Good but not Great

Rating: 7/10 (18 May 2013)

Flipping through the reviews I've notice either a lot of 10 out of 10 or the disappointed 2 out of 10 neither is warranted. This latest version of JJ Abrams Star Trek Universe has a lot to like for the casual and serious Star Trek fan and unfortunately a lot to dislike.
I'll start with the good stuff, the cast in these two films has been phenomenal. Back in 07 or 08 I was very nervous about the casting and very happy about Abrams, now the opposite could be said. Anyway from Chris Pine to Anton Yelchin they have all managed to create their very own characters and yet still maintain the original cast's energy and essence. Truly whether you are a life long Trek fan or have just come aboard this cast I believe in the long run will be one of Abrams greatest contributions to the Trek Universe and I hope we get to see them in at least a few more films together.
The look, feel and pace of this film is on par with Abrams first Trek that should come as no shock. The effects are out of this world truly a film to be seen on the big screen and if you have the means an IMAX screen is probable the only true way to enjoy all the masterful visuals that come out of this film. Abrams was also able to use low tech to produce a nice feel to the film long time fans will enjoy seeing models of the Space Shuttle, NX-01 Enterprise, and Cochrane's Phoenix. If you like a none stop action packed roller coaster films then you will enjoy this film Abrams managed to push the pace even more than his first Trek film. From the open till the end there are few moments to catch your breath and take in the story which might have been intentional.
Now the bad, some might feel Abrams has created an epic film which is the case with the visuals but the story falls well short of anything epic. Unfortunately for this fan Abrams has missed a great opportunity to create something more than a stand alone film story wise on par with any basic run of the mill action film. For anybody who has watched Trek over the years their is one essential theme through out their stories or at least the good ones and that is the progression of the human condition or growth. Abrams in my view had set the stage for a grand story with his first film flipping the universe on it's head and destroying Vulcan were very grand a epic moves but in what Universe would Nimoy's Spock let that Stand! This is where Abrams has failed to understand the world of Trek these characters don't stand for mistakes and will sacrifice there lives to correct those mistakes. Nimoy's Spock had made the grandest of mistakes in the first Trek and Abrams missed the chance to the tell the story of redemption in this film. It's funny probable the best story of redemption in Star Trek came from the Wrath of Khan, Kirk underestimated Khan and it cost him dearly and he spent the next film The Search for Spock in redemption. What did Kirk say at the end of the film "It would have cost me my soul if I hadn't tried" Shatner's Kirk had real growth at the end of that film. So the use of Khan in this film was also a missed opportunity, Khan was catalysts for growth and change in the original characters but I have a hard time seeing what his purpose was in the this film other than being the typical villain they could have left his name as John Harrison it would have made little difference to me.
In to Darkness although very entertaining has very little to do with character growth or development two staples of Trek stories. I'm glade Abrams is moving on to do Star Wars his filming and story telling style might be better suited for that franchise. I'm hopping for more of a Christopher Nolan story teller for the next Trek but I'm not holding my breath =)! Enjoy the film!!!!!