'STAR TREK: INTO DARKNESS'

'STAR TREK:INTO DARKNESS' (PG-13) (3 1/2 STARS)

Written by Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman and Damon Lindelof
Directed by J.J. Abrams
Actors: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Benedict Cumberbatch, Karl Urban, Simon Pegg, John Cho, Anton Yelchin, Bruce Greenwood, Peter Weller, Alice Eve.

Back in 1982 I was 14 years old and not a "Star Trek" fan. I watched the 1979 film adaptation on video and was bored and quit on it. My mother and sister went to go see "Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Kahn" the year of 1982 and we all were not fans but I wanted to go because Siskel and Ebert loved it. We were surprised at how good it was and loved it, I also found it strangely a powerful experience and a lot of fun. It was not only a great "Star Trek" movie, it was a great action thriller period. That is what I felt watching the new sequel in the revamped "Star Trek" franchise. You don't have to be a "Star Trek" fan to love "Star Trek:Into Darkness" cause it is a fun, thrilling, beautiful looking and touching movie going experience and a great movie period.

Credit director J.J. Abrams and writers Orci, Kurtzman and Lindelof (Lost) for getting this done to near perfection. I loved the first movie and I love this one even more. The characters we grew to love are now young and learning the ropes, learning about death, committment, honor and friendship while battling one of the greatest "Str Trek" villians in the franchise. It was what I wanted after sitting through the dull and ineffectual "New Generation" movies which were all too complicated and brainy. The new series is smart but also pure adrenaline, fun and always beautiful looking with energy to spare and great writing. We love the original characters and the cast here is up to the task, they don't miss a beat.

It starts with Zachary Quinto as Spock who is not only dead on in his portrayl of the iconic character but he brings him a warmth that I rarely saw in Spock. Chris Pine is a great looking and competent action hero and a James T. Kirk without the mannerisms, bringing the needed brashness but in a youthful way. Zoe Saldana is a beautiful Uruhu and the love story with Spock and the chemistry between Saldana and Quinto is exciting and sexy reminding me of Leia and Han Solo in "Empires Strikes Back". The rest of the cast is solid and they all bring the extra special touch that make the characters real and fleshed out instead of being impersonations. I love the screenplay paying homage to the original with Doctor Bones's quips like "Dammit Jim I am a doctor not a torpedo expert". I love Checkov's shyness and Scotty's feelings of not being respected and then his hidden heroic talents being revealed.

The movie really breathes with it's villian played by newcomer Benedict Cumberbatch and yes there is speculation who his character is and I am not telling. Explaining the plot, especially in a movie full of surprises like this, wouldn't matter though I will say it is smart and thrilling and the screenplay has heart and charm and some great emotional moments. Benedict Cumberbatch gives a star making performance as fugitive John Harrison. It is a controlled but delightfully evil, cool and explosive performance and the best villain in the franchise or one of the best in any movie for that matter. Cumberbatch already has but should get a slew of more roles coming his way and I think a possible Oscar nomination.

"Star Trek: Into Darkness" is not a dissapointment at all and it is an adrenaline shot of humor, action, thrills and great character development. This is what we expect from the series of movies and we get it in spades. It is a lot of fun and entertaining for families, people of all ages, "Star Trek" fans, non "Star Trek" fans, everybody. It also looks visually awesome and beautiful and the direction is heartfelt, crisp and always in control. I thank the stars that J.J. Abrams is involved because he respects the franchise, pays homage to it lovingly and remembers that these movies are just not for fans but for movie lovers that want a great story with heart, emotion, thrills and great action. It is another great start to the summer movie season and one of the best movies of the year.