The Twelve Film in a long running franchise and sequel
to the 2009 Reboot/Prequel/Sequel of the now Alternative Universe brings back
the previous Enterprise Crew for another epic trek with J.J. Abrams back in the
Director’s Chair and giving us another action-pumped adventure with emotion,
humour and a visually impressive crafted Sequel that really brings out the
darkness to it.
Taking place sometime after the events of the first
film we find the USS Enterprise Crew in the middle of a rescue mission on the
red forest planet of Nibiru, trying to save an indigent species from extinction
via volcanic eruption. Things go wrong that put Spock’s (Zachary Quinto) life in danger and thus Kirk (Chris Pine) and Crew disobey the Prime Directive in order to
rescue their fallen comrade from the depths of the fiery chasm, resulting in
them revealing themselves to the natives and thus breaking protocol.
This brings with it consequences that diminish Kirk
from his command of the Enterprise with Admiral Pike (Bruce Greenwood) taking back command and it also causing a rift of
mistrust between his relationship with Spock who at the same time struggles to
maintain his level of logic and emotion between his Captain and relationship
with Uhura (Zoe Saldana).
At the same time a mysterious Starfleet Official by
the name of John Harrison (Benedict
Cumberbatch) sets up a deadly trap that ends with an attack on a Starfleet
base in London setting in motion events that end with tragedy and the attempted
assassinations of Starfleet officials.
Wanting vengeance, Kirk leads the USS Enterprise onto
a mission to find and destroy Harrison who has escaped and hidden himself
behind enemy lines in the very heart of the Klingon home world itself. But
unknown to them they are being pulled into a web of shadows being mutilated between
Harrison and outside forces that ends with History repeating itself.
Without giving away too much more that isn’t already
known beyond this point I will say this, rarely do I leave the theatre without
been annoyed or disappointed, but in this case I walked out with a huge smile
on my face at having enjoyed something that not only entertained me but
rekindled my somewhat lacked passion in the overall sci-fi space genre.
Star Trek Into Darkness is by all accounts one of the
most fun, emotional, intense and amazing visual experiences I have had in a
long time and that coming from someone like me who is used to ripping films and
games apart left and right is a miracle. With that said there are flaws but not
enough to ruin such an enjoyable experience.
J.J. Abrams directing talent shines through (plenty of
Lens Flares will contribute to this) showing he has a clear understanding of
how to make an entertaining film that manages to showcase several genre
elements to create a product that will appeal to mass audiences.
While he might have neglected certain aspects that
made fans fall in love with the Star Trek franchise in the first place there is
still plenty here that not only will draw in older fans but a whole new future
generation, resurrecting a dead and dried out series with a more exciting
dynamic to it that will surely hold audiences interests for years to come and
the key to how J.J. Abrams has achieved this is through the clear understanding
of ‘Balance’.
From the moment it starts to the very end the film is
paced in such a way that it manages to Balance its many mixed ingredients
chronicling between its brilliant performed characters and their very natural
interactions to the intense and visually appealing and at times realistic and
brutal action sequences to its use of Emotions that define the Themes of what
one would do to protect their family.
That particular Theme is ever present between the
relationships of Kirk, Spock, Uhura, Bones (Karl
Urban), Scotty (Simon Pegg),
Sulu (John Cho), Chekov (Anton Yelchin) and the rest of the
Enterprise Crew, particularly in the first ten minutes which sets the excited
tone of what a rollercoaster ride this film offers. But most importantly it
reunites the whole team together and shows us they aren’t just a crew but a
caring group of people that have become part of a family together, strongly
enforcing the theme.
And through those relationships and interactions
friendships are tested, sacrifices are made and friends are hurt and killed
over the consequences of actions others bring showing just how much of an
emotional overhaul each actor brings to their performance.
And while some of these performances are undermined,
mainly John Cho and Anton Yelchin’s who get very little screen time, they are
given moments to shine and to do new things that they hadn’t done before in the
previous film and managing to still be useful, their characters never really
feeling unimportant or not needed.
Some of these character moments are brought out
through the use of the humour that manages to poke fun at the mythologies and
attitudes of specific characters (Red Shirt Jokes included) such as the strange
relationship between Spock and Uhura that brings up the obvious question of
what its like to date and love a Vulcan along with Karl Urban as Dr. Bones, a
one-man army of metaphors and one-liners whose overall comedic timing that
nears annoyance to others is brought up and offers plenty of laughs.
Then there is Simon Pegg who gets a bigger role here
in the grand scheme of things that occur later on. While his attempt at a
Scottish accent might cause ears to bleed from annoyance, Pegg still manages to
entertain.
The awkward romance between Spock and Uhura is
developed further this time around and in the context of the characters and story
it seems fitting enough, providing Uhura plenty more to do than her Original TV
Series counterpart ever managed to achieve in her long run.
While purist may find it controversial, the
relationship feels real, the writing really bringing out the realism between
the over-emotional girlfriend and unemotional Vulcan who is really just hiding
the inner pains from the previous film that are carried over here, adding a
element of uncertainty of how much control Spock has over his feelings that
could explode in rage at anytime. And that right there is one of the strongest
elements the film offers, which is the amount of emotion the characters give
out.
That link of friendship and loss is ever stronger
between the relationship of Kirk and Spock, the two of them while being polar
opposites also being the two that keep each other in check and showing the
strong bond they have developed over a short time and just how much they both
need each other. They are not only best friends but also brothers.
It is the pinnacle story arch between these two that
the film explores, with Kirk having to learn what it truly means to be a
Captain and Spock having to understand what it means to be loyal friend.
This is tested by the film’s villain and most
mysterious character, Benedict Cumberbatch whose role as ’Thou Shall Not Be
Named’ aka John Harrison is a performance that embodies a new take on a certain
character that not only is mesmerizing but also sinister to behold.
He feels like a Cobra, hypnotizing you to his every
word with those cold, calculating eyes and deep, commanding voice and striking
when you least expect it with such ferocity that will leave you terrified and
cautions as to what he will do next as he works his way around manipulating the
Crew to his own ends.
Not only does he kick ass, wiping the floor with
anyone who crosses his path, which adds a somewhat realistic and human
animalistic vibe to him that that further showcases his savagery making him a
very dangerous adversary, but his calm attitude that excels deceit and danger
is almost similar to the likes of movie villains such as Hannibal Lector from
Silence of the Lambs.
A true monster in disguise that is ready to explode in
great fury and vengeance. Add the sheer presence he sheds throughout the film
making him steal every scene he appears in and Benedict’s performance is
certainly one of the best villain portrayals, up there with the best of the
best.
Other Performances include newcomers Alice Eve as Dr.
Carol Wallace and Peter Weller as Admiral Marcus. Eve’s Carol isn’t the typical
dumb-blonde and is actually given some major things to do that help advance the
plot while also serving as a homage to its classical predecessor that will
possibly see more of a relationship between her and Kirk in the possible
sequel. While her presence might feel small, her character is overall an
important element to the family theme the film goes for.
Peter Weller however has more of a presence, serving
as the Head of Starfleet and portraying the typical cliché like Head Officer
that seems to be hiding more than the eye can see. Nevertheless, Weller is a
surprising face to see and his role is welcomed here and he does what he can
with what he’s got alongside the fact that while some may find the outcome of
his character predictable it is still one of the unexpected moments that many
might not foresee.
This makes Into Darkness one of the better movies to
surprise and not ruin the experience of what has been built up already, showing
once again that Abrams knows how to balance things out in being able to crafts
multiple genres into one.
In terms of the variety of emotions the film exhibits
then there is the humour and seriousness that it manages to balance. It is
funny when it needs to be and funny when its not even trying but once the
darker elements start surfacing the film never sugar coats it, managing to show
just how violent things can get and how real they can feel too with Abrams
never trying to hide the horror that such events can bring. It is brutal,
tragic and emotional, certain moments and scenes managing to create a whole
different atmosphere to what some audiences might’ve been expecting.
That is thanks to the Soundtrack by Michael Giacchino
who brings some of these to life with his use of a different variety of music
that adds the right touch to make the scenes feel different and atmospheric.
Praise goes to the Tracks ‘London Calling’ and ‘Ode to Harrison’ in particular
for its calm and somewhat mysterious and emotional feelings that they bring
out.
The
Action mostly involves Benedict kicking furious ass and Pine and Zachary being
in the middle of it. And that is one of the brilliance of the way the Action is
shot and told. While it has its fair share of Visual Effects that the film
tries to display it is the characters that the action is focused on majority of
the time.
It
isn’t as overly explosive as typical action films these days and they don’t
last as long either, the sequences that there are, going at a fast paced speed
and being over before they even began with the Opening really being the most
lengthy.
Then
there is the climax of the movie that to a variety will feel is anti-climatic but
I personally found it originally refreshing and satisfying. A lot of films
these days opt to go for a big epic grand final that never really delivers but
Into Darkness keeps it simple and to the point, managing not to get wrapped up
in having to set up another Sequel and wrapping things up in a such a way that
completes the story arches of the main characters.
Overall,
if one found the action in the first film enjoyable then it is not so different
here with some scenes being a slight copy of the previous one but with a different
dynamic and purpose to it including one set-piece that invokes a stunning
resemblance to the film Inception but managing to feel different and original.
As
for the Visuals, they are stunning but are only there to create the mood and
atmosphere the film sets itself in, the visuals never really stealing the show
or being overused showcasing once again at how well everything is balanced out
in order to progress the narrative and characters forward without ever having
the visuals actually take away from it but instead used to info us.
Some
people will compare this to Star Wars but instead it felt like what a Sci-Fi
film with a variety of characters on a space ship should feel like. This is
what the previous Star Wars films should have been. What this film does is show
that the most important element of it is its characters because that is where
the true heart and soul of telling a story lies.
While
the Narrative isn’t the most original thing written up the journey the main
cast take to better themselves and having to understand their own feelings and
actions is what makes this such a compelling thrill-ride. Its simple and easy
at the front but has a lot of heart behind it that make this an emotional and
exciting experience to behold.
Plus there are the Easter Eggs and massive Star Trek
fan service for the fans to enjoy including J.J. Abrams own spin on a classic
scene that is retold in the same manner but with a different spin to it. To
many this film will be considered a remake because of this one short scene and
while it might not be original it at least is done differently and feels more
homage than a rip-off.
And of cause there is the Universe in which this Trek
takes place in that many need to be reminded off. It is an alternative universe
based on the same characters and stories that the originals were based in.
As such, events that happened there would logically
occur again here but with different results and consequences and thus Abrams’
retelling of such a important part of the Star Trek History is acceptable
because while it might not be new it is still done in its own way that also
helps build and develop the character arcs that the story set for them but also
further enforces the fact that the old Treks are still very much an important
aspect of history itself.
Whether
this particular entry is better than its predecessors is up for discussion but overall
for me this film was an unexpected surprise that both entertained and moved me.
While some will love this, there will be those that will consider it a
blasphemy to its long heritage. I however see it as a worthwhile and fun film
to watch that not only is different and yet the same but also reminds me to
respect and enjoy the older stories as well.
J.J.
Abrams Star Trek Sequel is as every bit good looking, funny, surprising,
shocking, sad and adventurous as its reboot outing, with performances by a Cast
that outdoes itself with a sinister and remarkable Villain that is every bit as
memorable as he is frightening, help to make this not only a wonderful Sci-Fi
but a impressive Star Trek film that never slows down and questions our very
morality and actions regarding Justice and Vengeance.
I
award J.J. Abrams a score total of...8.5/10
Likes:
· Benedict Cumberbatch as Gary
Mitchell. His Khan was refreshing but still true to the one from the old
series. I hope they bring him back as Q in the next one. Seriously, give Soran
an Oscar. This guy managed to send chills down my spine.
· Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto
as the ironic Kirk and Spock is fun as ever. Their chemistry together really
holds the film together. Their interactions with Benedict really bring out
their characters individual layers.
· The rest of the Supporting
Cast. Everyone does a great and wonderful job. Zoe as Uhura is given more to do
and doesn’t feel like a simple shoe in. John gets a terrific moment to show how
much of a badass he can be without a sword and Karl Urban is funny as always.
· Bruce Greenwood and Chris
Pine’s scenes together are as great as ever. While short they are examples of
the depth these actors bring to their respected characters and to the themes
that underline the story.
Dislikes:
· It was too fast spaced at
times and it could’ve used some breathing ground to slow down a bit otherwise
it is a tightly told film that I wish went on longer.
