The newest Star Trek movie is pretty good, I think, ranking right along with the first two of the new series.  It has several merits of note, which begin with characterization; more on that later.  Its story is, thankfully, not recycled from any of the series, and is quite intriguing, if not exciting.  The special effects and CGI are cool, if overdone.  The camerawork is dizzying, especially in the space station introduction, and is generally excellent.  Small surprises are revealed in interesting ways and the hopeful tone is exactly what Gene Roddenberry wished to achieve so many years ago.

Justin Lin’s film could have been the best of this new bunch, mainly because of its original story and the interactions of the crew.  While most crew members are allowed to shine Chekov has little to do, which is sad because it marks the late Anton Yelchin’s final go-round in the role.  What disappoints me the most is the lackadaisical scientific stuff.  The story establishes certain parameters, then ignores them, while distance and time seem to be quite mutable.  I would need several paragraphs to discuss my frustration with the lazy science and plot holes, but I don’t want to bore anybody.  Let’s just say that the destruction of the Enterprise is overplayed, and the resurrection and ultimate triumph of the Franklin is more wishful thinking than convincing storytelling.

What does work is how these characters react to it all.  Kirk (Chris Pine) and Spock (Zachary Quinto) are still solidifying their unique friendship; Bones McCoy (Karl Urban) finally has an important (and funny) part to play; the new character Jaylah (Sofia Boutella) is a wonderfully realized alien, and her pairing with Scotty (Simon Pegg) sparks the story.  Without them, this movie would have been a drag.  Krall (Idris Elba) could have been just as interesting, but his secrets are not revealed until the very end.  While this is a franchise that promises, and delivers, lots of eye-popping visual thrills, it works because it is character-based, and as long as the filmmakers remember that fact, they’ll be able to make memorable movies.

Ultimately the good outweighs the unbelievable and the nonsensical.  We will never have the connection with this cast that was formed with the cast of the original series through their six movies, nor the second series and their four movies, but the Star Trek universe lives on, now celebrating its 50th anniversary.  Gene Roddenberry’s “wagon train in outer space” idea has become a cultural phenomenon and is still producing decent entertainment value.  That is worth celebrating.  ☆ ☆ ☆.  24 July 2016.