Star Trek Into Darkness

"Hot guys in every scene, Benedict Cumberbatch being a ninja, an epic bromance for the ages - this movie has EVERYTHING." - Katey Schwind

Wowza! A ringing endorsement from my roommate. J.J. Abrams is back with his Enterprise ensemble, all turning in top-notch performances in Star Trek Into Darkness. This time it's got a concise and yet action-packed plot, giving every ensemble member their moment in the lens flare (which really wasn't as predominant as I had expected).

After reading this (very spoiler-y!) article from io9.com, I totally get why some people - actually Trekkies, people much smarter than me, etc - are disappointed and/or frustrated with the film. Yet, this film is an homage, a love letter to a beloved and highly successful series. (See my recent Gatsby review for more elaboration on how I feel about these kinds of things.) It's not in line with the entire, original canon, it's to be considered entirely on its own, as the sequel of a rebooted franchise. And it's a good time, too! Even if the 3D happened in post-production... and was completely unnecessary. After Gatsby, my concept of good 3D use is not falling debris and floating space trash. I mean, I'll take a 3D Benedict Cumberbatch any day, but I'd prefer the real thing.

Ah, Benedict Cumberbatch. Thank you, for being a reliable judge of quality. I take comfort in knowing that one of your projects will be worth watching, enjoyable, and of course, will feature your considerable talent and presence (also your delicious voice and good looks). I used to count on Lee Pace for so much, but alas, while I was willing to follow along with Marmaduke, I draw the line at Twilight. This, I cannot do.

As I was saying, the whole cast turns in dynamite performances, really benefitting from the direct, well-manicured plot, highly specific motivations and goals, with established relationships and backstories long established. Chris Pine is a little blonder this time around, but still the adrenaline junkie/rough-and-tumble renegade, Kirk. Zachary Quinto returns as the ever-logical Spock, and Zoe Saldana's Uhura still loves him. Underrated, scene-stealing Karl Urban has some of the best and funniest dialogue as McCoy, with Simon Pegg's Scotty a close second. If Benedict Cumberbatch was eighty percent of the reason I wanted to see the movie, Chris Pine was at least five percent, but the witty dialogue was the other fifteen percent. Screenwriters Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman have delivered the expected cleverness, continuing their success from the first of the Star Trek reboot franchise.

Abrams is lucky - his cast feels like a real crew, working together, deferring to one another when needed, and supporting each other in the spotlight. I didn't even mention John Cho (Sulu), Anton Yelchin (Chekov), or Alice Eve (new-to-the-franchise character Carol), but they're all excellent additions (even if Eve's role is gratuitously unclad or altogether unnecessary). If you want a sexist analysis, that could take a few years. So it doesn't pass the Bechdel test. It's a summer-fun action-fest with some fantastic villany and risk-taking heroics. Put on your 3D glasses and enjoy the ride.


Notes:
- IMDB.com lists the languages for this film as English and Klingon.
- Anyone else notice the uncommon amount of blue eyes in this movie? Bright blue - and methinks they highlighted Chris Pine's hair to differentiate him, make him different, on the Good Side.
- Video interview with Simon Pegg and Alice Eve - hilarious! ITN via Youtube.com.
- Video interview with Benedict Cumberbatch - I might have died. Of love.
- Fans of Benedict Cumberbatch call themselves Cumberbitches, or per the actor's suggestion, Cumberbabes. Chris Pine has his own fanbase, who call themselves Pine Nuts.
- For Pine Nuts: Chris's interview with Out Magazine.
- Also, thank you to whomever made this.