Star Trek Into Darkness

I finally got around to watching the recently-released Star Trek movie (also on my Most Anticipated Movie of 2013), directed by J.J. Abrams, just like the first one that came out a few years ago. I actually missed the very first part of the movie because someone at 21 Cineplex decided to start the movie earlier than scheduled and without the usual trailers and advertisements. 5-10 minutes into the movie and hordes of people were still coming into the theater looking for their seats. Just a word of warning though, this review might spoil the movie for you if you haven't seen it.

Plot Intro
The movie started in a primitive planet with naturally red plants where the Enterprise crew is trying to prevent a volcanic eruption that was an extinction level event, while keeping their ship hidden from the locals. Spock gets trapped inside the volcano and Kirk was forced save him, in doing so breaking Federation rules against revealing space-travel capability to primitive species. As Enterprise rose from the bottom of the ocean (where it was hidden), the planets natives kneel as if the Enterprise were god - a feeling transmitted to the audience as we realize how massive the Enterprise is.

Review
What I like about the new Star Trek movie series is that they can be enjoyed by original Star Trek fans as well as viewers who are new to the franchise. Plus because the new series "resets" the timeline, it is interesting to see how events unfold differently but still produces the same outcome in the end. However, neat as it is, the story line makes the movie inevitably predictable for most people.

What it lacks in plot it makes up in character developments. The duo Captain Kirk (Chris Pine) and Spock (Zachary Pinto) is back, against a new terrorist, John Harrison (Benedict Cumberbatch), who is later revealed to be, as Old Spock described, "the most dangerous adversary the Enterprise ever faced." Behind the colorful action scenes was the tender human relationship - the bonds of lifelong friendship and dedication among Enterprise crews. And while not funny as its predecessor, this Trek movie still has a number of comical moments, especially when it involves Scotty (Simon Pegg).

Overall, I was satisfied with the movie and I would recommend watching it if you are a Star Trek fan, or not... The movie did leave me wanting a third Trek movie or even a new Trek Series to be made. If you haven't seen it, hurry and catch it before they take it down from the theaters.

Verdict: 8/10

Photo Credits:
various scenes from Star Trek Into Darkness movie on Google Images search engine