Long awaited follow up film that keeps the series floating for a new generation

Rating: 9/10 (1 June 2013)

STAR RATING: ***** Saturday Night **** Friday Night *** Friday Morning ** Sunday Night * Monday Morning
After a perilous mission on the planet Niburu, where Captain Kirk (Chris Pine) is reckless in saving the life of Spock (Zachary Quinto), the two once again find themselves at odds when Spock reveals some truths about Kirk's fabrications. But they find themselves thrust back together again when embittered ex Starfleet officer Khan (Benedict Cumberbatch) launches a one man reign of terror.
Despite following the current trend of resurrecting an old franchise and making it in to a marketable new series, J.J. Abrams has spaced out (no pun intended) his follow up to his 2009 re-generation of the series, preferring to keep the fans in suspense following that film's critical and commercial success. And he proves that taking one's time and not being too quick to make a quick buck on the back of a winning horse works wonders with this solid, satisfying second instalment that should prove worthwhile to mega fans and more casual trekkers alike.
Abrams takes a no dawdling approach, starting as he means to go on with a thrilling chase sequence on the planet Niburu, with Kirk and an associate finding themselves being chased by some scary inhabitants with white, bold heads. From here on in, he maintains a steady pace, never letting things drag on for too long until the next action spectacular. The tone never gets too heavy or serious either, with tongue firmly in cheek most of the time. The 'Into Darkness' suffix feels misplaced, given the film's more light hearted feel compared to the original's dark, brooding style. That's not to say darker, more serious subject matter is not explored, as the film is another modern blockbuster that isn't afraid to tap in to current affairs that have everyone on edge, such as terrorist attacks and concealed intelligence. The film respects the audience's intelligence and expects it to do the same.
Performances wise, Pine and Quinto ane still a cracking mismatched buddy buddy act, Pine an eager Martin Riggs to Quinto's Roger Murtaugh, while a support cast including Simon Pegg, Alice Eve and Robocop himself Peter Weller add class. But the stand out personality is Cumberbatch as the villain, effortlessly owning his screen time and chewing the scenery with his dark, foreboding presence as the villain. To top things off, Abrams lets another Brit boy have a crack at the big time, with Noel Clarke in a supporting (but still very noticeable) role as an ill fated man.
Abrams has figured out how to make this old franchise appeal to a modern audience, and ensures the length is never a drag and the action never lets up. ****