Film Review: Star Trek Into Darkness

     The much anticipated sequel to J.J. Abrams' 2009 reboot/reimagining, Star Trek Into Darkness is one of the most exhilarating, visually appealing science fiction films of the past few years that gives fans, both new and old, an adventure worthy of the final frontier...

   Within less than a year of the events of the first film, the crew of the USS Enterprise finds themselves on a hunt for a rogue Starfleet Commander named "John Harrison" who has declared a one man war against Starfleet. However this particular mission can be quite fatal to certain members such as Captain James T. Kirk who is hellbent on revenge, pursues Harrison and makes it a personal matter that tests his ability as a Captain and could ultimately cost him the lives of his fellow crew. First Officer Spock also makes this a personal conflict on whether to use logic as his half-vulcan heritage is used to or to trust his heart and gut feelings as his half-human side would. The adventure will ultimately define the relationship of the two characters as well as show them what it means to be a family and not just as members of the same starship.

   Set within the same alternate reality that was established in the first film, therefore does not affect the original Primary Universe of The Original Series, the film offers fresh but yet familiar takes on characters and events that have been created many years ago.  Abrams takes no time getting straight into the action that runs non-stop throughout the entire film with plenty of amazing set pieces, orbital battles, fistfights, shootouts and much more that is sure to leave viewers on the edge of their seats. The more dramatic scenes hit hard, as expected from a J.J. Abrams film, possibly even making a few viewers shed a tear as well as providing many, many laughs mostly from the creative, witty dialogue that occurs between characters. Compared to the first film, which was naturally an origin story, the story is focused to be more personal as opposed to being more bigger and flashier which lots of franchise sequels tend to do. Trekkies or even just geeky fans in general can expect no shortage of iconic lines being spoken as well as several references to the fates of some characters that have occurred in the original timeline, even showing the Klingons for the first time in this reboot franchise.

   Benedict Cumberbatch steals the show as the films antagonist; "John Harrison", who portrays the character with such awe and malice that it comes as surprise when viewers start feeling some sympathy toward him in a few scenes all the while topped off with a deep, soft spoken yet haunting drawl that makes the villain very easy to listen to. The gorgeous Alice Eve plays the role of Dr. Carol Marcus, a Starfleet Officer trained in the field of applied physics and advanced weaponry who has a big part to the overall plot and as some fans should know, has an important relationship with the Captain. RoboCop himself, Peter Weller plays the role of Admiral Alexander Marcus, Carol's father. The returning cast is at their best yet with some characters having bigger roles such as Communications Officer Uhura, played by Zoe Saldana, finally kicking some ass. Zachary Quinto is again a near perfect portrayal of First Officer Spock originally made famous by Leonard Nimoy.

   Hardcore fans of The Original Series seemed to be divided on J.J. Abrams take on the franchise set in an Alternate Reality but for casual movie goers, Star Trek Into Darkness is a non-stop rollercoaster ride of an epic space adventure, complete with amazing action sequences, witty banter and visuals equally appealing as Alice Eve. It was a nice return to the world of James Tiberius Kick and the command deck of the Starship Enterprise that is not only one of the biggest blockbusters of 2013 but also one of the best Science Fiction films of the last few years. While the main cast has said they would appear for at least one more film but with Abrams taking another big franchise under his belt by directing Episode VII of Star Wars, it may be awhile until we see a third installment and where this franchise "boldly goes" next...

Film Review: Iron Man 3

     A year after the groundbreaking, spectacle that was Marvel's The Avengers, fans once again return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the world of Tony Stark where the eagerly anticipated Iron Man 3 provides many laughs and awesome action sequences that unfortunately falls short while not quite living up to
the hype it was given.

     Set some time after the events of The Avengers, Tony Stark finds himself suffering from a sort of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder-like anxiety due to the extra-terrestrial invasion of New York City. Because of this, Tony has spent a considerable amount of time creating many different types of suits and also enhancing his armors abilities which ultimately is creating a love-triangle of sorts between Tony, his armor and his girlfriend and current CEO of Stark Industries, Pepper Potts. Global tensions are also on the rise due to an emerging experimental tissue regenerative and ability enhancing virus known as Extremis, a series of unexplained bombings and the appearance of a terrorist  who calls himself "The Mandarin". After a close friend of his falls victim to one of the bombings, Tony proceeds to go on a personal vendetta against The Mandarin all the while asking himself: "Does the Suit make the Man? Or does the Man make the Suit?"

     After Jon Favreau's departure as director of the first two installments, Shane Black was hired to screen-write and direct the third film which would reunite him and actor Robert Downey Jr. after working together on the 2005 dark comedy Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. Those familiar with Black's work can expect his usual plot devices such as a kidnapping of one of the characters and the film being set around the Christmas holiday come into play. While a new director at the helm of a much beloved franchise is expected to make a few changes, Iron Man 3 is significantly different compared to it predecessors; both in its visuals and sense of tone as well as starting and ending the film with a narrative voice-over from Stark and not opening the film with an AC/DC soundtrack. But as can expect from a Marvel film, there are plenty of laughs, both subtle and not so subtle nods to comic lore and incredible set pieces that will have the audience cheering for a now much adorned superhero.

     Robert Downey Jr. reprises the role of Tony Stark for his fifth appearance and with no surprise stealing the show with the usual wit, smart-ass, lovable jerk attitude that has become so synonymous with the character. Guy Pearce provides a fresh, deceptively cunning, love to hate villain that could quite easily be considered the best live-action Iron Man antagonist to date. Those who have wanted to see more of the two most important figures in Tony's life are in for a treat; Colonel James "Rhodey" Rhodes played by Don Cheadle  is finally given a more significant role that is not only essential to the plot but also to put his best friend Tony in his place and the beautiful Gwyneth Paltrow reprises her role of Pepper Potts for the fourth time with this appearance definitely giving the character a much more important role to the overall story as well as finally breaking the stereotypical damsel in distress cliche. The biggest issue in an otherwise fantastic cast is the inclusion of Sir Ben Kingsley as The Mandarin; was nothing more than a waste of a talented and big name actor offering little screen time with the big reveal and revelation of the characters true nature will surely anger and disappoint hard core comic book fans.

     The first film and everything it delivered was the start of an incredible cinematic journey that eventually led to one of the most ambitious films of all time as well as setting the standard for all superhero movies to come, it's sequel was panned by critics and fans alike due to it's messy plot that was all over the place and two dimensional villains and now Iron Man 3 was immensely hyped up to be the first, big follow up to Marvel's The Avengers but sadly didn't quite deliver as it promised to. The first film to begin Marvel Studios' "Phase Two" plans for their Cinematic Universe, did nothing to show fans what to expect in upcoming movies. It had great acting, great character development and great action set pieces but Iron Man 3 simply did not deliver in what it hoped to be.