Star Trek: Into Darkness Review

[evila_elf]

I had been actively avoiding spoilers for this since it started showing in theaters. And I think I was one of the few who hadn't been spoiled that Benedict was playing Khan. Hell, I had been suspecting it for ages, but hadn't had it actually confirmed. I was to the point where I would have been disappointed if he hadn't been Khan.

I saw the 3D version, and I hope I can get to see it again in 2D. So much action that it was a bit hard to follow some stuff.

Which is actually my main complaint, the action/fights:
Movie had decent enough pacing until about the halfway point. It seemed like the plot took a backseat in favor of chases and explosions and an epic fight scene between Khan and Spock that...wasn't all that epic. Maybe I was all actioned out by that point, but it seemed short. Anyone else? And the shortness was magnified by Kirk being brought back and the jump forward in time. It all happened so quickly.

I've heard people say the movie felt long, but I think it felt too short. It needed a good half hour extra to fill in some backstory and give us a proper ending.
Iron Man felt long, in a good way, and it was about the same running time.

Tribbles!!! I love those things! Obvious foreshadowing is obvious, but I don't care *squee*

BC did a great job with the script he was given, and I really enjoyed him teaming up with Kirk and Spock (or vice versa). I love how we were supposed to sympathize with him, but I was really missing a scene where he realized that the missiles were really not his crew. When he thought they were, that scene was awesome, and I really was there with him, shocked that Spock did that. Though I guess if he never does figure it out, it makes him a stronger enemy.

The ending has me hopeful that BC (and the Tribbles) might be back for another movie, but based on reception, I am not sure Khan will be revisited.

I left the theater a bit disappointed, but the more I think about it, the more it is growing on me.

--When Chekov had to put on the red shirt, there were several gasps in the theater. Poor guy.

Comments

[daasgrrl.livejournal.com]

I think for me it was not so much 'not enough time' as 'not enough story'. If JJ had had another half an hour, he'd probably just fill it with explosions anyway. But, yeah, I guess it was a little 'yay Kirk is alive again kthnxbye'...

[perscutdoranges.livejournal.com]

I didn't really notice the short fight scene until you pointed it out! It was def. not at all epic which I'm sure wasn't what they intended to happen. I did enjoy the film as a whole though.

[sunshine304]

I'm with daasgrrl here. After a certain point it was just too much action - the beginning was great fun, the attack on the HQ was also great, but then I felt like they were trying to sell some totally complicated story which wasn't complicated at all, rushed through it and then lost themselves in explosions and effects. which were fantastically done, but... I didn't get emotionally invested at all. *shrugs*

They kinda forgot about Kahn (or is it Khan? I never know.) for 15 minutes or so while the Enterprise was turning around in space and Kirk had his heroic moment, and then they rushed through the rest of it (like "Shit, we forgot the villain! Uhm .. HERE HE IS! Epic fight scene! Oh look, the running time, let's wrap this up!").

One or two action set pieces less, some character and plot moments more and I wouldn't be disappointed now. because I am, kind of, because I expected more from this.

[splix.livejournal.com]

IAWTC fully and completely/

[karaokegal.livejournal.com]

Tribbles? Best spoiler yet. I'd rather have Tribbles than Khan anyday.

I'm sorry....Ricardo Montalban OWNED that role, even more so in Wrath of Khan.

[wordsinviting.livejournal.com]

I was bored halfway though. It was really disappointing. So much so I am wondering if I will even buy this movie when I get the chance. It's weird; I don't think I have ever watched a movie with so much action and still been bored out of my mind. I LOVE I, I hope III really steps it up.