Star Trek Into Darkness Review
RYAN: This is the sequel in the rebooted Star Trek franchise, directed by JJ Abrams, and I really liked them both! I’m not a big Star Trek fan; never saw the TV show or the original Shatner movies; but, this movie is cool. Even just the first scene gave me the chills! If I wasn’t a Star Trek fan before, I am now.
CHUCK: I completely agree. I loved the first one. I’ve seen some old TV episodes of the show but I’m really not a Star Trek fan either. I don’t know the mythology behind it. The first scene of this film does grab you. What a way to open a movie!
RYAN: The design here is incredible and that’s one of the great things that JJ brings to the franchise. The aesthetic is so much bigger and more gorgeous than classic Star Trek. The color and all of the intergalactic environments are so beautiful and awe-inspiring. I love the epic quality.
CHUCK: The complete detail is unbelievable. I think JJ’s LOST and Alias fans will love this and agree he brings so much to it. Everything in the frame is detailed and adds to the storytelling on screen.
RYAN: This is good 3D and worth seeing that way. It was not shot in 3D, but rather converted in post production and it’s the first time I’ve seen a movie that way and supported it.
CHUCK: It’s not the best 3D out there but it’s good and it’s the first time we’re seeing a Star Trek in 3D. It’s worth the couple extra bucks.
RYAN: One of the greatest strengths, and I remember thinking this also about the the first one in the franchise, is the casting. Chris Pine as Kirk and Zach Quinto as Spock are terrific and their humor and relatability are very well written and their repartee is as good as Sherlock Holmes and Watson’s.
CHUCK: Their relationships are fully rounded, great acting, phenomenal casting. Kirk and Spock’s friendship is one of the best screen friendships in a long time.
RYAN: And even though this is hardcore Sci Fi, with all the elements of spieces and space, it’s still very emotionally grounded with a lot of heart. So much so, that I think even chicks who don’t dig Sci Fi would still be into this movie.
CHUCK: I was thinking during the film that I don’t even consider this a Sci Fi film. Don’t get me wrong: it is. But it is so fully real and relatable that anyone who sees it is going to have a great time.
RYAN: It’s a big blockbuster with huge effects and good humor, no regrets. It’s a little long but never boring.
CHUCK: I never looked at my watch. We have to mention Benedict Cumberbatch, the villain. What a phenomenal introduction to the mass-American public. He will be very well known after this.
RYAN: Yes he has done a lot but this is obviously very mainstream. He stands out in this role. And Alice Eve is new to the team in this movie. She’s done a lot too, most notably, she was the nanny in Sex and the City 2. She was a little harder to adapt to in this movie.
CHUCK: But she was good. And Zoe Saldana and the rest of the crew who returned are all good too. This is why you go to the movies. Get the popcorn, sit down… you won’t become a better person for it, but it’s totally a fun experience.
RYAN: It will delight diehard Trekkies in that it somewhat resembles the older Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. And for those of us who don’t know canon, it’s just cool.
CHUCK: I don’t remember that movie.
RYAN: There are so any great themes in this film. Characters are confronted with dilemmas of morality, loyalty, friendship – I love all of that and from what I’ve heard, that’s true to the spirit of the old TV series.
CHUCK: This story really belongs to Spock. His character had a great arc.
RYAN: I loved him Zach in this. It’s a great summer blockbuster. It delivers nicely.
