I'm a Cumberbitch now

Rating: 4/10 (22 January 2014)

I watched this for the first time last night. It must be made clear from the offset that this review is not written by a Star Trek fan. I'm very indifferent to the franchise. For this reason my review is simply about the film and nothing more.
On a level this film was competent, the general level of acting was solid, the effects great and when the action was going on it was engaging and entertaining. Though, what this film failed spectacularly at was any kind of deepness at the plot level. From the word 'go' we are thrust into a situation in a Bondesque manner. Star Trek Into Darkness loads us into a situation of great magnitude, yet for such a situation there is little peril as we know the fates of the characters from endless trailers and general common sense. The introduction fails to grip but there are all manner ramifications.
Perhaps the major downfall of this film is the sheer copycat that it becomes to the first film of this series. It is of a near identical framework until BAM, the plot moves forward. We have gone from the ramifications of the original 'mission' into a massive centre plot in a matter of seconds. We are not introduced to the character of Harrison, we are not introduced to his cause nor the environment surrounding the moment of action. What has happened is that Benedict Cumberbatch has turned up and all of a sudden there is an evil presence in the picturesque landscape of London. I didn't appreciate this. I felt that I was being thrust forward from my seat unwillingly. With no reasoning what-so-ever all of the bosses of starfleet meet up in one room... After an attack on one of their bases where it is made clear that starfleet is the target. Suddenly cue Chris Pine's thoughtful moment and realisation and BAM another attack. This has been done so many times it was highly unoriginal. In fact for the most part there was nothing novel about this film.
This film tries to keep you second guessing, though fails spectacularly at that too, anyone thoughtful enough can see through the peril that befalls them. The plot is thrown at you rather than eased into your mind. This is like somebody screaming derivatives at you until you're ready to punch them. Of course the twist is see-through even to a non-trekky. I spent the entire film wanting Benedict Cumberbatch to win. Indeed, Cumberbatch steals the show on a magnificent level, he is simply in his element playing a character such as Harrison and his performance is one that the actor can be incredibly proud of. I slowly became a Cumberbitch. His performance is one of the good things about this film, and like I suggested above there are positives to this work. However, these are outweighed by the negatives. I felt like this could've been a good film, a very good film; if it was it may have led this series on to becoming a great. Though, this feels rushed, it feels unoriginal and apart from some good work from the actors and behind the scenes experts it seriously falls short of the modern expectation of a solid film. Back to the drawing board I think.