STAR TREK: BEYOND  2. 2 ***            

                      

          “Star Trek: Beyond” is set three years after the events of the 2^nd sequel: “Into Darkness”, and this 3rd entry into the revamped Star Trek cinematic universe takes the USS Enterprise crew even deeper into space where their exploratory mission, not unexpectedly, takes a turn for the worse. The Enterprise is destroyed by a powerful, unstoppable wave of unknown aliens. With the crew stranded on an unknown planet and with no apparent means of rescue, they find themselves in conflict with a new ruthless enemy who has a well-earned hatred of the Federation and what it stands for.

Presented more like a stand-alone voyage as opposed to a direct sequel, the wholesale change made amongst the crew – the director, writers and cinematographer from the first two instalments  is sorely felt in both tone and execution. There's no sense that any of these characters have changed in the 3  years since we last trekked into the vast unknown with them and this film seems to care little about building on the major relationships already established. Also the movie takes you from one illogical scene to the next, without any explanation or any attempt to let the viewer settle into it. The whole movie is a continuous repetition of using  fancy sci-fi tech babble  to initiate the next action scene rather than explain WHATS GOING ON..
                

Disappointing is my opinion of this, the latest in a way-too-long line of "Star Trek" films. ALL of these movies in this genre have the same theme: maniacal overlord wants to either rule the world --- or destroy it. It's rather tiresome and, quite frankly, "Star Trek Beyond" doesn't measure up to the other 2 space fantasy offerings.

      

I have no complaints regarding the cast. New to the cast is Jayla(Sofia Boutella) who adds zest and sizzle to the story sporting an eye catching white with black streaks facial look.  The cast gives 100 percent to their roles --- it's the writing that stinks. The screenplay credits go to six men ( that’s always a bad sign.. you can’t write a good script by committee). Perhaps had a woman been involved, the dialogue would have been less inane. There are a few amusing moments, but a film such as this requires more than a few.  Obviously, the special effects are grandiose --- I saw it in IMAX/3D --- but even those, after a while, become mundane. A good action adventure sci-fi can rely upon such qualities for only so long --- a better, more inventive plot is a must and is lacking here.