Star Trek Into Darkness

Every time I walk around my local Waitrose (as all students do), I like to think that I'm in Star Trek. Not because the automatic doors open with a satisfying “swish” noise or the fish counter is covered with clouds of dry ice which look like a special effect from a far-flung planet. It is the self-check handsets which remind me of the phaser weapons from the TV series and, as I carry one down the cereal aisle, part of me is hoping to run into a Klingon so I can zap him to smithereens. More often than not, I run into a security guard who is convinced I'm going to steal something. Anyway, that's enough of my strange ideas. Here are my thoughts on Star Trek Into Darkness.

J.J. Abrams is the king of lens flare. Watch any one of his films and you'll think that someone has drawn a big white line across the screen. Okay, it's not that extreme and I rather like it, but it's certainly a director trademark. Abrams has returned to the Star Trek franchise which he first rebooted back in 2009 and has reunited the same cast for his second outing at the helm of the Enterprise, with some new faces. Benedict Cumberbatch plays super bad guy Khan, who threatens the very existence of the Federation and Captain Kirk (Chris Pine) is the only person who can stop him. The ensemble cast worked well and Abrams' direction felt assured and confident in developing characters. Zachary Quinto was great as Spock and Zoe Saldana as his 'girlfriend' Uhura made a nice duo and Simon Pegg's Scotty provided some great laughs. Cumberbatch's bad guy performance was genuinely threatening and you know he's angry when his hair flops over his face. Seriously, he makes for a great villain.

The film's plot was nice and easy to follow which allows the audience to focus on enjoying the action and special effects which, just as in the previous film, were spectacular. I saw the film in 3D and, I have to say, was somewhat won-over by a few of the effects. The Star Trek universe is glossy, technical and vivid and the 3D effects in the outer-space sequences were very involving. Nevertheless, I could quite happily have seen it in 2D (and it would have been much brighter for a start!). Leading man Chris Pine is an appealing screen presence and fits the role of Kirk well: an intelligent, genuine and action-loving captain. Abrams definitely has an innate talent for constructing action whilst driving it with characterisation and a confident use of the camera.

In terms of narrative, never has there been a bromance so strong since Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Kirk and Spock's relationship – a central pillar in the TV series – cements the action, adventure and drama of Star Trek Into Darkness. Thousands of words have been written on their relationship, more informed and insightful than anything I could hope to write. I'll just say that Abrams' film places much importance on it (and rightly so). Kirk and Spock's relationship provides a touching moment towards the end of the film although I felt the plot's development after this moment could have been bolder and it felt as though a set up for a third film was being developed. There will most definitely be another film – at the time of writing, the film was targeting $100 million after four days in the US alone. To say studio executives must be delighted would be an understatement.

Star Trek Into Darkness had to be good, if only for the sake of Abrams' other space adventure, Star Wars: Episode VII which is due for release in 2015. Fans need not worry. Star Trek Into Darkness is a non-stop and exhilarating blockbuster which offers some engaging performances and plenty of spectacle. And next time I'm in Waitrose, I promise not to shout 'beam me up, Scotty'. 

Clapperboard Rating: * * * *