Film Review: Star Trek Into Darkness

Film review by Tom Hunt

Note: The author's views are entirely his or her own and may not reflect the views of RetoxMagazine.com

Star Trek Into Darkness Review: Abrams Does It Again!

The latest instalment of the series has opened in cinemas nationwide, and it won't disappoint die hard trekkies and new fans to the franchise alike as Benedict Cumberbatch joins returning cast members Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Simon Pegg, Karl Urban and John Cho in Star Trek Into Darkness.

This was my first IMAX 3D experience and I'm not sure if it cured my phobia of heights or made it worse. IMAX is a beautiful technology, but 3D has always seemed rather gimmicky, I dare say; however, IMAX 3D takes it all to the next level. The film opens with a stunning scene of Kirk (Chris Pine) and Bones (Karl Urban) being chased through a field by an indigenous species. Things are flying at you left right and centre and there are a couple of moments from a great height that, for those who have a fear, will definitely make you queasy. The Enterprise, more specifically Spock (Zachary Quinto) is there to try and stop a volatile volcano on the brink of eruption that will wipe out the planet, and they're not allowed to let them see their faces or the ship. Of course, things don't go to plan with Kirks patented reckless and heroic attitude getting the better of him, and there we have our opening pre-credits scene for Star Trek Into Darkness.

Pictured: Star Trek Into Darkness film poster.

The opening 10-minute scene really shows where the enterprise is at right now; they're where they're meant to be, exploring new planets and seeking out new life. There's a real sense of camaraderie within the ship, but relationships are still developing, especially between Kirk and Spock, as their cultures and ideologies are still at opposite ends of the scales. We see that Jim is still a little wild. And hasn't quite earned the trust of Starfleet yet. He's constantly at odds with doing the right thing, following his gut and following orders; these 3 factors often rarely aligned. Spock's still learning to deal with his half-human side, to understand and embrace what being human means. Opting, instead, to let his Vulcan side control his ways time and time again, which conflicts with his relationship with Lieutenant Uhura (Zoe Saldana). Simon Pegg gets given a larger role in this film as Scotty, as the mission part way through the film drastically goes against his moral code.

This is a big story for him, and is a running theme in the film, as main players who were given a slight background role in the first Star Trek are given signs of their destiny and who they are. Benedict Cumberbatch is vicious, intense and menacing as Starfleet officer John Harrison, a man living by his own code and feeling betrayed by Starfleet. His ideals are in a way something that you can sympathise with, but that doesn't mean for a second Kirk is willing to drop his guard around him.

If you had to pick one flaw out of the film it would be that it is slightly predictable in the way it all plays out, but this is a trivial criticism because it's satisfying the way it does. The film isn't about twists, turns and making the audience confused and trying to understand what's going on. It's about friendship and love and destiny. The friendships that are tested on board the Enterprise and seeing how much Kirk cares for his ship and his crew. There's a lot more drama in this film, which also ups the ante on action and adventure from the first film, and it's wonderful to see. Abrams does yet another spectacular job re-igniting the theory everything he touches turns to gold. He seems to demand the best out of everyone, pushing them beyond what they're capable without doing so in a dictatorially manner, as nobody seems to have a bad word to say about him, and rightly so when he makes magic like this.

Of course it wouldn't be right unless we got some nostalgia, and classic (with a modern twist) phasers are introduced; an old friend pops up and we get some tribles! The big one of course is getting our first glimpse at Klingons, who weren't even mentioned in the first outing, yet Into Darkness gives us a hint that Starfleet are letting on more than they know about the race, and the third instalment could well feature them heavily. While there's still mystery set around the third film, will J.J. Abrams direct it, there is a lot to anticipate, already. It's an open canvas though, we've no idea where it would, or could go in terms of story. Unlike other franchise's, these films aren't set up as a trilogy, though they could go that way. They're set up as singular films that suggest they can go for as long as there's a demand for them, and the cast and crew remain in place and willing to continue. If you can, go to see Star Trek Into Darkness in IMAX, it's simply beautiful and your eyes will hurt in the best possible way. But if that's not an option a standard cinema viewing will do just fine.