Star Trek Into Darkness

As sequels go, this is a moderate success. The story moves at a rapid pace and the main characters seem to have more edge to them. Still, this isn’t a faultless follow up. There are scenes that will leave you utterly baffled and I lost count of the amount of times Kirk and co. would talk complete nonsense. Maybe Trekkies understand their language, I for one, didn’t understand a word.

Die hard Star Trek fans will love the sentimental gestures to the past incarnations. They are seen all over the film, but after a while they become tiresome. It takes you out of the story for a little while as your reminisce of the golden age of Star Trek. What makes these gestures troublesome is they don’t have the same emotional pulling power.

The story is fast. So fast, it zooms off at a hundred miles per hour at times, leaving some minor characters on the back burner until the narrative demands them and they miraculously reappear. At times that method works, but when it doesn’t, it’s hard to care. Do we really care about these minor characters? Not really, but it’s hard to ignore their relevance, or lack of, when they’re left in the dark for periods of the film.

The film isn’t totally ladened with flaws, there are some good qualities. This time we get a far more rounded villain who, like most sci-fi villains, is out for payback. Simon Pegg as Scotty drops a few funny one liners and Chris Pine as Kirk gives a far more rounded performance. The teased romance dynamic hinted in the first film seems to have died in this film, but who cares? We’re here for Kirk and Spock right?

There are a few cracks in the plot but generally speaking, Star Trek Into Darkness is an enjoyable ride. There are surprises, twists and turns throughout. The speed at which the story moves drags, you in all directions, causing an almost whiplash effect on your mind. J. J. Abrams has produced another fine sci-fi thriller. Not perfect, but certainly a fun, edge of your seat two hours.

Star Trek Into Darkness is out now (US). + more dates