J.J. Abrams’ second swipe at the “Star Trek” franchise has opened overseas — earned its first reviews — and pocketed its first cash.

The money? Nothing like “Iron Man 3,” but still a robust $31 million+.

I don’t think it opened in as many markets, but the comparison to “Iron Man 3″ — it did $198 million on its overseas opening weekend — is apt enough. “Trek” will win this coming weekend, but it ain’t doing $175 million, US.

Reviews? “Iron Man 3″ had 90%+ positive ratings before most US critics weighed in. “Star Trek” is tracking at 89%, and will almost certainly slide a bit as reviews pour in this week from North America.

It borrows action beats from “2001″ and “Star Wars,” not that there’s anything wrong with that.
It’s an established, beloved popcorn franchise. But there’s no pandering to China footage in it, no comic book audience. It’ll do very well. It just won’t own the summer.

(Zoe Saldana and Simon Pegg talk about the “ensemble” nature of this series here.)