Star Trek Into Darkness
Starring: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Benedict Cumberbatch, Zoe Saldana, Simon Pegg, Karl Urban, Alice Eve
Director: J.J. Abrams
Rating: 4.5/5
It was back in 2009 that J.J. Abrams rebooted the Star Trek franchise, and how he is back with Star Trek Into Darkness.
It would have been so easy for Abrams and co to race into a second movie but the team have took their time in finding the right story and refining the scrip.
And Star Trek Into Darkness is worth the wait as we are taken on a real journey with these characters - not to mention the movie just looks fantastic.
When the crew of the Enterprise is called back home, they find an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organisation has detonated the fleet and everything it stands for, leaving our world in a state of crisis.
With a personal score to settle, Captain Kirk leads a manhunt to a war-zone world to capture a one-man weapon of mass destruction.
Star Trek Into Darkness is one of the movies that I have been looking forward to ever since it went into production and J.J. Abrams has not disappointed.
Usually movies get worse as a franchise goes along but Star Trek Into Darkness is a film that well and truly bucks that trend as it is just as good as its predecessor.
From start to finish the movie just looks spectacular from futuristic London and San Francisco to the derelict part of Qo'noS.
They have taken time to build these worlds and you can see the affection and time that has gone into all of the CGI work - there really is no dodgy special effects in this film.
But Star Trek Into Darkness is not just a brainless science fiction movie as it is a film that has real heart. And that is all thanks to the central performances from Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto as they are back as Kirk and Spock.
Kirk's gung-ho and gut feeling attitude sees him constantly butt heads with the logically thinking Spock as we see their relationship truly develop.
And while they may be at each other's throats more often than they are not there is a real respect between the two and the fantastic bromance between the pair really gives the story a very human feel.
There is a fantastic moment between the pair near the end of the movie that really does cement their friendship and I am excited to see where it goes in future movies.
Benedict Cumberbatch is one of the exciting new additions to the cast list and he really excels in this villainous role.
It is great to see him take on a part like this and he is a real presence on the screen as he creates unease with every line that he speaks.
Star Trek Into Darkness is a tremendous film that is action packed, edge of your seat, funny and touching all rolled into one.
There is barely a moment to breath but in the quieter moments of the film Abrams rams home the relationships between the crew - they really have become like a family - and it does give the film a very real feel.
Abrams has done a sterling job to bring another quality Star Trek movie to the big screen. Fingers crossed he will be on board to helm a third as I wouldn't like to see this franchise in anyone else's hands.
Star Trek Into Darkness is out now.
Tagged in Star Trek Chris Pine Zachary Quinto J.J. Abrams