i usually watch star trek movies over and over and this one will be no exception. one thing that was different on this viewing and what will be the main focus of this review was that i saw the film in the barco escape format. when i heard about this format i was intrigued. when i heard star trek beyond was playing in it i wanted to go. when i heard toronto had a theatre playing it in this format it was too late. i had already seen it. but that wasn't going to stop me and so i went again. the theatre i walked into had converted the screen from an old auditorium. there were the regular seats and then a screen with two screens on the side. now the centre screen was small, like old school movie theatres and the two side screens stretched off past the first few front rows. me and my friend sat centre and the film began. again, the front screen was a little small but it was still okay. when the three screen experience started (only 22 minutes of the movie was shot like that) it at first was a little confusing but after a while i got used to it. how was it? it was okay i guess. i can see the potential here but it really is in it's infancy. so what worked and what didn't? what worked was watching the enterprise fly at you on the three screens. it almost felt like 3d and it almost felt like it was surrounding you. when all three screens were playing images it felt massive. it made the action scenes all that more epic. what didn't work was the size of the film when only the front screen was in use. this is an all or nothing format unlike imax. also, sometimes you could get lost in the images and lose focus on the film. i can see this working better when/if filmmakers choose to shoot in it. they can plan out things and be creative. for this film i think they just switched camera's and shot it like a regular movie. i can see things come from behind you into frame (didn't happen here), shots of action that start on the left screen and scroll across all three screens, there is so much potential to make this a unique viewing experience. also, a single more curved screen would be more effective, with a seating plan designed for maximum impact and lastly, throw in 3d with this and you are looking at the future of movies. as far as the actual movie went for a second viewing. it was just as good as the first time and my feelings didn't change. i had a blast, i laughed, i thrilled at the action and it is a great summer blockbuster (and one of the few not to disappoint this year) but it is a movie made for star trek fans and new fans won't be made with this one (unlike 2009's trek that brought in a whole new fan base). my friend who i saw it with enjoyed it but didn't think it was as good as the last two. he doesn't like the original trek and his opinion just proves my point. he thought it was kind of corny, he wanted more action. in essence, he wanted the first film again. me, and star trek fans who have been such since before 2009, we can love this film for what it is: a love letter to a series that has endured for half a century. production design: 9 out of 10 cinematography: 8 out of 10 re-playability: 7 out of 10 originality: 7 out of 10 costumes: 8 out of 10 directing: 8 out of 10 editing: 8 out of 10 acting: 8 out of 10 music: 8 out of 10 script: 7 out of 10 78/100