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'Star Trek Beyond' TV Spots Tease A Very Personal Story

Perhaps the most fascinating part of this TV Spot is the reflective beginning, suggesting that this is a very personal challenge for Captain Kirk.

By Tom BaconPublished 6 years ago 2 min read
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As any Star Trek fan knows, next month sees the third film in the rebooted Star Trek franchise! With a budget of $150 million, and a cast including Chris Pine's Captain Kirk, Zachary Quinto's Spock, and Zoe Saldana's Uhura, the film will strand the crew of the USS Enterprise on a hostile world. But the TV Spots show a different angle...

A Surprisingly Reflective Tone for 'Star Trek Beyond'

Kirk talks to his friends.

Perhaps the most fascinating part of this TV Spot is the reflective beginning, suggesting that this is a very personal challenge for Captain Kirk. He's older (not necessarily wiser), and beginning to look back at his past and wonder just what kind of man he really is.

This is a touch I really didn't expect, but two films in it it's appropriate that we begin to see Captain Kirk grow up. In a way, that's part of the beauty of this reboot - we get to meet Kirk before he even becomes a captain, and we watch him face his greatest challenges.

The first trailer was heavily criticized for obsessing over the action, so it's likely this TV Spot was designed as a minor course-correction for the marketing. If so, it's a smart move, and in my view it works well.

That said, the approach is pretty sensible. When we think of Kirk, we think 'Captain'. Strip him of his ship, and you have an opportunity to ask just what kind of man he is. The answer is offered by Saldana's Uhura.

"If our Captain's alive... he will come for us."

Boldly Going In A Whole New Direction

Star Trek Beyond takes the franchise in a surprisingly bold new direction, though. Where Star Trek rebooted the franchise, and Star Trek: Into Darkness exploited the rebooted timeline to re-introduce an old threat, Star Trek Beyond is introducing a brand new race of enemies for Kirk to face. It's a move that will need to be done with care, though, as Trekkies are notoriously continuity-aware.

Who are they, and what do they want?

The second TV Spot features a lot less new information, but is still worth a watch! It's short, succinct, and sets out the core concept pretty effectively.

I admit that I was among the more sceptical when I saw the first trailer for Star Trek Beyond. That said, as the marketing campaign moves into full force, it's hard to resist the draw of such an iconic franchise as Star Trek. Particularly when they're as effective as that first TV Spot; Star Trek Beyond is increasingly looking like a film I'll enjoy. So here's hoping the time between now and July flies by - at warp speed.

Uh-oh, Uhura's in trouble...

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About the Creator

Tom Bacon

A prolific writer and film fan, Tom has a deep love of the superhero genre.

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