‘Star Trek Into Darkness’ trailer looks at Kirk’s flaws … and possible shot at redemption

Captain James T. Kirk is under character trial in the second official teaser trailer for "Star Trek Into Darkness," following the announcement trailer that was released a couple of weeks ago.

That earlier look at one of next summer's most anticipated extravaganzas emphasized the mass destruction and supreme villainy of Benedict Cumberbatch that will be on display in J.J. Abrams' "Star Trek" sequel, perhaps coming across more as an explosion-heavy sci-fi action film than, say, a "Star Trek" movie. The new teaser, however, takes us on board the Enterprise, re-acquainting us with the very concerned-looking crew members ... and hearing, in the form of a melancholy voiceover by Bruce Greenwood (as Federation Admiral Christopher Pike), a bit of criticism toward the hot-headed captain of the ship. Check it out below:

"You have greatness in you," Pike says over a loving close-up of a steely-eyed Kirk (Chris Pine). "But there's not an ounce of humility. You think that you can't make mistakes. But there's going to come a moment where you realize you're wrong about that. And you're going to get yourself and everyone under your command killed."

Abrams' original "Star Trek" introduced us to James T. Kirk, the 23rd century equivalent of Maverick in "Top Gun," an arrogant live wire with daddy issues who arguably scored the Captain's chair on the Enterprise more through dumb luck than any kind of true Starfleet qualifications. In "Into Darkness," Kirk still has the Captain's chair but will have a lot to prove on many levels if he wants to keep it.

The teaser isn't just a bunch of finger-wagging at Kirk, though. It's something of a two-parter, as it soon presents the situation(s) through which the Captain will be able to show that he's got the right stuff for his job. We see Cumberbatch looking all calm and Loki-ish inside his glass prison followed by images of space battles, things blowing up, people screaming -- plenty of opportunities for Kirk to learn humility (and then some) and make some sort of sacrifice for the good of his crew. Hey, crashing the Enterprise into what looks like the San Francisco Bay will change a man ... as will what looks like a "Wrath of Khan" homage, a shot previously seen in the Japanese version of the first teaser that might be hinting at Spock's death (or at least his extreme discomfort).

Anyway, we hope Kirk doesn't completely lose his arrogance by the end of the film, as he wouldn't be Kirk without the charming hotheadedness that allows him to make the hard calls and seduce green-skinned space babes. But it will be extremely satisfying to see him grow up and truly embrace his destiny, albeit via some of the most difficult and probably punishing ways possible.

"Star Trek Into Darkness" opens May 17, 2013.