Star Trek has been a cultural phenomenon for over 50 years. The franchise has spawned multiple series, movies, books, and even fan clubs. The last new Star Trek movie was released in 2016, titled “Star Trek Beyond.”
The Plot
“Star Trek Beyond” takes place in the Kelvin timeline, an alternate reality created by the events of the first Star Trek movie in 2009. The USS Enterprise is sent on a rescue mission to a remote planet when they are ambushed by an alien warlord named Krall. The crew is forced to abandon ship and fight for their survival as they try to stop Krall from unleashing a weapon that could destroy the entire Federation.
The Cast
The movie features the returning cast from the previous two films: Chris Pine as Captain Kirk, Zachary Quinto as Spock, Zoe Saldana as Uhura, Karl Urban as Bones, Simon Pegg as Scotty, John Cho as Sulu, and Anton Yelchin as Chekov. Sadly, this would be Yelchin’s final appearance in the franchise before his untimely death.
The Reception
“Star Trek Beyond” received positive reviews from critics and fans alike. It currently holds a 84% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes with an average rating of 7.1/10. Many praised the film’s action sequences and character development.
Box Office Performance
Despite the positive reviews and strong marketing campaign, “Star Trek Beyond” underperformed at the box office compared to its predecessors. It grossed $343 million worldwide against a production budget of $185 million.
Conclusion
“Star Trek Beyond” may not have been the box office success that Paramount Pictures hoped for but it still remains a solid entry in the Star Trek franchise. The movie was a fitting tribute to the late Anton Yelchin and a great farewell to the original cast. Fans are eagerly waiting for news on the next Star Trek movie which is currently in development.
