Chuck Dowling’s review published on Letterboxd:
While I have qualms about various details and ideas presented throughout JJ Abrams' second TREK outing, its only real flaw is that it is not as entertaining as the first one. That's not surprising, since the first film has both nostalgia and the power of an origin story working for it. This one does eventually settle upon going for your nostalgia as well, but it comes long after an awkwardly paced first half.
Despite the internet's best efforts though I was amazed at just how unspoiled I was going into this movie, and then was genuinely surprised by a role reversal situation at the end. Didn't see it coming at all, and it packed quite an emotional wallop.