Monday, May 20, 2013

Family Movie Night: Star Trek into Darkness

Title: Star Trek into Darkness
Director: J.J. Abrams
Original Release: 2013
Choice: My Wife's
My Overall Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Image via Wikipedia

My Wife has a serious Benedict Cumberbatch crush.  As such, she'd been looking forward to Star Trek into Darkness for quite a while.  As for myself, I have misgivings about the Abrams relaunch of the Star Trek story.  The alternate history introduced with the 2009 film just doesn't sit well.  However, I do realize that Trek is a fictional universe to begin with and one history is, at least theoretically, as valid as another.  As such, I am prepared to give the new concept a chance, even if it doesn't completely jive with my sensibilities.



Just to give you folks an idea of her level of infatuation, My Wife has all of Cumberbatch's lines from the trailer above memorized.

Cumberbatch plays the role of Khan, a villain first introduced in the original television series in 1967, performed by Ricardo Montalban.  Montalban reprised the role for Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982), generally considered to be the best of the Star Trek movies.  So, it is hallowed ground upon which J.J. Abrams treads in this latest installment.

In his interview with Jon Stewart last week, Abrams acknowledged the challenges of reinterpreting such a treasured franchise.  He himself did not grow up as a Trek fan and hopes that the new film includes satisfying material for both newcomers and devotees.  For newcomers, there's all the bells and whistles of 21st century film: dazzling special effects, frenetic action and plenty of eye candy in both dressing rooms.  For the Trekkies, there are ample satisfying allusions to the original Khan movie.  So, the pitches are made.  Did he succeed?

As for mainstream success, the opening weekend was apparently disappointing.  $84 million sure sounds like an awful lot of money to me but it fell short of the $100 million goal.  As for the purists, I can only speak for myself.  I preferred this movie to the 2009 film.  Now that the alternate history has been established, I find it easier to settle in and appreciate the new timeline on its own merits.  I was grateful, too, for the homage to Khan.  I could have done without the close-up stubble shots of the men but My Wife assures me those were just fine by her.

There's loads of extra geek-satisfaction in this one.  Cumberbatch is quickly becoming Hollywood's go-to man for the smoldering villain.  He's also the voice of Smaug in the new Hobbit trilogy.  His rich, deep, melodic voice alone will keep him employed for many years to come.  The casting of both Noel Clarke (Doctor Who alum) and Peter Weller (Buckaroo Bonzai and RoboCop) are meaningful nods to the broader science fiction fan base. 

Multi-generational considerations:
  • The movie is rated PG-13, most certainly for violence.  I had to turn away myself during a head-crushing incident.  Mock (who was sitting right next to me - he and his son joined us) assured me they didn't actually show it.  The sound was more than enough for this guy!
  • The theater may simply have had its sound system cranked up beyond necessity but the film is definitely loud.

40 comments:

  1. My review will be up... sometime this week, but, as someone who is not a Trek fan (and, frankly, don't think much of Wrath (I think the original Trek movie is far superior based on the story)), I loved this movie.

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    1. I will admit, it's been years since I've seen either of the first two movies. The first one was quite impressive visually for its day, as I recall. I preferred the story for Khan.

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    2. The problem with the first one, actually, was the visuals and their obsession with them. But, when you do things like cut the 20 minute shuttle ride looking at the Enterprise down to 1 minute, the movie gets a lot better.

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    3. Ah, judicious use of the fast forward button? Reminds me of a Coupling (UK) episode.

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    4. Actually, they did put out a version of the movie that cuts out all of that extra crap. It's far superior.
      (When I was in college, we were watching that over at a friend's house, and, when it gets to the part where Spock flies into the technicolor yawn, I took a nap. Literally. I told them to wake me when that part was over and went right off to sleep for that 15 or 20 minutes or however long it takes him to fly in there.)

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    5. A nap app - that's what the world needs. I know there's an app that tells you when during a movie to take a bathroom break and how long you have to make it back. It's be nice if there were one for snoozing, too.

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    6. That's... awesome! I had no idea. Of course, I don't own a portable device.

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    7. I have the phone but not the app. Perhaps I'll try it for our next movie.

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  2. I thought this one was much better than the first and one heck of a ride from start to finish. At least the third won't be The Search for Kirk - they can now go wherever they want.
    And I'm a big fan of all the Treks, shows and movies.

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    1. It's funny, I thought the exact same thing re: Search for Kirk. Definitely a heck of a ride!

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  3. Hmm, I'm seeing lots of good reviews. This old Trekkie (who thought the 2009 reboot was fun, but somehow not quite "real" Star Trek) might have to give it a try.

    Uber-loud theaters are becoming the norm around here... A few months ago we sat in the back-most row for the Oz movie, and it was definitely too loud for comfort during the "amped up" orchestra score scenes.

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    1. It's not real Trek. It is genuinely something new and I'm growing to admire it. It will be interesting to see what Abrams does with Star Wars, of which he was a fan growing up.

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  4. This one I think plays a lot to the old continuity, not just the echoes to Wrath of Khan, but the nod to Section 31, something fans of Deep Space Nine and Enterprise could appreciate. But all those scenes with the Harrison score, that played like something entirely new.

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    1. Tribbles, too - even a tribble who was vital to the plot! That was a nice touch.

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  5. I really am not on the Star Trek bandwagon - I am so far out of my depth with this thing! ;) I've heard great things about this movie though.

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    1. Never too late to hope on, Trisha! If you do go to see it, I'd love to know your thoughts.

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  6. I guess it's only fair since I'm a little disappointed that you haven't memorized all of Benedict Cumberbatch's lines from the trailer. Although I'm probably more disappointed that almost all of Benedict Cumberbatch's lines are in the trailer.

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    1. I find your celebrity crushes surprisingly endearing. It's also nice to know that you still occasionally read my posts, dear.

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  7. The head-crunching part has me nervous, now. I'm planning to watch this tomorrow. Yipe.

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    1. It's not gorey, if that helps - merely unsettling.

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    2. It's merely unsettling until he scoops out the brains and starts eating them, "Brainsss... It's goood..."

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    3. Oh, now you've done it...

      I promise, Suze: no zombies!

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    4. OH FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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    5. You realize, Suze, we shall need a full report back on your response to this scene.

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    6. Didn't make it. Review posted.

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  8. My postulate that Kirk is a zombie.

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    1. That could explain the whole "seeking out new life and new civilizations" thing. They're just hungry.

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    1. Trek meets Walking Dead - I don't know. For me, it works better if they're on the run from the zombie apocalypse.

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    2. I don't know. Maybe it's because I'm not into the whole zombie thing, but I'm tired of the running from the zombie apocalypse thing.

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  10. I suppose watching all the trek trailers did spoil the movie on us but I just couldn't resist the teasers. Darkness is coming! That was pure epic.

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    1. How do you feel about the film title, Spacerguy? It's been much criticized 'round the 'sphere.

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  11. I can't find time to get online to even comment on posts I get mentioned in!!


    As I shared with your teaching partner, this isn't the Trek I grew up with. I think I mentioned to you over dinner it was VERY Star Wars-y. However, I mentioned in my comments on Suze's review, I liked this for what it was.

    As a Trek flick, it is probably my 4th favorite overall...

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    1. Which begs the question, which are your top 3?

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    2. Ask, and ye shall receive....

      http://cmock127.blogspot.com/2013/05/star-trek-into-darkness.html

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