The risk with this film, after being so long awaited by fans, and the continuous advertising campaign, was that there was no way it would ever live up to expectations. I've not felt anxiety over a movie quite like this since the original reboot in 2009 after JJ Abrams admitted he wasn't a Star Trek fan. He didn't disappoint us then, and in my opinion, he has not disappointed us now. It's an exciting, fast paced action adventure, but it also contains the moral and ethical issues that was absent from the last movie, and is at the heart of the Star Trek fandom. It's funny and devastating and incredibly beautiful. It was everything I wanted in a Star Trek movie and so much more. Plus, there were tribbles!
It's going to be nigh on impossible to discuss this film without entering into major spoiler territory, so I'm not even going to try. I'm just going to dive straight in, so you have been warned, there are spoilers ahead.
So let's start with the question on the tip of everyones tongue. Just who is Benedict Cumberbatch playing in this movie? Well, the internet was alight with rumours and theories, and much fun has been had debating the possibilities. The number one thought is Khan. After all he is a monumental baddie, and appeared in the second of the original films. We also had Gary Mitchell and Mirror Universe Spock put on the table. In the end Abrams weighed in himself and announced, "He is John Harrison." The fandom gave a huge simultaneous laugh. If there was one thing we did know for certain, it was that Cumberbatch would not be playing John Harrison.
I said going into the the film that I had a feeling it was going to be a Khan movie, and that I would be very disappointed if it was. As it turns out, Cumberbatch is playing Khan, and I was not disappointed in the slightest. The character is introduced in such a way that all questions of his identity are wiped from your mind instantaneously. Harrison can save any persons life by handing over a vial of his blood, and yet he manipulated a grieving father into committing an act of terrorism, rather than become a doctor. Evil you might say, but then he saves Kirks life and grieves for his own crew, the people who are his family. You get a sense that he will do anything for his crew, including lie and cheat and kill. You convince yourself he's a good man driven to do bad things. When he reveals his true identity, it still completely knocks you for six. You've forgotten to ask the question, and you find yourself wondering how you missed the obvious clues. The answer is that the film is so fast paced and alight with humour that you barely pause for a thought.
Cumberbatch is an outstanding actor. He crawls right under your skin and demands that you care for Khan. He has been wronged, and his vengeance is justified. When he betrays Kirk, you'll feel that same horrible sense of betrayal. He fooled you completely. You placed your faith in him and so he betrayed you too. But then Kirk betrayed him first and for a while it's hard to let go.
This isn't the Cumberbatch show however. I did wonder if he would overpower the entire film with his presence, leaving the Enterprise crew to play second fiddle, but that is certainly not the case. Though he owns every scene he is in with an iron fist, he has surprisingly little screen time. This is the story of Captain Kirk and Commander Spock, how one learns to grow up and take responsibility, whilst the other learns to embrace his human side. Khan is just an antagonist, and a catalyst for the events that will take our favourite Star Fleet officers on their own personal journey.
What I loved about this film, is the beautiful symmetry that it had with the original Wrath of Khan movie. Though the story is self contained, and you can enjoy it as a non or casual Star Trek fan, the true impact of the story can only be felt if you have seen the classic movies. And not just because you won't know who Khan is! In a way this film tells much the same story. The scene is set slightly differently due to the altered time line, but events play out similarly. However, Kirk and Spocks roles are reversed, due to their different upbringings from the original time line. In a way they end up trading places, with both hilarious and heart breaking consequences. You won't see it coming, but once again you will ask yourself why not, because hindsight is 20:20.
Over all the film is very well written and directed. The pace never lets up for a moment, and so the experience is exhilarating. So much happens in just two hours. I had to see it again straight away just to allow my brain to catch up. The mood dashes from brilliant tongue and cheek humour, to high adrenaline action to pure devastation so fluidly you barely know whether you are laughing or crying. I did both.
Once again the cast is on top form, I must give a particular shout out for Karl Urban who often seems to be forgotten in reviews, and yet is the ultimate Bones, right down to the mannerisms. He had some cracking one liners, and brilliant chemistry with Zachary Quinto. Spock and Bones always rile each other up in the Original Series, and this time around it was no different. The crew dynamics was spot on all around.
I could lament for hours about the Visual Effects, particularly the new Klingon Bird of Prey design and the exterior shots of space. I love the warp effects, its nice to see the nacelles being stretched out old school style. I must admit the 3D conversion in the trailer had me a little worried but I felt the 3D in the finished film was outstanding. I have seen in it 2D as well though and I can't say I missed the 3D aside from the scene where Kirk and Khan dive through space to reach the other ship. To be honest it's worth the extra fee just to see that sequence.
I have a few niggles about submerging the ship at the beginning, in fact I'm pretty sure Voyager was the only class of ship that could enter the atmosphere, but I'd have to run that through my brother before I angrily rant about the science fail, he is the utmost authority on Star Trek engineering. But still it was a little ridiculous but a necessary plot device and frankly my only complaint.
This review is becoming ridiculously long winded now. There is so much left to say but I'm still finding it hard to process the level of awesome I have just been exposed to. I recommend you see it, obviously. It has so many nods to the fandom that it has thrilled me to the core. Hopefully I'll get to see it a few more times before it leaves the cinema.
Thank you JJ Abrams, you did us proud.
A few extra thoughts:
- Did anyone else think "uh oh" when Kirk gave Chekov a red jumper?
- "I'm a doctor not a torpedo expert"
- Very sad that the tribble died.
- Anyone recognise the security guard? Yes Cupcake makes a return
- Spock crying was heard breaking. But then...
- "Kaaaaaaaaaaahn!" I laughed so hard.
- Loved the fact that the audience applauded at the grand reveal. The fandom approves.
- Didn't like the new Klingons, but loved the new ship design.
- A little sad that Kahn didn't do "The Speech" but "I'll walk over your cold dead corpses" was a suitable substitute.
- Cumberbatch likes to jump off really tall objects doesn't he. Shame he wasn't so springy in Sherlock.
- I'm going to see it again tomorrow.
