Intelligent blockbuster

Rating: 10/10 (17 May 2013)

JJ Abrams does not disappoint with this highly impressive sequel to his 2009 "franchise reboot." He is clearly a keen fan of Gene Roddenberry's 60s TV series, with many references to it. There was, apparently, long discussions as to whether this movie should be an adventure of discovery, somewhat like the 60s TV series, or another battle against a villain. I think the right choice was made, there is obviously a great deal of life to come yet in this franchise and some loose ends were wrapped up in this movie quite neatly.
Abrams gives us a thriller which effortlessly leaps from one astonishing CGI set-piece to another, allied to a sharp script, some impressive acting, fast pacing, and always with a little humour here and there. He also builds up Kirk's character quite considerably this time. Chris Pine doesn't simply play "Kirk the Jerk" but shows more emotion and a greater range of acting. Ben Cumberbatch plays a deliciously icy villain who it is possible to feel sympathy for, if you think about his character, and there is good support from the usual gang. Simon Pegg gets a lot more screen time this time round, but Anton Yeltsin is sidelined a little, I thought. Karl Urban's Bones frets a lot, John Cho's Sulu gets a taste of command, and Zoe Saldana gets to continue her relationship with Spock and prove to be pivotal in one key scene. Zachary Quinto's Spock towers over the whole film, he was born to play this character and never puts a foot or a heartbeat wrong, he was quite simply amazing, stealing every scene he was in.
If I could be incredibly picky I would say the only disappointment was the physical appearance of the Klingons, who I prefer as the swarthy pirate-types seen in the TV series rather than the Yorkshire-pudding heads they later became, but that is a detail.
Credit to Abrams for providing a plot deep with messages about loyalty and comradeship, of the need to reign in recklessness and obey regulations, (and my daughter now has her heart set on owning a tribble!)
Two hours slipped by in a few moments, do try and see this movie, it will be time and money well spent.
10/10