Utterly familiar yet exceptionally original- 9/10

Rating: 9/10 (11 May 2013)

2009's Star Trek is the best remake of a franchise ever, while 1982's Wrath of Khan was perhaps the best movie in the original franchise, credited with saving Star Trek as we know it, after the debacle that was the 1979 Star Trek movie. So what do you get when you marry the creative team of the 2009 re-imagining and folklore from the 1982 classic? A cerebral thrill ride that is action packed, dramatic, funny at the same time staying true to the TV series and films, along with restoring the one weakness of the 2009 movie- the lack of a grand villain.
The film picks up from around the point the earlier one ended. The team is no longer greenhorn but Kirk and trouble continue to go hand in hand. So right at the outset we are plunged into chaotic urgency, when Spock dives into a volcano to save a primitive culture from annihilation, Kirk and Bones escape spears that rather come whizzing straight at us in 3D and the Enterprise rises out of the sea to both- play god and save the day. But the Prime Directive of not to interfere with a planet's culture is broken even though Spock and the planet is saved, and Kirk is set to lose command of the Enterprise. But surprise attacks on Starfleet by a supremely gifted terrorist- John Harrison leaves the earth in turmoil. Kirk regains the Enterprise and is tasked by Starfleet commander Marcus (Peter Weller) to assassinate Harrison who has taken refuge in a Klingon planet. Harrison later on reveals himself to be Khan- a genetically enhanced being who was being used by Marcus to develop advanced weaponry so as to eradicate the Klingons once and for all. Khan is potentially unstoppable, a superhuman, capable of singlehandedly taking out battalions and is faster, stronger and smarter than the best humans have to offer. How does the crew of the Enterprise stop him? In the end though, justice is served, and the battle won, but not before San Francisco takes one for the team.
The returning actors slip onto their roles with minimal fuss. While Oblivion was driven by cinematography, and Downey completely owned Iron Man 3, the entire Star Trek team are stars here. Friendship, heroism, and sacrifice- all the ideals of Star Trek are happily on display, often from unexpected quarters. The heart of Star Trek has always been the relationship between the brash and instinctive Kirk and the logical, cautionary Spock. Rivalry and comradeship both are exhibited, and towards the end they kind of reverse the roles- Kirk does what Spock would have done because it would have been logical, and Spock in turn takes out a page from his captain's book. It is a hyper active, energetic ride, filled with character based gags and clever one liners. JJ Abrams has ensured Star Trek into Darkness matches up to its predecessor in every way, but out-punches it in one crucial round- the villain. Benedict Cumberbatch is menacing and sinister as Harrison/Khan. People familiar with BBC's Sherlock know that he has a magnetic personality- here he is scene stealing as a complex and ruthless nemesis who believes in his villainy, and executes it with style and grandeur. The 3D effects are a bit inconsistent, but the action is intense and creative throughout, whether it is simple fisticuffs or giant spaceships blowing each other to smithereens.
In short Star Trek Into Darkness it is utterly familiar AND exceptionally original. Do Trekkies and other mortal beings need anything more? The sci-fi world has long been divided among Trekkies and Star Wars. It is now public that the same team that infused new life into the Star Trek series will work on the reboot of the Star War series too. So the popcorn does not end here, folks- come 2015, the Star War fans will have their day. Till then venture into this breathlessly paced darkness and come out energized! 9/10