The plot might not boldly take you to places you haven’t gone before but wherever it does take you, is a wonderful place and it would be positively Vulcan to say otherwise.

Star Trek Into Darkness does have all the ingredients that make for a summer tent-pole success, but the soggy Kirk-Spock friendship is a letdown, especially keeping in mind the expectations set by the first installment.

Apart from the action, whether it is the spaceship`s collision or the hand to hand combat in mid-air and the chases, what makes the film intense is the emotional politics.

Cumberbatch is easily the best thing about the film – he makes a classic villain, powerful and menacing at times, low and squirming at others, in much the same way as The Joker in the best Batman graphic novels.

A high octane adventure powered by adrenalin, testosterone, stupendous visual effects and nostalgia. What makes Into Darkness irresistible is the homages are well thought of, and while getting the references are a big bonus, the movie can be thoroughly enjoyed free of all the background.

Watch it regardless of whether you are a fan of the series or not. Star Trek Into Darkness will win over new audience and regale you with a three course meal of action, adventure and thrill.

…a lurid explosive which is ace for its perilous acting and stirring space action. However the excitement it invokes is familiar and the point it tries to make gets lost amidst a flurry of some breathtaking action. I am going for a 3/5 for this one. Slightly above average, the film borders on typifying Star Trek series with mostly nothing unique to offer.

In effect, the sequel lacks the consistent creative vision of the 2009 outing. Nevertheless, Star Trek Into Darkness should satisfy the hardcore Trekkers while reaching out to audiences unfamiliar with the mythology surrounding the long-running space opera.

Loyalists won’t be disappointed for sure, and the series may even inspire some new members.

The film will grab you from the opening shot and not let go. Despite a running time of over two hours, you won’t feel as though you’ve been watching for that long because there’s not a wasted nanosecond.

If you’re willing to suspend disbelief, and even embrace the illogical, you’ll be rewarded with a film that doesn’t bore you even for a minute.