Star Trek into Darkness and Back Again

[eldritchhobbit]

I'm back, and I have updates, but everything will wait for now. What I want to do - indeed, what I must do - is share a few thoughts from my first viewing of Star Trek into Darkness. (These are my first, preliminary impressions; I'll see it again tomorrow, and my thoughts no doubt will develop further.)

General and Relatively Spoiler-Free Notes

* This film is an extended and deeply heartfelt love letter not only to the original Star Trek, but specifically to Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. STII is by far the best Star Trek film to date, and one of the best science fiction films of all time, and so I find this to be completely right and proper. I was deeply moved by the generous (and - dare I say it? - beautiful) nods to the previous film. I suspect some of the deeper resonances will be lost on viewers who aren't familiar with Star Trek II, but, let's be honest: I couldn't care less. [See Footnote 1. Yes, this post has footnotes.]

* What absolutely makes this film, immediately, right out of the gate, and then throughout, is the remarkable and textured chemistry between Bruce Greenwood as Christopher Pike and Chris Pine as James T. Kirk. Greenwood steals every scene in which he appears, but he also draws a terrific performance from Pine, one that sells the very heart and premise of the rest of the film.

* Benedict Cumberbatch is, unsurprisingly, brilliant. His performance is exceptionally physical, from the details of each action sequence to the very manner in which he enunciates his words; in this sense, it reminds me most of his performance as the Creature in Frankenstein.

* Simon Pegg, bless you.


Notes With Spoilers

* This is the film where both Kirk and Spock must "grow up," each in his own way, to become the heroes they are meant to be. Mission accomplished. I knew Christopher Pike had to die to make this happen, and this was done beautifully with tremendous emotional impact, but oh, the tears. I now have a full-fledged emotional hangover. [2]

* I really appreciated how they showed (rather than told of) Pike's continued physical recovery from his torture on board the Narada through the use of his cane (and his obvious comfort factor with it, as shown at the bar and the final meeting).

* How much do I love that Kirk's first instinct is to fight the attacker, while Spock's first instinct is to protect/meld with Pike? Very much. Kirk's touch to Spock's shoulder after Kirk's own breakdown proves that he realizes Pike meant nearly as much to Spock as he did to Kirk, although Spock cannot articulate this. A lovely nod to Original Series canon there. (Can I have a moment of silence for Jeffrey Hunter?)

* I'd watch the spin-off series of Captain Sulu, Intergalactic Badass.

* I love how the role of Doctor Who's Noel Clarke sets up early the "anything for your family" motif that runs throughout the rest of the film with Pike-Kirk/The Enterprise, Khan/his crew, and even Carol Marcus and her choices.

* The use of Section 31 is inspired. Oh Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Enterprise canon: I see you!

* That's how you do a Leonard Nimoy cameo. Two thumbs up.

* The inversion of Kirk's early "What would Spock do?" line later in the film with the "What you would've done" exchange between Spock and Kirk was perfection.

* A few nitpicks:
1. McCoy needed to be there at Kirk's death scene, even if he'd only been standing in the background, wringing his hands. He was owed this. It's my biggest quibble with the movie. Then again, the film desperately needed more of Karl Urban's performance, period.

2. Am I the only one who tires of the special effects? Less explosions, please. These actors and these characters deserve the face time.

3. My kingdom for the missing scene in which Benedict Cumberbatch gets to say, "To the last I grapple with thee; from hell's heart I stab at thee; for hate's sake I spit my last breath at thee." Less fitting here, perhaps, given that Kirk isn't Khan's personal nemesis, but he would've rocked those lines.

4. Peter Weller saved all of his emoting for his last few lines. Where was he the rest of the film? I have a hard time believing his Admiral Marcus was capable of talking Pike into Starfleet. That said, Marcus's flippant use of "son" against Kirk falls just as flat as it should have, compared to Pike's single, wrenching, and effective use of the word.


Over all, this is a better film than the original "reboot." I can't wait to see it again.


Footnotes

[1] As if this wasn't "meta" enough, there's an extra echo of the way in which the final two episodes of the second series of Sherlock paid its own homage to Star Trek II, with John calling Sherlock "Spock"; the mutual hand-raising between Sherlock and John from the roof and pavement, respectively, once it was clear this was a "death scene"; and John's choked comment at Sherlock's grave, mimicking Kirk's at Spock's funeral, that Sherlock was the "most human" soul he'd known.

[2] Spock's admission that his mind meld showed that Pike died experiencing "anger, confusion, loneliness, and fear" reminded me all too viscerally of a premonition about the end of another great mentor, Qui-Gon Jinn, dying "violently in battle, in shock and despair." (Star Wars Jedi Apprentice #9: The Fight for Truth by Jude Watson. Good grief, I am a geek, aren't I?)

Comments

[mosinging1986.livejournal.com]

Would it be remotely understandable for someone who is... I hate to confess it, but... 'Star Trek' clueless? I will feel like the only person on earth who won't be seeing this movie this weekend. I hate being left out! (Yes, I am mentally still 12.)

[northwestmagpie.livejournal.com]

I didn't care that much for the reboot, but you just made me determined to see Into Darkness. And I love the original series and The Wrath of Khan like mad.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Honestly, this one assumes knowledge. For it to have any impact, I'd really recommend seeing the 2009 Star Trek "reboot" and the original Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, at the very least. Even more so than the 2009 reboot, this is love letter from the fans to the 'verse itself. But both films are very easy to find (I think STII was just on TV last night); you could catch them and still get to the film this weekend!

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Oh, I hope you like it! I was deeply skeptical about the reboot, but ultimately it won me over. This film is better, and it views the same way a "remix fan fiction" story reads; it honors the original material and reflects a deep knowledge and love for it. I do adore Trek, and Star Trek II is my favorite of the films. I went into this one sort of holding my breath, braced to be delighted or offended. LOL!

Fortunately, this is not one of those "you don't need to see the original" works; on the contrary, the more you've seen the original, the more this will resonate and the cleverer it proves to be. At least, that's how it seemed to me. It certainly won't take the place of the original, but it would make for great back-to-back viewing!

[gilda-elise.livejournal.com]

I didn't care for the first reboot movie and, I have to admit, it doesn't sound as if I will this one, either (I probably won't see it until it comes to cable.) I really would have liked it if they'd gone in another direction, created a new world of their own. As it is, it just seems a new twist on an old idea. ST:TNG already did that, putting their own spin on TOS episodes. It didn't work for me that time, either.

And was any reason given for Khan being white? Montalban as least tried to look Indian.

And I'm totally with you on the special effects and explosions. I haven't been able to figure out if I'd find the movie interesting because that's all they show in the previews.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

For me, the interaction between Kirk and Pike alone was worth the price of admission. Then the alternate scheme of how Spock and Kirk might have learned to work together and appreciate each other's strengths also worked for me. It seemed to me like a well-done remix fan fiction story, offering new character insights and drawing connections together cleverly to comment on the original text, and so that worked for me. It's not a film that stands alone on its own merits, but I can live with that. It definitely "reads" as better informed and more thoughtful than ST:TNG's rehashings, at least IMHO.

As for Khan being white, no reason was given. (There's no nod to his ancestry or origin, either; this Khan is less "exotic" than "alien.") The role had originally gone to Benicio Del Toro, who then - if I understood things correctly from news reports - pulled out before filming due to schedule conflicts. This left Abrams in a bind, and he then chose to go with the best actor he could find, period. I don't think it was a mistake. Cumberbatch's performance was one of the highlights of the film, and his Khan is so Other in body language that he comes across as something quite separate from Kirk and his contemporaries. Also, given the very clear parallels with modern terrorism - the scenes of surprise detonations and civilian reactions were almost painful to watch - I think it's perhaps an easier move for this Khan to appear as he does.

That doesn't mean that I don't see your point about Khan's ethnicity or its importance, though.

[Note: On the whole, this "terrorism" point was fairly well made. Khan has valid reasons for what he's doing now, reasons that don't diminish his culpability as a past instigator of genocide. And in the end, high-ups in Starfleet are incriminated not only for how they've manipulated Khan, but also for actively seeking war with the Klingons, a very STVI-esque notion.]

Fortunately, the film didn't fall completely into the Hobbit trap of pandering to the 3-D format (which I hate - explosions are bad enough, but minute after minute of debris coming Right At You is flat-out annoying!). It could've been a lot worse, in terms of special effects. Most of the big scenes are what you saw on the previews already. The "Will the ship fit?" ridiculousness was incredibly brief and was more of a joke than anything else. The final chase scene (Khan and Spock) went on too long, but that's the only time I rolled my eyes. And a few of the effects, such as The Enterprise rising out of the water at the very start of the film and the commandeered "black ops" ship pouring smoke and crashing toward Starfleet Headquarters, were actually quite stunning and legitimately part of the narrative.

Even so, I could've done with less of them!

I'd be very interested to know what you think when you see it.

PS. Forgot to mention a few other tributes, including Spock's ship reassignment being the U.S.S. Bradbury, and James Doohan's son Christopher once again being Transporter Officer and having a quick but key role.

[jan-u-wine.livejournal.com]

saw it yesterday afternoon. I have a serious ST love hangover!

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

YES! I seriously wore myself out with my emotional response - and that was just in the first twenty minutes! HA.

So glad to hear you felt the love, too! *hugs*

[jan-u-wine.livejournal.com]

oh, heaven, cried through the whole thing.

I couldn't even sit in my seat, had to sit on the stair. Don't know why, just felt so entirely, ummm....pulled.....out. As if, by sitting on the stair, I could be closer, somehow, to them all.

I'm so glad you liked it, too, since I've read some horrid reviews and just thought perhaps I was just an idiot.

(well, perhaps I *am*, but that's nothing to do with ST!)

*hugs* you back!

[alivion.livejournal.com]

I'm not much a fan of the first reboot movie; except for Karl Urban as Bones, it just didn't feel like Star Trek. I'm going to see Into Darkness some time this week anyway (I'm an insatiable trekkie); I was expecting to be disappointed, but your review gives me hope.

I haven't seen Wrath of Khan in a few years, I should definitely re-watch before I head off to the theater for the new one.

[mosinging1986.livejournal.com]

Wow, the reboot was in '09 already? I am WAY behind! Thanks!

[sarah531.livejournal.com]

Ooh, I remember that line from Jedi Apprentice. It was one of those lines which really made the entire series very worthwhile indeed...

(Ah yes. Star Trek! That was good too. I noticed the bit about Noel Clarke's character's choice re: his daughter basically setting up the choices everyone else makes for the rest of the movie...but as a Mickey Smith fan I was disappointed he didn't have more lines!)

[sneezythesquid.livejournal.com]

Agreed, completely and utterly agreed. Especially about Greenwood/Pike. I cried.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Karl Urban and Bruce Greenwood are by far my favorites of the new cast. I do hope you won't be disappointed in this one. It strikes me that it's a much better film than the first. And a recent viewing of Wrath of Khan will only add to its emotional impact.

I'll be anxious to know what you think!

I applaud and share your insatiable Trekkie-ism. :D

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Ooh, I remember that line from Jedi Apprentice. It was one of those lines which really made the entire series very worthwhile indeed...

YAY!!! I am doing a dance right now. You can't imagine how much it tickles me that you remember that line, too, and love it.

I agree that Mickey - er, I mean Clarke ;) - should've had more lines. That said, the man doesn't need to say a thing to convey volumes. His expressions were amazing! On my second viewing today I was struck by how very much he communicates in those seconds before he drops the "ring" into the water - just wrenchingly well done.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Especially about Greenwood/Pike. I cried.

Oh, thank you for this. I'm glad to know it struck you the same way.

I saw it again today, and knowing what was coming, I cried even harder. I'm already waiting for the DVD so I can rewatch those scenes (the bar scene is devastatingly good) over and over again.

I noticed this second time around that Pike, breathing through clenched teeth and obviously aware he's dying, doesn't actually tear up until Spock puts his hands on his temple to meld with him. That sort of broke me into little pieces.

I also realized this time that the last voice Kirk hears in his head before he comes back to life/consciousness after his two-week coma is Pike saying, "I dare you to do better."

I'm so glad Pike and his influence were given such respect in this film.

[syredronning.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad the movie worked for you!

What absolutely makes this film, immediately, right out of the gate, and then throughout, is the remarkable and textured chemistry between Bruce Greenwood as Christopher Pike and Chris Pine as James T. Kirk. Greenwood steals every scene in which he appears, but he also draws a terrific performance from Pine, one that sells the very heart and premise of the rest of the film.

YES. So very true. Their scenes are awesome.

Pike's death wasn't as hard for me because I spent the last years writing my Draws AU epic so _my_ Pike is totally alive, but it's for a good cause in the movie, IMVHO. Kirk grows so much in it, from spoiled boy to Captain.

How much do I love that Kirk's first instinct is to fight the attacker, while Spock's first instinct is to protect/meld with Pike? Very much. Kirk's touch to Spock's shoulder after Kirk's own breakdown proves that he realizes Pike meant nearly as much to Spock as he did to Kirk, although Spock cannot articulate this. A lovely nod to Original Series canon there.

I didn't really know how to read the scene... and then I first read someone who was very critical because she interpreted the meld as purely scientific endeavor, and that Spock didn't give Pike any actual support and help during dying. It's one way to interpret it... but I'm glad you brought another perspective to it. I think I'm on the fence - I started writing a story where Spock indeed fails Pike because he tries to stay emotionally detached, and only when he faces Kirk dying, he realizes that emotions are valid in certain moments and he would be able to give that support if the glass wall wasn't between them.

Thanks so much for your beautiful entry, it made me happy and thinky :)

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

*flails with happiness*

Your kind comments deserve a longer response, but I'm on my way out, so just a quick reply for now re: Spock melding with Pike. I can imagine a reading of that scene that posits that Spock failed Pike, and I can easily imagine that Spock thinks he failed him, whether or not he really did.

For a man so concerned with morality (as later events in the film prove him to be), though, the thought of using Pike's death as a handy window into the human psyche seems ethically problematic. Asking for consent to the meld wasn't exactly a practical step at that moment, but surely Spock would recognize such an intimate intrusion would not be welcomed by a private man like Pike if it was simply a data-gathering expedition of sorts.

For that matter, he told Kirk and Uhura that when he joined with Pike he experienced those emotions, not that he joined with Pike in order to experience the man's emotions. For a precise character like Spock, that's a difference. He left his motives out of it; if anything, his comments to them suggest that he didn't want to encounter those feelings at all, but he melded with Pike anyway. (Perhaps, since Spock already knew how they felt from the loss of Vulcan, he was trying to ease those feelings in Pike, distance the man from them? That would fit with Spock's extremely shuttered, unemotional expression. I'm not at all wed to this interpretation: it's just an idea.)

I'm anxious for the novelization - I'll get my hands on it next week, the day it comes out - to see what account that gives of the scene. I can report back if you like.

All that said, on my second viewing of the film it appeared to me that, although Pike was clearly struggling and in agony, breathing through clenched teeth and well aware he was dying, he didn't actually get tears in his eyes until after Spock put his fingers to his temple. That suggested to me that, even as he was projecting his emotions to Spock, he was also getting something from Spock, as well, something to which he was reacting. I really, really like this idea, but I'll need another viewing to confirm that I have that timing down correctly. It's a fast-moving fraction of a scene!

Thanks again, my friend! You have made me so very happy and thinky, as well! :)

[ace hamilton (from livejournal.com)]

Enjoyed reading your thoughts on the film. I agree with you that Pike was getting something from Spock. In my interpretation, Spock was doing what little he could for him and Pike's feelings and thoughts were an inevitable secondary effect of the meld.

[syredronning.livejournal.com]

I really need to see that scene a third time. Thanks for the heads-up!

[syredronning.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much for your input. I really need to see that scene once more, it's all so fast! (Or even better, a local copy here... *cough*)

I do like your interpretation, but it would ruin my story, lol! Interestingly, I don't have any personal head-canon for the Pike-Spock background in AOS, whether they are close or not. Clearly a big omission that now bites me in the ass for the interpretation of that scene :)

KHAAAAAANNNN!

[alivion.livejournal.com]

Welp, I just got back from watching it and it was great.
It could have done with heaps more of Karl Urban, of course.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

You bet! :) As for the Pike-Spock background, if I read these two Abrams films right, there is a bond there, albeit wholly different from the Pike-Kirk connection. Here's my "evidence":

* Pike chose Spock as his First Officer when he first got The Enterprise. It's not a decision he'd make lightly.

* In one of my favorite scenes from the 2009 film, Pike, as he's marching off to what he clearly believes to be certain torture and death, spares a moment to "pass the torch" to Spock, telling Spock that he wasn't the captain anymore, that Spock was. (I took Kirk's lines in Into Darkness, after he tells Spock that someone needs to be in the chair who knows what he's doing - his "that's not me, it's you" - to be a conscious echo/parallel to those "it's not me, it's you" lines Pike gave Spock in the previous film.)

Then, as those words sink in and Spock is visibly staggered by the realization Pike is going to be gone and he's going to be in charge, Pike - who, let's face it, has a lot on his mind at that moment - notices, and he makes a final effort to give Spock exactly what he needs in order to move ahead. Pike's last words are purposefully not overly emotional ("Careful with the ship, Spock, she's brand new"), and yet they are a variation on the "I believe in you" he gave to Kirk. Pike's tone proves to be just what Spock needs to shake him into action. He immediately sharpens, nods, and heads off to fill Pike's place. This reveals, I think, a sophisticated knowledge of and deft touch with Spock on the part of Pike.

(Note: Kirk is studying Pike very, very carefully in this scene. I like to think it's one of Kirk's most teachable moments. He sees how this man is matter-of-factly offering himself up as a sacrifice, doing his duty, and facing death to buy time for the others, all the time thinking strategically about his away team and the larger picture; this is what a real captain does. But I think it may also be a study of Pike's careful and skillful handling of Spock in a crisis moment.)

* Last, in Into Darkness, I can't imagine Spock pulling the "multiple attitudes" line on anyone with whom he wasn't very comfortable and certain. Pike's exasperated dismissal seemed as fond as frustrated to me. I thought this offered a touching insight into their professional familiarity with each other.

This is all totally IMHO, but there you go, for whatever it's worth.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

I agree with you that Pike was getting something from Spock. In my interpretation, Spock was doing what little he could for him and Pike's feelings and thoughts were an inevitable secondary effect of the meld.

Oh, thank you so much for this! Yes, I'm definitely on board with that interpretation. The "secondary effect" idea makes sense. (How could he fail to pick up on such strong emotions? They must've been the mental equivalent of shouting.) I'm so glad to hear that's how you read that scene.

PS. I find it touching that Spock not only pulled Pike from the room but also stayed with him. One look at the man would tell him Pike was mortally wounded; surely pure logic by itself would dictate that the most efficient use of Spock's energy would be to clear others who appeared to have a better chance of survival. But he stayed anyway, and Pike knew he was staying. Very poignant.

[syredronning.livejournal.com]

This is an awesome analysis and argumentation.

I've been a big Spock fangirl in TOS, but somehow that never translated adequately into AOs, maybe because I feel he's quite different in the two timelines and I still don't grasp nuSpock as well as I do original Spock(Prime). Love your arguments here, and I'll ventilate this in my head for a while <3 Thank you!!