Review: Star Trek Back On Track By Going Beyond

I'm still smarting from Star Trek Into Darkness, not only because Benedict Cumberbatch playing Khan, but the presence of tribbles and Spock saying the one thing he shouldn't have (and yeah, it's what Original Kirk said in Wrath of Khan).

However, Star Trek Beyond is a big improvement over that with a fine story that would have worked in the original series. It's directed by Justin Lin, best known for directing four Fast and Furious movies. He borrows a couple of things from those movies to show that influence.

The story involves the Enterprise's main mission to boldly go where no one has gone before, but this time it comes at a price. The crew heads for uncharted space when an alien asks for their hope after her ship was attacked. They soon get challenged by Krall, played by Idris Elba. This guy doesn't like the United Federation of Planets boldly going in his direction. He and his termite-like ships literally tear through the Enterprise,and plans to do the same for a major space station nearby.

It's also a time for a couple of characters to face crossroads. Kirk (Chris Pine) thinks after nearly three years, the mission has become a bit tedious, and is thinking about being Vice-Admiral. Spock (Zachary Quinto), meanwhile, finds out Spock Prime has died, and is thinking about heading to New Vulcan. The conflict of Krall puts those subjects on the back burner, though.

Krall is one pretty nasty guy. He goes to great lengths to find an artifact that will put his plans into motion. He also shows he's willing to dissolve as many people are possible to make sure his plan works, including a crew member who tries to keep the item hidden until one of his minions threatens Sulu.

One of the best things about the movie is how they pair off characters to advance the story. Spock and McCoy was the best example. McCoy (Karl Urban)  is annoyed by Spock's logic, even when the Vulcan is injured, but they share a good moment when Spock tells him Spock Prime (Leonard Nimoy) is dead.

The other main pairing is Scott Simon Pegg, who co-wrote the screenplay) and Jaylah (Sofia Boutella), who lost her family because of Krall. She's reluctant to help out at first, but soon joins the cause. She also has a "house" that's really a star ship that's the equivalent of a Tin Lizzie. It will become very helpful.

As mentioned before, the movie is directed by the same guy who directed Fast and Furious 3-6, and that influence is in this movie. For one thing, Jaylah is a fan of classical artists as Public Enemy and Beastie Boys (this is the distant future, after all). Kirk also uses an old motorcycle to set off a diversion, and his stunts look a little familiar,

Krall's motivations against the UFP may be puzzling, until the third act when Uhura finds an old video log from the ship. That's part of one of the trailers, which is why the twist wasn't much of a shock. The final battle between Kirk and Krall is very exciting, and also Fast and Furious.

There's also the fact that it's revealed Sulu is gay, but that moment is shown in a low key manner. He's still the sharp navigator, and even shows confidence he can get the ancient star ship off the ground...but only just.

Star Trek Beyond is a good story about how seeking out what's in uncharted space does have its risks. It also shows that sometimes the urge to explore can trump ambition.
Besides, it wouldn't be the same without those guys on board.
One more thing, they do the traditional "space, the final frontier" speech at the end, but it the best way possible.

Hangover of the Body Snatchers: Reviewing The World's End

After a noisy summer of big battling robots, overblown western legends, monsters attending college and lame science fiction being bested by small-budget scares, it's nice to know the summer movie season ends with an old-fashioned alien invasion

That is, an alien invasion dreamed up by Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright. They wrap up the Cornetto Trilogy (Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz) with a sci-fi comedy called The World's End. Pegg plays Gary King, a guy who's facing 40 but wants to grab a bit of the glory he used to enjoy as a teen in the town of Newton Haven in 1990. Back then, he tried to complete"The Golden Mile", drinking beer in the 12 pubs. Now, he wants to finish what he started.
He rounds up his posse of Andy (Nick Frost), Steven (Paddy Constantine), Oliver (Martin Freeman) and Peter (Eddie Marsan). After 20 years, though, Gary has tried to maintain his free spirit while his friends have tossed away theirs in favor of suits and steady jobs. Andy points out that he hasn't had a drink in 16 years after a big accident. Still, they travel to their home town in the same car Gary had, called "the Beast". They also meet up with Oliver's sister, Sam (Rosamund Pike), who Gary and Steven had a thing for.

Once they get to Newton Haven, it looks like nothing much has changed, except things are a bit too quiet and perfect. Gary soon finds out why: the town's been taken over by fake people as part of an alien invasion, although they prefer the term "redeveloping the town and everyone in it...for their own good." They can even clone some of the locals,  and use them as "bait" to unsuspecting people about to be assimiliated. Consider it like Invasion of the Body Snatchers, except the aliens use a great sales pitch rather than pods.

While they could get away, Gary suggests they continue their pub crawl, so that the "blanks" (their name for the fake people) don't get suspicious. It soon becomes a battle between Gary and his crew and the "blanks" who follow them everywhere. The fight scenes in the movie are great, especially when they take the "blanks" apart. Pegg really puts his all as the too-afraid-to-grow-up Gary, who thinks reaching the Golden Mile will make up for the disappointments of his life. However, you also see his friends, especially Andy, fight the very thing they've become--corporate slaves in nice suits--which is also what the aliens want them to be. That's a nice twist in the story.

The soundtrack is also a blast, especially for those who remember the '90s. It includes The Doors, Housemartins, Primal Scream (whose song plays a big part in the final showdown), Blur, Soup Dragons, PM Dawn and the Sundays.

The World's End is a great sci-fi comedy that says a few thinks about leaving your youth behind, but also our need to relive what we think are the best days of our lives. It also shows that sometimes you can't go home again, especially when aliens take over because they want to "improve" the place.

Paul: He's Of Peace Always, and a Real Event

You notice these days that people are telling us not to trust aliens if they ever decide to come here?
On some radio shows, they figure aliens will be as arrogant and cruel as humans were towards their less civilized brothers, such as the Spaniards against the Aztecs and the Ack-Ack Martians in Mars Attacks!.
Recently, a lizard lady from space made Earthlings her slaves while she locked up her double-crossing human-loving daughter, while another alien wants to start a nuclear reaction to set up a portal to bring his people over...and kill us.
And let's not forget that alien invasion in Los Angeles that was stopped by Aaron Eckhart, Ne-Yo and Michelle Rodriguez.
Yeah, aliens. Just can't trust those arrogant critters.

But then there's Paul. He's grey with a big head held up by a small body. He's got eyes cuter than that Puss and Boots guy in those Shrek movies. What's so dangerous about him?
Nothing, really. At least that's what two British sci-fi nerds learn, and a lot more, in a new movie that would be considered The Complete Sci-Fi Cliche Assortment, but is also a good road movie.
It's written by Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright, who revolutionized zombie movies with Shaun of the Dead a few years ago. They're the British nerds who decide to take a road trip after visiting Comic-Con. One night, they see a car in a rollover accident. When they look for survivors, they see a strange looking creature with a cigarette. That creature is Paul, who sounds just like Seth Rogan.

Anyway, once Paul convinces our two nerds he comes in peace, but would like to leave now, he gets them to drive them to the place where his alien friends can get him home. He also claims that he's played a large part in popular culture, especially a familiar movie and TV show.
They're followed closely by tough-as-nails Secret Service Agent Zoil played by Jason Bateman, and his assistants played by Bill Hader and Joe Lo Truglio. Bateman is really convincing as Zoil, and should repeat that role in other dramas. However, his boss is even more bad-ass. For most of the movie we only hear her voice, but we do know she has a picture of President Bush the Elder with the words "best thing I ever invaded", Gee, does Barbara know?

Along the way, the gang meet up with a lonely Christian trailer-park gal played by Kristen Wiig. I kind of liked her as a girl who gets a very unique revelation about her world, and how it convinces her to help Paul. Problem is, her dad soon joins the chase....along with two other rednecks who are upset the nerds wrecked their truck before they found Paul.

After weeks of us vs. aliens, it's nice to have a movie where reaching out to someone or something new is encouraged. Sure, the sci-fi references come thick and fast, especially in a redneck bar, but it's still quite entertaining.
When I saw it at the Century Stadium 14, the place was half-full. Apparently humans are in full March Madness even though the games so far haven't been close this March 19th. It may not overtake Battle: L-A, but it should do well in the long run. As usual, it's the story that sells the movie, even more than special effects.

As for the sneak previews, I saw the Bad Mother trailer again, but to get the real taste of that movie, find the red-band version. There was also Your Highness, and it does include Natalie Portman in a thong, and Hanna, who will put new meaning to the term "Hit Girl". They'll likely be featured during Wondercon, and I am going to say right now if Cate Blanchett isn't revealed as Hanna's mom, I will be shocked. I also saw one for Dylan Dog, who's a "cop" to keep the peace in the world of zombies, vampires and such. I was pleasantly surprised by that one, and I may check that out.