This review is a little late, but I’ve been a little busy in
the last two weeks. I’ll keep this one brief, as Into Darkness has been out for over three weeks now, and its
theatrical run will be coming to an end soon.
The first in JJ Abrams rebooted Star Trek series did
what not a lot of people thought you could do. Make a Trek film for this
generation, but that also honoured the original series and its ideas, and breathed
life into a franchise that had grown stale in the previous decade. The
challenge with Into Darkness was to
carry on this idea, but to go bigger (as all sequels tend to demand), with more
spectacle and to continue to bring us more of the crew that was the undoubted
strongest part of the first film.
The plot of Into
Darkness, is a relatively straight forward one, as this review will be
spoiler free I will keep it brief, a former Star Fleet officer John Harrison
(Benedict Cumberbatch) shows up and blows up a building, and generally causes a
bit of havoc, which prompts Kirk (Chris Pine) to request to go after him, even
though where he has fled to, is a planet they can’t go. See no spoilers.
There are a few twists and turns along way, probably less
than in the first film, but this certainly helps the film as it allows us more
time with our two leads, Kirk and Spock (Zachary Quinto) as well as giving
Harrison a good amount of time to become a very credible threat.
The most interesting part of the film is the Kirk and Spock
relationship, which manages to juggle brotherly aspects first, mixed with
ethical and moral ideals unique to each character, all done with quick and
snappy dialogue that doesn’t bog down or hold the pace of the film back.
The first act and last act are where this relationship is
probably seen and emphasised the boast, as its where there individual morals
and outlooks on life and their profession are in the spotlight the most, and
offers up a few interesting questions about the way they act, and what the
other one would have done in a similar situation. The opening rescue mission of
the film offers the purest look at the characters views and behaviour patterns,
that will go on to be so crucial in the finale.
The only section of the film that could have used some
streamlining, was the early Star Fleet section, as regards to the captaincy of
the Enterprise. It is convoluted and could have easily been simplified to
instead focus on Kirk and his relationships with both Spock and Pike, who is
somewhat of father figure to him.
One of the biggest mysteries of the film, prior to release,
was who Benedict Cumberbatch would be playing, and I won’t give away anything
other than what I already have. What wasn’t going to be a mystery was just how awesome
he was going to be, he steals or owns, depending on how you look at it, each
scene he is in. Worse than that, he makes it look effortless, knowing exactly
when to go big and when to dial it down to a terrifying, single softly spoken
word. Specifically referring to his first line to Kirk of “Captain?”. Into Darkness is worth the price of
admission for Cumberbatch alone.
It’s a sad day when you realise that the dull and clunky Iron Man 3, has made much more than Into Darkness, and this is coming from
someone who isn’t loyal to the Star Trek franchise. So I urge you all to go and
change that.
Boldy go where you haven’t been before, basically the cinema
to see Star Trek Into Darkness.
