'Star Trek Into Darkness' Review Roundup: Critics Say Film is Fun And Action Packed

On May 17^th "Star Trek Into Darkness" will hit theaters nationwide.

The film, starring Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Zoe Saldana, follows the crew of the Enterprise after they find an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organization. As a result Captain Kirk leads a manhunt to a war-zone world to capture a one-man weapon of mass destruction.

The film made its world premiere in the United Kingdom and received positive reviews. The film currently has an aggregate score of 93% on Rottentomatoes. The Guardian gave the film a four out of five and stated "People are unlikely to charge out of the cinema with quite the same level of glee as they did in 2009; but this is certainly an astute, exhilarating concoction."

Variety was equally positive and said "J.J. Abrams sets his filmmaking to 'stun' with a sequel in every respect equal or even superior to its splendid 2009 predecessor."

Times UK also gave the film a four out of five and stated "This latest Star Trek wavers entertainingly between the silly and the Shakespearean. After a shaky, old-school start, the comedy comes at warp speed."

Total Film said it was the best Star Trek since "First Contact." The publication said "After a confident take-off, Abrams keeps the franchise flying with a faster, faster, FASTER sequel that makes for the most thrilling Star Trek since First Contact."

The film was directed by J.J. Abrams who is currently in pre-production for "Star Wars Episode VII." He previously directed the prior "Star Trek Film" and "Super 8."

Pine recently starred in "People Like Us" while Quinto appeared in "Margin Call." Saldana is set to appear in "Out of Furnace this year and will also be in the Cannes competition film "Blood Ties." Cumberbatch is currently starring in "Sherlock" and will be seen in "Tweleve Years a Slave," "August: Osage County" and "The Fifth Estate."

Paramount will open "Star Trek" in 4,000 theaters and is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi action and violence.