Pretty fantastic! Spectacular ride

Rating: Null/10 (17 May 2013)

Even though the film just came out, the notion among many critic reviews seems to be that while it's definitely a success, it's a definite step down from the 2009 version. The 2009 version is the only Star Trek- related thing I've ever seen, and I absolutely loved it. I thought it was pretty much the perfect blockbuster, and probably the best blockbuster of the last several years. It was definitely fun, but in a way that blockbusters rarely are these days. There was a gleeful attitude that the film carried, one where it wasn't just the action pieces that had you giggling with delight but the writing of the characters. I'm happy to say that Into Darkness carries that same level of excitement and absolute delight. It's definitely more action-packed, but it never feels like excess for the sake of it and instead it's a great experience.
The cast here is at the top of their game, with Pine coming across even more charismatic, watchable and completely likable and Cumberbatch being the film's MVP and delivering a true performance worthy of much hype. Karl Urban was the one main cast member from the original that I didn't really like, but he's greatly improved here.
Overall, I think this was fantastic and I'm so ready for more of these. It's truly the only big franchise right now I truly care about and the only one that doesn't feel half-baked. I do think I prefer the 2009 film, but both are on the same level and it's not out of anything this one did wrong.