This week's offering is the latest J.J. Abrams version of Star Trek: Into Darkness.
Long-time Trekkies were quick to decry the audacity of another Trek origin story when the Trek universe is specifically designed to have original spinoffs. However, the last instalment was quite good, which quieted most grumbling. However, those most stubborn nerds refusing to see "Into Darkness" simply because it's a re-boot dramatically underestimating the many other reasons not to like this ridiculous piece of trash.
The film starts with the same crew that made the last film so enjoyable. Immediately, viewers are thrown into action as the crew is running for their lives and in seconds, Spock could die and the world could end. Of course, it doesn't, but five minutes later the world is about to end again and the race is on. This ridiculous pacing remains enjoyable for the first 20 minutes or so, but with weak writing you can only keep that intensity believable for so long. This leaves 110 minutes of the film to wish they would all just die already because no one cares anymore. But they don't and the rest of the film has the crew running from one tired last-minute-save clich茅 to the next.
The cast itself is fine with Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto now buddies as Spock and Kirk. The women are still just there to look good and worry as the men do all the real work. Well, except Bones, who is ridiculously over the top as he spouts over and over his classic line, "Dammit Jim I'm a doctor not an engineer/actor/homeless person that sneaked onto the set."
I will give credit where credit is due. As George Takei is eager to point out, it is awesome that Spock is played by an openly gay actor. And watching Zachary Quinto and Benedict "too good looking to be straight" Cumberbatch prance across the screen in a white knuckle, tit-for-tat fight - well that's just faaabulous.
Star Trek: Into Darkens is avoidable now on DVD and everywhere online.
