Star Trek Beyond (2016), PG-13, 2 hr 2 min

Title: Star Trek Beyond
Year: 2016
Franchise: Star Trek
Franchise #: 13

MPAA Rating / TV Parental Guidelines
MPAA Rating: PG-13
TV Parental Guidelines: TV-14

Total Runtime
122 minutes (2 hours, 2 minutes)

Tagline
“Go beyond the darkness.”

Main Cast
Chris Pine – Captain James T. Kirk
Zachary Quinto – Commander Spock
Karl Urban – Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy
Zoe Saldana – Lieutenant Uhura
Simon Pegg – Montgomery "Scotty" Scott
John Cho – Lieutenant Sulu
Anton Yelchin – Ensign Pavel Chekov
Sofia Boutella – Jaylah
Idris Elba – Krall
Shohreh Aghdashloo – Commodore Paris

Reviews
Overview
Star Trek Beyond brings the heart and team spirit back to the center of the franchise. Directed by Justin Lin (of Fast & Furious fame), it’s packed with action but also highlights the crew’s relationships and resilience. Stranded on a remote planet after a brutal ambush, the Enterprise crew must regroup and outwit a fearsome new enemy. With a strong ensemble vibe, some cool new tech, and even Beastie Boys music weaponized in battle, this feels like a big-budget love letter to classic Trek.

Family Friendliness
There’s intense action, alien fights, ship crashes, and some light swearing, but nothing overtly graphic. One brief scene shows Sulu embracing his husband (a quiet nod to LGBTQ+ inclusion). The tone is more adventurous than heavy, making it accessible for teens and families used to sci-fi action. Nothing too scary or sexual, and the humor lightens things up nicely.

Christian Perspective
Beyond explores themes of identity, legacy, and unity. Kirk wrestles with purpose and direction—mirroring Ecclesiastes 1:2’s exploration of meaning and Philippians 3:14’s call to press on toward purpose. The villain, Krall, is twisted by bitterness and loss, a warning against letting pain fester into hate (Hebrews 12:15). Jaylah’s hope, courage, and trust in community affirm biblical values of family, restoration, and grace. And the crew’s reliance on each other reflects 1 Corinthians 12:12–27: many members, one body.

Critics Ratings
IMDb: 7.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 86% Critic Score, 80% Audience Score
Metacritic: 68/100 Metascore, 7.4/10 User Score
Dove Foundation: Not officially rated; may be acceptable for teens
My Rating: 8.0/10 – A fun, meaningful return to the franchise’s adventurous spirit with a strong ensemble and great visuals.

Notable Scenes
Opening Negotiation Gone Wrong: Hilarious scene where Kirk’s peace offering gets hilariously rejected.
Enterprise Ambush: The ship is decimated mid-air by a swarm of alien drones—tense and emotional.
Crew Stranded on Altamid: Survival, regrouping, and lots of classic Trek teamwork.
Jaylah’s Introduction: A skilled fighter and survivor who joins the crew—a standout new character.
Motorbike Diversion Scene: Kirk uses a replicated motorcycle in a spectacular battle distraction.
“Sabotage” Attack: Scotty and Jaylah weaponize Beastie Boys music to disrupt Krall’s fleet—crazy fun.
Spock and McCoy’s Banter: Classic odd-couple moments provide levity and depth.
Spock Reflects on Ambassador Spock’s Death: A touching tribute to Leonard Nimoy.
Krall’s Identity Reveal: His shocking connection to Starfleet adds layers to the villain.
Rebuilding the Enterprise-A: The crew reassembles for new adventures—hopeful and triumphant.

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