It's a sequel, Jim. But not as we know it.

Star Trek: Beyond is quite a poignant film in more ways than one.

Not only is it the 50th anniversary of one of the most popular sci-fi series ever to grace our TV screens. It even had a large devoted group of fans that were given their own acknowledgement in the dictionary with the phrase ‘Trekkies’.

But this latest reboot of the Star Trek franchise was also the first movie released since Leonard Nimoy sadly passed away. And then a month before the film hit the cinemas in Britain, actor Anton Yelchin who played Officer Chekov was tragically killed in a freak motor vehicle accident.

That being said this film exceeds expectations of that cursed third outing.

The Enterprise is now well into their five-year mission to explore new worlds and both Kirk (Chris Pine) and Spock (Zachary Quinto) are looking for a change of pace but without knowledge of each-others desire for something more.

 A diplomatic visit to an alien planet backfires when Kirk tries to offer a gift of peace to the council (looking like the original Ghostbusters demon dogs.) which only makes the aliens suspicious and nervous. This results in Kirk being attacked by the creatures and having to be ‘beamed up’ by Scotty.

However, this mishap does end up having relevance to the plot.

Their next stop is the space station metropolis colony ‘Yorktown’. It’s here that they witness a distress call from an unknown alien craft.

The lone female occupant of the craft is in need of help to rescue her crew that has been abducted by a fierce and ruthless warlord called Krall (Idris Elba).

As ever, the Enterprise crew don’t hesitate and set off to end of the Nebula system to save the day. Unfortunately, Krall intercepts Kirk and most of the crew are taken hostage on the hostile planet.

Are Kirk and his officers a match for the terrifying Krall and his army? Can Kirk rescue the crew? Will Kirk have a plan that is non-regulation for a Star Ship Captain?

Although we have J.J. Abrams to thank for the reinvention of the Star Trek movies with probably the best ever casting throughout the whole ensemble. Justin Lin (Fast and Furious) has done a good job of directing this third episode and our very own Simon Pegg is credited with the screenplay along with Doug Jung.

Pegg being a self-confessed Trekkie fan has written some wonderful witty banter with the love-hate relationship between Bones (Karl Urban) and Spock (Zachary Quinto). None more so than Bones' quote to Spock “You gave your girlfriend a tracking device?”

The film put me in mind of an elongated episode from the old 60’s TV series, which worked really well.

Pegg’s character Montgomery Scott is the one who comes across a friendly warrior soldier by the name of Jaylah (Sofia Boutella) - a strong Kick-Ass woman who was also kidnapped and brought to Krall’s base.

Jaylah was lucky enough to escape and holds up in an old Federation ship which was hijacked a hundred years ago, complete with an old motor cycle on board just waiting for Kirk to stumble across it.

Jaylah has a soft spot for Scotty (great writing Simon) and they team up to take down Krall.

Spock and Uhura (Zoe Saldana) still have a thing going on but Spock has a more logical approach to romance.

Another interesting addition in the writing was the recognition of Sulu’s homosexuality with a glimpse of his partner of Yorktown space station with what we assume is their adopted children.

Idris Elba makes a good villain hot on the heels of his recent excellent Shere Khan voice over in The Jungle Book.

When Kirk is the last to abandon the dying Enterprise, the first crew member he comes across on Krall’s planet is Chekov (Anton Yelchin) and they team up and get involved in a couple of exciting action scenes. Ironically Yelchin has the most lines he has ever had in the previous movies.

Such a shame for a young actor who had his whole life ahead of him. He was only 27.

I really enjoyed this film. An action-packed nostalgic treat. That’s how you do a reboot.

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