Star Trek Into Darkness (****) | ||||||
directed by J.J. Abrams | ||||||
written by Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman, and Damon Lindelof, based on the creations of Gene Roddenberry, and also making heavy un-credited use of ideas by Gene L. Coon and Harve Bennett, to mention just two | ||||||
Rick Norwood
The biggest problem with Star Trek Into Darkness is that it is too frantic. The characters come within a few seconds
of total destruction at least five times, which is about four times too many for any real sense of suspense.
Then, there are the copious references to earlier Star Trek films. It is hard for me to guess what someone not
steeped in Star Trek lore will make of this movie. When does homage become mere imitation?
Despite the title, it is not a particularly dark film, no darker than Star Trek TNG episodes such
as "Conspiracy" or "The Best of Both Worlds." It is an entertaining special-effects extravaganza with a lot
of Star Trek references thrown in to please the hard-core fans.
One advantage Star Trek television episodes have over movies is that they can be quiet and thoughtful,
with interesting ideas and characters. "Measure of a Man" comes to mind. A Star Trek movie with no explosions is unthinkable.
Rick Norwood is a mathematician and writer whose small press publishing house, Manuscript Press, has published books by Hal Clement, R.A. Lafferty, and Hal Foster. He is also the editor of Comics Revue Monthly, which publishes such classic comic strips as Flash Gordon, Sky Masters, Modesty Blaise, Tarzan, Odd Bodkins, Casey Ruggles, The Phantom, Gasoline Alley, Krazy Kat, Alley Oop, Little Orphan Annie, Barnaby, Buz Sawyer, and Steve Canyon. Visit his web site at comicsrevue.com. |
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