Star Trek Beyond (2016)

The movie is a lively, unpretentious blast that embraces the comic and visual pleasures of space adventure, highlighted by inventive set pieces like a battle accompanied by the Beastie Boys and a striking new character in Jaylah.

The critic welcomes the shift back to fun, old-fashioned Trek that feels like an extended TV episode, praising the focus on the Kirk-Spock-Bones trio, Justin Lin's direction, and reverence for the franchise legacy while noting some flaws with the villain.

Simon Pegg's script detail and Justin Lin's dynamic action reinvigorate the franchise by returning to its roots of ensemble teamwork and adventurous feats. The film rattles along apace, is very funny, and restores the series' mojo without reinventing the wheel.

Director Justin Lin regains the drive lost in the previous film and delivers some of the most thrilling sights in the Trek canon along with character-driven humour. It is a superior addition to the series and summer blockbuster perfection.

The film feels like a classic TV episode and delivers fun all the time with wisecracks, fisticuffs, explosions and eye-popping effects. Justin Lin proves a better straight-up action director than his predecessor, though the villain remains a weak point.

The critic calls it a diverting, self-aware entry that goes where the franchise has gone before but with a wink, reimagining the crew as a family unit in the mold of Fast & Furious. It notes the film pushes Star Trek further from being a franchise of ideas while delivering physics-defying action and pithy one-liners.

Brisk and fun with spectacular digital effects and affectionate nods to the TV series. The script's political parallels and high-end action are highlighted.

The critic sees the film as welcome relief from stale summer popcorn, regaining momentum under Justin Lin with muscular action and welcome humor true to Gene Roddenberry. It praises the young cast's loose, warm camaraderie and the emotional tributes to Leonard Nimoy and Anton Yelchin.

The critic finds it a faithful, souped-up rehash of classic TV episodes that Trekkies will love, praising Chris Pine's Kirk and the retro charm while noting some irritations like Simon Pegg's performance.

The critic finds Justin Lin's entry lighter and funnier than prior installments but ultimately a spectacular movie about nothing, lacking depth or substance despite its spectacle.

The result is a serviceable, fan-pleasing sequel that delivers expected value through strong action set pieces and impressive alien world designs, even if it feels somewhat pro forma and careful overall.

The film is a transitory episode that breaks little new ground but plays to its strengths as a regular TV-style adventure. Director Justin Lin's fast-and-furious approach is a mixed blessing, though the space environments and action are well realised.

A very decent, watchable franchise episode that motors along thanks to its crew's inter-relationships. Zachary Quinto's Spock is singled out as the real star.

The film sticks closely to the established Star Trek formula and brand conventions without taking major risks or venturing into new territory, but this familiarity is not necessarily a flaw and allows for enjoyable ensemble dynamics and inventive action sequences.

Delivers thrills and Vulcan jokes as satisfying sci-fi comfort food. Justin Lin's direction and the Enterprise crash sequence stand out.

The critic describes it as a lively, unapologetic action-adventure that trades deliberate pacing for kinetic energy in the style of Fast & Furious, praising the director's visual imagination and spatial fight choreography while noting it stays within familiar territory.

The critic notes that Justin Lin proves a safe pair of hands, delivering a fun, self-contained romp with spirited adventure and strong teamwork dynamics that feels very much like Star Trek, though not essential summer viewing.

The critic notes the film emphasizes interpersonal dynamics and team-building like the Fast & Furious series but faults the director for shooting action in close-up, resulting in disorienting space that distances viewers from the characters. It praises the return of agency to the crew and a modest tribute to loss and socialization.

With Justin Lin at the helm the third reboot instalment offers a strong cast and a familiar mix of effects-heavy action, humour and musing that gets safely through its voyage. The mix is not fresh enough to bring many new fans but Idris Elba's villain casting may help broaden the audience slightly.

Fails to boldly go anywhere new but preserves the franchise's baseline amiability. The manic action set pieces and Sulu's gay storyline are noted.

Justin Lin brings energetic action and a nostalgic retro vibe to this most prosaic of the reboot-era entries, which succeeds as a diverting team-focused placeholder but fails to boldly go anywhere truly new.

The critic praises how Justin Lin’s film captures the essence of Star Trek better than the previous reboots by emphasizing the crew dynamics and sense of discovery over overt fan service. It highlights the strong pairing of Spock and Bones for particular praise while noting that Kirk’s personal arc is not fully developed.

The critic finds it a satisfying blend of classic Trek elements and modern blockbuster action, with strong entertainment value from Justin Lin's direction and the cast's chemistry. They single out the villain's underdeveloped motivation as a weak point.

The film is the most action-oriented Trek yet, with strong effects and a memorable villain in Idris Elba's Krall, though it may appeal more to casual viewers than die-hard fans. The script by Simon Pegg and Doug Jung preserves the humor and philosophical elements of the franchise.

Justin Lin steers the film into familiar territory that captures the original series' appeal through strong ensemble interplay in a straightforward story rather than bold innovation. The action set pieces and cast chemistry, especially newcomer Sofia Boutella, stand out positively.

The critic finds it a breezily entertaining survival adventure with great character interactions and more of an Original Series feel than prior entries, but faults the rote villain and overly fussy action sequences, resulting in something fun but frivolous.