Star Trek: Into Darkness movie review

Disclaimer: I missed the ending, due to poor planning . . . however, I know the gist of it and want to write this review with first impressions fairly fresh in my head.

So, initially I had no interest in watching a new casting/scripting of Star Trek, especially with the original characters.  After its release, I heard good things about it and eventually went by my lonesome out of bored curiosity.  (And failed to allow enough time to see the grand ending.)

The script spends so much time reintroducing Spock et al that the plot's details are pretty much cough-and-you-miss-them.  You can bet your bottom dollar that it involves a young Captain Kirk breaking rules to stop John Harrison (spoiler in white:  KHAAAAAN) from terrorizing Earth. This is set before the days of Picard diplomacy, so many chase scenes and action sequences - benefiting from the big screen - take place before the end.  Another spoiler: I missed the Spock vs. Khan duel and left right after Kirk supposedly died and Spock, in one of many emotional moments, epically yelled Khan's name.  That really should have been the ending right there; it was the best part!

As you might guess, I have quibbles about the script.  Too much cussing; it wasn't what is rated "strong," but it really dumbed down the film.  Kirk and Spock act like smart-alecks at the beginning, which discredits them both (yes, Kirk, too).  Thirdly, I can scarcely get past the fact that, though the Enterprise has come a long ways from the original's cardboard-esque sets, the old stereotypical portrayals of characters are still there.  Chekhov's exaggerated Russian accent, check....Kirk's cute-smart-objectified-crush, check.  Kind of shocking.  To a point, I also agree with some of the criticism (spoiler-related) of casting Cumberbatch as Harrison (as much as I am a fan of BC, and as much as he did a truly excellent job).  Overall, I had to try too hard to like the script; the effects and music were more fun.

That said...it fits the recipe for a very good Star Trek film.  Basically, it's comparable to the original films I-III, with enough to make you groan but also, somehow, enough to make it worth a Trekkie's while.  It might be that one scene I loved, plus the awe-inspiring effects, plus the soundtrack, plus the exciting (though dubiously advisable) save-the-world storyline.  The revamped original characters aren't too bad, either; I was impressed by the cast's impersonations of the classic actors everyone knows so well (one original actor has a cameo, too!).  I wouldn't buy it, but I'm looking forward to seeing it on DVD, with the full ending, of course.