Movie Review: Star Trek Into Darkness

Every film in a franchise comes with big expectations and Star Trek Into Darkness is no exception.  However this time, the weight of those mighty expectations rest more onto director J.J. Abrams who has recently been named director of the upcoming Star Wars Episode VII as well.  As we have yet to see how Abrams will handle the Star Wars universe, let’s take a look at his second outing in the Star Trek universe.

Star Trek Into Darkness opens with a wonderful sequence on a primitive planet that shows us the differing approaches between Captain James T. Kirk (Chris Pine) and First Officer Spock (Zachary Quinto) of the Starship Enterprise.  Of course, the crew of the Enterprise hangs just over the edge until it gets that boost and rights itself back on the correct path.  That's the fun of space adventure according to Captain Kirk.

But Spock's Vulcan instincts ground the crew until two horrific terrorist attack on Starfleet put Kirk and his crew right back in the middle of action pursuing a crazed maniac, John Harrison (Benedict Cumberbatch) in the worst kept secret of the film.  Yes, he is exactly who you suspected him of being.  Yet Cumberbatch fits those sinister boots well, all pale and deeply intense with his voice.  

The crew, of course, are all back from the first film. Uhura (Zoe Saldana), Chekov (Anton Yelchin), Dr. Bones (Karl Urban), Scotty (Simon Pegg) and Sulu (John Cho) are the dependable glue on which the ship stands.  Speaking of the Enterprise, the ship also gets some great footage in 3D as it hurtles through space at warp speed. Unfortunately, this comes at the expense of some character development of the Enterprise crew and the core trio of Kirk, Spock and Uhura. I had hoped for a larger role in the film for Saldana than that of constant worrying girlfriend.

There are some great interactions early on between Kirk and Spock and again of the two with Uhura which had me chuckling with affection but then the film got intense, fast.  The action sequences were surprisingly good for post-conversion and had me jumping in my seat at times.  Overall, the film is enjoyable trip to the cinema for Trekkies and Abrams most likely last directorial venture in this film universe (I hope not!) will leaves us wanting more at the end of the film. 

Directed by J.J. Abrams; Screenplay by Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman and Damon Lindelof; Based on 'Star Trek' created by Gene Roddenberry; Cinematography by Daniel Mindel; Editing by Maryann Brandon and Mary Jo Markey; Music by Michael Giacchino

Additional cast: Bruce Greenwood, Peter Weller, Alice Eve, Noel Clarke

Rating:

Around the World in Posters: Before Midnight, The Bling Ring and Only God Forgives!

Check back in with Celine and Jesse in the third part of the story in Before Midnight.

Waiting for Star Trek Into Darkness? Check out the Enterprise crew plus director JJ Abrams in Empire magazine.

I'm suddenly reminded of The Rocketeer (1991) in this new IMAX poster of Iron Man 3.

Let's count down the days to Spike Lee's adaptation of Chan-wook Park's Oldboy.

Neon-sign dragon welcomes us to the world of MMA fighting in Only God Forgives.

 Stylish new poster for brand-conscious The Bling Ring.

 

It's hammer time! Chris Hemsworth returns in Thor: The Dark World.

Meet the fastest snail on the track, it's Turbo!

Summer's Hottest Trailers: Man of Steel and Star Trek Into Darkness

Are we sure Man of Steel is not really directed by Christopher Nolan and not just produced by him? Because this trailer bears all his marks. This origin story of Superman looks incredibly promising with first looks of  Krypton, his father Jor-El (Russell Crowe), his adoptive father on Earth (Kevin Costner), Zod (Michael Shannon) and Lois Lane (Amy Adams).  Could this Superman film do what Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy did for the Batman brand? And what does the 'S' stand for? We’ll find out June 14, 2013.

 

The final trailer for this summer's most anticipated sequel, Star Trek Into Darkness, shows Benedict Cumberbatch's John Harrison luring the impulsive Captain Kirk (Chris Pine) and the Enterprise crew into a trap.  Will they survive?  I'd put some pretty good odds on it. Star Trek Into Darkness hit theaters May 17th 2013

Weekly News Update: First Look at Violet & Daisy, Anne Hathaway joins Interstellar and Ebert's last review

(Photo: Enterntainment Weekly)

• First Look from Entertainment Weekly on Gregory Fletcher's debut flick on teenage assassins, Violet & Daisy starring Alexis Bledel, Saoirse Ronan and James Gandolfini.  If the director's name name sounds familiar, it's because Fletcher won the adapted screenplay Oscar in 2010 for Precious.
• EW also has some great news stills from Star Trek Into Darkness that I quickly skimmed through and tried to forget as I want to experience it all on May 17th.  Take a look, the gang's all back! 
• If you want to know how production's going on the new X-Men: Days of Future Past, follow Bryan Singer on Twitter who seems to tweeting lots of new pictures and info regarding the film.  
• Post her Les Miserables success, Anne Hathaway is reportedly thisclose to joining Christopher Nolan's Interstellar. Nolan does have a habit of working with actors from his previous films so look for some familiar faces to pop up here soon.
• Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad), Mads Mikkelsen (Hannibal) and Rebel Wilson (Pitch Perfect) are now part of the cast of Kung Fu Panda 3 which will also be directed by Jennifer Yuh Nelson.
• And finally, it is with a heavy heart that I link to Roger Ebert's last review aptly for a film called To The Wonder.  This review is Ebert at his best who asks all the right questions, he writes: Why must a film explain everything? Why must every motivation be spelled out? Aren't many films fundamentally the same film, with only the specifics changed? Aren't many of them telling the same story? Seeking perfection, we see what our dreams and hopes might look like. We realize they come as a gift through no power of our own, and if we lose them, isn't that almost worse than never having had them in the first place? This makes me want to experience Malick's To The Wonder even more.  His website just got updated to a new look this week and contains a wealth of information for any movie fan to explore.  Do check it out, you'll find yourself seeking out some of the great films he championed over the years.  

Around the World in Posters: The Wolverine, Ender's Game, World War Z and more!

Hugh Jackman is back as Wolverine and he looks mighty pissed.

Better poster of Now You See Me that shows off its formidable cast: Freeman, Caine, Harrelson, Ruffalo, etc.

If you didn't believe the zombie apocalypse is upon us this summer, look no further than World War Z!

BANANA! The minions are back this summer in Despicable Me 2.

The new poster for the Cannes Film Festival is definitely swoon worthy.

Reason #236843 to get excited for Ender's Game: Harrison Ford's return to sci-fi and no, Cowboys & Aliens doesn't count.

Out of all the posters released for Midnight's Children, this one is by far my favorite. 

Alan (Zach Galifianakis) faces off against Mr. Chow (Ken Jeong) Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows style for The Hangover Part III.

It's 3 vs 1 as Zoe Saldana, Chris Pine and Zachary Pinto take on Benedict Cumberbatch in Star Trek Into Darkness.

News Update: The Dark Knight Rises, Hansel & Gretel, Star Trek 2 and more!

• More vampires and werewolves are on the horizon.  Deborah Harkness' book The Discovery of Witches is being adapted for the big screen by David Auburn (Proof) for Warner Bros.
• So this is why we never got a trailer.  The studio behind the film, Paramount, has pushed back Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters all the way into January 2013.  Now I will have to cross it off my 2012 movie list.  Are there too many Jeremy Renner films coming out this year?  I really did want to see this one.
• The sequel to JJ Abrams' Star Trek starts filming this week and we have some newcomers to add to the cast.  Benedict Cumberbatch, fresh off of BBC's Sherlock (which I can't get enough of), is rumored to play the villain.  Previously, Benicio Del Toro was supposedly slated for the role.  Noel Clarke (Doctor Who), Naazneen Contracter (24), Alice Eve (Starter for 10), Joseph Gatt (Thor) also join the cast as new characters.  
• Midnight showings of The Dark Knight Rises have already been sold out in New York and Los Angeles.  The most anticipated release of 2012?  Yeah, I'd say so.  In case this didn't fully register, the movie is being released on July 19th.  That's nearly six months from now.  Hardcore Nolan fans!

It's time to hit the links!!

• Ever wondered what the Back to the Future trilogy would look like without Michael J. Fox? Me neither.  But if you did, here's a look see at Eric Stolz as Marty McFly.  Or if you live in Fringe's alt-universe, you may have seen that version already. 
• If you're as obsessed as me over Inception and are thinking how do I go about planning one?  Well, here's step one, how much it'll cost you. .  On second thought, how much for just Leo?  
• Sorry Apple, but it looks like Star Trek may have had the idea first or did Star Trek inspire Apple for the iPad?  Either way, this proves why watching TV does not kill brain cells, it inspires them.  
• Disney is upping the cool factor for Tron: Legacy.  If you are already on Facebook, head on over to the Tron page to hear the soundtrack as composed by Daft Punk!  Bold choice, Disney.  And yes, they will be wearing futuristic suits for the music video. 
• Why the Indian guy in The Social Network is played by someone is not obviously Indian. Seriously?