June 3, 2013

Movie Review: Star Trek: Into Darkness

There is a lot of fanboy/fangirl whinery going on out there and I guess my standards are too low to join in. This movie has been chewed from one end to the other for supposed gaps in plot, “It’s not ‘true’ Star Trek”, to J. J. Abrams just saying “Screw You” to the fans and violating a sacred franchise. First, what I thought of the movie.

ST13-Poster Star Trek Into Darkness Teaser Cover PhotoI know the movie has been out for quite a while now, but I’m going to try and stay away from spoilers. Other websites can ruin your day, but I’m not. Everything from the trailers that got you excited about this movie is here and by the bucket loads. I think what I really love most about this movie and the last is the cast. When I see Karl Urban pull a Bone-ism, I can picture in my mind the original, DeForest Kelley, saying the same thing with the same facial emote. Chris Pine has a few Kirk moves down, Quinto is close to original Spock for me, and Simon Pegg rippin’ off engineering jargon just like James Doohan is classic!

Action! From the opening scenes! Yes! The scenery itself, though it’s mostly CGI is still fantastic to look upon. The story will be one you remember, but with a twist, and it’s that twist that is felt in the hearts of most Star Trek fans. If you ask me, it doesn’t take away from the original story, it’s creates a new one.

ST13-Poster Star Trek Into Darkness TeaserBenedict Cumberbatch. What can be said about him? He makes a great villain. At one point, you actually want to sympathize with him, but that doesn’t last long. He pretty much owns every scene that he is in and I look forward to seeing him in much more.

Again, without spoiling anything, let me address some of the gripes. Supposed plot holes – We’re in an alternate timeline. They’re not plot holes if your basing them on the original timeline. And because things are different in this universe from the original, before Spock and Nero came in, whose to say that there haven’t been other changes prior. This timeline’s prev-history doesn’t have to match the original timeline’s pre-history, in my opinion.

“True” Trek is a TV show that is a scifi drama. Scifi dramas don’t play very well on the big screen. People are saying “Give us our five year mission!” It’s on TV. Besides, this franchise has got plenty of time to go there, if that’s what they plan. I’m enjoying what they are doing right now, so pipe down and let them play!

If you haven’t seen it yet, go. It’s a lot of fun! If you are a Trekkie, this word of advice: This is group’s interpretation or vision of what Star Trek is, can, or should be. It uses Gene Roddenberry’s ideas, not all, but some and makes something new. You may like it, you may not, but keep an open mind. We all like Star Trek for different reasons, and I think J. J. Abrams and Robert Orci include a vast majority of those reasons in the movie. Enjoy!

Have you seen it yet? What did you think? Didn’t like it? Why? And be nice.

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