TQS StaffStar Trek Into Darkness begins with an observation mission that almost sees the end of Spock when a situation becomes rather desperate, but the only way to save him is to break the Prime Directive and reveal the Enterprise to unsuspecting indigenous people. However by infringing upon those Star Fleet rules, of which Spoke is a true stickler, a tension is created between Spoke and Captain Kirk. However, when a terrorist attack on the Star Fleet reveals a new enemy in the form of a superior being from within their organisation, Captain Kirk and his crew must pull together to prevent a war that could potentially mean the end to Earth as we know it.
From the opening sequence this sci-fi adventure has the audience on the edges of their seats. The narrative is suspenseful and definitely does not miss any action, whilst Simon Pegg’s character (Scotty) infuses some comedy into tense moments. This sci-fi adventure is still setting up the background to the Enterprise and its crew as they have quite clearly not developed fully into the characters that they were loved for in the original series. This, however, is still to come as another instalment is inevitable.
Whilst the first film, Star Trek (2009), did not get a particularly positive reception this second instalment definitely does justice to the franchise, despite its focus on the spectacle rather than the reflective thoughtfulness that the series was known for. However, as a film that can be easily watched without any prior knowledge of the previous film or the franchise, Star Trek Into Darkness is sure to entice some new fans into the mix.
Not only does this film play on certain ideals surrounding liberal humanism and raise questions surrounding what makes us human, the central question seems to be based on family values. This sci-fi adventure still raises interesting questions about society that are both socially and politically relevant. The franchise has always been known for its subversive messages and ideals and it is exciting to see that it has not lost these.
With fantastic performances by Chris Pine (Captain Kirk) whose character represents the compassion and humanity that makes us all human, alongside Zachary Quinto (Spock) whose character oozes intellect but struggles with the most basic of human emotion and then there is Benedict Cumberbatch (Khan) who brings an eerie calm to his character. Simon Pegg (Scotty), who on the other hand, at first, seems out of place, brings a light-hearted comic touch to the film which complements both the narrative and his character.
With the combination of science action and ideals surrounding diversity Star Trek into Darkness is a fantastic and thrilling sci-fi that compliments both the genre and the franchise. This second instalment is still in the beginning of the story and with any luck the future will take us where no man has gone before.
Written by Shirley Welton.
