After experiencing the clumsy dead-hand of unoriginality, that was 'Star Trek Into Darkness' (2013), this reviewer had resolved not see the new Star Trek film, but was persuaded by a fan to go and see it. A decision that turned out to be a very satisfying one.
Paramount Pictures 'Star Trek Beyond' opens with the iconic mountain. Thereafter, from the opening scenes, and those that followed, we were presented with a lightness of touch that also paid homage to TOS of TV and the later films with that original cast. Credit for this must go to writer Simon Pegg.
Unlike the dusted-down script of 'Darkness', Simon Pegg's script is original, whilst at the same time true to the characters and their universe. TOS fans will find their characters maintain their integrity, though with a few slight tweaks, and the film contains that humour of TOS, both with the interplay of the characters, as well as a playful handling of situations too. The big themes that Gene Roddenberry had from the beginning are also there for some of the more serious parts of the story. All are shown with a familiarity that is pleasing to the eye.
The opening scene, starts rather like one in the old 'VI'. Kirk is using his diplomatic skills as he faces a fearsome crowd of aliens. The said aliens are unimpressed by Kirk's diplomatic skills, viewing his explanations in the worst light possible, and working themselves up into a rage. This first scene is handled in such a way as to make the viewer immediately comfortable with the film and what is to follow.
Kirk however, is not comfortable. He is a little introspective, as are other members of the crew. There are some little scenes that show us a life on board ship that we have never seen before. This film, like the other ones in this new series, looks at relationships much more than TOS did.
There has been much talk about the character Sulu. George Takei who played Sulu in TOS, has been critical of his character's development, and the contact with him has clearly been clumsy. However, the said development was handled in a subtle way in the film, so subtle in fact, that it may not even have been noticed by some. George Takei complains that the character development was not envisioned as such by Gene Roddenberry, however it should be said that Gene Roddenberry always pushed for futuristic scenarios that were meant to pose a question to present day audiences. Thus this Sulu, must be seen as fitting in to that Roddenberry universe.
The film is rated 12A in the UK, it is rather dark in places. The style of filming was found to be far too fast and furious by this reviewer. Many action scenes were made up of far too many fast short takes in which it was unclear what was happening. This was made worse by many scenes shot in dark locations, like dark corridors. This may have been done to give a realistic look, but sadly meant little could be made out much of the time.
There were some very impressive scenes in space. Here the Director excelled. Some of the very best scenes, were not only visually impressive, but emotionally too. There are similar themes to the old 'III', we also see some, as already said, that are familiar from 'VI'. All handled well.
The blurring and unclear action scenes also included some hand-to-hand combat. However, some of the very best hand-to-hand combat involved Algerian-born Sofia Boutella. She was one of the top-trending actresses at Comic-Con, and it's easy to see why. With her good looks and fighting abilities, she must be a dream-girl for many comic-reading teenage boys. Miss Boutella was in a lot of scenes and gave a commanding performance. She was also able to portray much emotion in her performance, despite being so heavily made up. Miss Boutella had an accent that this reviewer thought was vaguely eastern-European. It was light and attractive, as well as throaty and guttural too. Perhaps it is Arabic. The accents used throughout the film helped fill out the characters in the film. They were well used.
As is usual in the Star Trek universe, the main characters are Kirk, Spock and McCoy, and the interplay of their characters was in the classic mould. They were well played by Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto and Karl Urban. There was good support also from Zoe Saldana, Simon Pegg, John Cho and Anton Yelchin as characters Uhuru, Scott, Sulu and Chekov.
TOS fans will enjoy this film. On the whole they will find it true to the original, one particular scene they will find very poignant. This new Star Trek incarnation pays homage to the TOS characters in it's newly written script, as such therefore it is on a par with the very best of the old. A roller-coaster ride through space during the end- credits is well worth seeing in it's entirety.
Warp Factor: 9
Paramount Pictures 'Star Trek Beyond' opens with the iconic mountain. Thereafter, from the opening scenes, and those that followed, we were presented with a lightness of touch that also paid homage to TOS of TV and the later films with that original cast. Credit for this must go to writer Simon Pegg.
Unlike the dusted-down script of 'Darkness', Simon Pegg's script is original, whilst at the same time true to the characters and their universe. TOS fans will find their characters maintain their integrity, though with a few slight tweaks, and the film contains that humour of TOS, both with the interplay of the characters, as well as a playful handling of situations too. The big themes that Gene Roddenberry had from the beginning are also there for some of the more serious parts of the story. All are shown with a familiarity that is pleasing to the eye.
The opening scene, starts rather like one in the old 'VI'. Kirk is using his diplomatic skills as he faces a fearsome crowd of aliens. The said aliens are unimpressed by Kirk's diplomatic skills, viewing his explanations in the worst light possible, and working themselves up into a rage. This first scene is handled in such a way as to make the viewer immediately comfortable with the film and what is to follow.
Kirk however, is not comfortable. He is a little introspective, as are other members of the crew. There are some little scenes that show us a life on board ship that we have never seen before. This film, like the other ones in this new series, looks at relationships much more than TOS did.
There has been much talk about the character Sulu. George Takei who played Sulu in TOS, has been critical of his character's development, and the contact with him has clearly been clumsy. However, the said development was handled in a subtle way in the film, so subtle in fact, that it may not even have been noticed by some. George Takei complains that the character development was not envisioned as such by Gene Roddenberry, however it should be said that Gene Roddenberry always pushed for futuristic scenarios that were meant to pose a question to present day audiences. Thus this Sulu, must be seen as fitting in to that Roddenberry universe.
The film is rated 12A in the UK, it is rather dark in places. The style of filming was found to be far too fast and furious by this reviewer. Many action scenes were made up of far too many fast short takes in which it was unclear what was happening. This was made worse by many scenes shot in dark locations, like dark corridors. This may have been done to give a realistic look, but sadly meant little could be made out much of the time.
There were some very impressive scenes in space. Here the Director excelled. Some of the very best scenes, were not only visually impressive, but emotionally too. There are similar themes to the old 'III', we also see some, as already said, that are familiar from 'VI'. All handled well.
The blurring and unclear action scenes also included some hand-to-hand combat. However, some of the very best hand-to-hand combat involved Algerian-born Sofia Boutella. She was one of the top-trending actresses at Comic-Con, and it's easy to see why. With her good looks and fighting abilities, she must be a dream-girl for many comic-reading teenage boys. Miss Boutella was in a lot of scenes and gave a commanding performance. She was also able to portray much emotion in her performance, despite being so heavily made up. Miss Boutella had an accent that this reviewer thought was vaguely eastern-European. It was light and attractive, as well as throaty and guttural too. Perhaps it is Arabic. The accents used throughout the film helped fill out the characters in the film. They were well used.
As is usual in the Star Trek universe, the main characters are Kirk, Spock and McCoy, and the interplay of their characters was in the classic mould. They were well played by Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto and Karl Urban. There was good support also from Zoe Saldana, Simon Pegg, John Cho and Anton Yelchin as characters Uhuru, Scott, Sulu and Chekov.
TOS fans will enjoy this film. On the whole they will find it true to the original, one particular scene they will find very poignant. This new Star Trek incarnation pays homage to the TOS characters in it's newly written script, as such therefore it is on a par with the very best of the old. A roller-coaster ride through space during the end- credits is well worth seeing in it's entirety.
Warp Factor: 9