Star Trek Beyond: 10 Reasons It's Better Than Into Darkness
4. It's Incredibly Emotional
Star Trek Into Darkness, for all the things it got right, wasn't a terribly emotional film full of feeling. After 2009's Trek was a sweetly nostalgic tribute to the original series with a terrific supporting performance from Leonard Nimoy, Into Darkness couldn't quite replicate the same emotion despite Nimoy re-appearing briefly.
Beyond, by virtue of some real-life tragedies that have surrounded the production, certainly does tug at the heart strings, but in a manner that doesn't feel manipulative or exploitative.
Firstly, Leonard Nimoy's passing is acknowledged with the death of Spock Prime, resulting in some touching introspection for Spock, as well as an extremely moving moment near the end of the film that nods to Nimoy's extraordinary legacy among the original Trek cast.
Then there's Anton Yelchin, who nails it once again as Chekov in a larger role than normal, and he receives a "For Anton" tribute in the middle of the film's end credits.
Beyond is rarely better than a contemplative moment early on when Bones and Kirk share a drink while toasting to absent friends: it feels all-too apt given the recent losses that have hit fans hard.