Star Trek Into Darkness (2013)

It may not be as innovative or complex as its predecessor. Yet, Star Trek Into Darkness bursts forth with a renewed source of ambition and on the shoulders of the Enterprise’s crew, successfully tackles nostalgia with a fresh, brooding twist. Capturing the wonder of space, jaw-dropping action sequences, and spectacular performances from the entire cast. Abrams and company follow up 2009’s franchise resurrection with another inconceivably epic entry into the Star Trek universe. Playing out the mystery and anticipation to full effect, Star Trek Into Darkness is bigger, louder, and surprisingly more heartfelt. Blending the perfect amount of sentiment, hilarity, and bone-snapping (reference) hand-to-hand combat, Star Trek Into Darkness doesn’t miss a beat. If the time since 2009’s smash hit has left a bit of a void in your life. Star Trek Into Darkness is sure to satisfy your Trekkie addiction, die-hard enthusiast or not.

Upon returning from a mission, the crew of the Enterprise isn’t allowed much time to rest as rogue Starfleet agent turned terrorist, John Harrison (Cumberbatch) bombs a Starfleet base in London. When Harrison flees Earth and retreats to a distant planet, Kirk (Pine) and the Enterprise are commissioned to hunt him down using any means necessary. Eventually finding Harrison on a abandoned planet, the Enterprise and its crew is attacked. Barely escaping with their lives, the crew is soon face to face with Harrison and a slew of difficult decisions that Kirk and company struggle to make.

While the primary goal of 2009’s Star Trek was to reintroduce this timeless sci-fi tale to the modern viewer, by and large. Nonetheless, the reboot was more of a rebirthing for the exceedingly long-running saga (not that I am complaining). Now, with Into Darkness, Abrams is definitely paying more of an homage to the original series that seems to set its sights on appeasing the fans of old, like myself. Coincidentally, Star Trek Into Darkness deals with more mature content as its predecessor felt more directed into pleasing a wider variety of viewers. To the dismay of Trekkies all over the world, Abrams decided to keep the villain’s identity heavily under wraps. If you happened to watch any publicity for the film, such as late night talk shows, you’d know that this secret was as vigilantly guarded as some nuclear missile silos. That being said, I fully agree with the decision as it significantly affects the storyline.

Regardless of the fact that Into Darkness isn’t as encompassing to the rules and regulations of physics and space, particularly bending them as 2009’s entry so brilliantly did. Into Darkness fixates more on the universe created by the original series and exploiting our fascination with it, as lovingly as one can. Now, dealing with these facets is sure to alienate those unfamiliar with their origin. However, it should initiate a sense of eagerness to explore Star Trek’s storied history for those who don’t have the knowledge and gives a chance for those who do an excuse to revisit.

Perhaps the most outstanding aspect of Into Darkness is the story’s growth even though there has been a four year absence. When the film begins, the audience becomes aware. We are somewhere down the road now, we’ve missed something and there is this yearning to catch up. To see the empire that is Star Trek move forward and evolve is refreshingly reassuring. J. J. Abrams  singles out each member of the Enterprise’s crew, giving more scree time to each individual and digging deeper into the emotions and heart that drives them, even Cumberbatch’s character.

In addition to the original crew that consists of Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, John Cho, Anton Yelchin, Bruce Greenwood, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, and Simon Pegg. Into Darkness adds Alice Eve, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Peter Weller to StarFleet…Even though each actor brings their own charisma, motivations, and vulnerability to their individual roles, there is no denying that there is only three leads amongst them, Pine, Cumberbatch, and Quinto. That being said, like any good starship, Into Darkness would be rendered useless without its crew, and this crew substantially upped their game.

Cho, Saldana, and Pegg are all fortunate recipients of increased screen time and added emotional character depth. Cho grows into a firm and steady stance, earning respect and parting ways with his comical errors from 2009’s Star Trek. Pegg and Saldana’s roles, or lack there of in Star Trek has been dealt with. Taking full advantage of the emotional intensity in their roles to showcase their diverse talents. While Greenwood’s role is somewhat diminished, he arguably gives a stronger performance. Yelchin and Urban’s importance remain unchanged except for the addition of a plethora of one liners you can’t help but laugh at. As for the new recruits, Eve and Weller make for interesting and formidable additions. Eve’s role, ripe with potent sexiness and cute arguments with Spock, is so much more. Playing the sweet, intelligent love interest of Kirk, Eve takes no nonsense. Finally, Weller’s objective remained a mirage throughout Into Darkness’s publicity, but storms in with chaotic indifference. As brash and toxic as ever, Weller is quite the surprise.

As masterful, endearing, and exhilarating the supporting casts performances may be. Benedict Cumberbatch, Chris Pine, and Zachary Quinto are light-years ahead. Let’s star with Pine, who’s face now permanently comes to mind when anyone mentions the name Kirk. Undoubtedly, Into Darkness contains Pine’s most involved, mature, heavy-hearted, and overall best performance to date. I can think of no one better to have taken over the chair. Quinto is quite the anomaly. He so elegantly, actually perfectly captures the essence that is Spock. His heartless, emotionless, and vastly superior intellect are mere surface qualities and Quinto knows this well, diving so deep into his soul that it leaves his exterior vacant. Now, where to begin with the immaculate Benedict Cumberbatch. I don’t think it is possibly for this man to do any wrong. With every role, he completely immerses himself and disappears into his characters skin, Into Darkness is no exception. Exuding every emotion necessary with pin-point precision, Cumberbatch gives one of the best villain performances in cinematic history.

Flawlessly acted, impeccably directed, and visually spectacular. The sheer immensity and heart of Star Trek Into Darkness is enough to give you shivers.

Star Trek Into Darkness: 9 out of 10.

Oblivion (2013)

Depending too heavily on the CGI to rescue its faults and scavenging a few too many plot points from other science fiction films. Oblivion’s bloated budget and excessive storyline dismantle any hope for resuscitation and disengage the audience to a point of pity. Even though at times Oblivion seems to be saved from becoming another meaningless entry into an over saturated genre. The forced and fabricated acting, with the exception of Andrea Risebourough, is too artificial, much like the numerous drones and futuristic machines zooming sporadically around Oblivion’s desolate Earth. Directed by TRON: Legacy’s Joseph Kosinski and featuring Tom Cruise, Olga Kurylenko, and the aforementioned Andrea Risebourough. Oblivion has the accomplished, visionary crew to undertake its cosmic mission, but doesn’t have the essential resources to get more than a few feet off the ground.

In the year 2077, Jack Harper (Cruise) and Victoria (Riseborough) are a team assigned to Earth for drone repair. Jack travels down to the surface for the repairs while Victoria monitors him from above. The drones are used to eliminate any remaining Scavs on Earth after the war. The human race was at war with the alien species after they destroyed the moon, causing multiple natural disasters which wiped out a large chunk of the population. Humanity was forced to use nuclear weapons. Humanity won the war, but lost the planet. The remaining population now lives on Titan, a moon of Saturn, while a few remain on the spaceship TET orbiting Earth. When Jack is attending to a routine repair, an unidentified object crashes into Earth. When he searches the wreckage, he makes a startling discover that shatters his perceived notion of what is real and sets out on a mission to discover the truth.

Let’s begin with the positives of Oblivion, even if they are scarce. Surprisingly, Oblivion is full of lacklustre performances from the likes of Tom Cruise, Morgan Freeman, and Olga Kurylenko. With their film history, you wouldn’t expect it. I anticipated more from them, especially Kurylenko after seeing her recently in To the Wonder. However, Andrea Risebourough is the only bright spot amongst the mediocrity. Her calm and composed nature is elegantly emotionless, robot like. She radiates, exudes those few moments before a storm. As long as she isn’t disturbed or have her routine interrupted, she’ll continue to glow, seductively. Yet, when the fabric of her apocalyptic world comes undone, she destroys what’s blocking the path. To be honest, she’s probably the reason I didn’t walk out of the theatre, I think that is the highest praise I can give. With Cruise and Freeman, you know what you’re getting. We take the good with the bad from them because the good is worth it. Unfortunately however, Oblivion is the bad.

Aside from the heavenly performance by Risebourough. The only other positive Oblivion has to offer is its top of the line CGI. Which shouldn’t really be a positive at all. It should be afore gone conclusion that with its budget, Oblivion should produce unparalleled computer generated imagery. But, for the sake of this review, lets pretend that it’s a miraculous feat. I’d also like to applaud Kosinski and crew for trying to inject as much emotion and humanity into the film that they could muster. They didn’t fail miserably. Again, the issue stems from the unnatural dialogue. There is no flow to it, it simply isn’t fluid enough. The scene that resonated with me the most is when Risebourough, naked, seduces Cruise into the pool and the two begin to entangle themselves beneath the surface. I find it quite ironic that in a film that suffers greatly from its overly complex story, the most entrancing scene is also the most simple.

Now for the lacklustre. In summary, the dialogue is too scripted, not at all realistic and it causes great disconnect with the viewers. How can one empathize with what is happening when it is painfully clear that you’re watching a performance.This coincides with the storyline and characters being abhorrently predictable. Moving right along, Oblivion steals too many plot points from other, successful sci-fi films such as Moon, 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Matrix, etc…This contributes to the predictability of the film because we’ve seen it all before. It was actually infuriating watching Oblivion’s plot continue to pile useless addition after useless addition of unnecessary twists and turns from past films of the genre.

Despite its stunning CGI and a lovely performance from Andrea Risebourough. Oblivion’s lack of originality and unbelievable characters are the reason it falters.

Oblivion: 5.5 out of 10.

Star Trek (2009)

Being able to draw fresh blood to the franchise while still appeasing those who practically have Starfleet emblems burned into their skin like birthmarks would appear daunting to say the least. Well, it just so happens that J.J Abrams put quite the strangle hold on the long running saga, revived it, breathed new life into it. A re-imagining that astonished and reached vast across the universe as an intelligent, undeniable virus that infected Trekkies new and old alike. While the effects and intricate plot provide the majority of its wonder. The real achievement is the development and portrayal of its familiar characters that is truly awe inspiring. Star Trek’s three leads Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, and Eric Bana, as well as the supporting cast are a revelation. With an all star cast and a story so elaborate, Abrams and company boldly go where no man has gone before.

The first shots profile the early years of James Kirk (Pine) from birth to his enrolment in Starfleet. Kirk’s father George (Hemsworth) was killed in a final stand against a rogue time traveling ship looking for Spock Prime (Nimoy). Around this time, a young Vulcan named Spock (Quinto) is torn between his heritage that is split with humanity. Roughly twenty-five years later, Kirk is challenged by Christopher Pike (Greenwood) to best his father by joining Starfleet to become captain of his own ship. When the Enterprise is called into action some time later, its crew is thrust into a battle to save Earth from Nero (Bana). With the help of Scotty (Pegg), Uhura (Saldana), Sulu (Cho), Chekov (Yelchin), and Bones (Urban). Kirk and Spock must set aside their differences to rescue Captain Pike and prevent Earth from being destroyed.

Woven in coexisting timelines and protruding from singularities. The Enterprise and cast find that nothing is improbable and everything is relevant. As complex as it is personal, Abrams Star Trek is a rebirthing. It possesses the nostalgia and intellect to remain embedded in enthusiasts hearts while its modern appearance and script is enough to bolster a fresh fan base. With the previous chapters in the film series, the brains were always present but there was a significant drop off when it came to the emotional depth. Abrams Star Trek sacrifices nothing, paying close attention to every detail. Eric Bana is diabolical as Nero. A villain powered by loss and revenge, Bana comes through emotionally and viciously. Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Anton Yelchin, Karl Urban, Simon Pegg, Zoe Saldana, John Cho, and Bruce Greenwood comprise the crew of the Enterprise, each more impressive than the last. Rounding out Star Trek’s all star cast is Leonard Nimoy, Winona Ryder, Chris Hemsworth, and Jennifer Morrison.

If you’re thinking this reboot is comprised of the old Star Trek series and films, you’re probably running through the list of stereotypes. It’s for sci-fi nerds, boring, and in the case of the original series, visually abominating. This is not the case with this new, heavenly spawn. The visual effects are rivalled by none. There is no idiotic costume designs, shaky acting, or irrelevant, embellished story lines.  Star Trek has the brains, the performances, and the cosmic mass. Overall, it is beyond stellar across the board.

Star Trek: 9 out of 10.

Looper (2012)

To say that Looper is an ambitious, mind churning take on time travel and the future would be putting it lightly. Turning the duality of humanity, destiny, and our forthcoming evolution into a provocative, thought bending thriller. Looper, a modern feat, has all the right elements in the concoction that is science fiction. Rian Johnson, Looper’s writer and director transposes his literary idealism in supreme form to the big screen, a difficult task when two of the main characters are the same person. The integrity of the CGI fused into Looper never falters and neither does Johnson’s Cast. Comprised of Bruce Willis, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Emily Blunt, Looper’s accomplished actors fulfill Johnson’s visions and demonstrate our impending fortunes or possibly our perils.

In the year 2074, time travel exists but is forbidden. However, when criminal organizations get hold of time travel machines, they send people they want killed back in time to be taken out by “loopers.” Loopers are hired by the organizations thirty years in the past and are ordered to kill whoever is sent back and get rid of the body. When the mob decides to terminate a contract with anyone of their killers, they send him back in time to be killed by himself and this closes the loop. In 2044, Joe (Levitt) is a contract killer who’s loop is sent back to be closed. When old Joe (Willis) returns to the past, young Joe is unable to take him out. Learning of his life, a ruthless leader named Rainmaker, and the possibility to change the future, young Joe also becomes entangled with a woman named Sara (Blunt). In order to save his life and do right by the people he cares about, Joe is filled with difficult decisions that need to be made.

With its twists and catchy action sequences, Looper is a sci-fi obsessors dream. However, while it may be encased in a genre, Looper has its fair share of surprising personal conundrums and political indecisions. Looper may deal with time travel, but the use for it isn’t typical of your usual dime a dozen, brain dead science fiction pictures.  The ripples caused by its usage severely impacts our existence and disintegrates what we may have become accustom to. Essentially, the battle between good and evil rages on in Looper with a much more plausible function. Willis and Levitt are terrific in their roles of the same character caught at different times and at opposite ends of the moral line. Levitt is barely recognizable except for his superb acting prowess and Willis hasn’t been this effective in years. Blunt is graceful and nurturing in her role that is based heavily on the argument of nature vs nurture. Johnson’s Looper is glorifying and incredibly significant in these times and gives a unique insight into our lives and everyday decisions.

Looper: 8.5 out of 10.

Prometheus (2012)

Part of Ridley Scott’s prequel series to the widely successful “Alien” franchise. Prometheus may not provide answers to all of its promised questions, but it certainly set the stage for them. A supposed sequel in the mix which was apparently the plan all along, Prometheus, regardless of a follow up is able to stand on its own. Scott reminds us that science fiction is his genre wheelhouse and he’s returned to set the curve once again. Giving a sense of wonder and amazement to our existence, Prometheus and its intergalactic, cosmic journey is spellbinding. A formidable cast led by Michael Fassbender (Shame), Guy Pearce (Memento), Noomi Rapace (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo), Charlize Theron (The Italian Job), and Idris Elba (28 Weeks Later), Prometheus is definitively original and visually baffling. Do not expect to be swept up in the search for our creators, Prometheus is a tough blow of  what could possibly be reality.

A group of scientists and astronauts travel through space on an unknown mission. Upon being woken from their sleep pods, the group is informed of their mission. Their goal is to investigate ancient markings found on Earth that could lead to the discovery of humanities existence. Following the markings, they arrive at a planet numerous light years away from Earth. They discover signs of a distant civilization and investigate. During the search, they encounter artefacts believed to be linked to humanity and our beginnings. Soon, their breakthrough turns violent and the planet becomes hostile. What follows is a dark descent into the search for humanities existence.

Before it completely rips apart the very fabric of humanities hopes, beliefs, and purpose, Prometheus is actually quite enthralling. Vast landscapes and oceanic skylines backdrop the birth of our world as we know it. A beautifully baron spaceship zooms across light years passing cosmic materials as its crew sleeps soundly. Scott and company once again flawlessly design awe and wonderment while conversely depicting dread and horror. Fassbender, as a robot, is the performance to look out for in Prometheus. Seemingly malicious and corrupt while contradicting these traits with a caring face and helpful acts, Fassbender expectedly delivers. Followed by Rapace and Pearce who, despite butting heads have similar motives and values. Their collective disappointments and optimisms echo throughout their performances and ring out to the viewers and pluck at our sympathy. Prometheus is smartly written and visually stunning. A welcome return to the genre for Scott and leaves us begging for a sequel.

Prometheus: 8.5 out of 10.

Sunshine (2007)

Following in the tradition like other science-fiction defining films such as: Solaris (1972), 2001:A Space Odyssey (1968), and Moon (2009). Sunshine uses the complexity of physics and the elegance of the cosmos to create one of the most complete genre films to date. With a star studded cast featuring Cillian Murphy (Inception), Rose Byrne (Insidious), Chris Evans (Captain America: The First Avenger), and Mark Strong (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy), Sunshine is not only visually stimulating but is also incredibly acted. Directed by Danny Boyle, a current all star behind the camera, Sunshine is both hypnotic and eye opening. Don’t spend too much time on the science of it all, regardless of its authenticity, it is after all, science fiction and a film.

In the not too distant future, a group of astronauts and physicists are assembled to pilot a mission to the Sun. The reason for the voyage is to restart our dying star. Previously, a similar mission was sent to reignite the Sun, however communication was lost and the ship and its inhabitants were never heard from again. The package the crew is sent to deliver is a stellar bomb which should theoretically restart the Sun. On their journey to our dying star, the crew receives strange signals and encounters severe setbacks and tribulations.

Whether it’s the slow transit of Mercury or the approaching, immense Sun, the music used to accompany these visuals makes the film. With John Murphy lending his contribution in completing the score with the bands Underworld and I Am Kloot, Sunshine would not be complete without its hauntingly epic compositions. All the while Boyle is using simplicity and awe inspiring moments such as never before seen celestial imagery and our closest encounters with the solar system to stir the audiences imagination. Sunshine literally and figuratively goes places we only dream about and accomplishes its journey with flare and style. Leading the way for the cast is Murphy who’s portrayal of a torn physicist admiring the universe, essentially living his dream while it’s marred by the circumstance is astonishing. Byrne is marvellous as she is constantly contradicting her characters moral and emotional sides. Evans and the rest of the crew follow Murphy’s dynamic suit into the abyss, while Strong is outstanding as an insane rogue astronaut. Sunshine is somewhat of a looking glass into the Earth’s inevitable demise and how humanity must come together to delay the apocalypse.

Sunshine: 9 out of 10.

Moon (2009)

One of the most eerily stunning science fiction dramas of all time. Moon is a superb cosmic journey with unique circumstance and family drama at its core. Directed by Duncan Jones, who is emerging as an unstoppable force in the sci-fi genre with this directorial debut and his follow up, Source Code. Moon is bolstered by Sam Rockwell’s towering performance of a homesick mining astronaut on the dark side of the moon. Moon also features Kevin Spacey as the voice of GERTY, a friendly computer who assists in the running of the lunar base, as well as serving as company to Rockwell’s character.

Sam Bell (Rockwell) is counting down the final weeks until the three year contract he agreed to with Lunar Industries expires. Bell, who is silently lonely, longs to return to Earth and be with his wife and daughter. Bell is the only employee aboard the base aside from an intelligent, speaking computer named GERTY (Spacey). With direct communication to Earth disabled, Bell may only send and receive messages, no live contact. Bell is used to transport helium-3 harvested from the moon back to Earth. Helium-3 is the most abundant, clean, sustainable resource used to provide the Earth with energy. On a casual venture to perform maintenance to one of the harvesters, Bell accidentally crashes into the machine. When Bell wakes, he is faced with painful symptoms and slowly comes to the realization that he may not be alone.

As angelic as it is depressing, Moon soars over its low budget to bring a thought provoking, universal epic to the big screen. Sublime directing from Duncan Jones turns this one man show (performed perfectly by Rockwell) into a multidimensional, emotional roller coaster. Capturing the grand scale of space and the significant details in our insignificant lives (in comparison). Jones achieves incredible feats with limited resources. Without playing the role of spoiler, Rockwell gives a must see performance, in my opinion, one of the best ever. Rockwell distinguishes his character from content, optimistic to severely blurred and in authentic anguish. Unfathomable range and literal pain is the best way I can describe Rockwell’s acting in Moon.

Moon: 9 out of 10.

Solaris (1972)

Solaris, directed by Andrey Tarkovskiy, is a science fiction drama released in 1972. Not to be confused with the remake of the same title starring George Clooney. Solaris is visually beautiful and is the prime example of Russian cinema. It is arguably the best Soviet film ever made. Solaris, although of the sci-fi genre, is extremely realistic in its portrayal of the human psyche and our struggle to comprehend our place in the universe. Solaris stars Donatas Banionis as Kris Kelvin, a psychologist, Juri Jarvet as Dr. Snaut, and Vladislav Dvorzhetskiy as Henri Berton.

Solaris is a distant planet that hosts what is believed to be intelligent life. However, the details of the planet are vague and for the most part kept secret. After numerous years, there has been little to no progress in the research or understanding of the planet. To make matters worse, there have been disappearances and deaths to some of the crew. Contact made with the Solaris base or with any of the returning crew proves futile, as it appears they have become mentally unbalanced. Kelvin (Banionis) is sent to Solaris to uncover the truth and report back on whether or not the project is worth continuing, What happens when Kelvin arrives is unforeseen and disturbing.

Solaris is not for the faint hearted or the lazy. Be prepared to bring your brain for this one. Solaris is an extremely intelligent, highly visual thrill ride that will keep you questioning reality and our existence. Exquisite performances by the entire cast keep this cosmic experience grounded and believable. On top of challenging the audience through intellect, Solaris will pull on your heartstrings and disturb you to your bones. Tarkovskiy has created a masterpiece that should be viewed by all, film lover or not. Power through the subtitles and pay close attention to the visuals, if you blink, you’ll miss something brilliantly significant.

Solaris: 8 out of 10.