"Star Trek Beyond" Review
In today’s world, where daily demonstrations of violence, hatred, and fear offer us an uncertain vision of our future, we need an escape. We need movies that take us to worlds that are not our own. Movies that depict people of different races, backgrounds, and sexualities working together in harmony. Movies that thrill us, make us laugh, dazzle us.
We need movies like Star Trek Beyond.
Taking over the captain’s chair from previous series director J.J. Abrams, Justin Lin (Fast and Furious) has crafted a vessel that’s just as sleek, fast-paced, and exciting as its predecessors. Make no mistake: this is not cerebral, thought-provoking sci-fi; it’s a full-speed-ahead action flick. However, there is something notable about Star Trek Beyond in how it celebrates the series’ fifty-year history and how it honors its enduring characters. This film was made with so much love, warmth practically radiates from the screen.
While on their five-year mission to explore the far reaches of space, Captain James T. Kirk (Chris Pine), Commander Spock (Zachary Quinto), and the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise fall under attack by a hostile alien threat and find themselves marooned on an uncharted planet. With a damaged spacecraft and no means of rescue, the crew must find a way to get back home while evading the grasp of Krall (Idris Elba), a mysterious enemy who will stop at nothing to destroy them.
This film really is the total package. It has terrific action set pieces orchestrated by Lin, a witty script co-written by Simon Pegg (who also plays Scotty), and an impressive new character in the form of Jaylah (Sofia Boutella, Kingsman: The Secret Service), a badass alien warrior who aides the crew on their journey.
Beyond also has something unexpected: genuine heartstring tugging. In touching ways I will dare not spoil, the film pays tribute to the memories of two legendary Star Trek actors: our Spock Prime, Leonard Nimoy, and our Chekov, Anton Yelchin. Seeing Yelchin, who tragically died just last month, onscreen—so youthful, so energetic—is melancholy indeed.
But Beyond also engages us emotionally in another way: it furthers the development of these characters we love so. There is a very tender and heartwarming scene involving Spock and Bones (Karl Urban) that reveals layers to each character that were not even hinted at in the previous entries. And Captain Kirk, Scotty, and Sulu (John Cho), who were all so lacking in any kind of character growth in the last film, Into Darkness (2013), all have their moments to shine here. These actors embody their characters so thoroughly and work with each other so well that they transcend any shortcomings the film might have.
And Star Trek Beyond does, indeed, have its shortcomings.
While it is an entertaining and well-made film, Beyond doesn’t seem bold enough to break away from the established formula. Spock and Uhura (Zoe Saldana) continue their lover’s quarrel that seems to never end, and we are treated to the now-routine sight of seeing the Enterprise get totally wrecked yet again. Idris Elba’s Krall—at first an imposing screen presence—is drained of all menace or intrigue once his “motivation” is revealed in the third act. It’s here where the film completely deflates, for what begins as a tale of adventure and survival takes a turn for a plot we’ve seen before.
Despite these flaws, Star Trek Beyond is still a rousing—and as I said before, necessary—entertainment, and until that third act twist, it’s true to the spirit of discovery and camaraderie established in the original series. When Gene Roddenberry first created the Star Trek television series in 1966, he envisioned a future of unity and optimism. Fans will be happy to discover that Star Trek Beyond is very much in keeping with that vision. It encourages us to boldly go… and to look beyond to a bright and beautiful tomorrow. Happy fifty years, Star Trek. Here’s to fifty more.
Grade: B
"Kingsman: The Secret Service" Review
If Samuel L. Jackson with a lisp isn’t enough to get you to go see “Kingsman: The Secret Service”, perhaps the smart script will. Rather than going for “Get Smart” or “Austin Powers” funny, writers Jane Goldman and Matthew Vaughn take aim for the difficult middle ground of a serious spy film that is self aware. The result, is a preposterous spy movie that’s an exciting ride!
The film starts off with an infiltration operation in which a helicopter shoots missiles into a castle. As rubble from the explosion falls to the ground it turns into letters for the opening credits. Its this nod to the audience that puts you at ease, but the ensuing scene is equally edgy and solemn, setting us up for a constant exchange of emotion throughout the film.
Eggsy (Taron Egerton) is your classic case of a teenager growing up without a father. His mother is in an abusive relationship with the local tough guy. He’s highly intelligent, but pickpockets and boosts cars to get attention. After his most recent illegal joy ride gets him in police custody, Eggsy calls the number on the back of a pendant passed down to him from his father. Little does Eggsy know that he’s just called the Kingsman, a super secret spy organization made of fashionably dressed gentlemen.
Once Harry (Colin Firth), whose code name is Galahad, gets Eggsy out of jail, the typical heroes journey/recruitment begins. In the mean time, Valentine (Samuel L. Jackson), a megalomaniac villian of sorts, is recruiting international leaders in a “get down or lay down” scheme. Either the leaders get down with his world domination plan, or they are held in captivity until he can hit the reset button on a world that he feels is headed for destruction.
The violence in this film is as high as you would expect from the director of “Kick Ass”, but at times doesn’t serve the film except for shock value. Gazelle (Sofia Boutella), Valentine’s right hand woman with swords for legs, is the embodiment of that violence for no reason other than a cool idea or visual. Certain gags, like Jackson’s lisp (which is a perfect choice for one of the best wordsmiths in the business), start out funny but becomes more of a thorn in the film’s side.
“Kingsman” is exactly what you thought it would be based on the trailer, escapist fun. Director Matthew Vaughn has created a solid film during the time that most Hollywood films are forgettable and laughable. In truth, while it too may be forgotten by the end of the year, it produces some good laughs that are worth your hard earned cash this weekend.
Rating: B-