Director Justin Lin (director, four “Fast and Furious” movies) keeps the action fast and furious in “Star Trek Beyond” at the expense of interaction (other than quips and a denouement) between Captain James T. Kirk (a solid Chris Pine, who looks remarkably like William Shatner), Commander Spock (a fine Zachary Quinto, who looks remarkably like the late Leonard Nimoy), Doctor “Bones” McCoy (an excellent Karl Urban), Lieutenant Uhura (a fine Zoe Saldana), Montgomery “Scotty” Scott (hilarious Simon Pegg), Sulu (a solid John Cho), Chekov (the excellent and late lamented Anton Yelchin) and newbie Jaylah (Sofia Boutella).

The fault is in the sequel’s screenplay by Simon Pegg and Doug Jung (“Confidence”), based on Gene Roddenberry’s TV series, with contributions by Roberto Orci (“The Amazing Spider-Man 2,” “Star Trek Into Darkness,” “Cowboys and Aliens,” “Star Trek,” “Transformers,” “Mission: Impossible III”) and Patrick McKay and John D. Payne (both, feature film screenplay debuts).

The film, with back-to-back and often incoherent space chases, attacks, explosions and one-on-one martial arts fights, has a nemesis, Krall, (Idris Elba, unrecognizable with an electronically-altered voice), whose raison d’être is introduced way late in the storyline.

“Star Trek Beyond” was seen in Imax 3D, unnecessary for the few scenes that stand out. The film, released on the 50th anniversary of the original “Star Trek” TV series, is filled with insider references, trivia and tributes to please the most ardent Trekkie. However, for this fanboy, it doesn’t go beyond the routine space opera.

“Star Trek Beyond,”MPAA Rated PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned. Some Material May Be Inappropriate For Children Under 13.) for sequences of science-fiction action and violence; Genre: Action, Adventure, Science-Fiction, Thriller; Run time: 2 hrs., 2 mins.; Distributed by Paramount Pictures.

Credit Readers Anonymous:The “Star Trek Beyond” end credits state ”In Loving Memory of Leonard Nimoy” and “For Anton.”

Box Office,July 29: “Jason Bourne” was reborn at No. 1 with a solid $60 million and Matt Damon’s return, zooming past “Star Trek Beyond,” dropping to No. 2, with $24 million, $105.7 million, two weeks, and keeping “Bad Moms” hanging out at No. 3, $23.4 million, opening;

4. “The Secret Life of Pets,” $18.2 million, $296.1 million, four weeks; 5. “Lights Out,” $10.8 million, $42.8 million, two weeks; 6. “Ice Age: Collision Course,” $10.5 million, $42.1 million, two weeks; 7. “Ghostbusters,” $9.8 million, $106.2 million, three weeks; 8. “Nerve,” $9 million, weekend; $15 million; since July 27 opening; 9. “Finding Dory,” $4.2 million, $469 million, seven weeks; 10. “The Legend of Tarzan,” $2.4 million, $121.8 million, five weeks.

Unreel,Aug. 5:

“Suicide Squad,”PG-13: David Ayer directs Margot Robbie, Cara Delevingne, Jared Leto and Scott Eastwood in the science-fiction action film about super villains who agree to a government mission in exchange for clemency.

“Nine Lives,”PG: Barry Sonnenfeld directs Jennifer Garner, Kevin Spacey, Robbie Amell and Christopher Walken in the fantasy comedy about a businessman trapped inside the body of his family’s cat.

Two Popcorn Boxes out of Five Popcorn Boxes