I’ve already written a review for Star Trek Into Darkness. I loved the movie and I feel like that puts me in the minority of most hardcore Star Trek fans. A lot of my friends have seen STID and they really liked it. Unfortunately, though, none of them are really big Star Trek fans. I don’t really have anyone to nerd out with over STID and talk about everything I liked. Fortunately, there are plenty of big Star Trek fans who frequent The Christian Nerd and I would love to hear your thoughts.
Beneath the cut I have written lots of my thoughts about Star Trek Into Darkness. There are a lot of spoilers so you may want to sit this one out if you haven’t seen the movie yet.
- KHAAAAANN!!! I don’t know why J.J. Abrams and company were so secretive about John Harrison’s true identity. I don’t think anything would have been lost had we known Khan was Khan.
- What was up with Mickey from Doctor Who blowing up that building? And where was Martha? The parents really should have been Mickey and Martha. That would have been awesome.
- I thought that the struggle between Kirk and Admiral Marcus was indicative of the struggle between Star Trek’s heart and the need to make big budget blockbuster movies. Marcus wanted bigger, better and more violent while Kirk wanted to stay true to Starfleet’s ideals. I saw a lot of Gene Roddenberry’s original vision in Star Trek Into Darkness, mostly through Kirk and the choices he made.
- Why does the Enterprise keep getting beat up? It is Starfleet’s flagship yet it is constantly getting nearly destroyed. Captain Nero almost blew it up. Marcus and Khan almost blew it up. For once I’d like to see the Enterprise give out a whooping or two.
- I really liked the reference to Harry Mudd even though I haven’t seen that episode of the original series.
- I know a lot of Star Trek fans don’t like all the parallels between Star Trek Into Darkness and The Wrath of Khan. I really enjoyed them, especially with how they developed Kirk’s character. Kirk needed to learn humility and he did by recognizing the Enterprise needed Spock in the chair instead of himself.
- I think that a Star Trek movie based upon the Klingons would be great, especially if the Enterprise blew up some Birds of Prey.
- I’m bummed that Pike died; I really liked the way Bruce Greenwood played him. I guess there won’t be any Talosians in upcoming sequels.
I really did like Star Trek Into Darkness and can’t wait to see it again. I liked how it was tied to The Wrath of Khan, even though Khan didn’t need to be wrapped in secrecy. Please let me know what you thought about STID; I need someone to nerd out with.
Nice comparison of Marcus/Kirk as indicators of difference between traditional summer blockbuster films and Roddenberry’s ideals.
Having said that, I am one of those casual ST fans that would have loved to see something different. I lament the fact that ST doesn’t seem to have many memorable villains to pull from to make a compelling dramatic film. It just seems like the writers/producers thought, “we don’t really know where to go now, so let’s rehash Khan, but with a few changes so we could say that the story’s all different now.” Except that it is the same story, just the players are a bit switched around.
Having said that, it was a fun movie, and I will be seeing it again – I just don’t think it is the best ST film when it had potential to do be that film.
Thanks for the kind words about the Marcus/Kirk comparison. I really hoped it made sense.
I wonder whether, as the folks at Racebending suggested, some of the secrecy about Harrison/Khan was to avoid pre-release controversy over why an Indian actor was not cast. Questions of ethnicity aside, I felt like Cumberbatch did not turn in all that strong a performance. Relatively little screen time, mostly taken up with intense gazes. He is capable of such a range, as any viewing of “Sherlock” shows – he was criminally underused here. Maybe in Star Trek 3?
I questioned why “Mickey’s” explanation that “Khan made me do it” was apparently accepted so readily, and why he wasn’t being held accountable. Or was he? We don’t know. Some sloppy storytelling there, but, oh, well. It would’ve been far stronger for STID really to just commit and show Harrison blowing up London himself.
Yeah, the Enterprise is the USS Timex. Takes a lickin’ and keeps on tickin.’
If you’re going to watch one of the two original series Mudd episodes, skip season 1’s “Mudd’s Women” (ugh ugh ugh – sexism all over the place) and watch season 2’s “I, Mudd” instead. There is sexism aplenty there, too, but at least it’s meant to be a comedy – not that that excuses it, but, hey, it was the 60s, and the cast gets to show their comedy chops – a rare occurrence in TOS. Lots of fun business for the supporting characters to do.
I mourn for Greenwood’s Pike, too. He was one of my favorite aspects of both films. R.I.P., Admiral.
As my SFC review showed, I am very very torn about this film. Now almost 2 weeks out, I have pretty much decided that, no, Abrams’ take on the franchise hasn’t earned the right to use TWOK the way this film does; but, yes, it’s a fun ride, and, at the end of the day, I’d rather have fun as a Star Trek fan than spend my days grumping about it. (Not that the two are always mutually exclusive!) I’d rather be involved in what’s going on in Trek now than always or only stay in the franchise’s past.
I questioned “Mickey’s” explanation as well – particularly how he could have given it since he should have been dead!! I mean, the guy was *right* beside the explosion that took out a building! How did he survive??
Oh, wait. He hid under the desk. I guess all those “duck and cover” drills in the ’50s were right! For that matter, so was Groppler Zorn! 😉
Okay, maybe Khan beamed him out…
And I’m with you on that fence. It’s an uncomfortable seat, isn’t it?
I don’t know how he survived, either, but not once during either viewing of the film did it occur to me to question that he did. Hm.
Ha. I win. 😉
I always thought that he transmitted his confession *before* he detonated the bomb.
That is indeed possible. Good call.
I always assumed he send his confession before the bomb, like a suicide note or something.
Thank you, Scott. You just made a connection in my brain about this film that will almost certainly make my book. I promise I’m not ripping off one of your bullet points, but a phrase you used helped me to see something really cool, though it was totally not the point you were going for. 🙂
Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that you gave me a good idea! LLAP! (John 10:10)
P.S. You should see “Mudd’s Women,” despite what Mike says. Especially once I finally get the audio commentary posted! 😉
Awesome! I’m glad I could help!
You usually do, sir.