Star Trek Into Darkness (12A)

Film

Science fiction

Star Trek Into Darkness

Time Out rating:

<strong>Rating: </strong>4/5

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<strong>Rating: </strong>4/5
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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

10

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Release details

Rated:

12A

UK release:

Thu May 9, 2013

Duration:

132 mins

Cast and crew

Cast:

Zoë Saldana, Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Anton Yelchin, Simon Pegg

Director:

JJ Abrams

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Comments & ratings

Rated as: 4/5 (5 ratings)

  • A breath of fresh air in a very average year at the cinema so far. If possible, view it in IMAX 3D. The opening sequence is outstanding.

    critique Mon May 27
    Rated as: 4/5
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  • WOW!!!!!!!!!! is all I can say about this film, I watched it in IMAX 3D and it blew me away because the sound was just perfect the visuals were amazing and my god the story was great, Spock is just pure excellence kirk is a legend and everyone else puts in a little bit too make it great. All I could wish more was that Spock carried on hammering SPOILER ALERT...............................................................Khan I wish we saw more of Spock prime but overall best film I have ever seen 100% great

    TREGGLE2000 Sat May 18
    Rated as: 5/5
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  • Not seen a Star Trek movie the whole way through since I was about 25. 53 now. Thoroughly enjoyed it...thought naffness was the blue contacts worn by the Captain..and lip jobs a bit sad on the guys. The underwear woman an unneeded extra, she did not quite fit in the film bar modelling some new kind of moulded safe, bra and pants. but came into her own a bit at the end. The real star was the other actress that talked to the clingons..far the better actress... in my opinion. Cried my heart out in the death scene. Would have liked more of spock talking to daddy spock..Villian was perfect we all hated him. Spock was probably what held it all together.

    FRAN Bennett Fri May 17
    Rated as: 4/5
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  • I disagree with Mr Calhoun's opinion on the Quinto roll of Spock 'going through the motions'. The film was generally pretty good, with just the odd duff moment, however the expansion of the Spock roll is working very well indeed and this guy was simply made to fill the 'new Spock' shoes. The rest of the crew are admirable in the portrayal of characters which have been present for such a long time, taking the key elements and moving forward, not an easy task for any actor. Villain great and undertaken by an actor with great ability and gravitas, but of course very predictable as Americans just love to have the old Imperialist Brit (Americans are arguably more Imperialist than anybody-see Oliver Stone's book on the subject), but it all works very well. We take for granted what can be put on the big screen these days, this film is well worth a viewing, not many would be disappointed. Last comment would be that personally the normal 2D would have worked better for me.

    Truthgoblin Wed May 15
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  • It's difficult not to like what is generally a pretty good film and I think the Time Out review pretty much has the film nailed. Cumberbatch is excellent and Pegg is making the role of Scotty his own. However from there things start to unravel a bit. The film looks stunning but it is all a bit too clinical, all a bit too shiny. The plot is ok, but only ok, yes the discovery of Khan was a bit obvious as was the ending with its obvious lead into yet more films. My biggest concerns though remain about the leads. Saldhana looks disinterested and Quinto seems to be going through the motions. Only Pine seems to be developing into the role. Don't get me wrong I enjoyed it and yes it is a good film. That's the problem it is only good and not really great. A solid 3 star film but could and should have been more.

    Ian Sat May 11
    Rated as: 3/5
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  • Flabby? Yes, by 10 min, but all's "forgiven" as ROBOCOP is back............what a delightful unexpected bonus! 7+

    scrumpyjack Sat May 11
    Rated as: 4/5
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  • Baron B. How can you denounce a review of a film you`ve not seen.Blockbusters are generally not my cup of tea & although i`m no Trekkie either,this does look better than most big summer releases.

    E A Dobson Fri May 3
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  • really have to use nolan's dk trilogy as an analogy

    Nichelle Thu May 2
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  • I find it hard to believe that a writer who has the competence to land a job at Time Out could willingly churn out such an obvious fluff piece. It would seem the movie industry has found the way to safeguard the hundreds of millions they invest in big-budget franchise movies. Bribery is the only explanation for this review. I refuse to believe Mr. Calhoun reported his honest opinion.

    Baron B. Thu May 2
    Report

  • it looks amazing. don't u think?

    jack Tue Feb 5
    Report
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