Beyond offers fast and furious sci-fi action
Star Trek Beyond (M) Directed by Justin Lin Starring Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Karl Urban, Simon Pegg 122 mins
THE character interplay of preceding Star Trek reboot films has been their strongest suit, so it’s a no-brainer that there’s plenty to enjoy in Star Trek Beyond simply by virtue of getting the gang back together.
Incoming director Justin Lin brings with him a more comedic tone, and the sort of action sensibility you’d expect from the Fast& Furious veteran.
But even though this sequel has a tighter scope than the existential threats of the first films, this feels much more an action movie in space than a Trek pic proper.
That’s not to say there isn’t plenty of reverence – plus a healthy dose of ribbing – towards prior instalments over the past 50 years, but there’s little intellectualism or hard sci-fi on offer.
That’ll keep plenty of people happy, but avid fans may need to take that awareness into the cinema with them to avoid some disappointment.
Even if that does strike, it likely won’t be until after the credits roll, when a moment to ponder presents itself after the pacey action Lin conjures.
It’s interspersed with equally watchable odd couple dramacomedy subplots that see Karl Urban and Zachary Quinto pair up for plenty of winning BonesSpock screentime, as well as Simon Pegg writing himself plenty of scenes with a kickass female alien.
But by the time the film’s second excessively on-the-nose music cue roars out of the speakers and you’re reminded of Justin Lin’s career highpoint, Fast 5, in a bonkers finale, it’s clear that this Trek is aiming squarely for a crowd-pleasing trifecta of big dumb fun.
On those terms, it’s one of summer’s better tentpoles, whether fans flock to this Marvel admirer remains to be seen.
– Steve Newall, Flicks.co.nz