STAR TREK : INTO DARKNESS - archive from 15th May 2013

Saw 'STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS' last night and this sequel to the rebooted Trek franchise stands up impressively. Second time Director, J J Abrams pulls off a rare feat of making a second feature in the series better than the first. 

The lead actors have now settled convincingly into their roles and seem at ease and confident with their characters. Chris Pine cuts a solid performance as Captain James T Kirk, Zacchary Quinto nails it as Mr. Spock, Karl Urban looks like a younger Bones and Simon Pegg delivers a comedic Scotty with aplomb. Benedict Cumberbatch is the menacing evil Kahn returned from a 300 year cryosleep to wreak havoc upon StarFleet. Even Leonard Nimoy makes a cameo appearance and it feels good to retain that connection. 

There are many impressive set pieces that JJ stages on a grand scale that you have to see on the big screen to appreciate the magnitude of the story, and he sure likes the 'lens flair' which has become his trademark touch.

 JJ is fast becoming the new Hollywood Wunderkind and this second Star Trek instalment further proves that he IS the right choice for Star Wars Episode 7 . . . bring it on!

-Steve, at Odeon Online-