First, you need an exciting, original movie worth caring about, worth topping. Second, a filmmaker who’s more confident from their original success, with a bigger canvas to play with. Third, and most important, a really great sequel doesn’t try telling a wholly original story. It’s comfortable in the fact that its a sequel – instead it tries to retell the original story with a little more finesse, more skill, and with the emotional stakes raised.

Star Trek into Darkness is a truly great sequel. It’s the same simple story of the first; a story of growing up, taking responsibility for yourself and others, of balancing your head (Spock) and your heart (Kirk) in times of crisis. Only it’s so much better than the original (fine, ok, original reboot) on every level.

This is superb filmmaking. The ensemble cast feel like a real crew, bouncing off each other like life long friends. Every moment, every action set piece, drives the story forward. For Trekkers, there’s a lot of care taken to acknowledge and playfully rewrite more of its folklore. And all the while you can feel JJ Abrams is more confident in his storytelling, as well he bloody should be.

Ok, yeah, there are moments that don’t work. Hell, there are moments that make no damn sense at all, but they fly by like so much space debris. Just enjoy the ride.

This is a Hollywood blockbuster done right from a director at the top of his game. See it as soon as you can.

But then…

Uninstalled!

Star Trek is Released in Australia May 9, 2013

Apple Australia have quietly changed the way it will be treating iPhone, iPad and Mac repairs at its Genius bars and Authorised Apple Repair Centres. Apple are introducing a “variable warranty” to its main line of products, which effectively extends the warranty of Apple products to 24 months, to bring it in line with Australian Consumer Law.

via MacTalk – Apple Australia Quietly Extends Warranties to 24 Months.

This is getting a tonne of views at the moment. Good to see Apple updating their policy, even if it is “unofficial”…

One of the more hyped App launches in recent memory has been for the new iPhone email client, Mailbox. While many of you are probably still waiting in the queue, I’m sad to say I gave it my best shot, but it just didn’t do it for me.

via MacTalk – I’ve Deleted Apps You Haven’t Even Used Yet | The Mailbox Review.

My review of the new iPhone Mail client, Mailbox.

Justin Gibson, James Croft and myself discuss The Dark Knight Rises – there’s a bunch of other stuff thrown in, but it keeps coming back to TDKR.