Some dedicated **Star Trek** fans might not feel that Justin Lin's third film in this science fiction/space saga franchise “boldly goes where no man has gone before” creatively. Surprisingly, Lin—who directed two "Fast & Furious" movies—shows a good amount of engaging energy as the USS Enterprise crew’s adventures stir things up between the nostalgic feelings associated with earlier Star Trek and the modern-day cinematic action featuring Captain Kirk and his team. Though it's hard to completely dismiss J.J. Abrams’ influence on the imaginative **Star Trek** (2009) and **Star Trek Into Darkness** (2013), he allows Lin’s directorial vision to further explore the Star Trek universe on screen. Essentially, **Star Trek Beyond** is a vibrant cosmic setting that expands the boundaries of exploration. Visually striking, well-paced, and featuring compelling storytelling alongside curiosity and mystery, Lin manages to stay true to the traditional Star Trek universe by incorporating special effects and offering a sense of galactic grandeur with unusual planets and alien races to enhance the story. The screenwriters Doug Jung and Simon Pegg—who also plays Montgomery “Scotty” Scott in the film—combine dramatic tension, humor, and a strong rapport among the cast who have taken on the iconic Star Trek characters from the original 60s TV show and previous films, making them feel fresh for today's audiences. The plot presents a sense of challenge to the USS Enterprise’s top officers, Captain Kirk (Chris Pine) and Commander Spock (Zachary Quinto). What complicates these familiar space journeys is a powerful device that Kirk and his crew are responsible for protecting. This potentially destructive tool could threaten humanity. The opportunistic Krall (Idris Elba), who appears reptilian, wants to get his hands on the dangerous item. Naturally, Krall and his forces must overcome Kirk and his team to succeed in seizing this ominous object. Krall’s attempt to disable the USS Enterprise proved ambitious and successful. For Kirk and his group, the outcome was discouraging as Krall's attacks left the ship disabled and crashed on the desolate planet of Altamid. Thus, Kirk and his crew are stranded on this rocky planet with little hope. The harsh reality for these vulnerable visitors involves survival mode as hostile creatures surround them. The separation of Kirk and his exposed companions led to a series of crises in different locations. Kirk and Russian crew member Pavel Chekov (played by the late Anton Yelchin) tried to rescue their colleagues from Krall and his followers. Meanwhile, Dr. Bones (Karl Urban) attempts to treat Spock’s injuries after the ship crashed. Pegg's Scotty and alien warrior Jayla (Sofia Boutella) try to reach Kirk amidst chaos. **Star Trek Beyond** has a stylish feel, and Lin makes sure his production stays true to the Star Trek legacy. While **Beyond** isn’t particularly innovative or unique compared to earlier films, it succeeds in delivering space-aged escapism. The cast—Pine, Quinto, Pegg, Urban, Yelchin, Zoe Saldana’s Uhura, and John Cho’s Sulu—all show a strong sense of unity on screen, giving audiences excitement in this latest chapter that doesn't disappoint. Elba’s Krall is a robust villain both physically and in attitude, and the alien races are interestingly creepy. Like Abrams, Lin isn’t shy about presenting his **Star Trek** film with large portions of scope and whimsy. Overall, this energetic installment practically guarantees that the rebooted **Star Trek** series won't be ending any time soon. **Star Trek Beyond** (2016) Paramount Pictures 2 hrs. Starring: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, Anton Yelchin, Simon Pegg, John Cho, Idris Elba, Sofia Boutella Directed by: Justin Lin MPAA Rating: PG-13 Genre: Science Fiction/Space and Fantasy Saga/Action and Adventure Critic’s rating: *** stars (out of 4 stars) (c) **Frank Ochieng** (2016)

Source on TMDB