So now that we finally have our 12th Trek into the Stars on the big-screen, which opened to rave reviews and generous first weekend box-office returns, the sequel to critical and commercial success 'Star Trek' (2009) also helmed by J.J Abrams. That previous installment of the nearly 50-year-old franchise brought new-blood in both in front of and behind the camera, reinvigorating and one could say reenergizing the then stagnant Sci-Fi staple. That movie, despite some narrative misgivings I had about it, accomplished exactly what it needed rebooting Star Trek. Giving fans and casual viewers memorable characters, shiny tech and nods to the past series as a whole. Which brings us to 'Star Trek: Into Darkness', which finds the emotional Star Fleet Captain James T. Kirk (Chris Pine) journeying into the deepest voids of space to seek retribution after a horrific terrorist attack perpetrated by a rogue Starfleet Agent. Joining him on this search for this awol John Harrison (Benedict Cumberbatch) are his ever logical half-Vulcan counterpart 1st Officer Spock (Zachary Quinto), Spock's sassy love interest and communications officer Uhura (Zoe Saldana), brillant and comedic-relief chief of engineering 'Scotty' (Simon Pegg), helmsman Mr. Sulu (John Cho) and engineer Chekov (Anton Yelchin). Now, the general feedback from
another article dissecting the action sci-fi flick 'Looper' was that I was too nit-picky with a few of my problems. In fairness I agree that I was perhaps being a tad too harsh on the time-looping paradoxes presented, just I needed 20 things to gripe about so I stretched. I did originally want to do '20 things Abrams should've avoided'. However, given how much most readers wanted me to tone the hate down and how much I did enjoy this outing, as it pays tribute to both its roots from the original and the spin-off series, I'm going to split the difference by doing 10 things I had problems with and 10 things I thought were great. I have to say I had an overall good time with this sequel,I felt the stakes were much higher and better built-up to than in its predecessor. Due largely in part to Benedict Cumberbatch's revelatory, menacing and intimidating performance. The main thing absent from the 2009 movie was a great villain for the crew to battle, although it might be a Batman Begins case where the baddies were intentionally less well-known and sinister in order for the hero(s) to shine more brightly. It goes without saying that going forward, there will be
MAJOR SPOILERS ahead. You've been warned.