Star Trek Beyond

48 Replies

vag96xveob5rjf34m2mqWe were treated tonight to a marathon of the new trilogy of Star Trek movies, including a screening of Star Trek Beyond. Seeing the first two reminded me how good Star Trek and Star Trek Into Darkness are, and seeing them all in a row made me all the more sure that Star Trek Beyond is my favourite of the three.

The most difficult part about the movie is how it reminds us that we’ve lost both Leonard Nimoy and Anton Yelchin from the Star Trek family. Nimoy was a larger part of the first two than I remembered, and his presence served as a nice reminder that there’s a whole alternate universe of adventures waiting to be rediscovered. He receives a nice tribute in this movie, which I was glad to see.

8_-_nurovgqYelchin, having died so tragically after filming was complete, is a key cast member in all three and is excellent in Star Trek Beyond (as always). But it’s bittersweet to watch, as his posthumous presence is harder to take than his absence would have been. Every one of his scenes serves as a reminder that there will be no more Chekov in the instalments to come.  He will be sincerely missed but it feels right that his role will not be recast. May he rest in peace.

A lesser movie would have been overshadowed by those real-life lossses. Star Trek Beyond is instead comforting and uplifting in their face, providing a classic trip to a strange new world, plenty of humanoid aliens (some good, some bad, almost all English-speaking), and some fantastic interplay between the series’ seven main characters. This time, Bones and Spock are the standouts, getting a ton of one-on-one time and delivering banter that is consistently hilarious and completely fitting for this odd couple. Writers Simon Pegg and Doug Jung do a Star-Trek-Beyond-photo-11wonderful job of capturing the sarcastic Bones and the quiet pleasure Spock takes in driving Bones crazy, while letting us see that underneath it all there is nothing but love and respect between them.

That is the way all these beloved characters get treated – with love and respect. I just wish Sulu’s coming-out moment had not been such a source of controversy leading up to the movie’s release, because in the movie it comes off as another nice nod to the original cast that also fits with the diversity that is the series’ staple.

I cannot say enough good things about Star Trek Beyond. It provides a massive amount of fan service while remaining accessible and enjoyable to all. Star Trek Beyond is a welcome and worthy addition to this classic franchise and a fitting sendoff to two absent friends.

 

Sean & Jay enjoyed the Starfleet Academy Experience – hear about it in our podcast:

 

48 thoughts on “Star Trek Beyond”

    1. Sean Post author

      Thanks! For me, the reboots have been consistently enjoyable, more so than any three in a row from the original films. And if you liked the first two, you’ll like Beyond too.

      Like

      Reply ↓
  4. theipc

    I’m jealous that you bastards got to see this before me : (

    But I’m glad you liked it – I can’t wait : )

    Although, it appears Bones seems to have some sort of Permanent on his head in your top picture. That may not sit well with me.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
  5. Christopher

    I remember when The Next Generation started and a lot of old Star Trek fans hated it. But some of us stuck with it and it earned a lot of new fans too. And it got better. When the spinoffs started TNG was the standard against which they were judged–not the original, although to their credit the spinoffs tried to go in very different directions.
    I feel like the same thing is happening with the new movies.
    Also, just because:

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
    1. Sean Post author

      That’s a very good comparison! Looking back, the way the reboot was handled was perfect – by creating a different timeline both stories were allowed to coexist. And the latest movies have been sure to remind of us that in small but wonderful ways and Beyond’s reminder is my favourite so far.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply ↓
    1. Sean Post author

      At this point I have to call myself a fan. I have a soft spot for many of the old movies (2 and 6 especially) but I think the new ones are way more accessible. Whether that’s good or bad is obviously up for debate but I would highly recommend marathoning the most recent ones, and now seems to be a great time to do it!

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply ↓
    1. Sean Post author

      The trailer was awful. It really took this movie off my radar. I guess the only silver lining was that I went in basically cold as a result but it feels like many people are going to miss the movie because of the trailer being so bad.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply ↓
    1. Sean Post author

      This is one to see on the big screen. The 3D was good but not essential. I have read complaints that it was dark and difficult to follow but it looked great in IMAX!

      Like

      Reply ↓
  11. calensariel

    I cannot wait to see this. I actually cried in the theater when I saw the first one of this trilogy. I had missed it something fierce. It made me want to go where no woman had gone before. Harbor Freight! ( ;D )

    Like

    Reply ↓
    1. Sean Post author

      The first movie was fantastic, and seeing it this week reminded me of that wonderful feeling when I first saw the teaser. Now that was how a trailer should be made!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply ↓
    1. Sean Post author

      I thought the second was nice especially because of its callbacks to the previous franchise, so I’d recommend watching it at some point, but it’s not essential viewing before seeing Beyond.

      Like

      Reply ↓

  16. Pingback: Random Reflections #1 – First Reflection, Six Feet Under & Best of 2016 | The Blazing Reel

  17. Bun Karyudo

    I’m a big fan of the first two of the recent Star Treks. They seem to get back to something of the atmosphere of the original TV show. I haven’t seen Beyond yet, but I’m looking forward to it. You’re right about the sadness of Anton Yelchin’s tragic passing.

    Like

    Reply ↓
  18. J.

    I was thinking I’d see this when it hits Netflix of DVD, as I didn’t think the first two were great. Enjoyable enough, I only saw the second one cause I saw the first. If that makes sense. You might have sold this one to me, though. Sounds like it could be the movie I was hoping for.

    Like

    Reply ↓
  20. reocochran

    I saw this last weekend and really liked it. The new character is attractive and strong willed. I got teary eyed twice, my Dad was a NASA engineer and was so excited about Star Trek! I wish he could have seen this new series, younger version with more realistic scenery and interesting plots, too. I highly agree, well worth seeing and ironically, I told my friend I went with that I really liked this one the Best!

    Like

    Reply ↓
    1. Jay

      Well it makes sense, it’s fun with lots of action but still had some heart and good character work. I think they’re striking a really nice balance with these that can attract lots of viewers, not just the diehards.

      Like

      Reply ↓
  22. mitchteemley

    Can’t say that it was my favorite, but I definitely enjoyed it, and appreciated the fact that, after threatening to be pure popcorn movie, it took a more thoughtful turn at the end.

    Like

    Reply ↓

  23. Pingback: For The Love of Spock | ASSHOLES WATCHING MOVIES

  24. Pingback: The Large Association of Movie Blogs | LAMBScores: Boldly Colliding Into the Fantastic Cafe in the Dark

  25. Pingback: The Wrath of Khan | ASSHOLES WATCHING MOVIES

  26. Pingback: Ben-Hur | ASSHOLES WATCHING MOVIES

  28. Pingback: Oscar Nominations 2017 | ASSHOLES WATCHING MOVIES

  29. Pingback: Star Trek Fandom | ASSHOLES WATCHING MOVIES

  30. Pingback: Crimson Peak | ASSHOLES WATCHING MOVIES

Leave a comment