He's gotta put in a title card next time.
Spoilers STAR TREK BEYOND - Grading & Discussion
- Thread starter Commander Richard
- Start date
The characters were so satisfying. Old and new.
Kirk felt like Kirk, Spock felt like Spock, and by God, Bones was Bones! If you hadn't warmed up to the new crew yet, you will when you see Beyond.
Jaylah was the highlight of the movie for me. Her interactions with "Montgomery Scotty" and of course her mate "James T" were brilliant.
Yelchin's death is hitting harder than ever now after seeing Beyond. I'm really going to miss that quirky little Russian
Kirk felt like Kirk, Spock felt like Spock, and by God, Bones was Bones! If you hadn't warmed up to the new crew yet, you will when you see Beyond.
Jaylah was the highlight of the movie for me. Her interactions with "Montgomery Scotty" and of course her mate "James T" were brilliant.
Yelchin's death is hitting harder than ever now after seeing Beyond. I'm really going to miss that quirky little Russian
...but 2 male redshirts biting it wouldn't have stood out to you, JD? They killed those crewmen precisely because they were give some characterization. That's ST's MO: if you learn anything about a secondary character, including their name, let alone give them more than a single line, odds are they're going to die screaming.
I was way more bothered by the single trite "absent friends" toast to memorialize the hundreds of Enterprise and station crewmen who were killed in various horrific ways throughout the film. Seriously, you're going to have a birthday party instead of going to those 400+ wakes?
Also, where the hell did all the crewmen you did save and beam aboard the Franklin go during the climax? Why were none of them ever seen again (outside of the one vamped corpse), I don't know, maybe crewing the Franklin? Did they all die in the crash? The command crew had to run around that ship doing everything when presumably they had at least 60 equally-trained Starfleet personnel just cooling their heels in a cargo hold.
None of the Star Trek films, especially the new ones, ever treats the lower decks properly. They're just disposable people and it's disturbing. I suppose that lends further credence to Krall's motivation, since SF wrote him and his crew off, too.
Also, why can't there be a film where the Enterprise is able to overcome a threat of comparable strength? Wrath of Khan was so awesome partly because it was just two evenly matched opponents trying to outmaneuver one-another. In most of the Next Gen and all of the NuTrek films, every single villain they face is orders of magnitude more powerful than them, to a cartoonish degree, the Enterprise and/or SF gets ganked like newbs early on, and then it becomes all about finding some deus ex machina to save the day.
I quite liked the film despite my reservations over things the cast and writers probably didn't even think of, though. Very pretty, good score and exciting action. Funny bits throughout and I loved the references to TV Enterprise. I love the tech and that most of this was set on the ground instead of endless space battles and the alien designs were neat. Jaylah was a great addition. I liked her design the most, although the facehugger-head lady was cool too in a OMG get away from me, gross, kind of way. I just wish they'd tell a different story other than something, something, something revenge and show that this big family Kirk supposedly cares so much about actually includes people below the rank of ensign.
Rated on their own, outside of the other ST movies:
ST - A
STID - A-
STB - A-
I was way more bothered by the single trite "absent friends" toast to memorialize the hundreds of Enterprise and station crewmen who were killed in various horrific ways throughout the film. Seriously, you're going to have a birthday party instead of going to those 400+ wakes?
Also, where the hell did all the crewmen you did save and beam aboard the Franklin go during the climax? Why were none of them ever seen again (outside of the one vamped corpse), I don't know, maybe crewing the Franklin? Did they all die in the crash? The command crew had to run around that ship doing everything when presumably they had at least 60 equally-trained Starfleet personnel just cooling their heels in a cargo hold.
None of the Star Trek films, especially the new ones, ever treats the lower decks properly. They're just disposable people and it's disturbing. I suppose that lends further credence to Krall's motivation, since SF wrote him and his crew off, too.
Also, why can't there be a film where the Enterprise is able to overcome a threat of comparable strength? Wrath of Khan was so awesome partly because it was just two evenly matched opponents trying to outmaneuver one-another. In most of the Next Gen and all of the NuTrek films, every single villain they face is orders of magnitude more powerful than them, to a cartoonish degree, the Enterprise and/or SF gets ganked like newbs early on, and then it becomes all about finding some deus ex machina to save the day.
I quite liked the film despite my reservations over things the cast and writers probably didn't even think of, though. Very pretty, good score and exciting action. Funny bits throughout and I loved the references to TV Enterprise. I love the tech and that most of this was set on the ground instead of endless space battles and the alien designs were neat. Jaylah was a great addition. I liked her design the most, although the facehugger-head lady was cool too in a OMG get away from me, gross, kind of way. I just wish they'd tell a different story other than something, something, something revenge and show that this big family Kirk supposedly cares so much about actually includes people below the rank of ensign.
Rated on their own, outside of the other ST movies:
ST - A
STID - A-
STB - A-
Last edited:
I agree with absolutely every word of this. Barely worth writing my own review nowI gave the movie a B+. As a purist, who defines Star Trek as the wonderment of what we would find in space, and using that as a prism for the internal journey, adventure, I found much to like in this film. As a man who has taken an Intro to Cinema course at a local community college (look at me! I am GREAT at this), I found the movie's aestetics to be a bit more canned than the previous direction under Abrams. The universe wasn't as dark, but it certainly wasn't as livable, either.
So, before I nitpick, what I liked: First, the alien swarm was a clever idea. Having a man bent on proving humanity needs darkness to create a generation of strong individuals, flying in the face of Gene Roddenberry's vision, brilliant. The fact the heroines--Uhura and Jahyla--are tremendously important in the film--a BIG improvement from other incarnations of Trek, including those Roddenberry had his hands all over. They kick ass in this movie, and there wasn't a single scene where one of them is in their underwear. Awesome. Jahyla is a wonderful foil for Kirk. She reflects his best instincts, the man who can save the world.
Kirk being in a place of boredom, three years into exploring space, a good turn for the character, but still, after 3 movies, I don't think James Kirk knows who he is. The writers are aware of this, and I am starting to believe, when he figures it out, when he stops reflecting whatever he is facing, and has a consistent character, that's when the movie franchise will end. However, the acting, this first act, leaves A LOT to be desired, and the scenes in the first 20 minutes felt stilted, contrived. JJ Abrams may have made Star Trek, Star Wars, but I believed every word his characters said. This version, I didn't. When he's offered the Vice-Admiral position, I knew he would turn it down. It was very predictable. James T. Kirk will find his way out there, and return not needing a desk position.
He's the kid on the edge of the canyon, throwing caution to the wind, to have a good time. That's the character. I want so badly for him to find purpose, and these movies seem bent on keeping him superficial. Not a single alien slept with, by the way. Great.
I thought it was clever that both Kirk and Spock tried to leave the Enterprise, they incorporated Leonard Nimoy's death into Star Trek, and improved the relationship with Bones and Spock. The contentious nature between the characters in the first two films, not there in this one. I liked the way they made Sulu gay. It's not the "gay moment" in Star Trek, it's actually a character moment for Kirk, that he sees Demora and his lover, and sees fulfillment, where he has none. The movie didn't stop telling its story to have a gay character moment, and that was EXACTLY what I wanted.
The action scenes were hard to follow. Still, the death of the villian, isn't by Kirk's hand, he is killed by his own device. The swarm is killed by music, not by a phaser. It's Star Trek, again. That's the purist in me.
Was it perfect? No. Was it what I expected? Maybe. Was it enjoyable? Yes. I didn't feel like sulking or going into a vicious diatribe about how Star Trek is dead, when I left the movie theater. I would put this in the middle-of-the-pack of Star Trek films, but I would also rank it higher than "Into Darkness." After seeing this film, I look forward to the next.
The only slight change I'd make, if I may, is that while I agree about Kirk never finding himself, I love that. His journey into space is mirrored in his own journey, and ours as the audience. The cocky Kirk is still there, but deep down he's a more interesting character than original Kirk in my eye.
I know it's sappy as hell but I loved the stuff with Leonard Nimoy's passing, and the way the camera lingered on Yelchin just briefly as Kirk toasts 'absent friends'. Re-edit or coincidence? Either way, I teared up.
For a film set almost entirely on a planet, the visuals of the big E in space are fantastic, especially the side on shot of warp drive and the final shot of warping into the sunset. Absolutely beautiful.
The nods to Enterprise were great, and while the pedant in me does wonder why they couldn't use something closer to the original uniforms, it was actually a nice way of tying the bad guy's backstory into something familiar.
Voted A- not perfect, but a really good movie that I thoroughly enjoyed. Really felt like a TOS episode on a really big scale in a way the previous two didn't quite match.
I honestly think thats a quick edit. That seemed to be there to linger on Spock, but it felt like they choose an Anton shot (which was far from the best, but merely what they had on file) for obvious reasons.
I'll have to give my thoughts later - today was a second viewing and I have an official review to finish, but overall I gave it an A. Trek's been viewed in the stoic view that Next Gen delivered for too long - this was fun, adventurous and exciting. Going with the family (not all, two kids are elsewhere right now) was outstanding as I could look around and see everyne enjoy it.
If the Enterprise had to be destroyed, this was the way to do it. It was by far the most epic way it's ever happened. It wasn't all at once, it took an entire act to take the E apart and they tried their damndest to save her, but it wasn't going to happen.
I do wish they hadn't built the E-A so quickly. Kinda cheapened what happened. That could've been the opening to a whole new movie.
I do wish they hadn't built the E-A so quickly. Kinda cheapened what happened. That could've been the opening to a whole new movie.
I have to say, this was the Trek movie that got the most laughs at the appropriate moments & for the right reasons than any other I've seen at a theater.
I do question why got a new one so soon. if we follow the trend they should have hauled whales in the Franklin and then got demoted and received the A at the end of the next movie.
Just finished and I agree with the majority opinion.
THE GOOD
I think the action sequences steal the show with this one. The Yorktown is amazing. The crash effects and battle sequences were top notch. I felt like the writing and character developments were smart, simple, and injected with the right balance of emotion vs humor. They went to the right lengths to explain or set up any necessary jumps the audience needed to make. I also liked the NX nod and the use of similar uniforms worn in ENT when Spock changes after they get him on the Franklin. Nothing about this felt slow or forced in terms of the story. Really well done.
THE LESS GOOD (NOTHING WAS "BAD" to me)
I agree with an earlier comments about there maybe giving more nods to other characters, worlds, or species from past Trek. I did like the Big Green Hand speculation by Scotty during the USS Franklin scene. I also think that some of the resolutions to conflicts (the crew pairs being isolated / the swarm being destroyed / the final fight scene) were a bit too easy. I genuinely enjoyed each section and felt the build up, but each conflict was resolved just a smidge to easily. I get it though...they gotta keep it simple and moving forward.
OVERALL
This was hugely entertaining for me. The writing, acting, and effects were awesome. As much as they developed the main characters, I was left wanting more backstory about Jaylah and the Franklin (easily solved in LITVERSE - which they need).
THE GOOD
I think the action sequences steal the show with this one. The Yorktown is amazing. The crash effects and battle sequences were top notch. I felt like the writing and character developments were smart, simple, and injected with the right balance of emotion vs humor. They went to the right lengths to explain or set up any necessary jumps the audience needed to make. I also liked the NX nod and the use of similar uniforms worn in ENT when Spock changes after they get him on the Franklin. Nothing about this felt slow or forced in terms of the story. Really well done.
THE LESS GOOD (NOTHING WAS "BAD" to me)
I agree with an earlier comments about there maybe giving more nods to other characters, worlds, or species from past Trek. I did like the Big Green Hand speculation by Scotty during the USS Franklin scene. I also think that some of the resolutions to conflicts (the crew pairs being isolated / the swarm being destroyed / the final fight scene) were a bit too easy. I genuinely enjoyed each section and felt the build up, but each conflict was resolved just a smidge to easily. I get it though...they gotta keep it simple and moving forward.
OVERALL
This was hugely entertaining for me. The writing, acting, and effects were awesome. As much as they developed the main characters, I was left wanting more backstory about Jaylah and the Franklin (easily solved in LITVERSE - which they need).
There's a long shot of the crashed Franklin with hundreds of people running up to it. I thought this was pretty explicitly showing that aid was being rendered.
And this is my test for the deniers/haters. The Beyond Trek crew ( Director/screenwriters/actors) had arrived at this point, and TRANSFORMED to change soul-less moneymaker to franchise we love.
Beyond is an even bigger achievement if you consider that they had very little time to put the whole thing together after getting rid of Orci & his script.
I agree with not knowing the spoiler and I don't mind the reasoning for his vendetta. I'm assuming whatever substance prolonged his life is what caused him to evolve. As for the name -- good question. We needed more backstory earlier in the movie. I agree with some in the thread about the villain being a little underwhelming in the end.
Saw the movie in IMAX last night and wanted to wait to comment while my thoughts rattled around my head. I really liked the movie after I saw it, and over the course of today I've come to love it! There was so much that worked well! I thought the writing was pretty tight, and far better than the last two movies.
Folks have commented on Krall not having a great arc or motivation, but I totally feel it. If you're a war hero who's told there's no need for warriors and instead you're now an explorer, if you're then marooned on a planet with no rescue, if you then watch your whole crew die......you're not going to be stable, and you might have a little bloodlust pent up. I thought it worked.
One thing that surprised me is how I felt at the loss of the Enterprise. I knew it was coming, and I've always hated the JJ-prise design......but when it was destroyed so surgically, it was genuinely painful. Even a day later it's a scene that resonates - that's when a movie is well done (to me anyway). I wish they had departed more in the design of the 1701-A, at least revise the dorsal and nacelle designs so no one can do what Krall did. But then they might have and I didn't get a good look after a single viewing.
I could go on for pages, but I'd repeating what many have said better than me. I had to chime in a little, though.
Folks have commented on Krall not having a great arc or motivation, but I totally feel it. If you're a war hero who's told there's no need for warriors and instead you're now an explorer, if you're then marooned on a planet with no rescue, if you then watch your whole crew die......you're not going to be stable, and you might have a little bloodlust pent up. I thought it worked.
One thing that surprised me is how I felt at the loss of the Enterprise. I knew it was coming, and I've always hated the JJ-prise design......but when it was destroyed so surgically, it was genuinely painful. Even a day later it's a scene that resonates - that's when a movie is well done (to me anyway). I wish they had departed more in the design of the 1701-A, at least revise the dorsal and nacelle designs so no one can do what Krall did. But then they might have and I didn't get a good look after a single viewing.
I could go on for pages, but I'd repeating what many have said better than me. I had to chime in a little, though.
One thing I loved was the improvement in Uhura. I was dreading the high school romance but they were both adult in this movie, not juvenile.
And Jaylah, who I thought would just be a Tuff-Kick-Ass character, was oddly vulnerable too. I liked that.
Also, as another poster said, neither Uhura or Jaylah had to be filmed in undies like that worthless scene with Carol Marcus in STID. As a woman, that kind of shit pisses me off.
And Jaylah, who I thought would just be a Tuff-Kick-Ass character, was oddly vulnerable too. I liked that.
Also, as another poster said, neither Uhura or Jaylah had to be filmed in undies like that worthless scene with Carol Marcus in STID. As a woman, that kind of shit pisses me off.
I wonder though. With the same guys who were writing Orci's script coming on for Star Trek 4 and so much information about the film being revealed before Beyond even released, I wonder if the reason they scrapped it was down to Chris Hemsworth and whether he was available or not for the film. It was also said that the original script was more reliant on knowledge of the first and second film than what Beyond turned out to be.
Agreed. I actually found Uhura in the first and especially the second movie to be very cartoony and cliché. Her role in STID was restricted to "Spock's bitchy girlfriend".
But in this, all of the characters feel like real people again. Everyone did a great job.
On its 50th anniversary, Star Trek Beyond is what an actual love letter to franchise should look like.
Similar threads
- Sticky
- Poll
- Poll
