Star Trek: Beyond (2016)

 

Currently the final installment in the rebooted Star Trek-franchise, this one hearkens back the most to the classic versions. I do wonder whether the input of Simon Pegg had something to do with this. He also helped write the screenplay and even though this film is still rather heavy on the action spectacle, the dialogue and slightly slower pace make it feel more like the Star Trek of old, but in a good way. 

The Enterprise is about three years into its five year mission in space, and boredom is setting in. You can only explore so much empty space before it becomes tedious. But after a short stop in a brand new space station called Yorktown, the Enterprise is lured into a nearby nebulah where they are promptly attacked by a massive fleet of small but lethal ships. The Enterprise is completely destroyed and the crew is scattered below. Most are captured by the nefarious Krall, someone who seems hellbent on destroying Yorktown. To do this, he is looking for a small object that the Enterprise had on board. It is a device that triggers something akin to a flesh-consuming virus thingy and Krall wants to use it on Yorktown. 

Why? You'll learn why, and even if it is slightly predictable, it is still a fun reveal.

On the planet's surface, Scotty comes into contact with Jaylah, a feisty alien girl who managed to survive Krall's attacks and who harbours more than a grudge. She also lives in an old Federation ship that she almost managed to get working again. With Scotty's help, she accomplishes just that, so now the core crew has to liberate their other crewmembers and try to stop Krall. 

So yes, there are some pretty fancy action scenes, both in space and on the ground, but they are neatly complimented by a lot of character development and funny dialogue. No really: this is the first one where you truly feel the new cast is all part of a crew that has worked together several years. The banter between Bones and Spock is spot on and especially Scotty gets a chance to shine this time around. His interactions with Jaylah are probably the best part of this film, as she is a fun character and a great addition to the lore. 

Really: this film needed even more Jaylah. 

Also: her design is friggin' cool. 

You know what also feels wonderfully designed? The spherical Yorktown. It's hard to explain if you have never seen it, but you can totally buy that this would work as a spacestation and it looks amazing. Sure, should people ever live in such a place, I'm sure vertigo and nausea would run rampant at times, because down is often up or sideways, but dang that looks great!

This last installment is a decent entry and it feels as though this is the one where everything neatly balances out, whereas the previous ones where focusing a little too much on the action. 

Also: this has a beautiful and simple tribute to Leonard Nimoy, who sadly passed away shortly before this film was completed. It is done very tastefully and understated, which makes it all the more poignant.