The Wrath of John Harrison

Rating: 10/10 (20 May 2013)

Well, after four long years, we are finally getting a sequel to JJ Abrams' highly acclaimed Star Trek film from 2009. I must say, it's quite interesting that it too that long to bring forth a follow up, but were the four years worth the wait to see the further adventures of James T. Kirk and the crew of the USS Enterprise? You bet your bottom dollar! I personally think this sequel was superior to the first and delivered some of the finest moments in all of Star Trek. This film also paid homage to the Star Trek of yesteryear and revamped one of the franchise's most famous adversaries, the tyrannical superhuman Khan Noonien Singh.
But we don't find out he is Khan until about half way through the film.
In the beginning, Khan goes by the name John Harrison, a Starfleet officer recruited by Admiral Alexander Marcus to build advanced weapons and starships for the upcoming Klingon war. It is also revealed that Khan's blood has enhanced platelets that can cure almost any illness, foil any ailment or revive dead tissue. I loved the way Benedict Cumberbatch portrayed Khan, paying homage to the great Ricardo Montalban on several occasions but also bringing something new to the famous Trek baddie. He also has a magnificent, overpowering voice that's very reminiscent to Patrick Stewart, adding a bit of sinisterness and malevolence to an already malevolent villain.
"No ship should go down without her captain!"
Returning from the previous film are of course Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto as Kirk and Spock respectively. The other crew members of the Enterprise also return and a new blondie named Carol Marcus joins the band, but Kirk and Spock are front and center and are the film's main focus. The relationship between the two is the film's best element. The relationship between Kirk and Spock is the highlight of any Star Trek episode or movie, but in this film, you can really see how these two characters relate to one another or get at each other's throats in certain perils. Kirk is also annoyed by Spock's logical statements and beliefs, giving the film a teaspoon of comic relief and humor only available through human and Vulcan association.
Speaking of comic relief, Mccoy, Scotty and Chekov get a lot of funny moments in the film. Uhura of course shows off her skills as communications officer while chatting with a Klingon and Sulu shows off his gallant command skills while hunting down Khan. And once Khan is aboard the Enterprise, he relentlessly taunts Kirk about killing his crew and how he is better at "everything". I love the way Khan sees right through Kirk and knows what will bring Kirk to his knees. He surely knew what would take Kirk down in The Wrath of Khan, which is one of the many reasons why it is many Trekkies' favorite Star Trek flick.
I should also mention the great performance of Peter Weller (aka Robocop) as the secondary villain, Admiral Marcus, who comes off as a pompous string puller who believes a war is coming and that all should be prepared for it's consequences. The plot of the film is different from most Trek flicks, but it still has that Star Trek feeling if you ask me and brings in a lot of elements from the movies, TV shows and even the animated series to make a slushy of awesomeness. I do believe Star Trek Into Darkness is my favorite of the 12 Star Trek films, from it's Indiana Jones inspired opening to it's Wrath of Khan inspired ending. I hope JJ can crank out one more Star Trek flick before setting his coordinates to Star Wars Episode 7, but one can never be too sure. Into Darkness was certainly a sequel worth waiting for and a great love letter to Roddenberry's brainchild.
It also has a spectacular cameo by Leonard Nimoy. That alone makes the film worth going to see at warp speed.