Interestingly enough, while objectively its worse, given the option I'd actually re-watch Into Darkness before Trek 09. Despite all the things that make it a bad movie, I think its pretty watchable on an action movie level, to where if it was on cable, I'd probably watch it, whereas Trek 09 is more competent but pretty dull and forgettable to me (that one has 1-2 good set-pieces, this one has like 4-5).

Also, to say something positive for a change, I think Quinto absolutely nails Spock this time out, all his dialogue and deliveries are great in this one.

I'll put it in Matrix Reloaded territory, though its better than Iron Man 2 on the strength of its action sequences.

I think the disconnect is happening because most of the action sequences are impressive and well staged, and most of the throwaway character banter is fun and works. This, combined with the story approach of keeping the audience in the dark until 60% of the way into the movie, allows it to feel like the movie is working as you're watching it, because you're giving the movie the benefit of the doubt that it will all make sense and that the movie knows what its doing. I think this is why its so high on RT (I hope that number goes down after the weekend, lest the bar for what a "good" movie is drop even further).

Of course, what you realize when you walk out, is that basically everything related to the actual STORY of the movie is an absolute mess and fails miserably, and the stuff they pull in the 3rd act is such awful fan-wank bullshit that it kills any good will the movie may have built up. This REALLY feels like Crystal Skull in the way that there's multiple plotlines and character arcs that go completely no-where or just disappear from the movie.
I think the movie will only get worse on repeated viewings, and it seems dumber and dumber the more you think about it. So many stupid choices.

Completely agree with Teague, the last 3rd of the movie is like some horrible piece of fan fiction.
I can't fathom why someone in Abrams' position would even attempt to do something so misguided, and this only confirms all of my fears about Star Wars ep.7 (though at least he's got a good writer on that one).

I recommend at least dropping in at the designated time in case we have some no shows, then we'll decide who wants to sit in/out.

Sounds good

Not 100%, as I'd be doing it from work again, but I think I can make it

For what its worth, I'm inclined to blame Marc Foster for fucking up here more than anyone at the studio. Remember, he was Brad Pitt's choice, not necessarily the studio's. This looks more like the studio scrambling to fix his mess and make a workable, entertaining summer blockbuster.

Also those vfx companies are gonna be shit out of luck when this movie bombs

I don't know, I just fundamentally don't see what people can strongly dislike about it. I don't even think its a case of visuals trumping story, I think it's a good story. A movie about how we've fucked over the fantasy world and it wants to get revenge, a pretty sympathetic villain, a fun/imaginative team of fantasy main characters, there's lots of good character beats throughout. Off the top of my head there's one major plot-hole, and the humans kinda turn against Hellboy on a dime, so ya its not perfect narratively, but its solid, and no more flawed than tons of movies DIF loves like Inception or Constantine. And that pretty good narrative is paired with outstanding visuals/effects and great action sequences.

Maybe I just need to rewatch it again, but I always remembered it as kinda being widely liked by fans/critics.

But ya, sorry for the digression, didn't mean to sidetrack.

No spoilers yet, but is the ending as terrible as some people are suggesting, or has that been blown out of proportion?

I'm not interested in seeing it because the movie looks lame, but I generally wouldn't hold a person's personal beliefs/actions over their art, no matter how stupid. Whether it's Polanski, or Mel Gibson, or Tom Cruise, if the art is good, I'll watch and support it.