michael
Giacchino’s score is one of my favourites in any film. Every great moment in
this film is brought to life by just the right piece of music for the occasion,
and the main theme, ‘Enterprising Young Men’ is still without a doubt one of
the best themes for an action film to date.
There is so much
more that I could say about this film to show how amazing it truly was, but if
I were to say all of it then this review would be way too long for anyone to
bother reading. I definitely feel that this film is the best action film of the
year so far, even surpassing Iron Man 3. I would definitely recommend this film
and I am intending on going to see it again before it leaves cinemas.
8.8/10
