MOVIE REVIEW: STAR TREK BEYOND

Captain Kirk and the crew of the Enterprise encounter an alien warrior race when marooned on a distant planet after the destruction of their spaceship in this thrilling sequel directed by Fast & Furious director Justin Lin. ~ Violet LeVoit, Rovi

Director: Justin Lin

Cast: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Simon Pegg, Anton Yelchin, John Cho

Release Date: Jul 22, 2016

Rated PG-13 Sequences of Sci-Fi Action and Violence

Runtime: 2 hr. 2 min.

Genres: Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Review:

Star Trek Beyond feels like an extended episode of the non existent rebooted series and not a particularly good one.  That’s not to say it isn’t a fun film because it’s an enjoyable lightweight romp which comes and goes with little of consequence really happening.  Justin Lin’s direction is action heavy as expected with lots of big set pieces which are fun and well choreographed.  The biggest asset of the rebooted series has always been the cast and the best thing Beyond does is it gives each of them their time to shine.  Clearly most of the actors have settled into their roles.  Karl Urban has always been a personal favorite of mine as McCoy and here he’s given a much larger role which is to the film’s benefit.  Pine and Quinto are solid as Kirk and Spock with their personal story lines feeling well thought out and meaningful.  Sadly, the overall story is fairly weak even though there’s some nice fan service written into the script, an NX class ship! yelled those few Enterprise fans, but ultimately it’s a waste of Idris Elba as the villain.  Elba is a fine actor wasted underneath a ton of make up and a thinly written character which is really a massive shame.  As is Star Trek Beyond is a mindlessly fun film but one that isn’t terribly deep or meaningful like some of the Trek films in the past.

C

Cindy Prascik's Review of Star Trek Beyond

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dearest Blog: Today it was off to Marquee Cinemas for Star Trek Beyond. Spoiler level here will be mild, nothing you wouldn't know from the trailers. Midway through a five-year mission to deep space, the Enterprise crew is called upon to save the world(s) from a ruthless enemy. While I'm a casual fan of Star Trek in general, I'm positively rabid over the current film franchise, which boasts my favorite cast of any series and movies that I'll happily watch over and over and over again. I am pleased to report that Beyond does not miss a step on the path of excellence set by the first two movies. 

 

First we have the ensemble, for my money, Hollywood's very finest. Every person is ideally suited to his or her role, and consistently turns in sincere, entertaining performances. The more comical tone of the current installment fits co-writer Simon Pegg, Chris Pine, and Karl Urban to a "T," and the picture is not short on laugh-out-loud moments. The sad losses of Leonard Nimoy and Anton Yelchin since the previous film cast a bit of a pall over the experience, but that is in no way the movie's fault. Bring the tissues, though. You're gonna need them at least once. Franchise newcomers Sofia Boutella and Idris Elba are both fantastic. 

 

Michael Giacchino's lovely score is the perfect accompaniment to moments both large and small. Nice-looking sets underscore some great big effects, and the Enterprise's first appearance is, as always, a chill-inducing moment. Under director Justin Lin's hand, we get a more action-oriented movie this time out (insert Fast & Furious joke here), so the film does feel a bit more like a plain old action-comedy than any great step forward for the Trek universe, but thanks to an edge-of-your-seat story, genuine, well-written dialogue, and the cast's terrific chemistry, you're never less than fully immersed. 

 

A few small quibbles: the movie's a little too heavy on the jiggly camera work, some scenes are impossibly dark (a by-product of seeing a 3D picture in 2D?), and whatever they were thinking when they cast Idris Elba as a character who doesn't look like Idris Elba, well, it was clearly misguided. Star Trek Beyond clocks in at 120 minutes and is rated PG13 for "sequences of sci-fi action and violence." A big, fun summer blockbuster that also delivers a great message about the importance of love and friendship, Star Trek Beyond has a lot to love for Trek die-hards, casual fans, and even folks without so much as a passing familiarity with the franchise. 

 

Of a possible nine Weasleys, Star Trek Beyond gets eight and a half. 

 

Fangirl points: Idris Elba. Did I mention Idris Elba? Because...yeah...Idris Elba. 

 

Until next time...

MOVIE REVIEW: FRIGHT NIGHT

IN THEATERS

FRIGHT NIGHT



A suburban teenager realizes that his new neighbor is a charismatic vampire in this remake of the 1985 horror comedy hit. After years of climbing to reach the top of the social ladder, high school senior Charley Brewster (Anton Yelchin) finally rules the roost. Just as Charley ditches his best pal, "Evil" Ed (Christopher Mintz-Plasse), and starts dating the most popular girl in their class, however, a handsome new face appears in the neighborhood. It belongs to Charley's new neighbor Jerry (Colin Farrell), an outwardly amiable guy with a quick smile and a sharp wit. But when Charley sees a side of Jerry that everyone else seems to miss, he quickly becomes convinced that the nice-guy act is a cover for something truly sinister. Unable to convince his charmed mother (Toni Collette) that Jerry is a genuine bloodsucker, the suspicious teen turns to Las Vegas magician Peter Vincent (David Tennant) to help exterminate the demon before he drinks the entire neighborhood dry. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: Craig Gillespie

Cast: Colin Farrell, Anton Yelchin, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, David Tennant, Imogen Poots

Release Date: Aug 19, 2011

Rated R for bloody horror violence and language including some sexual references

Runtime: 1 hr. 46 min.

Genres: Comedy, Horror

Review:

The Fright Night remake is one those of those remakes that could have gone terribly wrong. Luckily with a strong script, cast and director it succeeds in properly updating a cult classic respectfully but giving it enough new shine to entertain. Craig Gillespie directs his film with the right sense of horror and comedy, something the original did fairly well. He also gives the film a brisk feel that keeps the proceedings moving at a steady pace and never lets the film lag. Anton Yelchin is solid if somewhat unmemorable in his general blandness, it’s not overpowering or detrimental just noticeable. Colin Farrell though is magnetic and electric throughout. He exudes charisma, masculinity and a primal ferocity, it’s an impressive turn that the rest of the film revolves around. Christopher Mintz-Plasse is strong in the limited but pivotal role of Ed. David Tennant is also lots of fun as Peter Vincent, he leaves you wishing he was given more screen time. The 2 talented ladies that make up the rest of the cast, Toni Collette & Imogen Poots, are fairly underused and in all honesty anybody could have played either role. While I watched the film in 2D there was a noticeable sense of 3D set ups using some incredibly tired popout at you techniques. I’ve never hate the 3D thing as much as most but it looks like a massive ripoff here. As for the film itself, it’s fun and well executed showing that if you must remake films at least makes sure all parties involved are bringing their A material.

B

Movie Reviews: TERMINATOR SALVATION

aturday, May 23, 2009
Movie Reviews: TERMINATOR SALVATION
IN THEATERS

TERMINATOR SALVATION

In the fourth installment of the Terminator series, Christian Bale stars as John Connor, the eventual leader of mankind's fight againts the machines. The setting is 2018, focusing on the war between the humans and the computer network Skynet. Anton Yelchin co-stars as soldier Kyle Reese, and Sam Worthington appears as new terminator Marcus Wright.

Cast: Christian Bale, Sam Worthington, Anton Yelchin, Moon Bloodgood, Bryce Dallas Howard, Common

Director: McG

Opened May 21, 2009

Runtime: 2 hr. 10 min.

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action and language

Genres: Sci-Fi Action, Science Fiction

Review:

Terminator Salvation is a loud Sci-Fi film that feels like it might have had something worthwhile to say if the director had given its character a chance to breathe and come to life. As it is, McG’s Terminator entry is more concerned about big showy action sequences, which are done effectively, than with creating any connection with the characters. As mentioned, the action is handled well and there are plenty huge set pieces that provide the spectacle that one would expect from a huge summer tent pole blockbuster. McG’s got a good eye for directing action, a helicopter crash shot via POV early is on in the film is quite impressive, but the problem is that it becomes quite repetitive and tedious very quickly. Very little time is given to the characters that inhabit this wonderfully realized post apocalyptic that had only been hinted at in the previous films. It’s a real shame as the collected talent is quite impressive. Christian Bale turns in a surprisingly forgettable performance as Connor, never really breaking from a general sense of controlled rage and intensity. Sadly, it’s the only thing the script allows and for a character so central to the mythos it’s a massive mistake. Sam Worthington is given a little more meat to work with and he does mildly better when there aren’t explosions and artillery fire to deal with. Anton Yelchin delivers a solid turn as a teenage Kyle Reese, making him a believable precursor to Michael Biehn’s older version in the original. Moon Bloodgood has a small but effective role as a resistance member. Bryce Dallas Howard is merely window dressing as she’s given nothing to do and even less to say. By the time we reach the final showdown and are given all the spectacle and action expected but the pivotal emotional moments really show the massive disconnect between the audience and the characters. In the end, McG delivers an unfocused showy and sometime stylish Sci-Fi action piece but if this franchise is looking to continue post Arnold it’ll need a massive infusion of character and heart.

C+