2. Cumberbatch Is True To The Character of Khan
Too often in movies well-known and well-liked characters from another medium are reinvented to such an extent that they are all but unrecognizable on film. For years, Marvel had a way of losing the essence of some of their most respected characters when translated for television of film. Remember Thor in TVs The Incredible Hulk Returns? Or the 1989 big screen version of The Punisher? Star Trek Into Darkness doesnt make this mistake. As Khan, Benedict Cumberbatch embodies the character attributes important to the character within the overall Star Trek universe. While the screenwriters instilled in Khan the superior strength and intellect established by Montalban in Space Seed, you have to credit Cumberbatch with playing the character with a subtlety that serves the character well. This Khan is cold, calculating, merciless, and, as in Space Seed, he hides his true intentions from Kirk and company. Like Montalban, Cumberbatch succeeds in projecting the essence of the character. But unlike Montalban, Cumberbatch accomplishes this with an understated performance in contrast to Montalbans over the top characterization.