Star Trek Beyond Blu-ray Review

The 3D Blu-ray presentation of "Star Trek Beyond" demonstrates impressive use of depth and dimensionality. The grand environments and effects shots, especially involving the Enterprise, offer a significant sense of shape and depth. Key scenes, such as the Enterprise's approach towards Yorktown, provide true wow moments for 3D enthusiasts. The ship's design, including the curvature of its saucer section and hull, appear tangible and realistic. Interiors on the Enterprise also benefit from volumetric rendering, with rounded turbolift doors and smooth consoles looking enticingly real. Natural environments on the planet surface reveal a believable sense of space and realism, further enhanced by the depth effects.

However, despite the successful use of 3D in many scenes, there are noticeable downsides. Colors tend to take a darker turn compared to the 2D presentation, leading to portions of the movie appearing almost impenetrably dark through 3D glasses. The lack of any attempt to brighten the color or contrast grading for the 3D version exacerbates this issue. Additionally, aliasing is prominent throughout, albeit not to a distracting degree. While some sequences, such as Scotty dangling over a cliff and Kirk battling Krall in a zero-gravity situation, do benefit greatly from the 3D format, other scenes expected to be 3D showcases fall flat without the anticipated depth effect.

Overall, while "Star Trek Beyond" fares well in 3D with isolated moments significantly enhancing the immersion, the dim transfer and conservative use of depth in later scenes detract from an otherwise visually arresting experience. Select scenes truly showcase the potential of 3D, making the more disappointing segments all the more noticeable.

The Dolby Atmos soundtrack for "Star Trek Beyond" on Blu-ray is a highly energetic and immersive audio presentation that excels in several technical aspects. The track begins by effectively utilizing the overhead channels to create an immersive atmosphere, particularly in scenes like Kirk's mediation between alien factions, allowing for rich reverberation that places the listener within the scene. Action sequences are rendered with remarkable complexity and detail, featuring seamless 360-degree immersion. Explosions, phaser blasts, and falling debris are proficiently meshed together with a complementary top layer that enhances rather than dominates the auditory experience. One standout Atmos reference moment occurs at the 48:20 mark, where heavy wreckage sounds pan around the top layer of the stage, adding to the immersive experience.

Paramount's inclusion of Dolby Atmos on both UHD and regular Blu-ray formats is commendable, ensuring broad accessibility. If an Atmos setup is unavailable, the track downmixes to lossless Dolby TrueHD 7.1 seamlessly. Battle scenes involving enemy swarms exhibit a plethora of directional pans zipping through ground-level channels and overhead speakers. While the height speakers typically blend into the overall soundscape rather than standing out with discrete sounds, moments of quieter, subtle ambient cues are notably effective, enveloping the viewer in the film’s environment.

Although the action-heavy nature of "Beyond" translates to numerous impactful bass moments, including the rumbling crash of the Enterprise saucer, none achieve a truly devastating low-end punch. Michael Giacchino's score generally fits well within the mix, although it occasionally appears flat and fails to elevate some action scenes to their full potential. Interestingly, Rihanna's pop song during the end credits shines with clarity and detail, contrasting with the otherwise excellent yet occasionally uneven musical score throughout the film. Dialogue is clear, detailed, and well-prioritized in the center channel, enhancing overall audibility without detracting from the action or environmental effects.

The extras on the Blu-ray release of "Star Trek Beyond" provide an informative but somewhat brief dive into various aspects of the film’s production. While there are no exclusive 3D bonus features, the 2D content includes a mix of promotional featurettes, cast and crew interviews, and a few deleted scenes. Although the extras provide valuable insights into the filmmaking process and behind-the-scenes elements, some pieces feel overly short and promotional rather than deeply informative. Nonetheless, notable highlights include heartfelt tributes to Leonard Nimoy and Anton Yelchin, explorations of new alien designs, and a closer look at Justin Lin's direction and creative vision.

Extras included in this disc:

• Deleted Scenes: Brief scenes including Kirk in the terminal and Scotty getting a bib.
• Beyond the Darkness: Insights into Justin Lin's love for the franchise.
• Enterprise Takedown: Examination of the Enterprise's destruction.
• Divided and Conquered: Examination of character separations and their individual actions.
• A Warped Sense of Revenge: Exploration of the villain Krall.
• Trekking in the Desert: Filming in Dubai for Yorktown scenes.
• Exploring Strange New Worlds: Focus on Production Designer Tom Sanders' work.
• New Life, New Civilizations: Designing new aliens for the film.
• To Live Long and Prosper: Montage and discussion on "Star Trek's" legacy.
• For Leonard and Anton: Tribute to Leonard Nimoy and Anton Yelchin.
• Gag Reel: Collection of humorous outtakes from the cast.

"Star Trek Beyond," directed by Justin Lin, stands as an exhilarating addition to the rebooted Star Trek franchise. It marks a significant shift from J.J. Abrams' directorial style, maintaining the kinetic energy of its predecessors but opting for fewer lens flares and a heightened emphasis on relentless action sequences. Despite the unfortunate passing of Leonard Nimoy and Anton Yelchin casting a shadow over its release, the film does justice to their legacy with a spirited narrative that intertwines both familiar and innovative elements. The movie plunges Captain Kirk (Chris Pine) and his crew into a perilous mission within a mysterious nebula, resulting in their ship’s destruction and a gripping survival struggle against the formidable antagonist Krall (Idris Elba).

"Beyond" effectively captures a massive sphere-of-action scale, borrowing thematically from "The Wrath of Khan" and integrating plot elements reminiscent of earlier Trek movies, albeit sometimes feeling forced rather than seamless. The star base Yorktown is a visual marvel, presenting a vertiginous metropolis unlike anything seen in the franchise, enhancing the film’s ambitious scope. However, the narrative occasionally falters with underdeveloped villain motivations and moments catering more to spectacle than substance. Notably, while Lin’s direction brings polished production values and dynamic camera work, it borders on exhaustion with continuous motion even in dialogue scenes.

Despite its shortcomings—derivative narrative beats and an undue emphasis on action over depth—the film's camaraderie among characters, inventive setups, and novel visual spectacles ensure it remains a highly engaging popcorn flick. It embraces the energetic and adventurous spirit that has come to define the reboot series, even as fans might yearn for more cerebral and thematically rich storytelling. Overall, "Star Trek Beyond" delivers an entertaining experience that, while not wholly aligning with traditional Trek ethos, keeps the audience thoroughly invested in its high-octane ride.

Star Trek Beyond reinvigorates the long-standing franchise with high-energy action and a coherent blend of imaginative concepts despite lacking the deep-rooted essence of Roddenberry's pioneering vision. While the film does not capture the profound soul or visceral wow of the Abrams-directed installments, it excels with solid performances and seamless visual effects, presenting a polished and sleek modern take on Star Trek. Paramount’s Blu-ray 3D release offers enthusiasts enticing 3D visuals that effectively contribute to the film’s immersive experience, although at times, the image's darkness slightly diminishes its impact.

While Star Trek Beyond successfully addresses some flaws of its predecessor, it still introduces new challenges and repeats certain unimproved elements, presenting a mixed yet enjoyable cinematic journey. Its performance lagged behind its reboot companions at the box office, potentially signaling to Paramount that detours into Fast & Furious-like action may not be the franchise's optimal path. That said, the Blu-ray 3D version distinguishes itself with commendable depth effects, ranking above many post-conversions, though not strictly necessary for enjoyment.

In conclusion, Star Trek Beyond channels two hours of captivating Star Trek brilliance within a visually striking and narratively engaging package. Paramount's Blu-ray 3D enhances this experience with high-quality audio, well-utilized 3D video, and an appealing collection of extras. This release stands as a worthwhile addition to any Star Trek fan's collection, highly recommended for those seeking both compelling content and stellar presentation.