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The last paragraph from this review sums up my feelings perfectly.
"At this point it's worth asking what, if anything, this franchise is good for besides generating cash for Paramount and its above-the-line talent. Everything that made the original TV series and its follow-ups, small- and big-screen, seem so open-hearted, intelligent and playful is marginalized to make room for hyperactively edited action scenes and displays of hardware and production design. These are technically state-of-the-art but ultimately not all that different from what you see in most other CGI-driven action pictures, superhero as well as sci-fi—long, loud spectacles that are filled with people fighting, blowing up cities and planets, and crashing things into other things, instead of finding some other, more surprising way to move the plot along. What's the point of giving up pleasures that the "Star Trek" franchise is good at providing, to make more room for pleasures that most big-budget science fiction and fantasy already give us, month after month and year after year? Why boldly go where everyone else is already going? "
It's exactly the kind of criticism that sticks with me. You know, 'Star Trek' fans are a very diverse bunch of people. Just like Bond fans. They either like the popcorn-entertainment side of the franchise, or the more moralistic approach in which the franchise asks profound questions about humanity. Or it's a hybrid of both that attracts the fans and lovers who aren't necessarily fans.
Thing is, I am a sucker for more serious content. I have always been that way with regard to "Star Trek". "Star Trek" for me is not just entertainment for the sake of entertainment and with it big-screen action sequences. "Star Trek" for me is entertainment with a deeper meaning.
I never let critics sway me. But I do like to read them. I am a humble person who does like to be triggered by different opinions...and because of that reassessing some of my opinions. That's me :-).
For sure. I do not let critics stop me from enjoying or disliking a movie, regardless of its "acclaim".
open-hearted, intelligent, playful
hyperactively edited action scenes and display of hardware and production designs
Both of the above are in BEYOND, plenty of it. Of both.
But some people will have difficulties seeing beyond the roller-coaster-ride action.
Remember QUANTUM OF SOLACE?
Star Trek Beyond is that franchises QOS.
I admit I didn't get QOS at first, I thought it was all wrong, too fast edited, no heart, just action.
And while this still has some truth, QOS proved over time to become a fan favourite (as far as I can tell).
I'm not saying BEYOND is going down that route, because BEYOND seems to have made it big with most critics, just saying. I'm not into critics anyway.
BEYOND is beautiful. Just try to look beyond all the action spectacle, because there IS A LOT to discover. This movie is for re-watching. Probably the Star Trek movie with the highest re-watchability value ever.
And it is the most TOS-like movie ever. It has more of the series than any other ST movie before.
And there is a great important back-story and message in Beyond as well with the character Krall and what happened to him. He is one of the best written bad guys.
And what about Jaylah. I've never seen a new character in a Star Trek movie that was better than her.
Such characters usually only were made for the TV Shows.
I pray she well get casted again and will become a regular crew member.
Also the many scenes with Spock alone make BEYOND the best ST movie at least since First Contact, if not The Voyage Home.
Zachary is Spock, he has become Spock the moment he put on the makeup in 2009.
But of course I respect all opinions. I totally get that the hyper-action of Beyond will make some people unhappy as it does seem untypical of the franchise.
Like QOS seemed untypical of the Bond franchise.
some easter eggs you may have missed in ST:Beyond ( Spoilers )
@Thunderpussy so many thanks for posting that clip, because this shows exactly why BEYOND is a masterpiece.
going with an open mind,
It's The Best Of Both Worlds.
1- Star Trek: TMP. For me, this is the film that captures better what it means Star Trek. And i can´t get out of my mind the Enterprise Scene, the arrival of Spock, the last scene, or its music score.
2- Star Trek: First Contact. I prefer the films with the original cast, but this one has some kind of optimistic and "like TNG" vision of the future that i always liked.
3- Star Trek: The Search for Spock: Most of the fans prefer Khan more than this one, but i always liked this a lot because of William Shatner performing and the Stealing the Enterprise scene.
4- Star Trek: The Voyage Home: The most funny and while different from the others, is a nostalgic and magical movie.
5- Star Trek: Generations: I don´t understand why a lot of people hates this movie. The moments with the two captains are epic and the film captures the esence of TNG.
6- Star Trek: The Undiscovered Country
7- Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan
8- Star Trek: Insurrection
9-Star Trek The FInal Frontier
10- Star Trek Nemesis
11 Star Trek
12 Star Trek Into Darkness
1 Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
2 Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
3 Star Trek Beyond
4 Star Trek III: The Search For Spock
5 Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
6 Star Trek V: The Final Frontier
7 Star Trek Into Darkness
8 Star Trek: First Contact
9 Star Trek 2009
10 Star Trek: The Motion Picture
11 Star Trek: Insurrection
12 Star Trek: Nemesis
13 Star Trek: Generations
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.
4/5
Only recently got all the films on BD, then shortly after the 50th editions appeared bad timing. I did buy Wrath of Khan directors cut on BD last month, which is the best version of the film I have seen.
I'm about to order that one very soon as well. It's a great year to be a Trek Fan. :)
It is great right now I have yet to see Beyond yet, may watch it tomorrow.
Really looking forward to that. Let me know how the movie goes. I hope you enjoy it.
Will do mate almost forgot it was on been preoccupied with other things, think there is a afternoon showing at local cinema I must watch it tomorrow.
It certainly is, This movie will make for a great cinema experience. :) I had the pleasure of seeing it in IMAX and 3D. It blew my mind. :P
I like what people are saying with regards to harking back to TOS, I bet it looks amazing in IMAX.
It certainly was a blast @Murdock, like I say I'm not really a Trekkie but grew up watching the original series on repeat in the 80's and have seen a good number of the films on the big screen as well as Next Gen, Deep Space Nine & Voyager on TV.
Really enjoying these new films, the first one is stronger then Into Darkness but still for me very entertaining. Beyond just gives you a warm fuzzy feeling and this new cast are really excelling , no pretensions and the vibe of TOS was definitely there with this film which was great.
Dare I say I've enjoyed the new Trek films especially this one than I did The Force Awakens and I consider myself more a Star Wars fan.
Will look forward to where they go next with no. 4 and also we've got Bryan Fuller's Discovery next year.