So I went to see "Into Darkness" at the weekend having waited 4 years to see the follow up to the excellent J J Abrams reboot of Star Trek. This was one of four movies in 2013 I simply can not wait to see. The fantastic Tom Cruise staring "Oblivion" (very intelligent, slightly predictable but thought provoking science fiction) was the first one. I have "Man Of steel" to come to try and help me forget the disappointing "Superman Returns" ( Christopher Nolan producing, "300" director Zack Snyder directing - what can go wrong?), although I'm from the generation where Christopher Reeves IS Superman, I really am excited about this as the trailer hints at a "Dark Knight" style gritty realistic super hero movie instead of the traditional cartoon like comic book action of previous super hero movies and "the dark knight" trilogy isn't just my favoutite comic book movie franchise, its in my humble opinion the greatest movie trilogy of all time (yes better than The Godfather and the original Star Wars trilogy's). Then finally the movie adaption of one of my all time favorite novels "Enders Game" - I am fearful of a change in plot direction to a more Hollywood ending from the first trailer, however the battle school scenes imply a possible real big new moment in film making.
Back to "Into Darkness"; I warn you, if you haven't seen it and you are planning to see it, read no more as this is spoiler city ahead and I won't even hide and hint at mere plot details, I will wave a big arrow at them for you. These are simply thoughts and musings, not a review.
One last chance to turn away.
Final chance
Right, its your own fault now, don't say I didn't warn you.
Much like the first movie, this is a wonderful balancing act to keep the hardcore Star Trek fan happy and entice non Trek fans to see it. There are plenty of nods to the classic series from a Tribble (yes a tribble, but only one mind you) to Sulu being poo-pooed as captain material (That is future Captain Sulu of the Excelsior in Star Trek VI) and Kirk bedding not one, but two human looking aliens sans tails. Bones is still just a doctor, and damnit he will explain this using a metaphor to Kirk in a grumpy fashion. There are Klingons, baddass Klingons and a hint at a possible direction for the 3rd movie - "Klingon War"?
But all this pales to the awesomeness of Benedict Cumberbatch as John Harrison who in absolutely no surprise to anybody is revealed as the greatest Star Trek villian - Khan. Due to the alternative universe method of the reboot he is discovered in a whole different way to the original series. I'll ignore the fact that in the alternative universe Khan has suddenly turned from being an Indian Sikh to a British genetically engineering superhuman villain. Because my favorite Sherlock is just so god damn intellectual, charming, persuasive and evil as Khan. He oozes psychotic intelligence as he gets the better of Star Fleet countless times. Plus not dying at the end, means we can have more Khan action in a future movie and this can only be a good thing.
I also loved the role reversals from "Wrath of Khan" with Kirk sacrificing his life to save the Enterprise and Spooks screaming the immortal line "KHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNN" The irony of a Tribble saving Kirks life won't be lost on any long term fan of the original series after Bill Shatners obvious annoyance to them in the episode they featured in. A part of me actually wanted Kirk to stay dead, as that would have been a very brave decision by J J Abrams and really shifted the series to a new direction and level.
Of course whats next for Star Trek. With J J Abrams off to direct the new Star Wars movie and cement himself as one of the very top film makers a JJ Abrams directed Star Trek would be at least 4 years away again (he usually directs a movie every 2 years) but with the 50th anniversary of Star Trek only 3 years away he may only produce it and put trust in another director. We know that the Enterprise has just started its legendary 5 year mission so a plot would fall in this. I have already mentioned a potential Klingon war which would make a logical sense that Spock would be proud of - the first one had Romulans, the second has Khan, so that leaves The klingons as the other big villains in the original series.
Either way as a star Trek fan, I am hopeful the reboot series will continue in a great way.
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