History YMMV / StarTrekIntoDarkness

** The film also arguably missed an opportunity to make a point about the way ''Star Trek'' scapegoats Augments for the Eugenics Wars and WorldWarIII even as late as ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'', one that would have fit very well into TheWarOnTerror allegories.[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/miscellaneous-star-trek-thread.400203/page-29#post-13896192]]

** Film/StarWarsTheRiseOfSkywalker is to sequel to another Creator/JJAbrams reboot which was criticised for rehashing earlier moments in there respective series', including the use of a past villain.

** Though several fans complained about [[spoiler:James Kirk]]'s death scene being a blatant copy of [[spoiler: Spock's death in ''[[Film/StarTrekIITheWrathOfKhan The Wrath of Khan]]'']], many of the same fans also applauded the filmmakers since the scene was basically a public apology to the fandom for [[spoiler:Kirk's [[DroppedABridgeOnHim infamously underwhelming death]] in ''[[Film/StarTrekGenerations Generations]]'']].

** Film/StarWarsTheRiseOfSkywalker is to sequel to another Creator/JJAbrahams reboot which was criticised for rehashing earlier moments in there respective series', including the use of a past villain.

* CriticalDissonance: ''Into Darkness'' is currently sitting at an 87% on Rotten Tomatoes[[note]]In 4th place behind ''Film/StarTrek2009'' (95%), ''Film/StarTrekIITheWrathOfKhan'' (92%), and ''Film/StarTrekFirstContact'' (90%)[[/note]], with the consensus from the critics being that it is a very good, but not ''as good'' followup to the first film. Fan reactions have been mixed: some agreed; some thought it was an EvenBetterSequel; and one [[http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/aug/14/star-trek-into-darkness-voted-worst Star Trek convention]] voted it the worst ''Trek'' film of all time. ''Yes, even more than Film/StarTrekVTheFinalFrontier.''

* HarsherInHindsight: James T. Kirk's [[spoiler:HeroicSacrifice to save the ''Enterprise'' was a tear-jerking moment, but thankfully it is temporary. Comes 2017 in [[Film/WonderWoman2017 an unrelated movie]], Chris Pine starred as another character who also pulled a heroic sacrifice in a flying craft for the needs of the many, but this time he's KilledOffForReal. The person who witnessed his death also screams in anguish just like Spock did in this movie.]]

** Was Khan's casting worth it to see Creator/BenedictCumberbatch's acting talent, or was it pointless whitewashing of a famous person of color role that wasted the opportunity [[spoiler:for a Sikh actor to have gotten a really big break playing a classic villain]]?[[note]]Despite the original actor ''still'' not being the same race as Khan's entire name would suggest.[[/note]] Are the detractors justified in their accusations of racism, or misguided and counterproductive political correctness or are people just overreacting? After 9/11, would it be wise to cast an actor of color to play [[spoiler: a terrorist who crashes a flying vehicle into a populated city]]? Though the later point adds to the discussion about whether Khan should have used at all.

** Whether Creator/BenidictCumberbatch version of Khan was an effective villain or whether he should have just been an original character.

* BestKnownForTheFanservice: Often brought up by critics discussing the film's flaws. Carol Marcus is in her underwear for only one short clip which only lasts a few seconds: she changes clothes, Kirk peeks, we see. Blatant {{Fanservice}} that could have been left on the cutting room floor without affecting the plot at all? Yes, no doubt. But, based on what critics say, one would think she did nothing but run around in her underwear ''for the entire film''. One gets the feeling that the scene is only there because there was a similar scene in ''Film/StarTrek2009'' with Uhura and her friend.

** Was Khan's casting worth it to see Creator/BenedictCumberbatch's acting talent, or was it pointless whitewashing of a famous person of color role that wasted the opportunity [[spoiler:for a Sikh actor to have gotten a really big break playing a classic villain]]?[[note]]Despite the original actor ''still'' not being the same race as Khan's entire name would suggest.[[/note]] Are the detractors justified in their accusations of racism, or misguided and counterproductive political correctness or are people just overreacting? After 9/11, would it be wise to cast an actor of color to play [[spoiler: a terrorist who crashes a flying vehicle into a populated city]]?

* NarmCharm: As is the tradition with Star Trek, there are scenes that failed for some people and worked for others.

* BestKnownForTheFanservice: Often brought up by critics discussing the film's flaws. Carol Marcus is in her underwear for only one short clip which only lasts a few seconds: she changes clothes, Kirk peeks, we see. Blatant {{Fanservice}} that could have been left on the cutting room floor without affecting the plot at all? Yes, no doubt. But, based on what critics say, one would think she did nothing but run around in her underwear ''for the entire film''. The underwear scene was prominent in the trailer, hence the notice.

* BigLippedAlligatorMoment: There is never any reason given for Carol to be changing in front of Kirk in the middle of a conversation, and it's never mentioned again. It seems to exist just for the trailer.

** Was [[spoiler:Kirk's DisneyDeath]] believable (setting aside how unlikely it is they would kill off a main character in the first place) or wasn't it?
* CargoShip: Kirk and the ''Enterprise'', of course.
* ContestedSequel: There's [[BrokenBase a lot of debate]] amongst the fandom over this film borrowing elements from the older ''Star Trek'' films, [[spoiler:Khan being the main villain and now white, and Kirk's [[DisneyDeath 5-minute death]].]]

** Even if [[CloakAndDagger Section 31]] of Starfleet Intelligence is a bunch of WellIntentionedExtremist SecretPolice imperialists, how could they be so stupid as to [[spoiler:threaten to kill the family of the amoral superman who at one point had conquered a quarter of Earth]].

*** Bit of {{Irony}} here, seeing how the [[Film/StarTrek2009 2009 flim]] was criticized for [[TheyChangedItNowItSucks changing things around]] in the ''Trek'' verse.

*** In ''The Wrath of Khan'', a key element in Khan's story was that he [[FatalFlaw met his downfall]] thanks to his {{pride}}: he assumed that his genetically augmented strength and intelligence meant that he could never be beaten in battle, so he was cocky enough to challenge Kirk to a one-on-one starship battle--even though he came from a time before starship combat, and had never been trained in space tactics. He forgot that his enhanced genes only amounted to ''potential'', and couldn't compensate for his lack of experience, which the seasoned veteran Kirk had in spades. But in this version, Khan actually gets trained in starship combat by Admiral Marcus, he beats Kirk in a space battle because he has a better ship, and he's defeated with GoodOldFisticuffs; his ultimate downfall has none of the thematic resonance that it originally had, and overall isn't nearly as interesting.

** The opening setup is about setting up Kirk's impulsiveness as a character flaw ("Damnit, Man, you just shot our ride!")... except Kirk is morally justified nearly every step of the way, and the fallout over his actions provides the perfect opportunity to take the Prime Directive apart over how incredibly flawed it is. We got a movie about how bad it is for Kirk to leap without looking when it starts with a much more impressive debate about whose lives are worthy to be saved by Federation personnel. What he actually gets in trouble for isn't even the Prime Directive violations: it's his incompetent attempt to cover up doing so by falsifying his logs and NeverMyFault attitude to the whole thing, which just makes him look like an entitled prick.

** Spock's exclamation of [[spoiler:"KHAAAAAN!"]] during the finale.
** Many found Kirk's dramatic [[NoSell failed attempt]] to beat an increasingly confused Harrison on Qo'noS hilarious.

** Harrison's scream when Spock attempts the Vulcan nerve pinch on him during their fight.

** The extremely clumsy set-up of a ChekhovsGun, where [=McCoy=] working on a dead tribble is randomly shoved into the middle of a completely unrelated scene.

** Some of Cumberbatch's facial expressions can look comical, like [[http://31.media.tumblr.com/3fe1c3789645f3170c6f5b24089c6ca0/tumblr_ms9xp8kGwZ1rbkkwso1_1280.jpg his impression of the Grinch here]]. This actually becomes HilariousInHindsight when Benedict Cumberbatch [[WesternAnimation/TheGrinch 2018 voiced the Grinch]] five years later.

** Some of Cumberbatch's facial expressions can look comical, like [[http://31.media.tumblr.com/3fe1c3789645f3170c6f5b24089c6ca0/tumblr_ms9xp8kGwZ1rbkkwso1_1280.jpg his impression of the Grinch here]].

* WTHCastingAgency: The RaceLift. As mentioned, intentional on the part of the filmmakers. Having said that, Cumberbatch's performance was [[SubvertedTrope almost unanimously praised and/or anticipated]], even from people (like Creator/GeorgeTakei) who criticized his casting.

%%* FauxSymbolism: In a movie all about the cycle of violence and the difference between justice and revenge, the super-ship [[spoiler:which Khan takes control of]] is named the USS ''Vengeance'', for crying out loud. If Harrison had anything to do with the actual ''naming'', this would probably put Admiral Marcus into TooDumbToLive.
%% Ham-handed symbolism is not faux symbolism.

** The film's first movie poster was accused of being a rip-off of posters for ''Film/TheDarkKnightSaga''.

* HarsherInHindsight:
** The "go put on a red shirt" moment doesn't have the same humorous tone after Anton Yelchin's untimely death.
** James T. Kirk's [[spoiler:HeroicSacrifice to save the ''Enterprise'' was a tear-jerking moment, but thankfully it is temporary. Comes 2017 in [[Film/WonderWoman2017 an unrelated movie]], Chris Pine starred as another character who also pulled a heroic sacrifice in a flying craft for the needs of the many, but this time he's KilledOffForReal. The person who witnessed his death also screams in anguish just like Spock did in this movie.]]
** During his brief cameo, [[spoiler: Spock Prime tells his younger self they were only able to defeat Khan [[TheNeedsOfTheMany "at great cost"]]. Tragically, Leonard Nimoy himself would pass away only two years after this movie--[[TheCharacterDiedWithHim as would Spock]], as ''[[Film/StarTrekBeyond Beyond]]'' would reveal.]] Though in a way, this also doubles as HeartwarmingInHindsight.

** Uhura negotiating with Klingons is one of very rare occasions where she can help in a way no other character can and can have a natural impact on the plot. Instead, she fails horribly.

----

** [[spoiler:Admiral Marcus]] as a WellIntentionedExtremist. He figured that the exploration-focused Starfleet would not be able to win a war against the Klingons, a war he thought was inevitable (and may or may not actually be). He was only doing what he thought was necessary to ensure the Federation's survival. It's not even really that much of an AlternativeCharacterInterpretation - the guy just ends up tapping the MoralEventHorizon when [[spoiler:he opts to try and murder Kirk and the entire crew merely for having Khan in their custody, along with other acts]].
** The Klingons themselves. The only time we see them in action is when they're ''[[spoiler: defending their own homeworld]]''; not once are they on the offensive despite the continual assertions that they're gearing up for war against the Federation. [[spoiler: Marcus]] is actively goading them into a war, up to [[spoiler: stranding the Enterprise on the wrong side of the Neutral Zone]] to set up a FalseFlagOperation.

** Due to the disastrous handling of the extras for the Blu Ray release, Paramount is now offering a [[http://www.thedigitalbits.com/columns/my-two-cents/062314_0600 new box set]], which includes the IMAX scenes in the film and loads of special features. It also includes the 2009 film with all of the goodies from the 3 disc set as well. They are also working on offering a discount for owners of original ''Into Darkness'' discs as well.

* BestKnownForTheFanservice: Often brought up by critics discussing the film's flaws. Carol Marcus is in her underwear for only one short clip which only lasts a few seconds: she changes clothes, Kirk peeks, we see. Blatant {{Fanservice}} that could have been left on the cutting room floor without affecting the plot at all? Yes, no doubt. But, based on what critics say, one would think she did nothing but run around in her underwear ''for the entire film''.
** The underwear scene was prominent in the trailer, hence the notice.

** Was Khan's casting worth it to see Creator/BenedictCumberbatch's acting talent, or was it pointless whitewashing of a famous person of color role that wasted the opportunity [[spoiler:for a Sikh actor to have gotten a really big break playing a classic villain]]?[[note]]Despite the original actor ''still'' not being the same race as Khan's entire name would suggest.[[/note]] Are the detractors justified in their accusations of racism, or misguided and counterproductive political correctness or are people just overreacting? After 9/11, would it be wise to cast an actor of color to play [[spoiler: a terrorist who crashes a flying vehicle into a populated city?]]

* ContestedSequel: There's [[BrokenBase a lot of debate]] amongst the fandom over this film borrowing elements from the older Star Trek films, [[spoiler:Khan being the main villain and now white, and Kirk's [[DisneyDeath 5-minute death]].]]
* CriticalDissonance: ''Into Darkness'' is currently sitting at an 87% on Rotten Tomatoes[[note]]In 4th place behind ''Film/StarTrek2009'' (95%), ''Film/StarTrekIITheWrathOfKhan'' (92%), and ''Film/StarTrekFirstContact'' (90%)[[/note]], with the consensus from the critics being that it is a very good, but not ''as good'' followup to the first film. Fan reactions have been mixed: some agreed; some thought it was an EvenBetterSequel; and one [[http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/aug/14/star-trek-into-darkness-voted-worst Star Trek convention]] voted it the worst Trek film of all time. ''Yes, even more than Film/StarTrekVTheFinalFrontier.''

* EnsembleDarkhorse: The [[http://i.imgur.com/PhtOMun.jpg Random Cool Hair Red Shirt Girl]], whose name isn't even given. But she has cool hair. The ongoing IDW comic series has retconned her to be this universe's version of [[http://en.memory-alpha.wikia.com/wiki/Zahra Yeoman Zahra]]… [[RaceLift somehow]].

** [[spoiler:Admiral Marcus']] jet black CoolStarship, the ''Vengeance''.

** During his brief cameo, [[spoiler: Spock Prime tells his younger self they were only able to defeat Khan [[TheNeedsOfTheMany "at great cost"]]. Tragically, Leonard Nimoy himself would pass away only two years after this movie - [[TheCharacterDiedWithHim as would Spock]], as ''[[Film/StarTrekBeyond Beyond]]'' would reveal.]] Though in a way, this also doubles as HeartwarmingInHindsight.

** Both Creator/PeterWeller (Marcus) and Creator/BruceGreenwood (Pike) have portrayed ComicBook/{{Batman}} in animation prior to this film, Weller having played the elderly Caped Crusader in ''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheDarkKnightReturns'' and Greenwood having portrayed (alternate-universe, younger versions of) him in ''WesternAnimation/BatmanUnderTheRedHood'' and coming back for ''WesternAnimation/YoungJustice''. This film may be the closest we can get to having Batman in a Star Trek film yet, with ''two'' actors who've played him before, no less!
** With their white skin and dark FacialMarkings, the aliens on Nibiru look remarkably similar to Jaylah from the [[Film/StarTrekBeyond following movie.]] Trekkies, [[EpilepticTrees do your thing.]]
** After all the jokes about Cumberbatch's SlasherSmile making him look like the Grinch, he was actually cast on the role for the 2018 film.

* ItWasHisSled: Though it also overlaps with IKnewIt, it has quickly become common knowledge [[spoiler:that John Harrison is Khan.]]
** Even the [[http://dvd.box.sk/newsimg/dvdmov/max1381216163-frontback-cover.jpg back of the home video release]] outright spoils it.

** The damaged and fiery ''Enterprise'' falling to Earth in posters and trailers garnered responses along the lines of "Oh great, [[Film/StarTrekIIITheSearchForSpock they're blowing up the]] ''[[Film/StarTrekGenerations Enterprise… again]]''." [[spoiler:However, the ''Enterprise'' is able to get back on its feet before it crash lands. The ship that does crash, however, was the USS ''Vengeance'', piloted by Khan.]]
** [[spoiler:Khan being the main antagonist]].

** Comparing [[spoiler:Khan crushing Marcus' skull]] with the scene in ''Series/GameOfThrones'' where [[spoiler:the Mountain crushes Oberyn's skull]].

** Poor Creator/JJAbrams gets {{misblamed}} for lying about [[spoiler:Harrison being Khan]] when it was really Paramount that enforced. That he absolutely '''''hated''''' lying about the unnecessary plot twist was conveniently ignored in favor of labeling him as a constantly LyingCreator. It got so bad that people mistakenly used the debacle as an excuse to presume that Abrams was lying about '''anything and everything''' leading up to ''Franchise/StarWars: Film/TheForceAwakens'', leading to a whole lot of FanWank. A few years later, Damon Lindeloff admitted that they'd vastly underestimated how quickly fans could multisource theories in this day and age, and they should have just come clean when everyone figured it out.

** Despite its writers' {{Anvilicious}} attempts to decry militarization and aggression, quite a few people who saw the movie ended up rooting for [[spoiler:[[WellIntentionedExtremist Alexander Marcus]]]] and his goal in militarizing Starfleet for a war against the Klingon Empire. Seemingly, [[spoiler:Marcus']] only detraction is that he went about it in the manner of a standard GeneralRipper, to the point that he brought [[spoiler:[[BigBad Khan]], an infamous genetically engineered warlord that nearly took over the Earth long ago, out of [[HumanPopsicle cold storage]] to utilize as a slave ([[TooDumbToLive thinking he could actually control Khan]])]], as well as attempted to purposely start said war with the Klingons (using the oblivious crew of the ''Enterprise'' to do so no less) as opposed to letting it happen naturally. Even [[spoiler:Marcus']] actor [[spoiler:Creator/PeterWeller]] [[WordOfStPaul roots for his character, saying he disliked how the public viewed him as a villain and has this to say about him]].
-->[[spoiler: "Everything he says is true: The Klingons are coming, they do need Khan, and that's that. It's just that he’s going to sacrifice the entire Enterprise to get the job done, because the Enterprise started to believe Khan. But if the Enterprise had not believed Khan and had done what Marcus said, then there'd be no movie, and everything would be cool. But the great writing in this is that the Enterprise wakes the dude up and listens to his game, and then everything goes to crap. But that's the Enterprise's hubris. That's them. They screwed up, not Marcus. Anyway, sorry to go off there. I just hate that."]]
** On the flipside, John Harrison/[[spoiler:Khan]] gets a lot of this due to his sympathetic motivations to save his crew [[spoiler:from Marcus]]. Throw in [[Creator/BenedictCumberbatch Benedict Cumberbatch's]] charismatic performance, [[EvilIsCool stylish]] [[BadassLongcoat threads]], [[BadassBaritone booming voice]] and we've got a full blown example here.

** Many people are upset with how much this film borrows from previous Trek outings like [[Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine "Homefront/Paradise Lost"]] and, infamously, ''Wrath of Khan''.

** There were some fans who thought that John Harrison [[spoiler:turning out to be Khan]] was ''way'' [[EntertaininglyWrong too obvious]], and theorised that he was in fact the Klingon captain, Koloth – a human-looking Klingon from the original series that was meant to be Kirk's EvilCounterpart[=/=]WorthyOpponent. One can even take this a step further and watch the film with that in mind, and the story is essentially the same and it actually works in its favor.

** Given the character arcs of both Kirk and Spock, a surprising number of fans were actually shocked that [[spoiler:Spock didn't up remaining Captain of the Enterprise]]. This ended up becoming a major criticism with those who felt that [[spoiler:Kirk didn't necessarily ''deserve'' to be Captain]].

* UnfortunateImplications: Having Creator/BenedictCumberbatch play someone with a specifically non-white ethnicity ([[spoiler:the originally dark-skinned Khan]]). [[http://www.racebending.com/v4/featured/star-trek-whiteness/ This article]] goes into detail about the impact this decision has on ''Franchise/StarTrek'' and in the context of whitewashing. Ironically, Orci wanted to avoid other unfortunate implications - see ValuesDissonance below.

* ValuesDissonance: [[spoiler:Khan's RaceLift was because of this. Had Khan -- whose name might suggest that he is Muslim to people who have little knowledge of Sikhs -- been cast by an Indian or Middle-Eastern actor, "John Harrison's" overtly terrorist actions may have led to further UnfortunateImplications with the character.]]

* ForgottenPhlebotinum: In this movie, death itself is cured and interstellar transporters exist that would render starships obsolete. Since logically following through on either of those discoveries would render the franchise completely unrecognizable, there seems virtually no chance that later installments will remember them.

** After this movie, Cumberbatch also got to play [[Film/{{Mowgli}} another character named Khan]]. What makes it even funnier is that Mowgli yells "[[SayMyName Khaaaan]]!" at him the same way Captain Kirk did in ''Film/StarTrek2TheWrathOfKhan''.

** The opening setup is about setting up Kirk's impulsiveness as a character flaw ("Damnit, Man, you just shot our ride!")... except Kirk is morally justified nearly every step of the way, and the fallout over his actions provides the perfect opportunity to take the Prime Directive apart over how incredibly flawed it is. We got a movie about how bad it is for Kirk to leap without looking when it starts with a much more impressive debate about whose lives are worthy to be saved by Federation personnel. What he actually gets in trouble for isn't even the Prime Directive violations; it's his incompetent attempt to cover up doing so by falsifying his logs.