Star Trek: Into Darkness (2013)

!Warning!
This review will contain spoilers. I can't think of anyway of how to discuss this film in detail without giving away key plot points to the film. That being said, it is a really good movie and you should see it. If you do want to see it, go watch it first and then come back and read this review and see if you agree with me.

Plot:

The crew of the USS Enterprise are all back and Captain Kirk is as daring as ever, taking the ship on missions that tests the crew to the very limits. The film begins with Spock attempting to plant a bomb to cause a cold fusion reaction in a volcano on a planet to keep the primitive civilization from being destroyed. When Spock is planting the bomb, the shuttle that is there to help him escape is damaged and needs to abandon him. Kirk, saying that he couldn't picture a world where Spock is dead takes the entire ship in the atmosphere, saves Spock and in the process, violates the prime directive by showing the ship to a primitive culture.

Kirk thinks he is going to get away with saving Spock by saying in his reports that nothing unusual happened, however Spock made a full report with Starfleet that contradicts Kirk's report and tells the whole truth of the Enterprise violating the prime directive to save Spock. As punishment, Kirk is dropped to 1st officer and Spock is assigned to another ship. However, while this is happening, a major Starfleet file center is leveled by an explosion that causes all of the heads of Starfleet to meet in headquarters in San Francisco for an emergency meeting. As they discuss the attack, Kirk mentions that it is odd that such an installation like archives is attacked unless the purpose is to drive all the head personnel together. At that moment, the meeting is attacked through the window with an array of weaponry from an unknown assailant coincidentally causing the death of Admiral Pike. Kirk manages to stop the attacker who flees to the Klingon homeworld on the other side of the galaxy.

In anguish, Kirk requests from Admiral Marcus to take the enterprise and destroy the intruder on the Klingon homeworld. Kirk agrees to a requirement to bring advanced military grade torpedoes to shoot at the man. When the ship is getting underway, Scotty tells Kirk that he will not be Chief of Engineering as long as there are these test torpedoes aboard and threatens to resign. Kirk accepts his resignation and appoints Chekov as Chief of Engineering. Meanwhile, a science officer named Carol Marcus sneaks aboard and claims to know how the missiles function. Kirk allows her to stay even after Mr. Spocks disapproval.

Kirk, Uhura, and Spock all go to the Klingon homeworld to avoid conflicts with directly bombing the planet and allowing the starfleet intruder to surrender. A group of Klingons attack the away team and the bomber saves them and turns himself into their custody.

On the ship, Kirk questions him and finds out the man's name is Kahn and that if they open the torpedoes, a mystery will be solved in why Starfleet wanted to fire them on Khan. Kirk will have to decide to either trust Kahn and open the torpedoes or turn him over to the authorities.

My Thoughts:

I realize this movie has mixed feelings towards the plot because of the characters used. Kahn was one of the most epic villains in Star Trek history and so re-using such an iconic role is considered by some a sacrilege to trek lore. However, I'm under the impression that this done creatively and is definitely re-watchable. It's a refreshing look onto an old villain and I thought J.J. did a fine job bringing him back.

Rating:

4 Popcorns

I liked it. Though some plot elements were designed to reflect on the original films, it was still enjoyable.