I’ll admit, I was among the first naysayers when word leaked out that the Star Trek franchise was returning to the big screen in a reboot format. I grew up with Kirk, Spock, McCoy, Scotty, Uhura, Chekov, Sulu, and–of course–the starship Enterprise. I possessed a dedication to these characters and the actors who portrayed them that precluded any excitement about someone else stepping into their shoes. That affection remains to this day. However, I also mentioned at the time that I would be the first to sing the praises of J.J. Abrams if he managed to create something special. When Star Trek was released in 2009 opinions fell all along the spectrum from “hated it” to “loved it”, mine came to rest on the later end.
Enter Star Trek: Into Darkness, a film that I now had very high expectations for because of the efforts of J.J. Abrams and the cast to stay true to the spirit of the original Star Trek while updating it for a contemporary audience in the first film. Would these increased expectations have the opposite effect, leaving me with a more tepid response to the second film?
It is a risk to one’s reputation to admit to getting swept up in what some would consider lesser films. When it comes to films in the Star Trek franchise, and the television series for that matter, logic and a desire for realism must be left at the door. How do you trust the opinion of someone that admits to enjoying something so flabbergasting in its implausibility? Step 1: Look in the mirror, get up really close…you know you have your own guilty pleasures, so don’t judge too harshly. Step 2: Want a realistic Star Trek? Step outside and look at the night sky. See the stars and perhaps the moon? There is your realistic Star Trek. We aren’t out in space, we aren’t building space ships, we aren’t traveling among the stars. We already have realism. Let’s indulge in a little wish fulfillment, shall we?
As you might have guessed by now, despite the moments that could easily be found laughable, I was swept up in the spectacle and very much enjoyed my trip to see Star Trek: Into Darkness this evening. I fell hard for Michael Giacchino’s revamped theme music in the first film and as the Paramount symbol faded and the music began for Into Darkness I felt like a kid again, waiting for one of my favorite weekly television episodes to start, only this time it was coming on a big screen with freaky-cool visuals.
The opening sequence sets the stage for how the viewer is going to feel about the next two hours of the film. He/she is either going to go with it and ignore the improbabilities or they are going to cringe and make mental notes of its various flaws. Either viewpoint is certainly valid, I just happen to have a long affection for the franchise that J.J. Abrams has thus far enhanced rather than diminished.
The apparent desire to pay homage to the original actors that came with the performances by Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Karl Urban, Zoe Saldana, Simon Pegg and others was every bit as present in Into Darkness. There were multiple nods to the long history of the series including a few really nice redshirts moments. The action was interspersed with lighter moments and there was enough reflection on the part of the main characters to give a little more dimension.
As regular readers know I do my best to make my reviews non-spoiler. For that reason I am offering the following spoiler warning: If you do not know who the villain is in this film then please skip reading any more of this review. I really cannot talk more about the film without making that reveal. If you do know, or suspect that you know, then by all means continue on as I have no plans to spoil anything else. So once again:
A MAJOR SPOILER WILL NOW FOLLOW:
I had heard rumblings and always strongly suspected that Abrams would continue the reboot with a revisit to a villain who is arguably a fan favorite: Khan Noonein Singh. And he could not have cast a more perfect actor to play the role than Benedict Cumberbatch. Wow, he was good! I enjoyed the passion he brought to the character and the way in which he and Chris Pine, and later Zachary Quinto, played off of one another. I thought the writers did a nice job of working with the Khan storyline and twisting it ever so slightly to fit the alternate universe that these versions of the Star Trek characters reside in.
It was nice to see Zoe Saldana get in on more action in this film and have a bigger and more integral role. Pine, Quinto and Urban were fantastic once again as Kirk, Spock and McCoy and their banter was what fans expect from the original series. Simon Pegg, John Cho and Anton Yelchin were fun in their roles of Scotty, Sulu and Chekov, respectively. Alice Eve’s character, which I won’t spoil, was one that made me smile as soon as she was introduced by her rightful name. And then of course there was the Enterprise.
I do so love that ship. Like many other fans I feel as beholden to the U.S.S. Enterprise as her captain James T. Kirk does. The special effects crew for the Abram’s films makes a beautiful looking ship and the sets are equally as stunning. I see the ship on screen and think, “I want me one of those!”
As I pointed out earlier, there is a lot of suspension of disbelief that has to occur if you want the experience to be fun. I tend to take that all in stride when it comes to Star Trek. I sat back determined to enjoy the ride and enjoy the ride I did. As the credits rolled and the theme music played once more, I was ready to go back and see it again, or at least to pull a Star Trek novel off the shelf when I arrived home.
Given that Star Trek has a strong appeal for me, I’d give this one 4 out of 5 stars.
You may have liked it yourself, or you may fit somewhere else on the spectrum. At either extreme or in the middle, I would love to hear your thoughts and I would really like to discuss the film in more detail. However, please be courteous of your fellow blog readers and put a big SPOILER warning at the start of your comments if you plan to talk in a detailed manner about the film. So, what did you think?
Update: BEWARE, there are a TON of spoilers in the comments. So far I’ve made sure all are labeled, but I don’t have a connection at work so sometimes they slip through the cracks for a few hours.
I had no clue who the villain was. In fact I only guessed it seconds before it was revealed.
Julie and I went to see it Friday and we both loved it a lot.
I have never struggled with suspending disbelief when it comes to sci-fi. Anything goes as long as the story is decent.
I love what Abrams is doing with the franchise. The smartest move was the alternate timeline. So much more can be done in the future this way.
I’m glad you didn’t, that had to make it fun. Mary did not know either and so she was surprised.
I mostly never struggle with that either. There have been a couple of films that I have but they were just bad movies in general and it wasn’t the crazy physics or such that made me cringe.
I agree, I think the alternate timeline was a nice touch. It would be fun to see them pursue something with the Klingons in the next film but maybe take it in its own direction this time.
Thanks for the review, Carl. I agree with your suspension of disbelief statement and enjoyed this addition to the Star Trek saga as well.
** THERE BE SPOILERS BELOW **
When the villain got his first face time on screen, I was taken back by the musical fanfare. My reaction was, “Did I just miss something?” I felt like I was left out of an inside joke. Once the character was revealed for who he is, I was pleasantly surprised.
I wasn’t as pleased with the actor choice as you were though – with a caveat – I don’t think that anyone could have been worthy of replacing Ricardo Montalban. He will always be Kahn. I do believe, however, that on a second viewing I will be able to better appreciate Cumberbatch’s performance.
Definitely agree with you about the ship. Loved the engine room!
A few observations:
• Loved that team Abrams/Lindelof/Giacchino were back together. Like you, I too greatly enjoyed the music.
• Pegg was awesome – as always. As were all of the main characters. Quinto is incredible as Spock. I enjoyed the Big Bang Theory’s shout out to his performance in last week’s episode.
• Enjoyed the references:
o USS Bradbury
o The Red shirt references
o Spock saying, “The needs of the many…”
o The Tribble
o The Nurse Chapel reference
o The Spock/Kirk death scene – the writers mixed things up: Kirk dying instead of Spock/Spock yelling “Kaaaaahhn!, etc.
o The decimated Klingon moon
o The Daystrom Institute
o The shuttle taken from the “Mudd incident” – Harry Mudd reference (original series and IDW comics)
o Dr. Carol Marcus saying, “It’s good to have family” – HA!
o The Kobayashi Maru reference – being stranded on the edge of Klingon space due to a warp core malfunction. Kirk passes the test once again.
o Section 31 – I’ll have to admit that this one had to be pointed out to me. It was referenced in ST:DS9 as well as ST:Enterprise as a cloak and dagger organization. In DS9, they tried to recruit Dr. Brashir because of his genetic perfection just as they had Kahn.
o Enterprise NX-01 (this is one I didn’t catch on my own either) – since the ST timeline split after ST:Enterprise, everything that occurred on that series is still history to the altered timeline. So the Enterprise NX-01 makes an appearance on Admiral Pike’s desk as does Zephram Cochrane’s ship.
Movie Cons (not to be confused with Kahns):
Would have liked to have seen more screen time for McCoy, Sulu, and Uhura. For a ST movie, they seemed too much like secondary characters.
Most unrealistic aspect of the film: a single tribble. Everyone knows that there is no such thing as one, solitary tribble
The good news is that Alice Eve has already signed on for the 3rd Star Trek movie. That means that we have not seen the last of the the Kirk/Dr Marcus romance.
One last thought… how smart is it to take a living organism that is born pregnant and whose sole purpose in life is to reproduce faster than rabbits – A.K.A. a tribble – and inject it with super blood that makes it practically immortal? Just a thought…
HUGE SPOILERS IN THIS REPLY!!!
Cool, you caught much more than I did and I’ll have to keep my eyes and ears open more in future viewings.
I did catch the Section 31 reference because of Deep Space Nine and one of the novels with those characters that I read a few years back.
As for the Tribbles, it would have been cheesy but so much fun to see a snippet after the credits with the crew running around trying to rid the ship of tribbles.
Maybe the super blood will make the tribble…and Kirk…sterile, lol!
It is hard in these ensemble films to give everyone good screen time. In the end I find myself wishing everyone would have had more time. This was a film I could have easily wished for another 30 minutes to be added on just for more screen time with everyone.
So you were surprised by the villain too? That’s great! I’m glad people weren’t spoiled. I never heard any spoilers, just tons of speculation that was confirmed for me when they chose Cumberbatch.
I too liked how they changed up the Kirk and Spock stuff, was a nice twist. Also liked Spock talking to himself.
Elaina wants to see it so I may go back this weekend and look for all those references. I missed most of them.
I’d like to see it again myself at some point.
***many spoilers****
well I’ve seen the movie twice.. the first time my only complaint was “too much fast action/ movement of the camera” that I nearly got motion sick!! Second time was easier on the eyes..
how big can ones heart get especially when the Enterprise begins to come out of the ocean? fantastic scene!!!!
I too would have liked a little more McCoy (big surprise huh?) and more of Chekov.. i absolutely love him struggling to pronounce words!
I was a bit disappointed with Khan. I think I could have taken it better if he had a great chest like Ricardo had! heh.. ok so that’s a female thing..duh.
I was so shocked during the *death scene* !!! all I could think was “Noooooooooooo!” Abrams can’t end the movies already!!! aaaggghhh! and of course we know how that ends..heh.
I already can’t wait for it to be released in a dvd! And I am in the midst of writing to Abrams to thank him for bringing Star Trek back to us. I doubt he will read my letter.. but I am compelled!!
SPOILERS!!!!!
Both “Enterprise rising” scenes were heart-in-the-throat moments. Loved those. Loved how the second one mimicked the scene from the first film.
I’m thrilled we didn’t have to see 70’s chest hair shirts on Khan, lol!!!
I was pretty shocked when I saw the reversal scene coming and was really wondering if Abrams had been greenlighted to do the unthinkable…but then I suddenly remembered the earlier tribble scene and saw how he was going to write the ending. People will think it was silly, but I was fine with it, especially because Kirk dies in more than one novel and ends up coming back so I thought it was a nice nod to those stories.
I’m glad you are writing Abrams, I think that is cool.
😉
http://foodandwinehedonist.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/khan-watchmojocom1.jpg
Oh Kelly…NOOOOO!!!!!!
Braaaaaaaawn!
I agree with you on the great job Abrams has done with this. It gives me ‘new hope’ /*grin*/ for the upcoming Star Wars movies.
*groan* 🙂
Like you, I loved the movie, and will be seeing it again with my son soon. I really appreciated how, in a way, this closed the story of the timeline reboot. By bringing in the most iconic single character villain from Star Trek, and addressing how the damage caused by Nero in the former movie affected Starfleet, Abrams et al. can now move past mirroring the original series and create a new mythology. It was very similar to how Skyfall used nods to Bond’s past to close one door and open another.
I agree, Mike, he did indeed set things up to move forward and I hope the franchise now does that. I wish it would be with him but I’m not sure if he’ll continue now that Star Wars has come calling. Fingers crossed that if it is not him they’ll get someone who will creatively build on what he has done and not try to get cute and undo or reshape things.
on imdb it shows Abrams as doing the next Star Trek in 2016. (*groan..wish it was sooner!)
That is good news, actually. Hope it ends up being the case.
SPOILERS!!!
Loved it! Went into the theatre with no expectation other than a GREAT ride and revisiting beloved characters and was NOT disappointed! 😀
For a cohesive storyline, eh, it wanders aimlessly in places and there were a few WTF moments. But suspension of disbelief was in FULL EFFECT. Loved Scotty’s expanded roll. Thought poor Chekov caught the short end of the stick this time. Caught the Section 31 reference. Thought, “huh, I think that’s in a couple of the books I haven’t read yet.”
Also leaned over to my friend at Kirk’s death scene and said, “McCoy’s got Khan’s blood”. 😀
Want the blu-ray NOW please! so I can watch it over and over and over.
I want the blu ray now as well. Such a fun film and obviously so full of stuff I didn’t catch the first time. Which means another viewing is definitely in order.
I didn’t read any of the spoilery parts of your post, I just wanted to say I can’t wait to see it! I was raised on Star Trek and was nervous about the reboot too. I think they did such a great job with the first one that now I’m excited about this one!
Rarely does a series have two better-than-good movies in a row. This one does!
You’ll have to come back and let me know what you think once you’ve seen it. I think you will find your excitement will be paid off.
I’m a die hard fan, just like you, Carl. So I have to admit to being somewhat skeptical upon hearing of the first Star Trek reboot. I loved it! I think what it is for me is that I’m just so thrilled that the characters are living on. I’m hoping to see Into Darkness this coming weekend.
Thanks for the heartfelt review, from a fellow Trekkie. 🙂
You are welcome, let us know what you think after you see it this coming weekend!
I’ve not seen the movie yet but I am looking forward to it. I’ve seen rumblings for ages at the Tor blog about who the villain was going to be so that wasn’t a surprise. When they decided to the do the firs reboot I was concerned too, worried they were going to ruin Star Trek, but I thought they did a great job. I am glad it continues to be so. I think, perhaps a Memorial Day matinee is in my future.
That would be a great way to spend Memorial Day! Hope you get to see it then and that you enjoy it very much.
SPOILERS!!!
can’t say I miss Montalban’s chest hair… but I like their decision to jump-in with both feet and call up Khan from the grave. and, like you, I’m not sure they could have cast him better. Khan has such cultural relevance right now–the anxiety of someone of incredible intelligence rising up from among us and threatening to destroy us–seemingly unbeatable, always steps ahead. and then there is that government with motivations we distrust. the dedication to 9/11 was a punctuation mark.
I think these new films have been impressively sensitive to the franchise past while updating and launching it anew for fresh audiences. I love that Sean and I can enjoy the references and yet get to hear Natalya’s belly laughs every time Simon Pegg comes on screen. Though I have to say that all three of us gasped and looked at each other when Chekov was told to put on a red shirt…actually, the whole theater did. we had such great energy in our theater audience.
We’ve slated some older films/episodes for N to watch…willing to take recommendations.
I love that Uhura was portrayed as more of a character and action figure, than just a romantic tension. I adore that action heroics are distributed across the cast, actually. And I think the cast has great chemistry…I am a bit dumb-founded that they found people who could fill iconic characters/actors, still act, and pull of the chemistry that makes these films so charming (and not just exciting).
I’m so excited by this summer’s blockbuster offerings! been saving up my film-going budget…
SPOILERS!!!!
Yes, it really was, wasn’t it. I’m glad that they went with Khan too, and thought it was fun that we got to see the Klingons. I like the redesign. Hope we get to see some nasty Klingons in the future.
I loved that red shirt reference and the one in which the red shirt guys were told to change. It was such a nice nod to the audience who had already pegged them for death that they were going to turn the tables on all that.
I love the whole of the Deep Space Nine series so of course I unreservedly recommend that. It would be fun to show her the Trouble with Tribbles episode after seeing Into Darkness, too.
They do have really great chemistry, don’t they. I had heard rumors that Quinto wanted to bow out of playing Spock and I hope the success of this will kick that notion out of his head. I get so tired of actors making stupid decisions like that.
So far summer has been awesome: Oblivion, Iron Man 3, and now Star Trek Into Darkness. Wow!!!
Great review… up to the spoiler that I did not read. And I hope I can make it to my first viewing without it being spoiled. We always watch on DVD so we always risk hearing too much before we watch it. Mostly matters to me, luckily. My son and husband don’t worry so much about that.
I did love the first movie in the reboot and I am expecting to like this one a lot.
I hope you can make it that long as well. Just stay away from all reviews and don’t scan these comments, lol!!!
I enjoyed this quite a bit as well, particularly Benedict Cumberbatch! I felt very mixed in the end, though, because I felt like some of the character portrayals were just…off. Some very nice nods and very cool lines (and McCoy got an “I’m a doctor not a…” line!) but there were also a lot of moments that didn’t feel right to me. There was a strong streak of immaturity that bothered me quite a bit.
But enough of a rant on that (I already went on plenty more on my own blog…) and overall I can check my disbelief at the door reasonably well. Like you, I generally get swept up in the magic too. With a few mixed feelings along the way!
Just popped over to read and comment on your review. I don’t think you are wrong, I just don’t see it as an issue because I think the crew are mostly acting their age.
Still, glad you had fun and enjoyed it. I’m ready for the next film and am not going to enjoy playing the waiting game.
just saw the movie for the 3rd time with a friend who had not seen it.. loved her trying to ask questions that I wouldn’t answer! lol
I cannot wait for the movie to come on dvd!!!
I, too, can’t wait for the next STAR TREK movie. I liked the first J. J. Abrams STAR TREK movie better than STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS, but both movies provided the thrill rides I associate with Summer Blockbusters.
Yes, the first one is better, but “thrill ride” is a good description as they are both that. And that ride plus a feeling of connection to the characters I grew up with was all I wanted, and I got that.
Just now commenting on this post — great review! I saw this movie twice opening weekend and I’m dying to see it again. SO GOOD!! 🙂
Thanks Ruth, I can see why you saw it twice the first weekend. I tried to see it again the second weekend it was out but the theater was having sound issues. I would like to see it once more before it leaves theaters, but we’ll see.
I waited to read your review until I was able to see the movie–which I finally did today. Granted, the spoiler wouldn’t have meant much to me as I’m more-or-less new to the Star Trek world (I’ve only seen the 2009 movie & a few TOS episodes), but I’m still glad I didn’t know who the villain was!
I definitely enjoyed the movie, and I’m glad to hear there’s another in the works…even if it’s a long wait! Of course, that gives me plenty of time to catch up on all the series and previous movies….
Happy to hear that you enjoyed it, Amanda. I thought they did a really nice job with it and that it was highly entertaining.
I don’t mind terribly much about the wait, but would like to see it cut down to a couple of years vs. four.