Star Trek Into Darkness

Star Trek Into Darkness - 2013

Movie Info

Rating: PG-13

Age-appropriateness: sci-fi action and violence, some language

Overview: After the crew of the Enterprise find an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organization, Captain Kirk leads a manhunt to a war-zone world to capture a one-man weapon of mass destruction.

Themes: selflessness, family, pride, humility, responsibility, expressing emotions, death/grieving, integrity, judgement, vulnerability, sacrifice

The Quick 3

Ask these quick questions to hit the major themes of the film.

1. Humility. Do you take responsibility for your actions? How often do you act prideful and ignore the rules because you think they don't apply to you?

Pike reprimands Kirk for ignoring the rules and not having an "ounce" of humility. Humility is considering others before thinking about yourself. Kirk thinks the rules don't apply to him and he thinks it's okay to lie on official reports to keep him out of trouble. Kirk recognizes that he made a mistake, he didn't follow the rules, and he didn't take responsibility for his actions.

2. Family. How important is your family to you? To what lengths would you go to protect your family if they were in danger?

Khan eventually reveals his true identity, informing the crew of the Enterprise that he was genetically engineered to keep the peace in the time of war. He informs Kirk that his motivation is to keep his family safe. He asks Kirk, "Is there anything you wouldn't do for your family?"

3. Responsibility. Why do you think the best leaders are those who elevate the needs of their followers?

Kirk humbles himself and takes full responsibility for his actions. He acts like a servant leader and hopes to spare his entire crew. Jesus served in a way that served the rest of His followers. Mark 10:45 says, "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many."

After The Movie Discussion Guide

Follow this 5-10 minute discussion guide to drive an in-depth conversation.

1. Multiple times in the movie, Kirk has to make really tough decisions. He has to choose whether to save Spock's life or compromise the mission. He must decide whether to go after John Harrison or avoid upsetting the Klingons. What are some of the most difficult decisions you've ever had to make? How do you decide what to do when you are faced with a tough decision?

2. Kirk and the Enterprise crew chase after John Harrison because they want to bring him to justice for his evil actions. They want to make sure he receives judgement for his crimes. 2 Corinthians 5:10 says, "For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body." One day, we will all receive a judgement for our actions on Earth and will be held accountable to God. Why do you think God will one day give a judgement for everyone's actions? Do you think this is a good thing, or a bad thing?

3. Khan eventually reveals his true identity, informing the crew of the Enterprise that he was genetically engineered to keep the peace in the time of war. He informs Kirk that his motivation is to keep his family safe. He asks Kirk, "Is there anything you wouldn't do for your family?" How important is your family to you? To what lengths would you go to protect your family if they were in danger?

4. Admiral Marcus tricked the crew of the Enterprise in order to militarize the Starfleet. Marcus had selfish motives and he lied in order to get what he wanted. Selfishness is caring more about yourself than you care about others. Have you ever acted in selfishness that you lied to other people? Have you ever been tricked by someone who was lying to you?

Here's an article on How to Talk to Your Kids About Tricky People.

5. As his friendship with Spock grew closer, Kirk became more and more vulnerable with him. At one point, Kirk even admits, "I have no idea what I'm supposed to do." Vulnerability is sharing openly and honestly with someone knowing you are risking being hurt. Who are the friends in your life that you can be vulnerable with? Are there any feelings that you have that you feel like you cannot share with anyone else?

Minute By Minute Guide

Use this break down of the entire movie in addition to the “After the Movie” discussion guide. Great for repeat viewings.

:09 The crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise risked their lives in order to save an entire species. Spock was even willing to give up his life so that the mission could be a success. They all sacrificed themselves in order to save others. That's exactly what Jesus did for us on the cross, when He willingly sacrificed Himself in order to save us from our sins. What do you think would make Jesus sacrifice Himself for you on the cross? How much must Jesus love everyone in the world if He was willing to die for them?

:15 Pike reprimands Kirk for ignoring the rules and not having an "ounce" of humility. Humility is considering others before thinking about yourself. Kirk thinks the rules don't apply to him and he thinks it's okay to lie on official reports to keep him out of trouble. Kirk recognizes that he made a mistake, he didn't follow the rules, and he didn't take responsibility for his actions. Do you take responsibility for your actions? How often do you act prideful and ignore the rules because you think they don't apply to you?

:23 Kirk and Spock try to reconcile their differences. By telling the truth and filing the report, Spock hurt his friend. Kirk said that he felt "stabbed in the back" by Spock's actions. Have you ever had a friend betray you and hurt your feelings? Were you able to resolve your differences and make things right?

:29 Kirk's mentor, Christopher Pike, dies in an attack on Starfleet's headquarters. Have you ever lost someone that you loved? How were you able to grieve their loss in a healthy way?

Here's an article about How to Talk to Your Kids About Death/Grieving.

:37 Scotty refuses to sign for weapons to come aboard the Enterprise because he doesn't know what it inside of them. Scotty resigns because he doesn't want to compromise his integrity. Integrity is doing the right thing, even when it’s hard. Have you ever been in a situation where you were told to compromise your integrity? What did you do?

:47 Uhura is upset with Spock because he was reckless and careless with his life on a previous mission. She's upset because she thinks that Spock doesn't care about dying. Spock explains that, at the time of his passing, Pike was experiencing anger, confusion, loneliness, and fear. When you feel these deep emotions, how do you typically express them? Who are some safe people in your life that you can share your true feelings with?

Check out this article about How to Talk to Your Kids About Expressing Emotions.

1:06 The crew of the Enterprise learns the truth about the torpedoes: they are storing people inside them. Kirk must try to figure out what is the real truth behind all of this. Have you ever had to figure out the real truth behind a situation? Why is it so difficult to figure out which people are telling the truth in difficult situations?

1:19 Kirk humbles himself and takes full responsibility for his actions. He acts like a servant leader and hopes to spare his entire crew. Jesus served in a way that served the rest of His followers. Mark 10:45 says, "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many." Why do you think the best leaders are those who elevate the needs of their followers?

1:34 Kirk, Scotty, and Spock try to figure out whether or not they could trust Khan. Khan ends up betraying the crew of the Enterprise. How can you discern who to trust? Have you ever been betrayed like Khan betrayed Kirk?

1:48 Captain Kirk risks his own life to save the U.S.S. Enterprise. He exposes himself to harmful radiation so that he might save his friends. Kirk is willing to give up his life in order to save those he loves. He then says "goodbye" to Spock in a heartfelt moment, admitting that he is scared. Have you ever gone "above and beyond" for your friends? When was a time that you sacrificed a lot in order to help a friend?

2:01 Kirk gives a speech about how instinctual it is to seek revenge against those who do us harm. He acknowledges that revenge is not the best way to proceed, as it ends up hurting everyone involved. Matthew 5:39 says, "But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also." Jesus provided a radical teaching that informed His followers not to take revenge on those that hurt them. Instead of taking revenge, how can you respond more like Jesus when someone hurts you?