The Space Cowboys Are Back

There is loss at almost every turn in J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek Into Darkness, the director du jour’s second bold journey where, well...where plenty have gone before.

Loss of life, loss of innocence.

Loss of, I dunno, your day, since the sequel to 2009’s Star Trek does exactly what it’s supposed to, which is to rivet, leaving you wanting more, please, thanks to another well-executed and lovingly produced outing (and in that I am lumping together the acting, the effects, the writing, by longtime Abrams collaborators Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, with an assist from producer Damon Lindelof, the action, as well as heights to which the stakes are raised – all of it).

And, of course, thanks in no small measure by a star-making – at the undisputedly worldwide level – turn by Benedict Cumberbatch (PBS’ Sherlock) as the villainous...John Harrison?

I’ll get into that in a moment.

Abrams’ entire cast is back, working like a well-oiled machine.

There’s Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto, as Capt. Kirk and his first officer, Spock, respectively; the two get to own their iconic characters with an authority their undeniable chemistry afford them.

There's Zoë Saldana’s Uhura, who’s more badass than before. And Karl Urban’s invaluable Bones, the U.S.S. Enterprise’s medic. John Cho’s Sulu, getting to step up in key moments, as do Anton Yelchin’s Chekov and Simon Pegg’s Scotty.

The gang’s all there and all there. On point. It’s rather quite nice to see them support Pine and Quinto the way they do, having, y’ know, more to do. Because Star Trek Into Darkness is all about family, too, and how all these characters are connected and essential to one another’s survival.

Cumberbatch’s John Harrison is a nefarious figure that has been shrouded in mystery throughout the lead-up to this blockbuster’s much-actipated release. Folks wanted to know whether the actor was playing the equally iconic Khan; Abrams & Co. refused to say, revealing only that the guy is a “one-man weapon of mass destruction.”

I will say this much: That was so totally the right way to go, because when the character’s true identity motivation shtick is finally spoken discerned put on the table, it. Is. A moment. Cumberbatch, already delivering an elevated performance, becomes even more colorful a performer. Up until that moment, we have seen carry out heinous acts of manipulation and terrorism, taken on numerous powerful foes you are sure to get a kick of all alone, and led us to think John Harrison is just a terrorist. A baddie, plain and simple.

There is nuance to the guy. The story goes into it in a most surprising way, into the...mmm, I wouldn’t call it the darkness of Kirk and Spock et al. but certainly into what passes for their grey areas. It is most interesting to see because it is confronting for our heroes, and an opportunity for growth.

I don’t want to say much more about Star Trek Into Darkness and its plot so this is it, and not because I’m afraid Imma give something up that I shouldn’t, but because the fun of this one is to go along for the ride and let it all come at ya and rivet ya the way it did me.

Just remember one thing: Not everything is what it seems (and by that I also mean not everyone is who they say they are – hello, Alice Eve’s Dr. Carol Marcus!). And know one thing: Watch this one in as packed a theater as you can find. It’ll take the experience into greatness.

My Rating ****

Photo: Paramount Pictures.