4 out of 5 stars
The second installment in the rebooted Star Trek series—Into Darkness—is not as triumphant as its 2009 predecessor, but delivers for Trekkies and casual moviegoers alike. Director J.J. Abrams returns to deliver a film that provides abundant thrills and plot twists, and pays homage to the 1982 Star Trek film, The Wrath of Khan.
The film opens with the crew of the Enterprise desperately trying to escape a remote planet before they are discovered by a primitive species that inhabits it. With cocky Captain James T. Kirk (Chris Pine) making yet another rash decision that puts him and his crew in unnecessary danger, the opening scene foreshadows the film’s overarching plot lines. Viewers also get a glimpse of the growing tensions between Kirk and altogether emotionally detached Commander Spock (Zachary Quinto).
As with Abrams’ other works, the film is an undoubted visual spectacle. Abrams proves once again how he is the Spielberg of this generation via elaborately designed sets and a multitude of well crafted action sequences. Furthermore, the soundtrack by Michael Giacchino correlates well with Abrams’ vision.
The script effectively pays tribute to the original series and does a nice job of incorporating various subplots, despite a disappointing conclusion. At times the film feels like Abrams’ attempt to create The Empire Strikes Back of the Star Trek universe, but a resolute ending shatters that vision.
Sequels like Wrath of Khan, Godfather Part II, and The Dark Knight are memorable because each film ends with a tragic cliffhanger that sets the stage perfectly for a third installment. While Into Darkness one contains plenty of twists and turns, a darker ending—in correlation to the film’s title—would have been logical.
Still, the highlight of the film is Benedict Cumberbatch’s stellar performance as the ruthless antagonist, Khan. Having made a name for himself in the title role of the popular BBC series, Sherlock, the British actor portrays a villain who is gloriously reminiscent of Ricardo Montalban’s Khan from the 1982 film. From body language to vocalization, Cumberbatch embraces the character in a manner that will please hardcore fans and acting critics.
Carol Marcus (Alice Eve), the daughter of the Starfleet Admiral, is another pleasing addition to the crew. Her character not only compliments the original, but also opens room for some nicely constructed subplots.
Pine, Quinto and Saldana return to perform effectively as well—as the relationships between these characters continue to develop, Abrams is able to depict themes of trust, honor and sacrifice in a coherent manner.
Star Trek Into Darkness is a satisfying sequel that deserves of a solid “B” rating and, aside from snobby fan-boys who will no-doubt compare Into Darkness with the original series, anyone can enjoy it.
