The biggest problem with Star Trek Into Darkness is that it’s a sequel. A follow-up to J.J. Abrams’ 2009 Star Trek reboot, it feels a bit like a recycled version of its predecessor, with a rehashed plot and familiar themes. It’s entertaining enough, of course, but it doesn’t feel quite as fresh as it should.
The film finds “Captain Kirk” (Chris Pine) and company threatened again, this time by “John Harrison” (Benedict Cumberbatch), a terrorist targeting Starfleet. When Starfleet discovers that Harrison is hiding on the Klingon planet, they send Kirk and his crew to find him and kill him. Of course, nothing goes according to Starfleet’s plan, and all hell breaks loose, for lack of a better phrase.
To say more of the plot would both ruin the movie and serve as an unfortunate reminder of how similar it is to the previous installment, since Harrison’s motives aren’t all that different from that film’s villain’s. And that’s not the only place where screenwriters Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman, and Damon Lindelof falter – they also go a little light on the character development, which is essentially limited to melodramatic scenes shoved in between action sequences.
It’s a shame, because the actors deserve better material. Pine is still a thoroughly charming screen presence, and he has an able scene partner in Zachary Quinto, whose “Spock” is a quietly bubbling volcano of barely-contained emotion. As for Cumberbatch, he plays the villain so beautifully that it’s actually quite difficult not to root for him.
Unfortunately, though, neither these three nor the rest of the actors really get to showcase their skills, since they’re mostly limited to shooting and punching and other action film tasks. Don’t get me wrong, the action is stellar – it’s just not enough to make the movie worthwhile on its own. Here’s hoping that the next Star Trek film strikes a better balance between spectacle and soul.
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