Even for someone like me who isn't a Star Trek fan, and have only watched the rebooted movies, and have only heard about the philosophies of Star Trek; even I can tell this movie has shifted quite a bit into the essence of what the franchise is all about since the beginning of its time.
There was action but not just full-blown combat and explosions. There were cool new races and characters but they came with a twist. And the tone and the pacing had similarities with the first two movies but also took a different form of approach.
And it's crazy for me to say this but I really feel it, but this is sequel is even better than the first two which were directed by J.J. Abrams. And this is no doubt the best work by Justin Lin. He indeed can create a great movie if the script is great; and I can tell now that The Fast And The Furious franchise didn't give him enough to show off his strengths, or would have been worse off without him.
I have also certainly came to appreciate what Star Trek is about (if this is what Star Trek is about). I didn't need a lot of bombastic action sequences. Take the opening sequence for example which, following the first two movies' footsteps, started off with a bit of banter that led up to some action. In this one, not so much of an action but just a humorous scene; whereas in the first two it kind of set the tone to being an action movie.
I enjoyed the intellectual and philosophical approach that the main antagonist represented. I appreciated who Captain Kirk has become in terms of what he stood for and believed in. I loved the internal struggles between him and Spock individually.
The only thing kind of missing for me was Alice Eve's character from Into Darkness, as she was last scene on the Enterprise as they headed off on their five-year mission into space. It would have been nice to see her returning. Nevertheless, Sofia Boutella's addition was an even better replacement.
I remember I was so sceptical when Lin was announced as director. I even lost interest when I saw that horrible first trailer that played like a Fast & Furious trailer. I was sceptical even as I stepped into the cinema. But I came out a changed man.
Would I buy another ticket to see the movie again? Probably not. Am I a full-fledged Trekkie now? Nah. But I am a fan of these movies and now a fan of this franchise. I'm glad a fourth one has been announced and hopefully the winning streak will continue.
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