Star Trek Beyond

The Starship Enterprise is now three years into its 5-year mission. Captain Kirk (Chris Pine) has adjusted to his role as both Captain and frontier ambassador to the stars. Upon a regular stop at the mammoth Federation outpost Yorktown, an escape pod arrives carrying one occupant begging for aid to save her crew stranded somewhere in a nearby nebula.

Kirk soon takes his ship on what should be a routine rescue mission, but, instead, turns into anything but that. A galactic armada commanded by an alien named Krall (Idris Elba) will soon present the Enterprise and her crew with their most formidable threat yet, as the ensuing battle eventually forces Kirk and his bridge crew to seek refuge on an uncharted planet.

The planet is sparsely inhabited by alien races that have also been stranded there over the years by Krall. A new alliance will be needed, if the crew of the Enterprise are ever to return to space again and take the fight to the war monger Krall, who has discovered an ancient weapon capable of consuming all life. He intends to sweep the galaxy away with it, beginning with the Federation.

“Star Trek Beyond” brings back the crew from “Star Trek Into Darkness” (2013) and, in a touching scene, pays tribute to the passing of Ambassador Spock (Prime) as portrayed by the late Leonard Nimoy who famously originated the role in the original series. McCoy “Bones” (Karl Urban) and Spock (Zachary Quinto) get plenty of screen time together in an adventure that seems more earthbound than one would expect for a Star Trek film. Briskly paced and always interesting, it is not without flaws, including some areas of concern.

Content of concern

VIOLENCE: Heavy. Although a mostly bloodless film, people are killed in a variety of ways, both seen and implied. The Enterprise herself is impaled by dagger like alien ships. The crew is electrocuted, blasted by energy weapons and some are turned into corpse-like husks of their former selves. Krall feeds directly from the ‘life-force’ of his enemies, leaving their bodies grossly desiccated shells. The most prominent scene of blood shows someone who has been impaled by a piece of metal, and the scream that follows its removal assures viewers of its severity.

A man plummets to his death, and two people are eaten alive by a dark ethereal force. This is a film neither for the squeamish nor the young.

LANGUAGE: Moderate. Beginning with the taking of the Lord’s name in vain, “My God” (5x) is Doctor McCoy’s signature exclamation, followed by Scotty’s “Lordy” (1) and “Oh my good Lord” (1), which bares mentioning simply because it is that too rare instance of God’s name used in a secular film that feels somewhat respectful. Other off-color words include: d*mn (5), h*ll (5), b*stards (3), a** (1) and horse-sh** (2). The only two instances of sh** just cited were said first by McCoy and then mimicked by Spock. The language is inappropriate for children, who should already be dissuaded from seeing this film based on the violence alone.

SEX/NUDITY: Minor. The Enterprise female ensign uniforms, in general, as well as that of Jaylah (Sofia Boutella), the alien who helps them, are skin tight, yet not revealing. Early on, Captain Kirk discusses life aboard the ship, which includes romances, and we briefly see one beginning, as evidenced by impassioned kissing, and one ending simultaneously, as an underwear clad Orion female crew member throws out her former paramour.

I would be remiss if I did not mention that homosexuality is promoted briefly, when Sulu (John Cho) is greeted at Yorktown Base by his daughter and his husband and revisited later when they are in peril from Krall’s attack.

Interestingly, when the original actor who played Sulu, George Takei, had been told that actor/writer Simon Pegg (Scotty) was planning this change for the character, Takei rejected the idea, suggesting that instead they introduce a new character to fulfill this role. His request was ignored. Make no mistake, there is a homosexual agenda promoted extensively by our media. As a result, the only other romantic male/female relationships shown in the film are either dysfunctional or lustful, while in contrast, Sulu’s is the only “loving” one presented in a positive light. The Creator’s way is always the best way and for our benefit.

“Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable.” —Leviticus 18:22

“In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.” —Romans 1:27

Liquor is shown during a toast between McCoy and Kirk on the eve of the Captain’s birthday and, at a festive occasion later, large quantities are consumed by one ill-advised party goer.

Lessons

Star Trek stories, always contain a battle between good vs. evil, often showcasing personal sacrifice, courage and friendship, and “Star Trek Beyond” certainly has its share of all of the above. However, perhaps the most noteworthy theme examined is the difference between how the heroes and villains treat or view death.

Spock, saddened by the news of Ambassador Spock’s death admits that he finds himself, “contemplating the nature of mortality.” The Word of God reveals how well our Lord understands our nature and that times of death make us more introspective.

“It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart.” —Ecclesiastes 7:2

Spock adds, “When you’ve lived as many lives as he, fear of death is illogical.” The Apostle Paul came to a similar conclusion, though not in the same words, when he reasoned that with life eternal to consider, death was no longer to be feared.

“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” —1 Corinthians 15:55

McCoy comes to his own epiphany when he thinks he is about to die, and he remarks, “At least I won’t die alone.” None of us, who call Jesus our Lord, will die alone, and we all can look forward to seeing our Lord on that day, just as the Church’s first martyr Stephen testified as they were stoning him to death.

“But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.” —Acts 7:55

Death may be the inevitable consequence of war, but the Word of God tells us we can look forward to the time when Jesus shall return, reign over us, and then there will be no more need for conflict.

“He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.” —Isaiah 2:4

Replete with references to the original series (too many to cite here), “Star Trek Beyond” is a character-driven tour de force with performances by this generation’s Kirk, Spock and McCoy that truly evoke the camaraderie we came to love in the TV show and should be the most satisfying take away for its fans. Surprisingly, the shocking loss of one of the main Star Trek staples early on, coupled with an overly extended planetary sojourn gave this reviewer the feeling, for a time, that one was watching a really great TV episode, rather than a feature film. An exciting third act, with both a sentimental and emotional pay-off, helps make “Star Trek Beyond” a thrilling ride, if an occasionally uneven one. Overall, an enjoyable addition to the ‘Trekverse,’ over-shadowed by its two exceptional predecessors.

Violence: Heavy / Profanity: Moderate / Sex/Nudity: Mild

See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.

• Positive
• Neutral
• Negative
• Critics