http://filmfanboy.com/star-trek-into-darkness/

Rating: 7/10 (9 June 2013)

This movie has a very simple driving force. How can we top what came before? Already Ironman has produced some sensational visceral action and now Star Trek shot in IMAX 3D delivers a non-stop juggernaut of wall to wall action. JJ Abrams new film is a lot of fun, an all-out assault on the senses. It fulfills the intent to do "Star Trek like Star Wars." But it doesn't get everything right, for all its technical wizardry Abrams seems content to present a story short on anything new to say.
Abrams continues his appreciation of Spielberg with a "Raiders of the Lost Ark" inspired opening replete with spears and angry painted natives. The film jumps directly into the action where Kirk and Bones are fleeing savages whilst Spock jumps onto an erupting Volcano. The clock is ticking as the first of many cliff-hangers is engineered. Remember this is the creative team responsible for Alias and Lost. The action then takes us to London 2259 and the Royal Children's Hospital. A child is dying. John Harrison (Cumberbatch) appears offering the hopeful words, "I can save her" to the child's father Harrison is clearly not all he appears to be, he's a complex character and it's difficult to know if he is a villain in the true sense of the word. Another assault inspired by a "Godfather 3" style action set-piece ends with Kirk on a manhunt. His admiral proclaims "Run this bastard downtake him out." By now it's clear this addition will not be "exploring and observing" more like shooting and blowing stuff up.
But who dies or gets hurt in these franchise films? Audience test screenings instill the happily ever after formula. But action without consequence is arguably dull no matter how many millions you spend on it. Spoiler Alert: In one scene "Scotty" seemingly has his head crushed, yet moments later he seems almost unaffected by the incident. He touches his sore head a few times and moves on to save the Universe. And what's up with the bad accents? Was it an intentional decision to make Pegg and Yelchin's (Chekhov) accents so laughable? Other performer's fair better, Quinto continues to shine as the logical Spock capable of warmth when needed. Pine seems to be channeling Shatner more so this time which is teeter on the dangerous and Cumberbatch looking gym hard makes an impressive foil. Greenwood and Weller are also excellent in smaller pivotal roles. Unfortunately the women Saldana and Eve are left with little to work with. Though Eve gets to show off her hard body. This is clearly a boys own adventure.
Quibbles aside Abrams tells his tale with the skill of a craftsman at the peak of his powers. His team of technicians including cinematographer Dan Mindel, production designer Scott Chambliss and visual effects expert Roger Guyett help bring his vision to life.