---
title: "Star Trek Beyond: the reviews"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/star-trek-beyond/reviews"
title_page: "https://film.one/film/star-trek-beyond"
critics_score: 71
critics_reviews: 26
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Star Trek Beyond (2016): what the critics said

Critics' score 71 from 26 reviews: 20 positive, 6 mixed, 0 negative.

## The New Yorker — Anthony Lane

Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 22 July 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.

[Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/08/01/star-trek-beyond-and-indignation)

## Empire — Chris Hewitt

Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 15 July 2016. 

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.

[Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/star-trek-beyond-review/)

## Little White Lies — Anton Bitel

Rating 3/4/4. 21 July 2016. 

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.

[Read the review](https://lwlies.com/reviews/star-trek-beyond)

## Radio Times — Alan Jones

Rating ★★★★. 21 July 2016. 

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.

[Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/star-trek-beyond-review-a-perfect-summer-blockbuster-to-rival-the-best-of-the-franchise/)

## Time Out

Rating 4/5. 

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.

[Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/star-trek-beyond)

## The AV Club — Ignatiy Vishnevetsky

Rating B. 21 July 2016. 

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.

[Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/beyond-has-fun-going-where-star-trek-has-gone-before-1798188370)

## Financial Times — Danny Leigh

Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 21 July 2016. 

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.

[Read the review](https://www.ft.com/content/2fb4c1e2-4f40-11e6-88c5-db83e98a590a)

## The Hollywood Reporter — David Rooney

Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 15 July 2016. 

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.

[Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/star-trek-beyond-film-review-911141/)

## Evening Standard — David Sexton

Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 8 August 2016. 

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.

[Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/star-trek-beyond-review-to-boldy-go-retro-a3302036.html)

## IndieWire — Eric Kohn

Rating B-. 15 July 2016. 

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.

[Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/culture/star-trek-beyond-review-chris-pine-zachary-quinto-1201706261/)

## Los Angeles Times — Kenneth Turan

Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 21 July 2016. 

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.

[Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-star-trek-beyond-review-20160718-snap-story.html)

## Sight and Sound — Kim Newman

Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 21 July 2016. 

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.

[Read the review](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/review-star-trek-beyond)

## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw

Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 15 July 2016. 

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.

[Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/jul/15/star-trek-beyond-review-zachary-quinto-spock-anton-yelchin)

## The New York Times — A.O. Scott

Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 20 July 2016. 

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.

[Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/22/movies/review-star-trek-beyond.html)

## The Times — Kate Muir

Rating ★★★★☆. 22 July 2016. 

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

[Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/article/star-trek-beyond-hn3k3jf7k)

## Vulture — Bilge Ebiri

Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 21 July 2016. 

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.

[Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2016/07/review-the-lively-star-trek-beyond.html)

## Total Film — Matt Maytum

Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 15 July 2016. 

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.

[Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/star-trek-beyond-review/)

## Slant Magazine

Rating 2.5/4. 21 July 2016. 

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.

[Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/star-trek-beyond/)

## Screen Daily

Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 15 July 2016. 

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.

[Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/star-trek-beyond-review/5106791.article)

## The Telegraph

Rating 3/5. 22 July 2016. 

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.

[Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2016/07/15/star-trek-beyond-review/)

## Variety — Owen Gleiberman

Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 15 July 2016. 

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.

[Read the review](https://variety.com/2016/film/reviews/star-trek-beyond-review-chris-pine-anton-yelchin-1201814942/)

## Collider — Matt Goldberg

Rating B+. 21 July 2016. 

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.

[Read the review](https://collider.com/star-trek-beyond-review/)

## /Film — Ethan Anderton

Rating 7.5/10. 21 July 2016. 

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.

[Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/545493/star-trek-beyond-review/)

## Deadline

Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 18 July 2016. 

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.

[Read the review](https://deadline.com/2016/07/star-trek-beyond-review-chris-pine-justin-lin-j-j-abrams-1201788354/)

## The Wrap — Russ Fischer

Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 15 July 2016. 

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.

[Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/star-trek-beyond-review/)

## Den of Geek — Ryan Lambie

Rating 3/5. 15 July 2016. 

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.

[Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/star-trek-beyond-review-2/)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/star-trek-beyond.md