Star Trek Beyond Movie Review (Minor Spoilers)

I was really looking forward to Star Trek Beyond and I'm glad I saw it today.  The reviews were good so far and that made me want to see it that much more.  I enjoyed what they did in this installment as did our 24 year-old daughter.  It really harkened back to the original series in my mind. As she said it was like an adventure.  It was great to see them put so much emphasis on the all the characters and not just Kirk and Spock.  Not that they are lacking for screen time.  It was fun to see the other characters get more screen time as well as play such a pivotal part in the movie itself.

The movie stars out like a an old episode with the ship and crew headed out on a rescue mission. Of course that is where things go haywire as it is really an ambush by the new baddie in the universe.  So Kirk and crew get their butts kicked but and must find a way to fight back.  And it isn't enough to save themselves but then they must save the universe as a whole.  The new bad guy is a good character as is the new alien who helps them in saving the world.  But again this is as much about the individual characters as it is the entire plot. I think everyone should check this movie out and don't wait. 

 

 

 

  

Star Trek Into Darkness Movie Review

Possible spoilers in this review:  I didn't get to see this one in the theaters so I was excited to watch it yesterday on Blu-ray.  I enjoyed the first movie and couldn't get a good feel from the previews on how this movie would play out so I was skeptical.  Boy was I surprised.  They did a great job with this movie. 

From the beginning the crew is setup for failure against their nemesis Khan.  The character is the Khan we all know and "love" but it is a different take/storyline for him.  Again I was leery but I like it.  All the characters get plenty of screen time but I would like to see them fleshed out a little more.  They did a good job setting them up the first film but outside of Kirk we don't get to see much of who they really are.  I know this is a big cast and time doesn't allow so this isn't a gripe just a preference. 

As for the plot it isn't too convoluted and gives you enough twists so that nothing is easy in the crew's world when trying to figure out what to do.  I thought all the tough decisions that had to be made were more of a nod to what makes Star Trek great as opposed to the first movie which was pretty straight forward - there is the bad guy, go get him.  This time the lines are blurred which makes for a much more fun times. 

The movie has plenty of nods to the Star Trek franchise to include Dr. Carol Marcus who joins the crew.  This sets things up for possible future movies.  SPOILER:  I also like that Khan is ultimately kept alive.  He is a great character who can be a foil for a long time to come.  As with the original movie with Khan in it we had the great yell "Khaaaaaaaaan" but this time it is Spock who gets to deliver the line as the roles are reversed and Kirk "dies". 

Another good film everyone who is remotely interested in the franchise should see.  I was not disappointed. 

Rating:  PG-13
Length:  132 minutes
Cost:  $190 million
U.S. Box Office:  $228 million
International Box Office:  $467 million