Star Trek Beyond

[kevinknapman]

Following several underwhelming trailers for Star Trek Beyond I was worried that the finished film was going to have more in common with the disappointing X-Men Apocalypse than just being the third instalment in a reinvigorated franchise.
Thankfully that's the only similarity between the two as this is superior blockbuster entertainment. From the hilarious visual gag reveal in the opening scene to its moving twin dedications to Nimoy and Yelchin during the end credits this is a definite success.

A great mix of action, humour and suspense that moves the franchise further towards the original feel of the series.
It was also good to see each of the main characters getting their moment in the spotlight. The likes of Sulu, Scotty and Chekov given more to do here than in the previous two films, while Sofia Boutella makes an impressive entrance as kick-ass warrior Jaylah (On the subject of Sulu, that much publicised reveal is beautifully done and pleasingly matter of fact and low key).
Any worries that Simon Pegg's writing credit would mean more Scotty slapstick are thankfully unfounded. If anything the funniest moments here are the ones between Urban's Bones and Quinto's Spock. As fine a comedic double act as you could hope for.

Also the film's action scenes don't disappoint.
The extended first attack by Idris Elba's villainous Krall on the Enterprise is thrilling, often breathtaking stuff.
While Michael Giacchino's score is suitably rousing and a familiar piece of 'classical' music makes a triumphant return.

On balance I'd say this was an improvement on Into Darkness (which I liked), even if Elba's villain doesn't quite have the same impact that Cumberbatch's Khan did.
Overall though this is a highly enjoyable film and one of the more pleasing surprises of the Summer blockbuster season.

[prettyxcool]

So fortunate to get tickets to the fan screening at Central Picturehouse last night.

Just love this new film. Absolutely brilliant!! Great story and a lot of fun. Well cast and great rapport between them. I want to see it again and again. 9/10

Had an MC to fill in the time before the screening started, giving out prizes, and as I thought, for Idris to introduce the film. He was lovely as usual. Great guy always talking about his humble background from East London and now he is this bad guy in Star Trek! So cool. Watch the clip here that I filmed:

He ends "No spoilers, but you won't recognise me." as he thanks the audience for supporting the film.

Really surprised by the bad organisation of this event though. Not what I expect from Central Picturehouse. Some bright spark decided that everyone be given a blue raffle ticket and then to come back when the doors open and wait for their ticket numbers to be called. The cinema was packed with other cinema goers as well, so wonder how they would organise that, it's not a bingo hall calling out numbers! Then one staff asked everybody to queue up together, whether we had proper tickets or just the blue raffle tickets, but then to be told by security that was not correct. So we ended up in the queue, out of the queue, up the stairs, down the stairs, out the door, in the door, etc. What a shambles. Finally, I had enough of all this to-ing and fro-ing, just decided to wait upstairs, and then a guy came by and handed us all proper tickets and we all went in without any hitch, after all that! Nevertheless, a great fan event!

[kevinknapman]

Really surprised by the bad organisation of this event though. Not what I expect from Central Picturehouse. Some bright spark decided that everyone be given a blue raffle ticket and then to come back when the doors open and wait for their ticket numbers to be called.

What time were they doing that? I got there about 6 and they just gave me my ticket and I joined the queue. I saw blue raffle tickets on the table but wasn't given one or asked to wait until called.

[prettyxcool]

Really surprised by the bad organisation of this event though. Not what I expect from Central Picturehouse. Some bright spark decided that everyone be given a blue raffle ticket and then to come back when the doors open and wait for their ticket numbers to be called.

What time were they doing that? I got there about 6 and they just gave me my ticket and I joined the queue. I saw blue raffle tickets on the table but wasn't given one or asked to wait until called.

Were you one of the winners? Winners were given proper tickets, SFF print-outs from invite only were given blue raffle tickets. I was there at 5.55pm and ZoeBanfield was a few minutes before me, but poor ZoeBanfield, she took their word and went away came back when the doors open and was still waiting for her number to be called, when everyone had already gone in!

[kevinknapman]

Really surprised by the bad organisation of this event though. Not what I expect from Central Picturehouse. Some bright spark decided that everyone be given a blue raffle ticket and then to come back when the doors open and wait for their ticket numbers to be called.

What time were they doing that? I got there about 6 and they just gave me my ticket and I joined the queue. I saw blue raffle tickets on the table but wasn't given one or asked to wait until called.

Were you one of the winners? Winners were given proper tickets, SFF print-outs from invite only were given blue raffle tickets. I was there at 5.55pm and ZoeBanfield was a few minutes before me, but poor ZoeBanfield, she took their word and went away came back when the doors open and was still waiting for her number to be called, when everyone had already gone in!

Ah that explains it. I won my ticket.

[raj101]

weak in the first third but picked up after that. major problem was the poorly defined villain with zero explanation given for anything regarding him as he sloped around the screen like a pre-paraplegic Davros. how this comedic parody becomes threat enough to amass a galactic army is beyond me, and no the late reveal doesn't help cover this glaring omission.

the weakest of the three newwave star treks is however still a fairly good watch that gains momentum as it snowballs towards the end, stick with it, 3.5 stars.

[prettyxcool]

Ah that explains it. I won my ticket.

Well done, KK. It saved you all the print-out fiasco!

[Florence1]

I managed to get tickets for this at the Empire Leicester Square and saw it in the Imax theatre. I was so excited as I loved watching Star Trek as a child. Unfortunately it was quite disappointing. The cinematography was stunning as lots of spaceships careering around in space and explosions, lots of spectacular views from the substation, very high octane but after a while it became a bit off an assault on the senses. I actually was looking forward to the quieter scenes that told the story. When they landed on the planet and the story started to unfold it was good but to me there needed to be more background to the story. It was a real shame as this could have been really good. Idris Elba was good as Krall (the baddie) and Zachary Quinto as Spock. The acting was very good. It will be interesting to see what others think.

[raj101]

that Leicester Square screen is one of the most unconvincing IMAX screens I've seen. Sure its high, but its width leaves something to be desired, largely down to the cheat curvature of the screen that allows it to claim a width that it really doesn't possess. Way less than its claim as one of the largest in the UK.

If I'd pa*d for a ticket there I'd be asking for my money back, the Kingston screen is much wider and that's one of the "lesser" IMAXs.

[kevinknapman]

I'd suggest anyone interested in seeing this unspoiled, avoid watching a TV spot called 'Overwhelmed'. It has a ridiculously massive spoiler in it.