Earlier this week, there was a grumble running through the movie reviewing crowd and it didn’t sound good at all. Paramount was purportedly not only embargoing reviews for Justin Lin’s upcoming Star Trek Beyond to the day before release, but some folks were apparently claiming that they were even being completely prevented from seeing it early. While the veracity of the latter claim was in doubt, the former happens all the time. And usually it’s the first sign that a studio has no faith in a movie and is already in damage control mode before the movie has even released. Seems that was wrong too.
While no full reviews have hit the net yet because of said embargo, several film critics who have attended the film’s screenings thus far have taken to social media to voice some thoughts. And for the most part it’s REALLY positive. The biggest gripe that has dogged this new iteration of the franchise ever since JJ Abrams rebooted it in 2009 – which is that it is more sci-fi action blockbuster now than the more cerebral classic series – seems to still be around, but many are claiming that this is the closest the three rebooted films have come to creator Gene Roddenberry’s original show. And it seems everybody agrees that it’s better than the divisive Star Trek Into Darkness.
Was so happy watching Star Trek Beyond. Love this cast. Movie isn't perfect but it's funny, filled with great action, and isn't on Earth!
— Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) July 14, 2016
Really think fans are going to enjoy Star Trek Beyond. I did. Think most will be like pic.twitter.com/SHTfPsOFps
— Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) July 14, 2016
Thumbs up. I think most people are going to really enjoy Star Trek Beyond
— John Campea (@johncampea) July 14, 2016
Bones has the best line of the movie. You'll know it as soon as you hear it!
— John Campea (@johncampea) July 14, 2016
STAR TREK BEYOND does something magical: has big, bold action but puts these characters in, basically, a TOS episode. For me it was a dream.
— Jordan Hoffman. (@jhoffman) July 14, 2016
Actually, I can say that #StarTrekBeyond is terrific. Funny, exciting and touching.
— Scott Collura (@ScottCollura) July 14, 2016
https://twitter.com/JackGi/status/753468031930466304
https://twitter.com/JackGi/status/753471850772959232
#StarTrekBeyond feels like a TOS episode in a way that gives this new Trekverse a really long future. Fun, pretty dark, lots of fan moments
— jen yamato (@jenyamato) July 14, 2016
Some of #StarTrekBeyond's best moments are Sofia Boutella moments. Great addition, kickass character, hope she comes back for more Trek ?
— jen yamato (@jenyamato) July 14, 2016
No idea what the hardcore will think, but I reeeeeally enjoyed STAR TREK BEYOND. This should have been the sequel to '09.
— DrewMcWeeny (@DrewMcWeeny) July 14, 2016
#StarTrekBeyond was great fun at warp speed. Still lacking #Roddenberry-an moral dilemmas, but a welcome course correction for the franchise
— Scott Huver (@thehuve) July 14, 2016
Big sigh of relief: STAR TREK BEYOND is a blast. Easily the best of the new series.
— Don Kaye (@donkaye) July 14, 2016
Any TOS fan is going to love #StarTrekBeyond. The most beautiful Trek movie & the closest to the original series. A true space adventure!
— Jason Inman (@Jawiin) July 14, 2016
#StarTrekBeyond is a lot of fun. Leagues better than Into Darkness. I don't like it quite as much as 2009 though.
— Alex Welch (@AlexRWelch) July 14, 2016
I'll also say that Chris Pine is better as Kirk in #StarTrekBeyond than he's ever been before.
— Alex Welch (@AlexRWelch) July 14, 2016
It's also, amazingly enough, very much a Justin Lin film.
— Bilge Ebiri (@BilgeEbiri) July 14, 2016
Just saw Star Trek Beyond. I am allowed to say I really, really enjoyed it. Way better than Into Darkness & closest to spirit of TOS. ?
— Jim Vejvoda (@JimVejvoda) July 14, 2016
STAR TREK BEYOND: slick, self-contained & has the best music cue of any blockbuster this yr. by 2016 standards, it’s the sistine chapel. [C]
— david ehrlich (@davidehrlich) July 14, 2016
Of course, we’re all special little snowflakes and all, so not everybody has the same opinion and some were not as won over, whether due to the aforementioned lack of classic sensibilities or just other filmmaking reasons.
Mixed feelings about STAR TREK BEYOND. #hottake
— Ben Pearson (@benpears) July 14, 2016
I also saw Star Trek Beyond. Again, it's okay. The character and story is pretty good but the direction and action is pretty poor imo.
— Jack Howard (@JackHoward) July 13, 2016
IMHO it is time to put this version of Stat Trek to bed. On to the next reboot please.
— Jeff Cannata (@jeffcannata) July 14, 2016
Star Trek Beyond is a well made scifi adventure. It just isn’t Star Trek. It’s a pretty good Mass Effect movie, though, if you want that.
— Jeff Cannata (@jeffcannata) July 14, 2016
Just bummed that this is what Star Trek is now. 🙁 Well executed movie though.
— Jeff Cannata (@jeffcannata) July 14, 2016
Lot of people misunderstanding my reactionsto Trek. It’s well made but wholly un-special.Has no interesting voice. Just another action flick
— Jeff Cannata (@jeffcannata) July 14, 2016
HYPE FACTOR 9 ENGAGED!
Star Trek Beyond stars Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, Simon Pegg, Anton Yelchin and John Cho returning to their roles, while Idris Elba, Sofia Boutella and Joe Taslim make their franchise debut. It is scheduled for release internationally on 22 July, but only hits SA screens on 26 August 2016. Which now seems crazy far away!
Last Updated: July 15, 2016
Kromas GG
July 15, 2016 at 10:35
I have not been overly hyped for any of the reboot movies as they removed the Star Trek from Star Trek. Let us be honest … pushing huge action scenes and pretty sfx has never been what ST has ever been about.
At least Star Wars seems to be in the right hands now. I only hope one day we get a decent ST again.
RinceThis
July 15, 2016 at 16:49
Awesome!