Star Trek Into Darkness (12A)
Time Out rating:
Time Out says
Tue Apr 30
‘Star Trek Into Darkness’ is a brisk, no-nonsense sci-fi action sequel built around a conflict between the crew of the Starship Enterprise with a slick, slippery new villain, John Harrison (although there’s more to him than meets the eye), who’s played with relish and poise by Benedict Cumberbatch.
Director JJ Abrams – recently anointed the new keeper of the ‘Star Wars’ flame – revived the ‘Star Trek’ franchise back in 2009 by taking it back in time (in Trekkie terms, that is; it’s still the future for us), pumping it with wit and style and giving life to younger versions of Captain Kirk, Spock, Scotty and the rest of that space geek’s dream team. Here, the main focus is internal strife, rather than structural revolution, as Kirk and Spock get catty with each other and Harrison emerges as a disgruntled insider bent on initiating spectacles of domestic terrorism. The result is a stop-gap tale that’s modest, fun and briefly amusing rather than one that breaks new ground or offers hugely memorable set pieces.
The most striking scenes come without doubt at the start as Kirk (Chris Pine) struggles to rescue Spock (Zachary Quinto) from a volcano on a distant planet. We witness a primitive race – carefully colour-coded all white, yellow and red – as they first lay eyes on a spaceship. It’s a powerful moment, and nothing later matches up to it, even if two episodes of city-bashing (first London, then San Francisco) offer their fair share of wide-eyed 3D viewing.
The revived ‘Star Trek’ films are shaping up to be the opposite of Christopher Nolan’s Batman tales in that they’re light on bleakness and attitude. There are enough gags (Simon Pegg is fun again as Scotty) and wit (the tension between Kirk and Spock is winning) between darker bouts of space fighting and ship-saving to keep the mood airy and unpretentious.
Only when we’re treated to a gratuitous, over-the-shoulder underwear shot of Alice Eve as the Enterprise’s new recruit does this breeziness tip into recklessness. It’s here that we sense the filmmakers’ worry that the whole thing might be a bit too boyish and sexless. That said, the script manages to introduce some thoughtfulness into proceedings via Spock’s morose musings on death and feelings (or lack of them).
It’s compulsory for blockbuster villains to be British of course, and Cumberbatch runs with an imperial theatrical haughtiness rather than trying to bury it. His bad guy is distinctly human, if a little two-dimensional, and he succeeds in showing real ice running through his veins and bringing some weight to a cast that generally offers more geniality than gravitas.
Author: Dave Calhoun
Release details
Rated:
12A
UK release:
Thu May 9, 2013
Duration:
132 mins
Empire Leicester Square
Leicester Sq, London, WC2H 7NA Show map/details
-
Address:
Empire Leicester Square Leicester Sq
London
WC2H 7NA
- Venue website:
-
Map
-
Empire Leicester Square
- Leicester Sq
London
WC2H 7NA - www.empirecinemas.co.uk
- 51.510837, -0.130671
- Leicester Sq
-
Empire Leicester Square
-
Tue Jun 18:
- 13:45
- 14:45
- 16:45
- 19:45
- 20:45
-
Wed Jun 19:
- 14:45
- 17:45
- 19:45
- 20:45
-
Thu Jun 20:
- 13:45
- 14:45
- 17:45
- 19:45
- 20:45
Cineworld Shaftesbury Avenue
Trocadero , W1D 7HD Show map/details
-
Address:
Cineworld Shaftesbury Avenue Trocadero
W1D 7HD
- Venue phone:
0871 200 2000
- Venue website:
- Transport:
Tube: Piccadilly Circus
-
Map
-
Cineworld Shaftesbury Avenue
- Trocadero
W1D 7HD - 0871 200 2000
- www.cineworld.co.uk
- 51.510889, -0.134517
- Trocadero
-
Cineworld Shaftesbury Avenue
-
Tue Jun 18:
- 14:50
- 20:30
-
Wed Jun 19:
- 14:50
- 20:30
-
Thu Jun 20:
- 14:50
- 20:30
Apollo Piccadilly Circus
19 Regent Street, London, SW1Y 4LR Show map/details
-
Address:
Apollo Piccadilly Circus 19 Regent Street
London
SW1Y 4LR
- Venue website:
- Transport:
Tube: Piccadilly Circus
-
Map
-
Apollo Piccadilly Circus
- 19 Regent Street
London
SW1Y 4LR - www.apollocinemas.com
- 51.508409, -0.134070
- 19 Regent Street
-
Apollo Piccadilly Circus
-
Tue Jun 18:
- 17:15
- 20:15
-
Wed Jun 19:
- 14:00
- 17:15
- 20:15
- 23:15
-
Thu Jun 20:
- 14:00
- 17:15
- 20:15
Vue Islington
36, Parkfield Street, London, N1 0PS Show map/details
-
Address:
36
Vue Islington Parkfield Street
London
N1 0PS
- Venue phone:
0871 224 0240
- Venue website:
- Transport:
Tube: Angel
-
Map
-
Vue Islington
- 36
Parkfield Street
London
N1 0PS - 0871 224 0240
- www.myvue.com
- 51.534460, -0.106607
- 36
-
Vue Islington
-
Tue Jun 18:
- 11:00
- 15:45
- 21:15
-
Wed Jun 19:
- 11:00
- 16:15
- 21:15
-
Thu Jun 20:
- 11:00
- 15:45
- 21:15
Odeon Swiss Cottage
Finchley Rd, London, NW6 Show map/details
-
Address:
Odeon Swiss Cottage Finchley Rd
London
NW6
- Transport:
Tube: Swiss Cottage
-
Map
-
Odeon Swiss Cottage
- Finchley Rd
London
NW6 - 51.542539, -0.174926
- Finchley Rd
-
Odeon Swiss Cottage
-
Tue Jun 18:
- 14:00
-
Wed Jun 19:
- 14:00
-
Thu Jun 20:
- 13:45
Odeon Holloway
419-427, Holloway Road, London, N7 6LJ Show map/details
-
Address:
419-427
Odeon Holloway Holloway Road
London
N7 6LJ
- Venue phone:
0871 224 4007
- Venue website:
- Transport:
Tube: Holloway Road
-
Map
-
Odeon Holloway
- 419-427
Holloway Road
London
N7 6LJ - 0871 224 4007
- www.odeon.co.uk
- 51.559071, -0.122710
- 419-427
-
Odeon Holloway
-
Tue Jun 18:
- 20:10
-
Wed Jun 19:
- 20:10
-
Thu Jun 20:
- 20:10
Odeon Surrey Quays
Surrey Quays Shopping Centre, Redriff Road, London, SE16 7LL Show map/details
-
Address:
Odeon Surrey Quays Surrey Quays Shopping Centre, Redriff Road
London
SE16 7LL
- Venue phone:
0871 224 4007
- Venue website:
- Transport:
Tube: Surrey Quays
-
Map
-
Odeon Surrey Quays
- Surrey Quays Shopping Centre, Redriff Road
London
SE16 7LL - 0871 224 4007
- www.odeon.uk
- 51.495398, -0.046969
- Surrey Quays Shopping Centre, Redriff Road
-
Odeon Surrey Quays
-
Tue Jun 18:
- 14:30
-
Wed Jun 19:
- 14:30
-
Thu Jun 20:
- 14:30
Ritzy Cinema Brixton
Brixton Oval, Coldharbour Lane, London, SW2 1JG Show map/details
-
Address:
Brixton Oval
Ritzy Cinema Brixton Coldharbour Lane
London
SW2 1JG
- Venue website:
- Transport:
Tube: Brixton
-
Map
-
Brixton Oval
- Brixton Oval
Coldharbour Lane
London
SW2 1JG - www.picturehouses.co.uk/cinema/Ritzy_Picturehouse/
- 51.461273, -0.114615
- Brixton Oval
-
Brixton Oval
-
Tue Jun 18:
- 18:15
-
Wed Jun 19:
- 16:30
- 20:00
-
Thu Jun 20:
- 18:15
-
Tue Jun 25:
- 19:30
-
Wed Jun 26:
- 20:00
PeckhamPlex
95a Rye Lane, Peckham, London, SE15 4ST Show map/details
-
Address:
PeckhamPlex 95a Rye Lane
Peckham
London
SE15 4ST
- Venue website:
-
Map
-
PeckhamPlex
- 95a Rye Lane
Peckham
London
SE15 4ST - www.peckhamplex.com/
- 51.469857, -0.067971
- 95a Rye Lane
-
PeckhamPlex
-
Tue Jun 18:
- 15:35
- 18:15
-
Wed Jun 19:
- 15:35
- 18:15
-
Thu Jun 20:
- 15:35
-
Sat Jun 22:
- 12:40
-
Sun Jun 23:
- 12:40
Vue Finchley Road (O2 Centre)
02 Centre, 255 Finchley Rd, London, NW3 6LU Show map/details
-
Address:
Vue Finchley Road (O2 Centre) 02 Centre, 255 Finchley Rd
London
NW3 6LU
- Venue website:
- Transport:
Tube: Finchley Rd
-
Map
-
Vue Finchley Road (O2 Centre)
- 02 Centre, 255 Finchley Rd
London
NW3 6LU - www.myvue.com
- 51.547947, -0.181390
- 02 Centre, 255 Finchley Rd
-
Vue Finchley Road (O2 Centre)
-
Tue Jun 18:
- 11:50
- 21:40
-
Wed Jun 19:
- 11:50
- 21:40
-
Thu Jun 20:
- 11:50
- 21:40
Cineworld West India Quay
11 Hertsmere Road, West India Quay, London, E14 4AN Show map/details
-
Address:
Cineworld West India Quay 11 Hertsmere Road
West India Quay
London
E14 4AN
- Venue website:
- Transport:
Tube: West India Quay
-
Map
-
Cineworld West India Quay
- 11 Hertsmere Road
West India Quay
London
E14 4AN - www.cineworld.co.uk
- 51.507909, -0.022855
- 11 Hertsmere Road
-
Cineworld West India Quay
-
Tue Jun 18:
- 12:50
-
Wed Jun 19:
- 12:50
-
Thu Jun 20:
- 12:50
Vue Shepherd's Bush
West 12 Shopping & Leisure Centre, Shepherd's Bush Green, London, W12 8PP Show map/details
-
Address:
Vue Shepherd's Bush West 12 Shopping & Leisure Centre
Shepherd's Bush Green
London
W12 8PP
- Venue website:
-
Map
-
Vue Shepherd's Bush
- West 12 Shopping & Leisure Centre
Shepherd's Bush Green
London
W12 8PP - www.myvue.com
- 51.503764, -0.218770
- West 12 Shopping & Leisure Centre
-
Vue Shepherd's Bush
-
Tue Jun 18:
- 12:30
- 15:30
- 18:30
- 21:30
-
Wed Jun 19:
- 12:30
- 15:30
- 18:30
- 21:30
-
Thu Jun 20:
- 12:30
- 15:30
- 18:30
- 21:30
Westfield Vue
Westfield Shopping Centre, Shepherds Bush, W12 7GF Show map/details
-
Address:
Westfield Vue Westfield Shopping Centre
Shepherds Bush
W12 7GF
- Transport:
Tube: Shepherd's Bush
-
Map
-
Westfield Vue
- Westfield Shopping Centre
Shepherds Bush
W12 7GF - 51.507514, -0.221254
- Westfield Shopping Centre
-
Westfield Vue
-
Tue Jun 18:
- 10:30
- 13:45
- 17:05
- 20:25
-
Wed Jun 19:
- 10:30
- 13:45
- 17:05
- 20:25
-
Thu Jun 20:
- 10:30
- 13:45
- 17:05
- 20:25
Cineworld At The O2, Greenwich
The O2, Peninsula Square, London, SE10 0DX Show map/details
-
Address:
The O2
Cineworld At The O2, Greenwich Peninsula Square
London
SE10 0DX
- Venue phone:
0871 200 2000
- Venue website:
- Transport:
Tube: North Greenwich
-
Map
-
The O2
- The O2
Peninsula Square
London
SE10 0DX - 0871 200 2000
- www.cineworld.co.uk
- 51.501738, 0.003099
- The O2
-
The O2
-
Tue Jun 18:
- 12:40
- 15:50
-
Wed Jun 19:
- 12:40
- 15:50
-
Thu Jun 20:
- 12:40
- 15:50
Vue Westfield Stratford City
2 Stratford Place, Stratford, London, E20 1EJ Show map/details
-
Address:
Vue Westfield Stratford City 2 Stratford Place
Stratford
London
E20 1EJ
- Venue website:
- Transport:
Tube: Stratford
-
Map
-
Vue Westfield Stratford City
- 2 Stratford Place
Stratford
London
E20 1EJ - www.myvue.com
- 51.544282, -0.006328
- 2 Stratford Place
-
Vue Westfield Stratford City
-
Tue Jun 18:
- 15:05
- 21:10
-
Wed Jun 19:
- 15:05
- 21:10
-
Thu Jun 20:
- 00:05
- 15:05
- 21:10
Streatham Odeon
44-47 High Road, Streatham, SW16 1PW Show map/details
-
Address:
Streatham Odeon 44-47 High Road
Streatham
SW16 1PW
-
Map
-
Streatham Odeon
- 44-47 High Road
Streatham
SW16 1PW - 51.432091, -0.128031
- 44-47 High Road
-
Streatham Odeon
-
Wed Jun 19:
- 20:20
-
Thu Jun 20:
- 20:20
Cineworld Wood Green
Shopping City, High St, London, N22 6YQ Show map/details
-
Address:
Cineworld Wood Green Shopping City
High St
London
N22 6YQ
- Venue website:
- Transport:
Tube: Wood Green
-
Map
-
Cineworld Wood Green
- Shopping City
High St
London
N22 6YQ - www.cineworld.co.uk
- 51.594536, -0.108525
- Shopping City
-
Cineworld Wood Green
-
Tue Jun 18:
- 12:15
- 15:10
-
Wed Jun 19:
- 12:15
- 15:10
-
Thu Jun 20:
- 12:15
- 15:10
Greenwich Odeon
Bugsby's Way , Greenwich, SE10 OQJ Show map/details
-
Address:
Greenwich Odeon Bugsby's Way
Greenwich
SE10 OQJ
- Venue website:
- Transport:
Tube: North Greenwich; Rail: WEstcombe Park
-
Map
-
Greenwich Odeon
- Bugsby's Way
Greenwich
SE10 OQJ - www.odeon.co.uk
- 51.490576, 0.012738
- Bugsby's Way
-
Greenwich Odeon
-
Tue Jun 18:
- 17:15
- 20:15
-
Wed Jun 19:
- 17:15
- 20:15
-
Thu Jun 20:
- 17:15
- 20:15
Vue Wood Green
180 High Road, Wood Green, London, N22 6EJ Show map/details
-
Address:
Vue Wood Green 180 High Road
Wood Green
London
N22 6EJ
- Venue website:
- Transport:
Tube: Wood Green
-
Map
-
Vue Wood Green
- 180 High Road
Wood Green
London
N22 6EJ - www.myvue.com
- 51.596975, -0.108684
- 180 High Road
-
Vue Wood Green
-
Tue Jun 18:
- 14:45
- 14:45
-
Wed Jun 19:
- 12:40
- 12:40
-
Thu Jun 20:
- 14:45
- 14:45
North Finchley Vue
Great North Leisure Park, Chaplin Square, London, N12 0GL Show map/details
-
Address:
North Finchley Vue Great North Leisure Park
Chaplin Square
London
N12 0GL
- Venue website:
- Transport:
Tube: East Finchley
-
Map
-
North Finchley Vue
- Great North Leisure Park
Chaplin Square
London
N12 0GL - www.myvue.com/
- 51.604801, -0.173531
- Great North Leisure Park
-
North Finchley Vue
-
Tue Jun 18:
- 18:30
-
Wed Jun 19:
- 18:30
-
Thu Jun 20:
- 18:30
Acton Park Royal Vue
Royale Leisure Park, Kendal Avenue, London, W3 0PA Show map/details
-
Address:
Acton Park Royal Vue Royale Leisure Park
Kendal Avenue
London
W3 0PA
- Transport:
Tube: Park Royal
-
Map
-
Acton Park Royal Vue
- Royale Leisure Park
Kendal Avenue
London
W3 0PA - 51.525325, -0.281301
- Royale Leisure Park
-
Acton Park Royal Vue
-
Tue Jun 18:
- 12:30
-
Wed Jun 19:
- 12:30
- 23:10
-
Thu Jun 20:
- 12:30
Odeon Wimbledon
The Broadway, London, SW19 1QG Show map/details
-
Address:
Odeon Wimbledon The Broadway
London
SW19 1QG
- Venue website:
- Transport:
Tube: Wimbledon
-
Map
-
Odeon Wimbledon
- The Broadway
London
SW19 1QG - www.odeon.co.uk
- 51.419251, -0.201116
- The Broadway
-
Odeon Wimbledon
-
Tue Jun 18:
- 11:40
- 14:40
- 21:00
-
Wed Jun 19:
- 11:40
- 14:40
- 17:50
- 21:00
-
Thu Jun 20:
- 11:40
- 14:40
- 17:50
- 21:00
South Woodford Odeon
60-64 High Road, South Woodford, E18 2QL Show map/details
-
Address:
South Woodford Odeon 60-64 High Road
South Woodford
E18 2QL
- Venue website:
- Transport:
Tube: South Woodford
-
Map
-
South Woodford Odeon
- 60-64 High Road
South Woodford
E18 2QL - www.odeon.co.uk/fanatic/film_times/s126/South_Woodford/
- 51.593362, 0.022694
- 60-64 High Road
-
South Woodford Odeon
-
Tue Jun 18:
- 17:30
-
Wed Jun 19:
- 17:30
-
Thu Jun 20:
- 17:30
Showcase Newham
Jenkins Lane, Barking, IG11 0AD Show map/details
-
Address:
Showcase Newham Jenkins Lane
Barking
IG11 0AD
- Venue phone:
0871 220 1000
- Venue website:
- Transport:
Rail/Tube: Barking
-
Map
-
Showcase Newham
- Jenkins Lane
Barking
IG11 0AD - 0871 220 1000
- www.showcasecinemas.co.uk
- 51.523785, 0.079304
- Jenkins Lane
-
Showcase Newham
-
Tue Jun 18:
- 19:05
- 22:20
-
Wed Jun 19:
- 19:05
- 22:20
-
Thu Jun 20:
- 19:05
- 22:20
Richmond Odeon Studio
6 Red Lion St, Richmond, London, TW9 1RW Show map/details
-
Address:
Richmond Odeon Studio 6 Red Lion St
Richmond
London
TW9 1RW
-
Map
-
Richmond Odeon Studio
- 6 Red Lion St
Richmond
London
TW9 1RW - 51.459496, -0.304561
- 6 Red Lion St
-
Richmond Odeon Studio
-
Tue Jun 18:
- 17:45
-
Wed Jun 19:
- 17:45
-
Thu Jun 20:
- 17:45








Comments & ratings