Into Darkness

In 2009 Star Trek was rebooted. It is the in-word for taking a much loved series and starting again. That movie took risks changing what was a well-loved brand, universe and let’s face it huge fan base. However, it worked, despite a few niggles and maybe one set that was never quite right. It worked because it did two things; made money and made new fans. So we move on and wait. Unlike other studios, with Trek there is no spin-off here, no solo performances to fill the void. We have had to wait nearly as long as the original 5-year mission for the second installment.

Having said that, much has been said about this second rebooted Star trek movie and then again, nothing much at all. A trailer teaser gave away something. It featured a character, named John Harrison, a Starfleet officer with the ability to help another’s apparently serious ill daughter. It hinted at something, something that could be very dark in the Trek universe. The whole point of a movie is to tell a story. It is supposed to take the viewer from place A to B with goodness knows what in-between. The story should be make you want to watch and become engaged. This hint teased, you did not know where it was within this story. Again we then had to wait. Finally we get to see what all the rumours were about.

Into Darkness opens with a classic feel. The Enterprise, with a very young and ‘green’ Kirk in charge, Spock in danger of course and the age old prime directive about to be compromised. Now there are many fans who felt at the end of the first movie that Kirk had not earned right to sit in the big chair. But, then to tell that story in the first movie would have taken hours and effectively required a whole host of academy films. Fans might have gone for that, the rest of the public never. Films these days have to make big bucks to pay everyone off and create the environment for the next. Yes, in theory Kirk should not have been Captain at the end of movie one. If that had been that, it would have been fine, however it gets addressed a little in this movie.

The dynamics between the young crew have yet to be properly seen. Here is one of the biggest dilemmas for JJ Abrams. In the television series we are led to believe the crew are on it’s five-year mission. They know each other, they have spent time together and have history. By reworking the series, this has all gone. So we are left with building the characters from the start. That was very clear from the first film and it underpins this one, the dynamics of how the crew work and trust each other. In this movie Kirk and Spock are still coming to terms with each other as Captain, first officer and the beginning of one of those rare on-screen friendships. McCoy is the slightly awkward third person here, a sounding board to both. The rest of the ‘original’ crew continue to explore their roles. One which does not really fit yet is Uhura. That character should be more composed with the hint of action. I can only guess that Abrams needs to give this character something to do.

Add to the mix a ‘new’ villain, John Harrison, one who disguises his true motives making the audience wait. The action is fast paced, explosive to say the least and in places typical Star Trek. Humour was always thrown in when others feared to smile. Now for what might sound an odd reference – They do it with mirrors – is a line that comes from an Agatha Christie novel. Now that may appear strange but trust me it does say much about Into Darkness and it’s my only clue.

I wont give away the plot as I don’t review movies that way. What I will say is that it worked for me and very well. Clever one might say. I did get all the hints and smiled when I was right. The cast did grow in this movie, yes there are a few annoying bits but then the movie was not filmed just for me. They never will and the old fans have two options. Get over it or watch something else.

For me JJ Abrams paced this movie just right. It had action, humour, compassion, classic Star Trek. Remember, he has to fit at least 4 major and 5 not so major characters together. Let alone a supporting cast, some of whom steal scenes. Each needs to give the audience their all in order to make the movie work. The acting of Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto and Benedict Cumberbatch is spot on. They work against and with each other. Add fine supporting acting from the likes of Simon Pegg, Alice Eve and Karl Urban and you see a long lasting series. The special effects are brilliant, it’s difficult not to be these days. 

This movie ends with a hope of more films to come. Does it end good or bad? Well, you have to go and see for yourself.

Rating 4.5/5

Tagline ‘Hint – Mirror, mirror, remember?’

Archery in a cold place and other things

Why do I always get the start of a blog just as I am going to sleep.

Annoying last night as I started to drift off, the beginning of this blog began to write itself in my head. Now a few of you dear readers may think thats a bit odd. But there you go and so there was the start.

Now whats been happening since my last blog. Well lots of archery still of course, Modern Warfare 2, Dragon Age and Star Trek. A few things to get through then.

Star Trek first. The new Blue-ray came out and yes it still looks brilliant. In fact even better when you can look at it on a nice big screen. The Enterprise looks cool, the effects are great, the story wonderful and when is the next film coming out?

Modern War 2. Ok now thats a game of course. Has had a few bits of odd press and there is one old adage I would remind anyone to stick to. If you don't like something then, either don't buy it, watch it, read it, listen to it and now don't play the game. Having said that I have played it and it was good, online gaming fine.

Problem is where is that Elite that came out for the BBC B. (Oldie computer people will know).

Dragon Age on the other hand is for the role players and has that interesting part that you may have to play at least 6 different ways. I guess its all driven by the need to sell of course. The old Elite sold for £15 pounds maybe and it lasted for months before I needed another game. The wireframe graphics were state of the art for computers back then and the game play was open ended. Now well you have to either pay monthly or buy the latest new game and still not find that Elite.

Dear read please don't think this blog is becoming anything like a monthly something or other.

Back to the update.

Archery. Well the indoor season has started, guess it had to with the rain, wind and bad light. No that was summer.

Well the indoor season has started because people say so. I have been considering how I would approach it. I started by planning what I would do Friday, just go in shoot look at some technical bits and practice. Saturday I would shoot a round. Indoors is either Portsmouth or Worcester. Its been going very well my scores rising nicely. Until I got to the first postal shoot. It went of course downhill, but still over the 500.

Now I did a Worcester this past weekend and the scores were not bad. 244 and 267 out of 300. Really have being feeling very good about all this now. As I said in my last blog, there is a feel for archery that you can get. And it keeps growing, it keeps grabbing you. You start to get that 10 feeling, the moment the arrow starts to move. You know that need to draw the string, you feel that last second when you have settled almost the breath let out and then, like a tick of a clock hitting the top of the hour. The fingers don't let the string go , it just goes. And yes I have seen the arrow fly to the target.

There are more competitions coming along, more chances to improve and now use my handicap. Archery certainly has taken over my weekends and its wonderful.

One last thing my readers, I have been writing a Doctor Who story The Virus in Time for 10 years. Now do I post it here in my blog or what. It needs a bit of work still but then don't all authors say that?

Let me know reader (if any of you are out there).

Blogging Outdoors

First time for everything and this is sort of a first, well for me here it is.

Blogging in the sunshine, yes sunshine, feeling the summer sun on my legs and the insects all trying to buzz me.

Darn annoying how they all want to look at my blog and the mac, well thats my view point anyway. The back garden is in need of some attention which its getting as I watch. If I do it then plants, weeds and anything comes under attack from me. All bar Bamboo. Odd that.

Thinking of the couple of weeks that have passed by, a lovely visit from friends, running around an adventure place, they never build them for adults you know, dragged a few times here and there but as always great fun.

Star Trek - seen for a second time and still good, maybe even better. Might go again. Wonder if I will ever make my mine up on the top 5 favourite film Trek scenes, Enterprise clears moorings Trek II, Battle in the Mutara Nebula Trek II, Insurrection (the lot cant fault it), then I am stuck. Oh well finish that later.

Now we have the Lions season. The British and Irish Lions to be correct - www.lionsrugby.com - rugby for those who dont know. The tour started with a win, just about after 60 minutes of so-so play the team started to gel. I had predicted a 12 point win and was a little nervous but pleased with the result 25 - 37 to the Lions - 12 point.

Ok well next match is Wednesday so I predict a 19 point win for the Lions. Boy I am being brave but the team should start to bond now.

Is an outside blog really for all of this. Who knows, but this is my one.

Time I guess to do something else. The bird in the tree is chirping like mad, the bees are getting ever closer and I am hungry.

An outside blog who would have guessed it.

Thoughts on a Film

Well the wait was over for many people, Trekkies. Yes the new movie was out today as a preview.
After seeing the new Wolverine film I did wonder if the new Star Trek could give me the same buzz.
More on Trek in a moment.
Wolverine was very well done, very close to the comic book (ok moved to this era) but fast paced, good story, good action and good fun. For those who have not yet seen it I would recommend going, it is money well spent.
Jackman is Wolverine there is no doubt on that. The rest of the cast support the movie very well, the direction never made me feel like I needed more or was waiting for anything.
There are a couple of funny moments, twists and the odd special appearance towards the end.
Overall 9 out of 10

Now Star Trek. JJ Abrams had 3 ways to go with this , find a new Enterprise 1701-F and a new crew or start from the beginning and show how the original crew got together. Well he went with the second choice and as the trailers say - Star Trek is reborn - in more ways than one.
What words can you use to sum up the movie, well awesome is just about right. The Enterprise looks great, the cast work brilliantly, the script is Star Trek at its best and more, the effects are first class and the movie is well balanced. Who could not like this?

I am sure there will be the odd one or two who will pick holes in the plot - why, its a movie enjoy it. Pick holes in history films instead, a few come to mind but for this one you cant. It works.

If you want to see more of this then enjoy it else Trek will fail and it will end in my humble view.

I wont give the plot away I am sure I will talk to people about that when they have seen it.

Oh yes overall 10 out of 10.

Thoughts on a film - If you felt that you spent your money well, then its a good film as my sister said and I agree.