Film Review: "Star Trek Beyond" (2016).

"Captain's Log... A little under three years into our five year mission. The more time we spend out here, the harder it is to tell where one day ends and the next one begins... We continue to search for new life-forms in order to establish firm diplomatic ties... As for me, things have started to feel a little episodic. The farther out we go, the more I find myself wondering what it is we are trying to accomplish. But if the universe is truly endless, then we are not striving for something forever out of reach..." From the words of Captain James T. Kirk as he sets on his next adventure in Star Trek Beyond. This science fiction action film directed by Justin Lin; written by Simon Pegg and Doug Jung; based on the series Star Trek, created by Gene Roddenberry. It is the thirteenth film in the Star Trek film franchise and the third installment in the reboot series, following Star Trek (2009) and Star Trek Into Darkness (2013). The film follows the USS Enterprise crew as it explores the furthest reaches of uncharted space, where they encounter a new ruthless enemy who puts them and everything the Federation stands for to the test.

J.J. Abrams declined to return to direct the third film because of his directorial obligations on Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015). Abrams stayed on as a producer for the third film while Roberto Orci, one of the writers for the first two films, was initially chosen to direct the third instalment but later dropped out due to creative differences. In an interview, Orci stated that the film would have been more original and wanted the film to stay in the classic Trek world. Filmmakers Edgar Wright, Rupert Wyatt, Morten Tyldum, Daniel Espinosa and Duncan Jones were all considered before Justin Lin took over. Simon Pegg replaced Orci as writer along with Doug Jang. In May 2015, Pegg revealed, on his website, the official title of the film: Star Trek Beyond. By August 2015, the original cast were announced to reprise their roles, with Idris Elba and Sofia Boutella added to the cast. Filming began in June 2015 and concluded in October 2015. Unlike the previous films, the film was primarily shot in Vancouver, British Columbia and not in Hollywood. In December 2014, Paramount Pictures announced that the film was to be released on July 8, 2016 to coincide with the 50th anniversary celebration of the original series. In September 2015, the film pushed back to July 22, 2016. Sadly, the film is Anton Yelchin's final Star Trek film before his death on June 19, 2016 at the age of 27.

The film stars Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Karl Urban, Zoe Saldana, Simon Pegg, John Cho, Anton Yelchin, Idris Elba and Sofia Boutella. Another spectacular round from the cast with fine additions from Elba and Boutella.

Though failing to reach the cinematic heights of its predecessors, Star Trek Beyond remains an entertaining sci-fi adventure and a fitting end to the classic trilogy.

Simon says Star Trek Beyond receives:

Also, see my review for Star Trek Into Darkness.