Rated: P13
Genre: Science fiction, action, adventure, space
Running Time: 132 minutes
Director: J. J. Abrams
Cast: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Benedict Cumberbatch, Karl Urban, Zoe Saldana, Simon Pegg, John Cho, Anton Yelchin
Synopsis: In Summer 2013, pioneering director J.J. Abrams will deliver an explosive action thriller that takes Star Trek Into Darkness. When the crew of the Enterprise is called back home, they find an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organization has detonated the fleet and everything it stands for, leaving our world in a state of crisis. With a personal score to settle, Captain Kirk leads a manhunt to a war-zone world to capture a one man weapon of mass destruction. As our heroes are propelled into an epic chess game of life and death, love will be challenged, friendships will be torn apart, and sacrifices must be made for the only family Kirk has left: his crew.
Verdict: Although this sequel may not be as fresh as the previous film anymore and may even be compared to Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan (1982) due some apparent similarities, it is still a thoroughly entertaining movie that's filled with a balance of action and humour. It's also perhaps the most visually impressive instalment of the title. Solid performance by most of the cast (the heck, Karl Urban's so un-Dredd here), particularly Benedict Cumberbatch who stood out playing as the antagonist. Star Trek Into Darkness doesn't take us to where no movie-goer has gone before but it sure is a fun space adventure to watch.
Second opinion: "I've never seen any Star Trek before but I liked this one; it's appealing even to girls like myself," (girlfriend).
To watch in 3D? I saw the 15-minute preview at a Iron Man 3 screening in IMAX 3D and it blew my mind away but as for the premiere, I watched it in just ordinary 3D at a non-IMAX cinema and the visual experience was significantly poorer. It is recommended to watch the film either in IMAX 3D or just 2D. It's proven once again that non-IMAX 3D screenings are unsatisfying.
Post-credit scene: There is none so don't waste your time.
Malaysian censorship: A few strange skips and the scene with presumably nudity (or half-nudity) is cut.
Rating: 4 / 5
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Favourite scene: The part where Spock (Zachary Quinto) contacts his alternate older self, Spock Prime (Leonard Nimoy), is quite a smart scene. After seeing Spock Prime breaks his stubborn Vulcan principles to offer vital information, Spock too break his and lie for the first time ever to trick the villain, Khan (Benedict Cumberbatch). However, how Spock can instantly contact his older self in an alternate timeline is not explained. Perhaps only Star Trek geeks know why. They'd be pleased with the original Spock's surprise appearance.
Least favourite scene: They probably should've hired a martial art choreographer or something 'cause the fight between Spock and Khan at the end is really lame. And it doesn't make any sense why the brilliant genetically enhanced superhuman Khan can't just give Spock a strong kick when he's barely hanging on to the aircraft with his hands. Spock would've fell to his death, Khan would've escaped and Kirk (Chris Pine) would've just died. That would've been a darker ending which people like myself would've appreciated more.
