Greatness Emerges from Into Darkness

Rating: 10/10 (8 June 2013)

On the shuttle-craft journey to stop the powerful enigmatic John Harrison (menacing charismatic Benedict Cumberbatch), Zachary Quinto's Spock tells his love Uhura (Zoe Saldana) that he chooses not to feel, paradoxically the humane choice. Later in the heart wrenching story arc Chris Pine's Captain Kirk asks Spock, " How do you choose not to feel?" Director J.J. Abrams's reinvention of the Star Trek mythology in "Star Trek Into Darkness" is awesome. "Star Trek Into Darkness" is not just a great Star Trek movie. It is a great movie. Action packed, thought provoking, funny, and unexpectedly touching. Writers Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman, and Damon Lindelof are beholding to the saga, twisting the narrative, and boldly going where no one has gone before. Theirs is a Star Trek that is familiar and genesis of a new generation of fans. Michael Giacchino's score is heroic and stellar.
Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto are amazing as Kirk and Spock, becoming their own. Pine and Quinto are never caricature, generate from, and are reverent homage. Distinct under Abrams's direction their partnership is punctuated by respect and love-- the leverage point of this provocative context of terrorism and the cost of "the no win scenario". This story of terrorism is more poignant than "Iron Man 3", and set in the 23rd Century. Qunito is awesome as Spock. He captures Spock defining himself: ironically funny, heroic, torn between his Human emotions and Vulcan logic. And we get to see Spock kick some ass! Pine is amazing. He balances the bravado and self doubt as Kirk, and not nearly so cock sure. In a great scene Kirk says to his crew, "I'm sorry." Karl Urban is rock solid and amazing as Bones, Dr. McCoy—the emotional conscience. Kirk asks Bones: What would Spock do? He says, "He'd let you die."
As my friend Ron reminds: the best Star Trek stories were morality plays. Morality plays have great villains. The powerful villain is rogue Star Fleet Officer, John Harrison played by Cumberbatch. The enigmatic Harrison is ruthless, brilliant, and possessing inhuman strength. In spectacular scene on the Klingon home world Harrison effortlessly dispatches Klingon warriors with martial arts and weapon skills. Cumberbatch is a mesmerizing threat; his Harrison is driven by vengeance, and hides a secret. He asks Kirk "Is there anything you would not do to save your family?"
Grounded after violating Star Fleet Prime Directive on the primitive planet Nibiru to save his friend Spock, in the stunning visual opening, Kirk (Pine) is discharged from his command of the Enterprise and charged under his mentor Admiral Christopher Pike (courageous and wise Bruce Greenwood). Star Fleet Headquarters was a target of a terrorist bombing. Kirk uncovers Harrison's involvement, and discerns that his motives are not what they seem. After a bloody courageous fire fight Kirk suffers personal tragedy. Now he too, is driven by revenge. Enter maverick Admiral Marcus (hard-nosed Peter Weller), who reinstates Kirk on a mission to kill Harrison. Marcus's daughter Carol Marcus (spirited and beautiful Alice Eve) covertly enrolls in the mission. That name is pivotal for fans.
Let the wild ride commence. Visceral physical conflict and dramatic images of the Enterprise in battle thrill. However, it is the war of wills of Kirk, Spock, and Harrison that awe. The rest of the crew has their shining moments, particularly Saldana and John Cho as Sulu.
Spock questions the ends justify the means paradigm adopted by benevolent Star Fleet. Later Kirk tells Spock, "I have no idea what I'm supposed to do! I only know what I can do!" In Abrams's morality play all is not what it seems. Villains can be heroic. Vengeance consumes. True heroes inspire. I can't wait for the continuing voyages of the Enterprise. May they continue to boldly go where no one has gone before.