The only thread I had to the Star Trek universe was that a William Shatner Captain Kirk mask was used as Michael Myers’ mask in Halloween (1978) and that Shatner played in Star Trek or was it Star Wars? I always got those mixed up…
I saw the 2009 prequel/reboot Star Trek because of J.J. Abrams. Essentially, that’s as simple as my trek to the theater was.
I came out a fan. I didn’t know who Spock was, but I knew Zachary Quinto seemed to play him quite well. And the action was nonstop fun that affirmed why I liked going to the movies; I get to be immersed into another reality and enjoy the sights, sounds and wackiness of it all.
It was a no-brainer, then, when Star Trek Into Darkness, the follow up to the prequel/reboot of ’09, released into cinemas this May that I’d be seeing it.
As is typical with summer blockbusters, audiences expect a raucous opening before the title sequence. This film offered that in spades with Kirk and Bones running from some primitive natives wielding weapons. They managed to escape over a cliff where the Enterprise was languishing (to avoid being seen by those primitives).
Meanwhile, Spock was entering a volcano to stop it from exploding and destroying the entire planet. At first, it seemed Spock would sacrifice himself, but Kirk being Kirk, as in not caring about regulations, saved him and exposed the Enterprise to the primitives. They now worshiped this flying ship that emerged out of their waters.
This volcano scene with Spock surrounded by explosions of epic fieriness started what was going to be a routine occurrence in the film: gorgeous and breathtaking set pieces and action shots.
After Kirk is relieved of his captain duties for disobeying regulations in saving Spock; Benedict Cumberbatch, playing Commander John Harrison, later revealed to be Khan, the villain of the film, ambushes Starfleet Command, killing Kirk’s mention, Christopher Pike.
And it should be noted, again, with summer blockbuster, one truism exists: when in doubt, hire a British actor to play the super hero/villain (see: Batman/Bane, Spider-Man, and Superman).
Benedict lives up to his given name when he turns on Kirk, Spock and the rest of the crew in order to obtain his long-sleeping crew of his own, which by the way, are super human.
In fact, Khan’s super human abilities come into great effect in the film. First, when he wipes out dozens of Klingons like a complete bad-ass and second, when after doing so, Kirk mercilessly pounds at his face to no avail in an attempt to avenge Pike.
Throughout the film, the Enterprise takes heavy damage from Admiral Marcus on an ego trip and then from Khan himself after commandeering the Admiral’s battleship.
To get back to earth, Kirk has to go into a radiated spot and fix the Enterprise. By doing so, he sacrifices himself, which is again, another hallmark of good guy main characters in summer blockbusters (see: Avengers).
Ultimately, it leads to one of the most emotional moments in the film when Spock, doing his trademark Vulcan salute, is reciprocated in kind by a dying Kirk. Spock lets out a guttural, “KHAAAAAAAN!” when Kirk gives his last breath.
Alternatively, in one of the coolest moments of the film, Spock goes into bad-ass overdrive in avenging Kirk’s death. He tracks Khan back to earth and they fight atop flying ships throwing tremendous haymakers at each other.
Luckily for Kirk, Bones is able to revive him using Khan’s super human regenerating blood to bring him back to life. Khan is subdued by Spock and Uhura, placed back in his cryogenic pod and all his right in the world of Star Trek again.
There is much to grab on to and love in this film. Whether it’s the comedic dialogue (Kirk and Spock both had plenty) or the serious moments (Kirk’s rage-laced rant at Khan or Khan’s own teary-eyed monologue) or the beautiful set pieces and action shots (one involved the Enterprise free falling towards earth and disappearing beneath a gorgeous bed of clouds before rising through them in regal style) or the acting itself where Benedict, Pine, and Quinto were all the embodiment of their characters; I fond myself not only seeing this film as better than the prequel/reboot, but as the summer film to beat at this point.
Beyond the more filmic elements of Star Trek Into Darkness, there is the social commentary that proved to be timely and thought-provoking. Admiral Marcus turned out to have sinister motives in waking Khan’s super human crew, as he wanted to start an all-out total war with the Klingons. In retaliation for this, Khan attacks Starfleet Command in what is considered a “terrorist act.” However, later in the film, even though Khan killed Pike, Kirk deems it necessary to team with him to take down Admiral Marcus.
Thus, the lines of terrorism and good guy/bad guy are effectively blurred. Moreover, Admiral Marcus sought a pre-emptive strike against the Klingons, as well as bombing Khan instead of capturing him alive. Initially, Kirk was for that latter action, but Spock and the other members of the crew effectively dissuaded him. Kirk felt it more just and moral to bring Khan back alive to earth to stand trial for his crimes rather than administer his own form of “due process.”
Certainly, then, while this is a summer blockbuster in every utterance of the phrase; it’s still a very timely film indeed amidst the post-9/11, “War on Terrorism” world.
I have a deep desire to return to that universe, so maybe I’m a Trekkie now? Or am I just an Abramsie?
Milam's Musings 