Got my copy of Star Trek Into Darkness today at the library and was very curious how this would play out. Would it be a poor follow up that seems to be the norm for most sequels to a very popular film? Or would it actually buck the system and one up its predecessor? With JJ Abrams returning for another go round in the director's chair, I really wasn't worried about how the film would look or that the action sequences would suck. But I was concerned if the story itself would have a noticeable drop off from the last one. As is the case, I went into this one with no prior knowledge, even going so far as to avoid the trailer all together.

So, imagine my surprise that the Big Villain was none other than Khan himself, which I had no clue would be in this one at all. How's that for being Spoiler-proof?  Because they had Benedict Cumberbatch in the role of Khan, I of course would never have guessed who it would turn out to be, especially since it's basically a reboot of the character in so many ways and certainly a far cry from Ricardo Montalbán. I actually dug this new interpretation of the character a lot. In hindsight, I should have seen this coming a lot sooner, but I never once ever thought that they would be pulling chunks of plot from The Wrath Of Khan. As for the story, I found it to be worthy follow up indeed.

One of the cool things about the film is that they were able to drawn upon The Wrath Of Khan and then do a role reversal between Spock and Kirk. When it was revealed that Cumberbatch was Khan, I kept replaying William Shattner's "Khaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan" in my head. It's so iconic. When they flipped it to where Kirk dies and leave it to Spock to utter that famous line, it gave me chills and the hair on my arm stood up. Epic. Loved that they even brought Leonard Nimoy back for a cameo just to tie it into what happened in the original sequel. Very nice touch. Definitely worth a Rent.

Wow, I'm officially impressed that you had NO idea Cumberbatch was Khan because people pretty much knew that for years before it was ever announced.  Personally for me it wasn't an "oh my god" moment (Iron Man 3 had that, I will say), but more "...really?"  That was my reaction to so much of the movie: "really?"  It was just... disappointing.  So disappointing.

I WILL say that I just realized a week or so ago that Khan and Ender are the same person... of course, this won't make sense unless you've seen Ender's Game.

Even before that scene took place, I saw it coming a mile a way. And no....I had not heard a peep about the scene prior to seeing it for the first time tonight. Not really sure why or how I saw it coming, but I could sense it was coming given the fact that it was Alice Eve standing on board the Enterprise. As an example, you don't hire a Jenna Jameson and then not use her 'asset' in some way, shape or form somewhere in the film.

Actually, I should have used Traci Lords as a better example. She has been trying to go "legit" for years and any mainstream Hollywood flick she has done, there is always a scene where she has to undress or parade herself around in a way that doesn't scream 'going legit'.

That the one with Pegg in it? I'm not sure if I have seen it though. Can't remember if I did while channel surfing.

I'm hoping the Third Flick is about a pair of Killer Whales named Orca and Orchid. 

I WILL say that I just realized a week or so ago that Khan and Ender are the same person... of course, this won't make sense unless you've seen Ender's Game.

What?