There is so much to say about this film, I hardly know where to start. I suppose the beginning is never a bad idea, so... here goes.
It starts out familiar, with a shot of Kirk looking very Shatner-esque (especially with the little "tore my shirt again" line in there) trying to make peace with a very stubborn race of weird frog-turtle things. Upon watching Beyond again, I noticed that in their little colosseum thing they have this ramp going down from the top where the leader sits and it arcs up at the end like a half pipe and given their affinity for rolling as a species, it can be assumed that they built that little ramp specifically so their leader can roll on down to look a fraction more intimidating before taking attack position. I find that hilarious. I also loved the tracking shot of Kirk making his way down the hall with Bones and Spock in step behind him, Bones with tricorder in hand and all. It was such an adorable little nod to the triumvirate, which was beautifully highlighted in this movie much more than the first two (thank god). Truly, Beyond is a blessing to us all.
Speaking of nods to the original series, Spock Prime's picture of the old crew at the very end? KILL ME. Honestly just run me over, it would be less painful than that shot with the original theme on one little trumpet in the back oh god here come the tears.
Speaking of nods to the original series, Spock Prime's picture of the old crew at the very end? KILL ME. Honestly just run me over, it would be less painful than that shot with the original theme on one little trumpet in the back oh god here come the tears.
Okay we back from that- anyways, where was I? Hm, how about Idris Elba? Can't go wrong with a good Idris Elba, tbh. So, Krall is such a flat villain that even flat earthers are shook by this competition. I mean yeah, he has a sad backstory, he was left on a planet and now he's pissed at the Federation and wants revenge and I get it, he's just a bad guy there to give the heroes something to fight but would it KILL them to give him a little extra motive other than he hates peace because he doesn't get it? Like? Too realistic.
Also, where in the Absolute Hell did he get his army???? Were they already there? If so, why are they listening to him? Were they the last of his original crew? If so, how were there so many? And how did they get such advanced ships going to make the swarm? That's A LOT of ships, like, at least 12. And while we're on the subject of Krall's Bees, WHY did they spontaneously combust at the end? Were they so completely blown away by ~classical music~ that they literally exploded out of sheer respect? Did one dude hate it so much that he self-destructed his ship so as not to hear it anymore and then set off a chain reaction? Was there some half-*ssed techno-babble line thrown in there to explain that they would all explode? Likely. In any case, it looked cool, and when it comes to sci-fi made for the purpose of entertainment, that's all that matters. I can't complain.
Also, where in the Absolute Hell did he get his army???? Were they already there? If so, why are they listening to him? Were they the last of his original crew? If so, how were there so many? And how did they get such advanced ships going to make the swarm? That's A LOT of ships, like, at least 12. And while we're on the subject of Krall's Bees, WHY did they spontaneously combust at the end? Were they so completely blown away by ~classical music~ that they literally exploded out of sheer respect? Did one dude hate it so much that he self-destructed his ship so as not to hear it anymore and then set off a chain reaction? Was there some half-*ssed techno-babble line thrown in there to explain that they would all explode? Likely. In any case, it looked cool, and when it comes to sci-fi made for the purpose of entertainment, that's all that matters. I can't complain.
There is one shot that I can't live with. I hate it So Much, it makes me cringe inwardly (and sometimes outwardly) literally every time I watch it. Near the end, which Jaylah is fighting Mannis or whatever in that little mushroom thing, Mannis throws her on the ground and he's all hunched over and then there's this very obvious cut to him standing and staring down at her without having moved in the previous shot and it just looks SO BAD. And then he just delivers his Bad Guy Line in his language like "you'll die like your father" and what does Jaylah say? How does my daughter reply?
"AAAAAAAA"
Me too girl. I love her. I love her so much.
"AAAAAAAA"
Me too girl. I love her. I love her so much.
Okay, I've picked out about everything negative I can from this film. I hope you're proud, Mr. H. Anyways, can I talk about the score for a minute? Cause I'm gonna. Time to freak out over some pro non-diegesis, as one does. Michael Giacchino is a God Among Men and his music is AMAZING and NO I am not BIASED shut up SHARON. He did all three of these AND Rogue One AND like tons of other great stuff. Night on the Yorktown, literally my fav forever. Thank Your Lucky Stardate will be in my heart forever. All of it is so pretty... okay, but where did Sledgehammer come from? Don't get me wrong, I love Rihanna as much as the next and it is a great, powerful song, but like? Why? What made them go "let's blow a quarter of our budget on a main stream song that we use only in the credits and has barely anything to do with the film?" Literally, none of the previous movies ever used songs like Sledgehammer in their movies. I don't understand, Rihanna.
Okay, I'm done roasting my favourite movie now, I promise. How amazing is the writing for this one? Simon Pegg is my favourite forever. He finally made a Star Trek reboot film that isn't just about Kirk and Spock. Yes, they're essential, but so is everyone else in the crew. They all have iconic lines and important shots (SULU!!!! YES SULU YOU GO REPRESENTING US GAYS OUT THERE IN SPACE!!! YOU GO!!!!) and they all serve a purpose in saving the universe. It shows that there is strength in unity, a theme in the film, and it highlights on the way it used to be written in the original six movies (especially Voyage Home). And don't even get me started on his amazing use of humour. Spock's tracking device? I laugh literally every time, and not because I'm biased (I swear).
Okay, I'm done roasting my favourite movie now, I promise. How amazing is the writing for this one? Simon Pegg is my favourite forever. He finally made a Star Trek reboot film that isn't just about Kirk and Spock. Yes, they're essential, but so is everyone else in the crew. They all have iconic lines and important shots (SULU!!!! YES SULU YOU GO REPRESENTING US GAYS OUT THERE IN SPACE!!! YOU GO!!!!) and they all serve a purpose in saving the universe. It shows that there is strength in unity, a theme in the film, and it highlights on the way it used to be written in the original six movies (especially Voyage Home). And don't even get me started on his amazing use of humour. Spock's tracking device? I laugh literally every time, and not because I'm biased (I swear).
So, I could go on for another few hours on every little detail of this film and give a full five paragraph essay on literally every individual shot, but sadly, it is already 11:25 PM and I have to sleep so I'm not completely dead inside for school tomorrow. Two and a half more days of school left. Can I make it before dropping out? We'll see.
In other news, this is my last graded film post ever after two years of (almost) consistent weekly posting. Don't be sad, though. After this, everything will not be for a grade. After this, I get to say ~whatever I want~ so hold onto your hats kids lmao. See you in college! Second star to the right, straight on till morning.
Warnings for Star Trek: Beyond: In Loving Memory of Leonard Nimoy. For Anton.
In other news, this is my last graded film post ever after two years of (almost) consistent weekly posting. Don't be sad, though. After this, everything will not be for a grade. After this, I get to say ~whatever I want~ so hold onto your hats kids lmao. See you in college! Second star to the right, straight on till morning.
Warnings for Star Trek: Beyond: In Loving Memory of Leonard Nimoy. For Anton.
Mr. H,
Thanks for making me love movies like I used to when I was little. Thanks to your class(es), I became a much smarter person, a better writer, and most importantly I understand so many more pop culture references than when I started and that is truly the greatest gift. Thank you for putting up with me bothering the Film I class, calling you Tim behind your back, and turning in reviews late more often than not. I don't think an October will pass by without my watching a Vertigo or Rope, nor a heavy rainfall without at least one thought of Rashomon. I hope you realise that I will be haunting your future film classes for the rest of my life like a ghost, judging you for not having made it to Wong Kar-wai yet. Anyways, basically, thanks for helping me remember how much I love movies. Maybe I'll write one someday, maybe I won't, but one thing is for certain; I will always adore them. So uh... Kirk out, I guess.
Your Fav Student (obviously),
Mia
Thanks for making me love movies like I used to when I was little. Thanks to your class(es), I became a much smarter person, a better writer, and most importantly I understand so many more pop culture references than when I started and that is truly the greatest gift. Thank you for putting up with me bothering the Film I class, calling you Tim behind your back, and turning in reviews late more often than not. I don't think an October will pass by without my watching a Vertigo or Rope, nor a heavy rainfall without at least one thought of Rashomon. I hope you realise that I will be haunting your future film classes for the rest of my life like a ghost, judging you for not having made it to Wong Kar-wai yet. Anyways, basically, thanks for helping me remember how much I love movies. Maybe I'll write one someday, maybe I won't, but one thing is for certain; I will always adore them. So uh... Kirk out, I guess.
Your Fav Student (obviously),
Mia