Star Trek: Into Darkness

I have never walked out of a movie theatre so physically and mentally satisfied since…well since ever. Ladies and gentleman I’ve found the best movie of 2013 thus far and it came from the stars. Star Trek: Into Darkness is a must watch so please, if you haven’t seen it yet stop reading now, drag your friends with you to the nearest theatre, then come back so you can nod your head to my words in perfect agreement with how splendid this movie was.

Visuals and Sound:

Let me first start off by saying that Star Trek: Into Darkness is a theatre movie. It has the visuals you want to experience on a giant screen and the sound you want to be surrounded in. I mean, any other experience would be bringing the Starship Enterprise to shame.

I could explain and detail every visual from the movie but I’d rather have the pictures do the talking.

The beautiful city of San Francisco….a few hundred years into the future. (God that must’ve taken forever to render.)

                                     

                                                Warp Speed has never looked cooler.

                                                                 Set phasers to stun.

                                                     I almost wet my pants at this part.

This is arguably the most known space ship in all of sci-fi lore…and it’s on a collision course…EPIC.

The sound in Star Trek has just as much detail as the visuals. When you’re watching the movie (which I know you will) pay attention to the machines. Every interaction they have has a sound. It’s as if they ‘re alive and have a personality of their own. It really adds to the atmosphere of this universe.  When Cpt. Kirk patches through to all of Enterprise a distinct whistle comes in as if addressing you the audience as part of the crew.

Another factor in sound was the musical score. Composed by Michael Giacchino, the music is on par with movies like Indianna Jones, Star Wars, and Back to the Future. The songs bring you back to the Starship Enterprise and it’s crew. When you hear it your mood is enhanced ten fold and you know you’re on an adventure.

Actors:

J.J. Abrams definitely succeeded in assembling the perfect cast with all the chemistry needed to keep the old fans interested while reeling in new ones. The relationship between Kirk and Spock are among the most intriguing. Chris Pine does great in portraying Young cocky and charismatic James T. Kirck. The characters philosophy of “I don’t believe in no-win scenarios” really comes out. Zachary Quinto matches pine as well, nailing Spock’s logical attitude and “the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few” philosophy. Abrams really captures how these two’s polar attitudes make them the perfect combo, the perfect duo, the perfect friends.

The rest of the cast however is sort of side barred with only one or two scenes giving them the spotlight, except for however Simon Pegg as Engineer Scotty. He works as this kind of comedic relief for the movie as well as holds a key roll in the movie. His scenes are hilarious and often times, does steal the show from Pine, Quinto and the overly hyped Benedict Cumberbatch.

Benedict Cumberbatch played the villain in this movie. He definitely made the movie dark and I could see why this British actor was so hyped but it felt like his potential was not fully used. Besides maybe a scene with him imprisoned behind the glass throughout the movie his character’s acting did not stray from being angry most of the time.

J.J. Abrams:

J.J., you’ve done it again! Your second run at Star Trek was just as good as your first, if not, better. I know you’ve got bigger things for the future with Star Wars in your hand but I hope this doesn’t mean the end of Star Trek for you. You’ve recreated a universe that many people hold dearly, and I believe you succeeded. Thanks for the entertainment. Live long and prosper.

Are you more of a Star Trek fan or Star Wars?