*****
For the record, I am not a ‘Trekkie’
– I have seen a few episodes on TV and watched two of the films, as well as J.J
Abrams’ excellent first chapter in the reboot of the classic franchise. Despite
not being a follower of the Enterprise and all its various missions across time
and space, it is still possible to enjoy this film, although apparently there
are numerous references that simply passed me by.
It’s hard to discuss the film
without giving too much away, but there is an excellent blend of action, schmaltz,
threat, lens-flare and heroism throughout. Chris Pine (Kirk) and co. are back
as the crew of the Star Ship Enterprise, this time battling the one-man-army
that is Benedict Cumberbatch, on pitch-perfect form as a super-human who has
discovered an alarming truth. Credit goes to the script writers for giving each
character adequate time on screen for the audience to reconnect with them –
there are essentially eight main characters to contend with, and only the
rather pointless Carol seems underwritten and one-dimensional. She does
however, contrary to what the trailer would have us believe, do more than walk
around in her underwear. Pine is great as Kirk, displaying the boyish impulses,
grief and determination that is required of his rather immature character. Keith
Urban is back as consistently exasperated Bones, boasting some of the best
lines of the film, and Simon Pegg returns as Scotty, who has a bigger role to
play than in the previous movie, and not just for comic relief. The top
performances undoubtedly go to Zachary Quinto, as Spock, and Benedict
Cumberbatch. As a Vulcan, Spock chooses not to feel, and this becomes one of
the main arcs of the film. Again, it’s hard not to give too much away, but as
Spock’s outer shell becomes fractured, Quinto allows the audience to see the
frailty of the Vulcan mind set.
The film is ‘darker’ than the
first, with distressing deaths, and the theme of corruption constantly lurking
in the background. The threat is sustained throughout, with some pretty brutal
face-to-face punch ups as well as the battles in space that we expect from a ‘Star
Trek’ film. This doesn’t mean there isn’t
humour, and essentially this is a story of human endeavour in the face of
adversity, with believable characters and engaging leads. There are moments that put a big smile on my
face and there’s a speech from Benedict Cumberbatch that made everyone in the
audience go ‘ahh’. Even the cheesy segments about family, sacrifice and
believing in others are pleasurable. Visually, the film is outstanding. The
opening set piece set inside a volcano is spectacular, and the big face-off in
space is pretty impressive. Yes, the lens-flare is back with a vengeance, but
this idiosyncrasy of Abrams’ is easily forgivable as this is an outstanding
science-fiction romp that easily matches, if not exceeds, the enjoyment of the
first.
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