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Red Planet Review: Star Trek Beyond
Jared Chesnut... in space! Illustration by Sarah FaulknerJared Chesnut - BlazeRadio Operations Manager
redc@uab.edu
Earth circa 2016 is a “strange new world” for a Star Trek film to explore.
Unlike 2009’s successful reboot and the polarizing sequel, “Star Trek Into Darkness,” the new Enterprise crew sees competition from a familiar foe: the reborn Star Wars franchise. The film also carries a large burden with it due to the passing of the late Leonard Nimoy and the tragic accident that took the life of Anton Yelchin, who has played the role of Chekov through the modern trio of films. It may be due to the harrowing odds and tribulations that the crew of “Star Trek Beyond” faced beyond the camera that the film has some impetus to sink or swim, succeed or fail, boldly go in one direction or the other. External pressures aside, the film manages to largely succeed as an entertaining, engaging action film, while it doesn’t quite feel like a Star Trek film.
