The USS Enterprise continues its exploration of space, the final frontier, in Star Trek: Beyond, the third film in Star Trek's newly named Kelvin Timeline which rebooted the popular franchise in 2009. Taking a change of course for the series, previous director J.J. Abrams stays on as producer while giving the helm to new director Justin Lin, probably best known for his work on the Fast & the Furious films. Lin's style here is immediately noticeable, with that almost too quick pacing that was inherit to his previous work keeping the film progressing and interest high as scenes bombard with spectacularity. While the film rarely slows down to allow quieter, more dramatic moments to fully play out and become too significant, Star Trek's main themes of compassion, diversity and unification are back in full force, and it is just wonderful.
Simon Pegg, who stars in the film as Scotty, also takes over writing chores with Doug Jung, and their love for Star Trek is more than apparent, giving it a stronger likeness to the original series than the previous two films. Although some smaller plot elements and details fall between the cracks, it never upsets the cohesive feeling of joy, humanity, morality and hope that the movie instills, even in general midst of trying times. And it's all done in style, with unbelievably gorgeous set productions, intricate creature make-up effects, wonderful special effects and an overall vibrant visual flair, without too many lens flares on the ship.
A captain is only as good as his crew, and this ensemble is just that: a great crew. It is lovely that science fiction is what seems to be paving the way for more inclusion amongst lead roles in Hollywood and, although Star Trek has been groundbreaking with its diversity before, it is quite thick and palpable here. These characters showcase different races, sexes, sexualities, even species. Newcomer Jaylah is fantastic, able to break the mold and give strength and softness, power and vulnerability all simultaneously without having to succumb to just being a side character or love interest. In fact, the lack of a serious love story in a major American motion picture is a wonderful relief in itself, letting the characters grow organically as individuals. Yet, they are each also multifaceted, not defined by just being a woman, or just being gay or just being black, but rather they are each a whole developed person that just happens to have all these wonderful traits. And while the story allows for each of them to show what they're worth and their own individual importance, the true grit of the movie is how important they are to each other and how each one makes the crew stronger, especially in times of devastation.
This is about camaraderie and overcoming. This is what can happen when a true group, family, or crew is formed, allowing them all to bring their strengths to work together as a whole for the greater good, all while keeping their integrity, moral compass and prime directive not only in tact, but front and center. It's a bittersweet family with the recent real life death of actor Anton Yelchin who plays Chekov, but what an astounding lasting legacy and final film to be associated with. With Beyond, Star Trek finds its way back to those important ideals that originally set the franchise apart from other outer space adventures, a great gift to its fans on the 50th anniversary of the original series.
Simon Pegg, who stars in the film as Scotty, also takes over writing chores with Doug Jung, and their love for Star Trek is more than apparent, giving it a stronger likeness to the original series than the previous two films. Although some smaller plot elements and details fall between the cracks, it never upsets the cohesive feeling of joy, humanity, morality and hope that the movie instills, even in general midst of trying times. And it's all done in style, with unbelievably gorgeous set productions, intricate creature make-up effects, wonderful special effects and an overall vibrant visual flair, without too many lens flares on the ship.
A captain is only as good as his crew, and this ensemble is just that: a great crew. It is lovely that science fiction is what seems to be paving the way for more inclusion amongst lead roles in Hollywood and, although Star Trek has been groundbreaking with its diversity before, it is quite thick and palpable here. These characters showcase different races, sexes, sexualities, even species. Newcomer Jaylah is fantastic, able to break the mold and give strength and softness, power and vulnerability all simultaneously without having to succumb to just being a side character or love interest. In fact, the lack of a serious love story in a major American motion picture is a wonderful relief in itself, letting the characters grow organically as individuals. Yet, they are each also multifaceted, not defined by just being a woman, or just being gay or just being black, but rather they are each a whole developed person that just happens to have all these wonderful traits. And while the story allows for each of them to show what they're worth and their own individual importance, the true grit of the movie is how important they are to each other and how each one makes the crew stronger, especially in times of devastation.
This is about camaraderie and overcoming. This is what can happen when a true group, family, or crew is formed, allowing them all to bring their strengths to work together as a whole for the greater good, all while keeping their integrity, moral compass and prime directive not only in tact, but front and center. It's a bittersweet family with the recent real life death of actor Anton Yelchin who plays Chekov, but what an astounding lasting legacy and final film to be associated with. With Beyond, Star Trek finds its way back to those important ideals that originally set the franchise apart from other outer space adventures, a great gift to its fans on the 50th anniversary of the original series.
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