Being the sequel to a super fast paced reboot Star Trek Into Darkness wastes no time and throws us right into an Indiana Jones inspired opening. While Kirk (Chris Pine) and Dr. McCoy (Karl Urban) have to distract the natives Spock (Zachary Quinto) has to stop a volcano from destroying this civilization. The high adrenaline opening culminates into a situation where Kirk violates the prime directive which forbids interference in lesser developed cultures.
His actions save the day but also make the primitive species worship the Enterprise as a symbol of some godly interference.
It is after this action sequence and the comedic payoff that the title card appears and the movie literally descends into darkness with a moody introduction of the mysterious villain John Harrison (Benedict Cumberbatch).