F E AT U R E
What We Want to See in
Star Trek 4
W
hether you’re just stepping into Star Trek via the
Kelvin Timeline or a long-time fan of the franchise, one thing is clear: J.J. Abrams’ brought
Star Trek back in a big way. The latest big screen outing, Star Trek Beyond, packed in tons of the Kelvin universe’s characteristic action, but seasoned it with a little
more introspection and characterization. While Justin
Lin’s latest high-octane adventure is a welcome addition
to the alternative timeline, it seems clear the prevailing
winds of mainstream cinema are tacking away from the
blend of action and thought-provoking subtext the classic series and films exemplified. With the distraction of
San Diego Comic-Con and tentpole competitors like Suicide Squad, the most recent Trek wasn’t exactly a box
office smash. However, it did manage to snag enough
viewers to keep the franchise going – which is fortunate,
because Paramount announced a fourth film just prior
to Beyond‘s release. The next installment will feature
the return of James T. Kirk’s (Chris Pine) father George
(played by Thor actor Chris Hemsworth), although to
what degree and in what way is unknown at present.
Early rumors also purport that the next entry may re-
store the schism between the two timelines. Whether
the fourth rebooted film resets the timeline or sets up the
next batch of Kelvin sequels, it promises another romp
with the now-familiar neo-classical cast. But just what
are we looking for in the next big-screen Star Trek epic?
JUST A DASH MORE INTELLECT
Crafting a Star Trek film has always been a delicate
balancing act, even during the classic era. Blending
action and adventure with a thoughtful examination of
humanity has always been tricky when most moviegoers are seeking a distraction from the daily grind. The
latest offering, Star Trek Beyond, does a solid job exploring Kirk’s restiveness with his five-year mission and
Spock’s conflict between his duty and his people. Yet
as expected, the overall ethical bent of the series is relegated to buzzwords like unity, honor, and Krall’s (Idris
Elba) reductive critique of the Federation. Three films in,
it seems unlikely that Star Trek’s alternate universe will
ratchet down the action in favor of the heady blend of
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan or The Voyage Home.
While Beyond had a handful of character-driven moments, it was also one of the most action-packed movies
22 | BOOM