Star Trek Beyond (2016) Review

 

Star Trek Beyond (2016)

Beyond follows Captain Kirk, who, along with the crew of the Enterprise, is left stranded on a mysterious planet after an attack decimated their ship, where they must battle a deadly alien race and find a way off the planet. 

Coinciding with the 50th Anniversary of Star Trek, I think it’s important to note just how right Beyond gets it in terms of reminding us why we fell in love with Star Trek in the first place. Sure, the epic scale, massive battles, and ridiculous set pieces of the modern films are still present, but there’s a longed return to character driven elements, fascinating new planets, and pure chemistry about this outing that feels fresh and equally as fun. Though the crew is split up for most of the duration, they have never felt closer, allowing extended bonds to form and letting each character play a part bringing down Krall. 

Part of that is the grounding of this film to a mysterious alien planet, taking great inspiration from the first frontier as the Enterprise looks to discover the last. Setting it here, as well as tying it to Earth’s past, gives us a nice nod to the world we know today and certainly adds to the boyish fun that is to be had, from fast-paced motorcycle stunts to the absolute badass Sabotage sequence; it’s a hell of a ride. 

Once again, we get another great cast, featuring John Cho, Zoe Saldana, Anton Yelchin, Sofia Boutella, Idris Elba, Simon Pegg, Karl Urban, Zachary Quinto, and Chris Pine. With the return to a more character driven story, it was only natural for Urban and Pegg to once again steal the show, but I feel like now, more than ever, Pine has really found his footing as Kirk and the leader of the Enterprise. His growth and maturity since the first has really paid off to give us the Kirk we know from the original series (without all of the overacting). 

Star Trek Beyond, directed by Justin Lin, is a fast-paced and thoroughly enjoyable third (and final?) entry into the new Trek franchise, that now, more than ever, captures the pure joy, adventure, and essence that the Original Series brought to screens over 50 years prior. 

8.7/10