Featured Audience Ratings

• Drake T

  
  A visually stunning, action packed whirlwind. Into the Darkness is a welcoming sequel to the rebooted Star Trek name. Fans of the original series will once again be disappointed with the abandonment of philosophical debate and poise of the original but I suppose this is a fine… More
  A visually stunning, action packed whirlwind. Into the Darkness is a welcoming sequel to the rebooted Star Trek name. Fans of the original series will once again be disappointed with the abandonment of philosophical debate and poise of the original but I suppose this is a fine example that, source material doesn't always have to dictate a re-imagining but still respect it. The plot does come off a little convoluted, to the point where a lot of moments were of prosaic drama & exposition as characters stood around throwing dialogue at each other. But hey, the content is solid despite the mishandled presentation. With a strong performance from the overall cast accompanied by stellar visuals/action the whole film still manages to come together and make for an enjoyable watch. It doesn't break ground in any way but as a polished piece of Sci Fi entertainment it hardly fails either.

• Anthony L

  
  I gave the first film a 1.5 star rating. I'm a trekkie and I didn't think they respected the original idea or found what made it special. I liked it for its special effects and not much else. So, here we are at the sequel. The trailers looked good so I thought why not.… More
  I gave the first film a 1.5 star rating. I'm a trekkie and I didn't think they respected the original idea or found what made it special. I liked it for its special effects and not much else. So, here we are at the sequel. The trailers looked good so I thought why not. I'll put the fact I thought they short-changed the fans to one side, I'll overlook that J.J. Abrams was quoted as saying that he wasn't a fan of the original and that he changed the time-line purely so he wouldn't have to bother with any continuity and I will try to forget that fact that it is all nothing but an uncreative exercise in making money from an old and much loved series that was a revolutionary idea that changed opinions and television forever (Star Trek was the first and only TV program to have an Asian, a Black and a Russian as main characters, and it had all three - and this was at the height of race riots and the cold war). Anyway, like I said, I'll put that to one side, you can't take away the original, let's just see what they do with the story/characters. Guess what. I didn't like it. Firstly, there was so much hype and speculation that Benedict Cumberbatch was going to play fan favourite Khan. Sacrilege to the fans but this was rebuked by Abrams, Cumberbatch and producers. Phew! So imagine my surprise then halfway through the film when Cumberbatch declares "My name is Khan". Ok Mr, Abrams, which is it, a new and fresh take on the story and characters or just a rehash/remake of the original films? Stick your internet hype up yer bum. You can't say one thing and do another and not expect people, especially the fans, to be just that little bit upset. You do not mess with The Wrath of Khan! That is probably the worst thing you could do. Surely he wouldn't try to recreate that scene would he? Yup, you bet he would! Utter sacrilege. Trekkie or not, that scene at the end of Wrath of Khan is a beautiful moment, it works because Shatner's Kirk and Nimoy's Spock had history, real history, they had put the hard work in, they earn't people's love and respect, you can't just copy them and expect the same love and admiration in return. There is plenty you could do though, new storeys and ideas to explore but they don't. A tribble scene is not enough to satisfy the hardcore. What about the Klingons? Their reintroduction into the franchise could have been brilliant but it was rubbish. Characters are used for a bit, thrown to one side and used again just before you forget they're still around. How about writing an original story, any story, people running around in circles is not the same as having a story. The original TV shows and films explored new ideas and pushed the boundaries of the human imagination. Here we just have a bunch of people in Star Trek fancy dress running around a bit. Rubbish. SFX were good, but that again is about all I enjoyed. Why does Scotty have that stupid small alien thing with him anyway? Is Deep Roy going to be the new R2-D2 by any chance? Good luck Star Wars, you're going to need it. I honestly think 1998's Lost in Space has more credibility. This is the worst kind of remake pretending to be something original and sadly the way things are now. I look at it and think, 100 really good films could have been made for the money it cost to make this crap and that makes me sad.

• Jennifer D

  
  Awesome. Really. A lot more than just 'splosions.

• Al S

  
  It's a must-see and eye-popping adventure. This is the best Star Trek movie ever made. An ultra-cool, thrilling, mind-blowing and spectacular action-packed thrill-machine. Director, J.J Abrams has crafted a visually dazzling, deeply moving and truly exhilarating masterpiece. An… More
  It's a must-see and eye-popping adventure. This is the best Star Trek movie ever made. An ultra-cool, thrilling, mind-blowing and spectacular action-packed thrill-machine. Director, J.J Abrams has crafted a visually dazzling, deeply moving and truly exhilarating masterpiece. An wonderfully character-driven, intelligent, sharp and truly brilliant film. A movie that has it all; heart, humor, action, mystery and spectacle. This movie is flat-out awesome. It rocks from beginning to end. A wickedly funny and adrenaline-pumping action ride that's way too much fun to watch. It delivers enough action and humor for two movies. It will almost be impossible to resist, their wont be a moment when your not entertained by this film. Your either being thrilled, moved or your just laughing and loving it. The cast is just truly a treat to watch, you cant help but love them and their perfect chemistry. Chris Pine is sensational, he is the perfect Captain Kirk. Zachary Quinto is is outstanding. Karl Urban is fantastic. Simon Pegg is hilarious. Benedict Cumberbatch is absolutely magnificent, he gives a strong and unforgettable performance. Qunito and Pine are teriffci, they continue to shine in these legendary roles and male the conclusion of the film gripping and emotionally absorbing. It takes it's place next to The Dark Knight as one of the greatest movie sequels of all time.

• Kevin C

  
  Absolutely fantastic. However, in regards to the motives and character of the villain "John Harrison", this movie too often tells rather than shows.

• Nikhil N

  
  What it lacks in character development in comparison to its predecessor, it makes up for with its intense action sequences and dramatic presence. Star Trek into Darkness is every bit as entertaining and visually stunning as the first film while still doing enough to set itself apart.

• Jose C

  
  Only J.J. Abrahams and his team could produce a sequel that retains the freshness, excitement and cleverness of the original, without the feeling of redundancy that plagues most sequels. The cast has grown into their (colorful) roles with ease, but this time, Quinto steals the show as… More
  Only J.J. Abrahams and his team could produce a sequel that retains the freshness, excitement and cleverness of the original, without the feeling of redundancy that plagues most sequels. The cast has grown into their (colorful) roles with ease, but this time, Quinto steals the show as the shrewd, yet increasingly human Mr. Spock. Cumberbatch plays a formidable, yet one-dimensional villain though. There is plenty of eye-candy for the masses and countless references for the fans. The music and visual effects maintain an adequate sense of grandiosity in this paramount adventure.

• danny d

  
  I really liked this film a lot, but i think its overall legacy and impact will be very dependent on how the ramifications of the story are followed through with. as it stands, the build up to the climax was a bit more tame than i expected and it certainly negatively impacted the… More
  I really liked this film a lot, but i think its overall legacy and impact will be very dependent on how the ramifications of the story are followed through with. as it stands, the build up to the climax was a bit more tame than i expected and it certainly negatively impacted the force of the way the film ended. there was also very little by way of character development as the characters are a bit too similar to who they were when the first movie began. overall the story was engaging,and the set up for the series to progress is well established. excited to see where the series goes next.

• Manu G

  
  Beyond the darkness, lies greatness. Good movie! The film has some cliché moments which can't be avoided often with a film this scale however they make use of them well and still pack plenty of surprises. As well as this, despite not being a proper Trekkie myself, some moments… More
  Beyond the darkness, lies greatness. Good movie! The film has some cliché moments which can't be avoided often with a film this scale however they make use of them well and still pack plenty of surprises. As well as this, despite not being a proper Trekkie myself, some moments gave me goosebumps from the awesomeness from seeing the Enterprise for the first time for example, which greatly honoured the original series. J.J. Abrams' lens flares helped create more realism in a lot of the scenes despite the fact he often overuses of them. The villain was very interesting and the development, dialogue and motivations of his character were very convincing and inventive. No spoilers here, but even if you have seen the trailers there will be surprises for all but the most analytical fans. When the crew of the Enterprise is called back home, they find an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organization 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. As our heroes are propelled into an epic chess game of life and death, love will be challenged, friendships will be torn apart, and sacrifices must be made for the only family Kirk has left: his crew.

• Gregory D

  
  This is crazy! Im not a Trekkie! I don't really even like Star Trek! I think I've seen a few episodes of the Next Generation, but I swear that's as far as I went! So why did I enjoy this film so much? Why did I enjoy the last one so much? Why am I really looking forward… More
  This is crazy! Im not a Trekkie! I don't really even like Star Trek! I think I've seen a few episodes of the Next Generation, but I swear that's as far as I went! So why did I enjoy this film so much? Why did I enjoy the last one so much? Why am I really looking forward to the next film they put out?? And how did I manage to write a review without using a single period?!?

• Directors C

  
  [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img]

• Matthew S

  
  Balanced, methodical and meticulously polished in execution. It was all so systematic and precise that I was emotionally disconnected, save for a few laughs and one other feeling. After all the terror events carried out by a handful of men in the world, mostly in the US, I did feel… More
  Balanced, methodical and meticulously polished in execution. It was all so systematic and precise that I was emotionally disconnected, save for a few laughs and one other feeling. After all the terror events carried out by a handful of men in the world, mostly in the US, I did feel dread when some similar scenes were carried out in the film. We all said the 9/11 footage was like out of a movie. This one upped the ante, and just for the spectacle. It didn't care. Presumably, this is entertainment.

• Greg S

  
  The crew of the Enterprise hunt a terrorist who has fled to a planet inside the Klingon Empire, revealing a deeper danger when they find him. This fast-moving, Spock-centric entry is the best movie in the Star Trek franchise since WRATH OF KHAN (to which it pays explicit tribute).

• Kase V

  
  Abram's second venture into the Star Trek franchise is filled with visceral action, a compelling story, and a potent villain. Cumberbatch carries the entire film on his shoulders when he doesn't even need to, and the effects drive the film towards aesthetic brilliance.… More
  Abram's second venture into the Star Trek franchise is filled with visceral action, a compelling story, and a potent villain. Cumberbatch carries the entire film on his shoulders when he doesn't even need to, and the effects drive the film towards aesthetic brilliance. Easily the most exciting film of the year so far, 'Star Trek: Into Darkness' was definitely worth the wait.

• Ross C

  
  Star Trek has become James Bond in space; the plot of this movie is essentially that of Skyfall, and I'm pretty disappointed in the way Star Trek's plot themes have changed since Star Trek II 30 years ago; away from the hard science of a future utopia to the modern day… More
  Star Trek has become James Bond in space; the plot of this movie is essentially that of Skyfall, and I'm pretty disappointed in the way Star Trek's plot themes have changed since Star Trek II 30 years ago; away from the hard science of a future utopia to the modern day politics of war and terror. I can't give much more away without ruining the surprise, but they wrote the reboot well despite the poor choice of plot constraints. The characterisations are spot on again with superb acting and script writing; Scotty managed to draw a few laughs from the Glaswegian audience "yer mad bastard" (though note to script writers: Scots say "pal" not "mate"). The 3D wasn't utilised very well with just a few silly gimmicks at the start, but the IMAX experience as always was impressive.

• JY S

  
  J.J. Abrams' <i>Star Trek: Into Darkness</i> is a sequel that lives up to the original.<p>The 2 hour story behind this picture is told at an adequate pace; never too fast and never too slow. The plot details are rich and it keeps pushing the movie forward,… More
  J.J. Abrams' <i>Star Trek: Into Darkness</i> is a sequel that lives up to the original.<p>The 2 hour story behind this picture is told at an adequate pace; never too fast and never too slow. The plot details are rich and it keeps pushing the movie forward, along with the help of a plethora of solid characters.</p><p>Visually, <i>Star Trek: Into Darkness</i> is everything a movie of this caliber should be. Fantastic. The settings, effects, and costumes all mesh nicely into a science fiction masterpiece. Note the huge black dreadnaught.</p><p>Everything comes as expected from the returning cast. Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto carry the film as they should be. Benedict Cumberbatch is a welcome addition to the cast and is at the level of Pine and Quinto.</p>Is <i>Star Trek: Into Darkness</i> a recommendable film? No question about it.</p>

• Chris W

  
  J.J. Abrams returns to helm the long awaited sequel to his stellar 2009 reboot of the Star Trek franchise, and the result is another impressive and entertaining film. Picking up where the 'first' left off, Captain Kirk is still a bit of a reckless impulsive hothead,… More
  J.J. Abrams returns to helm the long awaited sequel to his stellar 2009 reboot of the Star Trek franchise, and the result is another impressive and entertaining film. Picking up where the 'first' left off, Captain Kirk is still a bit of a reckless impulsive hothead, something which gets him into trouble, letting you know that, while he has made strides, he still needs to work on having some humility. He, along with his crew, are thrust into a mission of revenge after a British Starfleet officer named John Harrison appears to go rogue, waging a one-man war against Starfleet, which also verges on getting into a war with the Kilngons. I'm not really going to say much more on the plot, as I don't want to give spoilers, but I'll just simply say that it definitely raises the bar over its predecessor, and is quite strong. In fact, I found the film extremely engaging and thrilling up until about the last 30 minutes or so, at which point I was taken out of things due to the direction the film decided to head in. I'm all for references, easter eggs, and callbacks (and they're here, though not as numerous as before), but some of the specific things they do really irked me because some of them are almost complete retreads, and it makes me think that the writers got a little too ambitious, or they just couldn't think of anything better to do than rely a bit much on the past. There is just enough variation to keep me from getting too upset, but still, I was getting really uneasy. Until things start to flounder near the end, the film is rip roaring entertainment that really crackles with energy, and style, making for one hell of a great blockbuster piece of work. The film is a good mix of pathos, humor, action, and development, and the pacing is perfect. The plot and adversaries are better here than in the 2009 film, but, unlike that one, this one isn't as original with the direction they go in. Sure, they do a good job with how they retread, and they change it up some, but I really think it could have been handled better. I will give them props for having some serious cojones though, even though they should know better. The primary cast return, and are even better than before. They all get at least one great moment to shine, though obviously some get far more than others. I loved the additions of Peter Weller, Alice Eve, and especially Benedict Cumberbatch. As the main antagonist, Cumberbatch is absolutely stunning, and maybe the best thing about this movie. He's effectively frightening, creepy, and believable, and makes for a memorable presence. The effects and cinematography are superb, and this is one great looking film. It's quite beautiful, and might be the most accomplished film of the year thus far in terms of technical stuff, though Iron Man 3 is quite strong in this regard too. I really liked how the film built on and dealt with the Trek mythos, and delved deeper into things, but I kind of feel like, while it is a Star Trek film, and has that feeling, it comes off being more like a typical spectacle driven sci-fi action film that has Trek characters in it. Also, if this film is any indication as to what Abrams will do with Star Wars, then we're in for a real treat, because this is Class A stuff...until the finale and epilogue. So yeah, the film is amazing, but it does have its flaws. The more I think about it, the less critical I'm getting about the stuff that bugged me, but even then, it still bugs me enough to keep from giving it a higher grade, even though it is really close to deserving more. Definitely go see it, but, for you fans, just be ready to gripe about some stuff.

• Idrees K

  
  Cheesy dialogue but complex characters, an entertaining plot and some decent acting

• Nate Z

  
  J.J. Abram's return to the final frontier had me extremely excited for what the sequel to 2009's smash Star Trek would be. It's a different sort of Trek, a more rough-and-tumble, popcorn entertainment with the recognizable flavor of that other famous space opera that… More
  J.J. Abram's return to the final frontier had me extremely excited for what the sequel to 2009's smash Star Trek would be. It's a different sort of Trek, a more rough-and-tumble, popcorn entertainment with the recognizable flavor of that other famous space opera that Abrams is steering into theaters come 2015. Having seen Star Trek Into Darkness twice, certain things became very clear to me. First, this is about everything you could ask for in a summer popcorn action movie. The set pieces are thrilling (my fave may be a human bullet shoot through a field of debris), there's something new and dangerous going on just about every fifteen minutes, the stakes are constantly changing, and there are a bevy of well plotted character arcs for a deep and well acted ensemble. It's about everything you'd want in a Star Trek movie... if you were a big fan of the 2009 film. If you're a lifelong fan, you may have some reservations, notably the inclusion of a famous villain that shouldn't be too hard to guess. The second half references to Trek cannon, especially Star Trek 2, feel weird for a film that broke away into a parallel universe so that it could chart its own course rather than relive the old stories. There's homage and then there's just subservience. Still, there are plenty of resonant themes, like friendship, sacrifice, and family, that are given adequate attention, amidst all the big-budget escapist thrills. There are even some surprisingly poignant moments that the actors ace. Benedict Cumberbatch (TV's Sherlock) is incredible as the villain, a terrorist with a menacing, velvety voice that I could listen to all day. The vast majority of Into Darkness is tremendously entertaining, with a great pulse and sense of scene construction. The Abrams team knows how to make blockbusters in the old Spielberg variety, spectacle with humanity and humor and sweep. If this is what he can do with the Trek universe, just wait until Episode VII people. Nate's Grade: A-

• UUd I

  
  why human always the best race? because of they more humanity?

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