"Into Darkness" is the Dark Knight of Star Trek and Abrams the young American Nolan!

Rating: 9/10 (16 June 2013)

After the great success of critics and winning the love of thousands of fans that was the "Star Trek" from J.J. Abrams, a sequel was promised. Usually when a sequel to a blockbuster don't usually work well, being simply being horrible or don't even reach the foots, as the first one. But J.J. Abrams hits his hand on the table and imposes its place in management and his great talent as a director and doing a FANTASTIC work.
"Into Darkness" is another proof that a sequel can be gigantic while overcoming the predecessor in many details. Without belittling the first one that is fantastic but "Into Darkness" is also very different from the first but keeps the same pace of entertainment and loyalty to the original saga.
The story begins a year after the events of the first movie with Kirk (Chris Pine) and Spock (Zachary Quinto) along-side with the crew of the Enterprise (with all the cast from the first film) continue on their missions throughout the galaxy to do justice find uninhabited planets. After a "successful" mission all are called back home where they are faced with an enormous terror taking place on all the cities of their world due to several terrorist attacks within the organization. Now Kirk and the Enterprise crew embark on a manhunt after the unknown terrorist (Benedict Cumberbatch) who seems to be a renegade from the organization. A mission that will take them to a desolate planet where war reigns, behind one man's weapon of mass destruction, a mission where Kirk and Spock will meet all their worst fears and danger plaguing closely to them and their only family, the crew.
The story follows a different rhythm from the first film that was part remake and part prequel, "Into Darkness" it also is but also carries the job of a sequel, but nothing is lost. While the film keeps very loyal to the first one, it also remains faithful to the original saga and thanks to the screenplay really well written and structured by Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman and Damon Lindelof that manages to carry with it many influences from the old movies (scenes and even dialogs) mixing everything with a simply brilliant originality.
Not only overcomes the first one on writing, but also the direction of Abrams also improves in many details. Keeping the same of pace entertainment and giving superb action sequences also bringing the franchise to a whole new level. Everything in the film looks bigger, since the gigantic scenarios shot in the greatest perfection and reality giving a rate of galactic adventure and action.
The cast also excels all greatly improved in their performances and their characters explored more. Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto continues to deliver a incredible chemistry in their characters further deepening the friendship of Kirk and Spock with superb performances. But the performance that surprised everyone and even more his character was Benedict Cumberbatch and his villain.... (I can't mention the name without spoilers) with a fantastic performance, superbly embodying his character showing cruelty and intelligence, someone not to be overestimated. And once again overcoming the first one that didn't have a strong villain as as Cumberbatch.
In my opinion "Into Darkness" overcame the 1st fantastically, all thanks to stunning visual effects; superb writing and direction; a good pace of time with snapping breathtaking action sequences along-side with fantastic performances. "Into Darkness" not only can be one of the best works of the "Star Trek's saga" but also be one of the best sequels and sci-fis ever made.