Few television shows are able to redefine the way we think about the universe and our place in it. Even fewer manage to keep us entertained, too. But that is exactly what Star Trek accomplished. The original show that marked the start of this great cult phenomenon aired on NBC on September 8, 1966. Since then, various spin-off shows, film adaptations, and other variations—in the form of games, figurines, novels, toys, and comics—have been spawned. There are even online databases devoted to everything Star Trek, which shows the huge fanbase and popularity it has. I am not old enough to know about or have watched the show when it was initially released; even so, I am definitely aware of the show, due to its more recent versions.

Considering the amount of Star Trek adaptations, the movie I will discuss specifically is the most recent one, which came after much wait. Released on May 16th of this year and directed by J.J. Abrams, Star Trek Into Darkness is the twelfth installment in the film franchise, and a sequel to the 2009 Star Trek movie. Many fans were anxious for its release, with high hopes of experiencing the greatness of the original. But did the movie stay true to the standards created by the previous installments, or was it a disappointment?

The story of the new movie takes place one year after its prequel, and therefore the plots are linked. Because of this, one might not understand the story fully if he or she hasn’t watched the previous movie or doesn’t know about the series. The film explores relationships within the Enterprise crew and its battle against John Harrison, an intergalactic terrorist who is waging war on the Federation, the interstellar federal republic, for unknown personal reasons. The movie is visually astounding with great appeal, but had excessive lens flares that some viewers found annoying. It is embellished with thrilling action sequences and eye-catching aesthetics. Overall, it is an excellent movie and one that will certainly keep the audience captivated throughout.

But, like every other movie, not all viewers were pleased with Star Trek Into Darkness. Disapproval was directed at what were seen as obvious flaws of the film, fueled by the legacy and expectations set by the previous adaptations. Disappointed comments, therefore, were centered the fact that the film was apparently not living up to the standards of the previous adaptations.

I have never been a devoted fan of any of the franchise, but I am interested by its storyline and concept. Although I enjoy watching movies very much, I am never too nitpicky about flaws. So, by no means am I the greatest critic for cinematography. However, I can say with certainty that the movie was captivating enough to keep me watching until the end. On the other hand, I do understand where the hardcore Star Trek fans are coming from when they say they aren’t satisfied with the movie, after waiting four years for a sequel to the series and the prolongation of the whole cult phenomena itself. It is always difficult to live up to high expectations, especially ones as widespread and popular as that of Star Trek. It seems that, when one reaches a certain milestone in its history, the audience always desires something superior than the previous one. Whether one likes it or not, Star Trek has reached many milestones in its history, and this new installment is just another one of them. The franchise has definitely lived up to the mantra it has abided by for almost fifty years: “to boldly go where no one has gone before.”

Sources: imdb.com, rottentomatoes.com