Excellent addition to Star Trek

Rating: 10/10 (16 May 2013)

I just saw Star Trek Into Darkness in Imax 3D and enjoyed every minute of it!
It was filled with references to past Trek that should please fans, while offering plenty of suspense and action for the average summer moviegoer.
Although not as obvious as in some past Trek plot lines, there were also some moral dilemmas and social commentaries to satisfy those viewers seeking some take-home message from the film. For example, there was an apparent criticism of the current US policy to execute suspected terrorists overseas with drones and without a trial. It was also nice to see an exception to the blind obedience of the "Prime Directive" (non-interference in alien cultures) that has been used both in Trek and in real life as an excuse to avoid responsibility for the well-being of others.
As with many of the "reboots" that Hollywood is feeding us, those familiar with Star Trek II might feel that this new film is too derivative and lacking in originality. However, both Star Trek II and Star Trek Into Darkness (Star Trek XII) are sufficiently strong films to stand alone or to complement each other. One would certainly gain a greater appreciation for the strengths of this new film by watching Star Trek II again.
Overall this film had excellent acting and special effects with more subtle yet powerful moral dilemmas than recent Trek films and than Star Trek II. I wish only that Paramount would use this cast for a new Star Trek television series.