Review of Star Trek Beyond (2016) by David B — 02 Sep 2016

Now I'll be honest when I heard the baton for the third film in what is being called the Kelvin timeline in this new series of Star Trek films was to be past to Justin Lin by the exiting JJ Abrams (staying on in a executive producing capacity) due to his commitment to another space saga making a high profile comeback last year. I can't say I was too enthused, car chase/crash porn (Fast & The Furious) isn't really my thing and he was associated with the by far poorer second season of True Detective.

Even the fact that Simon Pegg who plays Scotty was on writing duties alongside Doug Jung who has a small role as Mr Sulu's partner still didn't make me think I was going to enjoy this and even considered passing on a big screen viewing of this having watched both the first and second film that way but then the reviews started to appear and what do you know the word was good, I'm glad I made a effort becausee I think this might be the best so far.

I did very much enjoy the previous 2 films, I'm not invested in this series as I am others and would consider myself a casual fan so the changes with the extreme moment at the beginning of the first film which saw the timeline change wasn't a problem for me. Even having Benedict Cumberbatch's character being revealed as the series most famous nemesis in Into Darkness didn't niggle me like it has some die hards. Both films for me were more than competent blockbusters and worth a trip to the cinema, something I can't really say about much product in this arena these days.

No Beyond is not perfect like it's predecessors but like them it hits more than it misses and the cast which is this new versions strongest element contine to improve and feel more comfortable and confident in their roles as the series progresses. This film feels more like an over extended TV episode of the original series and I mean that as a compliment not a complaint.

Pine is well and truly Kirk, charming, likeable and a talent for humour, he's well and truly cemented his verison of JTK. This new take was always going to live or die on the back of finding the right actors to take on these much iconic roles and Zachary Quinto's Mr Spock is like the gift that keeps giving, you can't imagine another actor embodying the role better and while he's definitely echoing the late great Leonard Nimoy he certainly isn't doing an impersonation, he's bought his own take to the role and like Pine contines to improve and invest the character with depth and warmth.

Although my personal favourite is Karl Urban's Leonard "Bones" Mcoy and like his colleagues this is no Deforest Kelly tribute act. Urban embodies as much of himself in the role while still reminding us who he is playing and the banter particularly with Quinto's Spock is a joy to behold. Zoe Saldana is fine as Uhura, a sadness knowing this is the last time we'll see Anton Yelchin as Chekov after his tragic incident that took from us much too soon, the film pays tribute like it does to Nimoy's recent passing. John Cho is a more than likeable Sulu and his character trait that has caused headlines recently made no difference to me. Even Pegg who I've had my reservations about, don't get me wrong I'm a big fan of his work with Edgar Wrright & Nick Frost but wasn't sure if he feels right as Scotty but here he seems to be settling into the role and is responsible for a good portion of the humour on display here, maybe we could accuse him being the writer of beefing up his role but when with Jung they have both delivered the best script so far I can't begrudge him of this.

The plot as I say is like something out of the original series and if there are any weaknesses it's Idris Elba's Krall who's a bit one note and after Cumberbatch's controversial although memorable and menacing big bad which had huge presence, is more like Eric Bana's vanilla Nero in the first film. To be honest even the original and Next Generation films have struggled in this area with of course the obvious exception.

Michael Giacchino is fast becoming one of the best film composers in Hollywood, taking on scoring these films is a tough task when you consider that both the late Jerry Goldsmith and James Horner have certainly stamped their mark on the prevoius big screen incarnations and of course not forgetting Alexander Courage's iconic original TV theme. Though Giacchino continues to deliver, he had already given us a theme in the first film that was instantly hummable, done a great take on Courage's original theme but as with Into Darkness he makes the proceedings stirring and thrilling and invests his score with real emotion that fits proceedings like a glove. When John Williams finally has scored his last Star Wars film (I know not a nice thought) surely it's him or Alexander Desplat must be the obvious contenders for the job.

I must mention Lin considering not having much faith in his appointment, I have to take it back, yes the fight sequences are bit fast and confusing but served by Pegg and Jung's excellent script he's delivered the most confident and enjoyable film yet and JJ wasn't missed . CGI isn't something that really seduces me anymore, it's become something that Hollywood has become more that happy to default to with at times a total disregard for character and depth but moments here are quite breath taking. The sequence that see's the enterprise arrive at Starbase Yorktown are dizzyingly eye watering and accompanied by Giacchino's score left me quite gob smacked.

Blockbuster cinema rarely punches my buttons anymore or leaves me satisfied but with the great characters, warm humour and pace punctuated with those human moments that have always been the hallmark of Star Trek I can gladly say this was a journey well worth taking.