Paramount Pictures, Skydance Productions, and Bad Robot present Star Trek into Darkness. Directed by J.J. Abrams. Written by Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman, and Damon Lindelof, based on characters created by Gene Roddenberry. Starring Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, Simon Pegg, John Cho, Benedict Cumberbatch, Anton Yelchin, Bruce Greenwood, and Peter Weller. Cinematography by Daniel Mindel. 132 Minutes. Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi action and violence.
A motion picture franchise generally has juice when the nerd arguments begin. As I left a screening of Star Trek Into Darkness, some die-hard Trekkies were in heated discussion about how new versions of heroes and villains stack up to the original cast's interpretations. J.J. Abrams and the new/old Star Trek crew has revived and refreshed classic sci-fi characters for a new generation. The latest film successfully builds on the good will from the 2009 release and updates one of the Star Trek universe's greatest villains, making him more formidable than ever.
This Star Trek installment gets off to an engaging start when Kirk (Chris Pine) and Bones McCoy (Karl Urban) do more than just observe the planet and culture of Nibiru, breaking nearly all the principles of the Starfleet prime directive of noninterference. This costs Kirk his captain's chair. His Federation career is salvaged when his old commanding officer Pike (Bruce Greenwood), who is reinstated as captain of the Enterprise, names Kirk as his first officer. Kirk's first duty as a first mate is to accompany his captain to a meeting called by Admiral Marcus (Peter Weller). A deadly terrorist is working within the Federation, Commander John Harrison (Benedict Cumberbatch), and his daring attacks lead to Marcus giving Kirk an opportunity to captain a special search-and-destroy Harrison mission. Many, including Spock (Zachary Quinto), object to the aggressive and warlike nature of their orders, and Scotty (Simon Pegg) refuses to carry them out and is relieved of duty. What Kirk and his crew encounter next reveals dark secrets that reach the top of the Federation, and a nearly all powerful villain who is capable of anything.
The cast continues their appealing interpretations of the Enterpise crew. Pine mashes up William Shatner and Han Solo bravado as Kirk, while Quinto is action Spock and continuing his tempestuous (for Vulcan standards) relationship with Lieutenant Uhura (Zoe Saldana), sometimes with humorous results. For example, Kirk makes the valid observation about Spock and Uhura's fights: "How does that work?" Other crew members are also carefully written and portrayed, walking the line between variation and homage without being the screen equivalent of a tribute band.
But no adventure could be complete without conflict, and Cumberbatch is a menacing antagonist. His sonorous voice and lean, threatening look make him an ideal villain. Weller is effective as a militant and vengeful leader with much to hide. Though the film's commentary on war and terrorism lack subtlety, at least the attempt at literate science fiction in the midst of spectacular special effects mayhem is made.
Even Star Trek purists should be pleased or at least pacified by the material. References to Tribbles and playing with Bones' verbal tick "I'm a doctor, not a _____" induced some rolling laughter from my screening's audience. Fans of Star Trek II will probably appreciate a variation on one of the movie's most famous scenes.
Star Trek Into Darkness is another Abrams produced-and-directed entry worthy of a Star Trek fan or non-fan's time. It gives some well-established and loved characters another fresh and entertaining adventure. Just be prepared for rhetorical nerd fireworks if you dare say it's better than the original.
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