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[Future Foundation]

So, Paramount moved the original embargo up from next week to...about an hour ago. Here are some impressions, OP will be updated as I find more:

Aggregators

RottenTomatoes Score - 85% *CERTIFIED FRESH* (164 reviews in - 7/10 average)

Star Trek Beyond continues the franchise's post-reboot hot streak with an epic sci-fi adventure that honors the series' sci-fi roots without skimping on the blockbuster action.

Metacritic Score - 70 (40 reviews in)


Reviews

Variety (no score - positive):

The sequence has that Lin spin, that overdose of activity that gets you pumped. And that’s a good thing — or, at least, it’s good up to a point — because “Star Trek Beyond,” for all the addictive intensity of its visual flourishes, is the most prosaic and, in many ways, the least adventurous of the Abrams-era “Star Trek” outings. It’s a sturdily built movie that gets the job done, and it’s got a likable retro vibe: The fact that Kirk and his crew spend a good part of the film stranded, without recourse, gives “Star Trek Beyond” a wide-eyed, slightly clunky analog stasis that takes us right back to the spirit of the TV series. Like the show, it lets us share quality time with cast members who now seem like old friends. Yet to say that the movie fails to break new ground would be putting it mildly. It truly feels like an extended episode, without a single “Oh, wow!” trick up its sleeve, which may be why, until the eye-popping climax, it’s more earnest than exciting.

The Hollywood Reporter (no score - positive):

J.J. Abrams reanimated a dormant sci-fi franchise for the big screen with his propulsive 2009 origin story, Star Trek, but then shifted into neutral for the humdrum 2013 follow-up, Star Trek Into Darkness, a regimented blockbuster that felt hollow and heavy beneath all its noise and brawn. With Fast & Furious veteran Justin Lin stepping in as director, the third reboot installment, Star Trek Beyond, regains momentum, and not just in the obvious area of its muscular action set-pieces. The script injects a welcome strain of humor that's true to the original Gene Roddenberry creation, delivering nostalgia without stiff veneration.

The Guardian (3 out of 5 stars - positive):

Star Trek Beyond doesn’t go that far beyond what we might expect: a very decent, watchable franchise episode which is marooned for quite a long time on a distant rocky planet.

Empire (4 out of 5 stars):

Roses rarely lose their bloom as quickly as Star Trek Into Darkness. Well received upon its initial release, JJ Abrams’ sequel has since undergone a recalibration and a re-evaluation. It was famously voted worst Trek movie ever by one group of Trekkers, and has been criticised for being too dark, for its karaoke-style riffing on previous Trek films such as The Wrath Of Khan, and for simply not feeling like a Star Trek movie.

Star Trek Beyond feels like a reaction to that reaction. Here is a movie where the emphasis is on good, old-fashioned fun, and that feels, in a good way, almost like an extended episode of the Trek TV show, right down to stranding the crew of the Enterprise on an alien world where the sets sometimes feel fashioned out of polystyrene. It’s a movie that, in almost every word of Simon Pegg and Doug Jung’s script, responds to the fans’ criticisms and says, “We listened.”

IndieWire (B-)

A lighter, funnier effort than the previous installments, “Star Trek Beyond” reflects a changing of the guard. With JJ Abrams passing the baton to Justin Lin, the latest entry plays like a CGI-heavy “Fast and the Furious” movie set in the future, with fancy gadgetry and fast-paced showdowns taking prominence over plot. Simon Pegg does double-duty, returning to the role of Scotty and co-writing the screenplay with Doug Jung. The result has Lin’s eye for outstanding set pieces and Pegg’s ear for injecting familiar genre tropes with wit. There’s an odd disconnect between the movie’s undercooked conflict and its epic scale, to the point where it barely exists as more than a series of flashy moments. But its trivial qualities come as something of a relief — this is a movie engineered to avoid overextending its allure, which differs greatly from so many of its summer movie peers that do exactly that.

Village Voice (no score, positive):

I'm not sure there's anything particularly original about any of this, but Lin thrives on making clichés breathe again; he proved with his Fast and Furious films that he knows how to convince audiences of the sincerity of prepackaged Hollywood sentiment. (This time, I was half-expecting Kirk to start talking about his "familia.") And while he may have seemed like a counterintuitive choice to take over a Star Trek movie, Lin is absolutely in his element whenever the film becomes about bodies and vehicles moving swiftly through space — which is often. Part of the climax involves a dizzying, elaborate, multi-vehicle chase in an ornate interstellar settlement whose gravitational structure seems to have been designed by M.C. Escher. It's gonzo silliness, but when a director has this much fun, it's hard for his audience not to.

Some reviews are beginning to trickle down for this film from various sites so I figured now would be a good time to do what GAF does best - talk about movie opinions. Overall, the film looks like it's faring really well barring some disappointment from a few critics.


Time Out (4 out of 5 stars):

So it’s a genuine pleasure to report that ‘Star Trek Beyond’ is not ambitious in the slightest – unless you count the filmmakers’ absolute commitment to making audiences grin, whoop, and bounce up and down in their seats. More than any franchise entry since 1998’s (admittedly ropey) ‘Star Trek Insurrection’, it feels like a classic TV episode: the crew of the Enterprise head to a mysterious planet, they get into a spot of bother and Captain Kirk punches an alien. The end.

Not since the original crew stepped down have we felt such a vivid sense of adventure and comradeship. And it helps that ‘Fast & Furious’ veteran Justin Lin is a better straight-up action director than JJ Abrams ever was: the battle scenes roar like thunder, and a late sequence in a gravity-defying starbase is astonishing.

Forbes (5 out of 10, negative)

The picture is filled with enjoyable characters and occasionally sharp dialogue, and a couple solid action scenes. It looked great in glorious IMAX 2D. For many that will be enough. But it spends too much time literally and metaphorically stranded. Beyond whether or not Kirk “finds his smile,” the movie really isn’t about anything of note. Star Trek Beyond sadly upholds that old “even/odd” rule for Star Trek cinematic universe. Or maybe it’s just the unlucky 13th installment.

Den of Geek (3 out of 5 stars, positive):

Beyond seems so keen to be all things to all movie-goers that it winds up feeling a little frivolous. Die-hard Trek fans will likely be heartened that the movie includes more exploration, problem-solving and a general sense of what I can only call Trekkiness than the previous two movies. Anyone who disliked the less-than-scientific sci-fi elements of Star Trek and Star Trek Into Darkness, however - the red matter, Tribble experimentation and so on - probably won’t be impressed by some of Beyond’s goofier bits.

Nevertheless, Beyond moves at a fast pace, and younger viewers will probably enjoy the humour and the light good-naturedness of it all. There’s the nagging sensation that there isn’t much in Star Trek Beyond that will stick in the mind for more than a day after viewing it; the sense of occasion and drama in, say, The Wrath Of Khan, The Search For Spock or First Contact are conspicuously absent. But once again, it's the quality of the characters and the actors who inhabit them that make this a worthy evening's entertainment. Coupled with Michael Giacchino's uplifting score, the crew of the Enterprise remain as fun to spend time with as they ever were.

New York Daily News (4 out of 5 stars):

The new "Star Trek Beyond" touches down in theaters this week, and it's not only filled with the usual special-effects eye candy, but smart, fan-focused writing.

Entertainment Weekly (C+, mixed/negative/rotten):

If you’re looking for a witty workplace sitcom set on a futuristic starship, the latest exploits featuring the crew of the Enterprise, Star Trek Beyond, won’t disappoint. But it has to be asked: Is that really why most of us go to see a Star Trek film? The third installment since J.J. Abrams seamlessly rebooted the beloved sci-fi franchise seven years ago, Beyond is more fun than deep. It’s lightweight, zero-gravity Trek that is, for the most part, devoid of the sort of Big Ideas and knotty existential questions that creator Gene Roddenberry specialized in. You could argue that the philosophical, political, and sociological subtext is what always set his universe (and its big- and small-screen iterations) apart from other tech-heavy space adventures. Maybe that’s why Beyond feels slightly insubstantial.

Ultimately, Beyond is a movie about characters - and character. But that's half the battle. The other half of the battle is... battle. And Lin, who has such a strong track record with vehicular mayhem, doesn't bring his "A" game.

 

[mcfrank]

Glad to hear positive feedback. From the first trailer and the lack of promo this had disaster written all over it. Very happy it is not that.

 

[The Technomancer]

Excited

 

[Aurongel]

Wow, sounds like a pretty huge success for Pegg.

 

[Wheatly]

I'm hyped! I really enjoy these movies.

 

[WadiumArcadium]

Sounds good. I was a bit worried after the first trailer but glad to hear it's solid.

 

[Sephzilla]

Excited to hear this is apparently a big rebound from Into Darkness. Trek 2009 remains one of my favorite films in the Trek film franchise

 

[OricWindstar]

All the negatives (despite t being overall positive) from that Variety review make this sound more exciting for me.

 

[MMarston]

Some reviews are beginning to trickle down for this film from various sites so I figured now would be a good time to do what GAF does best - talk about movie opinions. Overall, the film looks like it's faring really well barring some disappointment from a few critics.

Current Tomatometer: 87%

Village Voice

While he may have seemed like a counterintuitive choice to take over a Star Trek movie, Lin is absolutely in his element whenever the film becomes about bodies and vehicles moving swiftly through space - which is often.

Variety

Star Trek Beyond” might have been more accurately entitled “Star Trek Contained.” It’s got a very familiar, old-fangled, no-mystery structure, and that’s because it’s basically the “Star Trek” version of an interplanetary action film, with a plot that doesn’t take you to many new frontiers. But there’s plenty of chance to hang out with a cast that audiences have — rightly — come to love.

TotalFilm (Score 3/5)

Powered by a spirited sense of adventure and a nice teamwork dynamic, it's fun, but not essential, summer viewing.

Empire UK(Score 4/5)

Those concerned by the hiring of Lin to replace Abrams need not be. Yes, he is the man who revitalised the Fast And Furious franchise by taking it in a gloriously OTT, ridiculously stupid direction, but here he dials down that freneticism for something more considered. It’s relatively low on the explosions front, and there are whole scenes here where the camera doesn’t move. But when the action starts, he’s more than capable of handling it, most notably in the bravura extended sequence when the Enterprise is ripped to shreds by Krall’s seemingly unstoppable swarm of bee-like ships. And throughout it all, there’s a lovely reverence for the legacy of Trek.

Hollywood Reporter

With Fast & Furious veteran Justin Lin stepping in as director, the third reboot installment, Star Trek Beyond, regains momentum, and not just in the obvious area of its muscular action set-pieces. The script injects a welcome strain of humor that's true to the original Gene Roddenberry creation, delivering nostalgia without stiff veneration.

Forbes

The picture is filled with enjoyable characters and occasionally sharp dialogue, and a couple solid action scenes. It looked great in glorious IMAX 2D. For many that will be enough. But it spends too much time literally and metaphorically stranded. Beyond whether or not Kirk “finds his smile,” the movie really isn’t about anything of note. Star Trek Beyond sadly upholds that old “even/odd” rule for Star Trek cinematic universe. Or maybe it’s just the unlucky 13th installment.

TimeOut

Not since the original crew stepped down have we felt such a vivid sense of adventure and comradeship. And it helps that ‘Fast & Furious’ veteran Justin Lin is a better straight-up action director than JJ Abrams ever was: the battle scenes roar like thunder, and a late sequence in a gravity-defying starbase is astonishing.

indieWire (Score: B-)

Nothing about this polished movie suggests the slightest attempt to reinvent the wheel. If “Star Trek Beyond” existed outside the arena of reboots and sequels that mandated its existence, the movie’s casual air might be downright radical for such an extensive production. Instead, it’s just a sturdy riff on the same old routine.

TheWrap

This episode cuts right to the core of the series's original appeal, giving the terrific cast a chance to play against one another in a straightforward story. It's not exactly bold, but "Beyond" does satisfy.

 

[The Technomancer]

The pattern holds!

 

[Octavianus]

the latest entry plays like a CGI-heavy “Fast and the Furious” movie set in the future

That sounds awful.

 

[Jeffrey]

sounds like a good time.

 

[Dash_Riprock]

Glad it sounds good so far. Especially if this is the last film with this cast.

Chekov :-(

 

[Novocaine]

Great stuff so far. I would still have gone to see it even if it was total shit though.

 

[Future Foundation]

Updated OP with RottenTomatoes score (if you're into RT).

 

[J_Viper]

Nice to see solid reviews, though I'm not sure I can stomach any more Simon Pegg after MI5. Hopefully he has a very small part.

 

[Savitar]

People said Into Darkness was good.

They were wrong.

So so wrong.

 

[DeathoftheEndless]

Sounds good.

 

[SURGEdude]

I'm cautiously optimistic. I didn't mind the reboot but share many people's disdain for Into Darkness. Getting a shitty performance out of Cumberbatch takes a special talent.

 

[maxcriden]

People said Into Darkness was good.

They were wrong.

So so wrong.

It really was so dumb and bad, and nonsensical.

 

[Grenchel]

The trailers for this movie are so bad.

 

[BumRush]

Seems positive and I loved the first two for what they were. Excited!

 

[Blade30]

I was a bit worried when I heard that Justin Lin the director of the fast & furious movies would direct the next star trek film, but it seems the film did well so I'm happy.

 

[Sephzilla]

People said Into Darkness was good.

They were wrong.

So so wrong.

I still wouldn't put it close to the bottom of Trek movies though. Star Trek 3, Insurrection, and Nemesis were easily worse

 

[Snaku]

Sounds like Lin made a good Star Trek Insurrection.

 

[MMarston]

Well, this is awkward. Someone should close my thread then.

Anyways, everything sounds good to me so far.

 

[Lego Boss]

10/10.

Will watch again.

 

[Dash_Riprock]

People said Into Darkness was good.

They were wrong.

So so wrong.

As someone who cannot sit through any Star Trek films except the new ones I loved Into Darkness

 

[-griffy-]

I was a bit worried when I heard that Justin Lin the director of the fast & furious movies would direct the next star trek film, but it seems the film did well so I'm happy.

Dude known for directing large scale, team-based action films that successfully juggle a diverse cast goes on to direct large scale, team-based action film with a diverse cast.

 

[ezekial45]

Damn, it seems like Pegg really delivered on this one. And apparently, this movie is a essentially a condensed version of his original script.

He could have a hell of a career as a screenwriter in addition to acting.

EDIT: Yes, I know he co-wrote the Cornetto trilogy, but I'm talking about more big-budget movies.

 

[Lebron]

The good modern ST trend continues brehs, what a time to be alive.

 

[Future Foundation]

Well, this is awkward. Someone should close my thread then.

Anyways, everything sounds good to me so far.

I made it work!

 

[Pop-O-Matic]

Star Trek Movie Rule (with Galaxy Quest adjustment) continues to hold true, it seems.

 

[Jake2by4]

Justin lin does it again.

 

[hoos30]

Shocking. This thing had disaster written all over it.

Paramount still doesn't know what they're doing though.

 

[TaterTots]

There is a new Star Trek movie? Man, I need to watch t.v. more.

 

[Blade30]

Dude known for directing large scale, team-based action films that successfully juggle a diverse cast goes on to direct large scale, team-based action film with a diverse cast.

Yeah, but Star Trek is not Fast & Furious if you get what I mean. I think this is a similar case with the marvel directors (i.e. Russos).

 

[BTM]

Good to see. Love 09 and Into Darkness

 

[Exterminieren]

Feeling like a big budget, modern TOS episode was precisely what I wanted from this.

Ya done good, Pegg.

 

[SomedayTheFire]

so, you're telling gaf's backlash was unwarranted? that's a shock 🤔

 

[Octavianus]

I still wouldn't put it close to the bottom of Trek movies though. Star Trek 3, Insurrection, and Nemesis were easily worse

The Search for Spock is a fucking masterpiece compared to Into Darkness

 

[kharma45]

Feeling good about this. ST09 was great, STID was good. Hopefully this is closer to 09

 

[Himynameischris]

Woooooooooo excited to see such positive reviews, I have my ticket ready anyways I loved 2009 and ITD I can't wait!!!!

 

[Morts]

The Search for Spock is a fucking masterpiece compared to Into Darkness

Ehh, the stealing the Enterprise scene is fantastic, but that's about it. Into Darkness has some cool looking shit, but is pretty dumb. Neither movie is great.

I'm getting more and more excited to see Beyond. Looks like it could have more of the spirit of Star Trek than the last two.

 

[Akahige]

Great to see the positive response.

The pre release marketing hasn't done the movie any favors.

 

[NastyBook]

Is there a ship battle at any point in this film that isn't hilariously one-sided ala the U.S.S. Vengeance?

 

[DashReindeer]

I wonder if nearly 20 years ago when Simon Pegg started making Spaced, if he ever could have possibly imagined that he'd be writing and starring in a Star Trek movie and making a cameo in Star Wars? These last few years have to have been a dream come true for him especially since early reception for this movie seems pretty positive.

 

[digitalrelic]

Fuck yeah! I loved Star Trek 2009 and enjoyed Into Darkness for what it was, but I didn't have high expectations for this film. Great to see it getting positive reviews. Maybe I'll even catch it in theaters next weekend...

 

[Nudull]

Glad it sounds good so far. Especially if this is the last film with this cast.

Chekov :-(

Didn't a fourth film get confirmed recently?

Sounds like Lin made a good Star Trek Insurrection.

Hell of a feat, if so.

 

[Fuchsdh]

Honestly, of all the criticisms leveled at the Trek films over time, "feels like an episode of the series" has always struck me as a dumb one. People like the damn shows, so what's the problem with it? These criticisms don't ever seem to be about an issue with TV-episode length content being padded or something like a structural issue where that kind of critique makes sense, and when I think about the failure of the odd-numbered films, "this is like that episode of TV" never comes to mind.

Hopefully this is a good film. I felt a bit bummed by Star Trek Into Darkness' simultaneous "let's pander to the fans with references and callbacks" attitude crossed with "why the fuck do people like this shit, let's blow shit up" disregard for it.

The Search for Spock is a fucking masterpiece compared to Into Darkness

I've always felt like Star Trek 3 got the short end of the stick for the sake of the cutesy even-odd rule. I get the complaints that it's a 180-tonal shit from the themes of Wrath of Khan, and it really just didn't have the budget to pull off the Genesis Planet, but it still hits me every time with sequences like Stealing the Enterprise (it's slow-moving ships and a spacedoor and it's still thrilling to watch), the death of David (absolutely no music to ham it up), and the return to Vulcan. It's also the textbook example of the only real right way to bring back a character from the dead without it being cheap—Kirk loses a lot in the trade.