Star Trek II - The Wrath of Khan

Rating:
Summary: Neither the best nor the worst of Trek.
Review: When I was young 'un (back when I was about 8 or so), The Wrath of Khan was actually my least favorite Star Trek film to date. Having seen it again on TNN recently, I'm not sure why I disliked it so much, and while I won't call it the best Star Trek film (that honor lies with First Contact), it's an entertaining adventure highlighted by good performances, memorable special effects, and two tense, if also somewhat underwhelming, space battles.

The Wrath of Khan is a sequel to the episode, "Space Seed", where evil genius Khan and his gang were exiled on a planet. Khan and his group escape, hijack a starship, and plans vengeance upon Kirk. Then there's the genesis device, a machine capable of creating new life, but also has the potential to destroy those the living. It all leads to a tense showdown between the two biggest egos in the universe.

There are a lot of things about The Wrath of Khan that still bug me. For one, there's the slow as snails pacing. Director Nicholas Meyer often said this film was inspired by the nautical adventures of Horatio Hornblower, but I distinctly remember two things that place such works (as seen in, say, the recent Master and Commander) above Wrath of Khan: 1) watching two big spaceships blasting away at each other isn't nearly as fun as seeing two big 19th century warships firing cannonballs upon each other on the high seas and 2) Hornblower often boarded enemy ships, but seeing as this never happens in Wrath of Khan, we're back to the concept of watching two spaceships duking it out.

I can't really quite begin to emphasize how small-scale space battles aren't my cup of tea. Not helping that problem is the fact that the Enterprise never actually feels like it's in any genuine danger, not necessarily because you expect that most of the crew will make it through the situation alive, but because it just seems like a far more powerful ship than the Khan-controlled Reliant.

Then there's Khan and his gang of marauders themselves, who look more like rejects from a He-man audition than genuinely menacing villains. Matter of fact, most of Khan's men do little more than stand around and "pose." They also look a little young for a group that's been marooned for fifteen years, but maybe that's just the side effect of genetic tampering. This, however, still doesn't explain why Khan himself looks particularly aged from his last encounter with Kirk, and I don't think something as simple as stress caused by survival responsibilities could explain it. He may be the leader, but if everyone is also as potentially strong and as intelligent as he is, I see no reason why they couldn't care for themselves.

The plot generally lacks any sense of urgency. Even in the thick of the action or in apparently dire situations, the film does little to generate any building suspense. The Wrath of Khan simply doesn't find the right balance between action, science fiction, and characters. The only genuine sci-fi on hand (aside from all the space travel and the like) is the Genesis project, and even that takes a backseat to the Kirk/Khan rivalry.

Other complaints: though certain tracks of Horner's score (especially the "prepping for battle" scene) are rousing, too much of the music is just grating and certainly can't hold a candle to Jerry Goldsmith's famed Trek score. Meyer's camerawork is also rather flat, lacking a sense of true rhythm or energy. Even Robert Wise's direction in The Motion Picture felt slicker than this.

With those criticisms out of the way, there was some stuff I enjoyed about the film. William Shatner and Ricardo Montalban make for an effective protagonist/antagonist duo, with the former delivering a genuinely good performance and the latter chewing the scenery with aplomb. Leonard Nimoy is excellent as Spock, as always.

The most memorable scene of the whole film is the emotional climax, which features the death of a major character. This represented the first time that Star Trek could not only engage the mind and rattle the nerves, but also touch the heart (and put a lump in your throat). The Wrath of Khan appears to be the series fan-favorite, and I can see why, but too much of it doesn't click with me. Still, it's somewhat recommended to those looking for a space opera with the occasional dose of action and pathos.

Rating:
Summary: THE Definitive Star Trek experience!
Review: "Star Trek" has legions of fans, spawned numerous television incarnations, and inspired ten feature length movies. It even is responsible for adding the word 'trekker' (which, obviously, refers to fans of Star Trek) to the official English language, courtesy of the Oxford English Dictionary. It is not hyperbole to say that "Star Trek" is a true cultural phenomenon that has reached into many corners of society. The second full-length feature film "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" may be more responsible than any other production (television or film) for the series' widespread popularity. To call it only a science-fiction movie would not do it justice. After a dull predecessor that tried to hard to be like "2001" and appealed only to die-hard Trek fans, "...Wrath of Khan" reintroduced fans, new and old, to the great space opera that is Star Trek. What enabled to transcend its genre and reach mainstream audiences was that it contained elements that spoke to most movie goers. It is a tale of revenge in the same vein as "Moby Dick"; a tale of dealing with growing old and trying to recapture youth; it is part "Star Wars" and part "Run Silent, Run Deep"; and, most of all, it is a tale of supreme sacrifice. All of those elements combined to make this the most successful "Star Trek" movie to date (both critically and at the box office) and enables the power of this film to resonate more than 20 years after it first premiered.

After suffering the effects of a stiff story and sluggish fan reception for "Star Trek: The Motion Picture", producer Harve Bennett went back though all the old episodes of the original series to search for a storyline that would be most worthy of a sequel. An episode called "Space Seed" which introduced audiences to the genetically enhanced super villain, Khan Noonian Singh, or more simply 'KHAN!' (as Captain Kirk so eloquently put it in this film). That choice produced one of the finest science fiction films to grace the silver screen. In addition, the producers also did away with the clinical sets and pastel uniforms in favor of a cozier Enterprise bridge and uniforms more befitting a space navy.

Khan (played with delicious melodrama by Ricardo Montalban) was a character that would have special reason to seek revenge against Captain (now Admiral) Kirk (William Shatner) and the crew of the Enterprise. After defeated by Kirk at the end of the "Space Seed" episode, Khan and his cadre of genetic super humans were exiled to a planet that soon became an ecological wasteland, killing much of the crew (including Khan's wife). Fast forward 15 years and Khan is presented with a golden opportunity to exact revenge when an ill-fated scientific mission by the USS Reliant stumbles upon his planet in an attempt to find a lifeless planet to test the Genesis Project, a new experiment that can produce life from lifelessness. Khan manages to capture the investigative team (which happened to be the ship's Captain and its first officer, Chekov, from the original series) and use mind controlling parasites to take command of the Reliant. Once in possession of his own starship and free from exile, Khan begins his quest to exact revenge upon Kirk while also seeking to possess the dangerous power of Genesis.

"The Wrath of Khan" provides some of the most gripping moments of drama this genre has to offer. The twists and crests in action are frequent, natural, and spectacular. It's fascinating to watch the horror Kirk's face when he realizes that the man behind the surprise attack on the Enterprise is Khan. When Kirk, and the damaged enterprise, abruptly turn the tables on Khan as he prepares to finish them off, a rush of adrenaline courses through the veins of all who are watching. The cat and mouse battle in the Mutara Nebula reminds many of the submarine warfare from "Run Silent, Run Deep". Then, there is the tragic sacrifice at the very end. All of this made this film such a spectacular mainstream success in 1982 and continues to give it amazing strength today.

The Special Edition Director's Cut restores a few scenes that have been absent from most of the past video versions, most notably two scenes that show what the connection is between Scotty and the young midshipman who dies during Khan's first attack. In addition, the special features disc provides insightful interviews with cast members that shows the creative process and inspiration that brought "The Wrath of Khan" to existence.

Rating:
Summary: "He tasks me...and I shall have him!"
Review: Of the original Star Trek films this one shines the brightest. Part one was a disappointment filled with good ideas, Part three was fairly unremarkable, Part four was the most humorous, Part five was the worst made and oftentimes ridiculous, and Part six was a good mystery. But it was here where all the characters shine with the charisma they have shown before that made the series such a genuinely enjoyable experience. Not to mention, the show broke cultural boundaries with a sledgehammer! Of all the original films, this one has it all. There is some great humor, especially for those familiar with the characters and how they relate to one another. There is adventure and the re-emergence of a long-time enemy of Captain Kirk bent on vengeance at any cost. There is the creation of life and the death of an honorable crew member. I actually teared-up the last time I watched this film, having so thoroughly enjoyed the story. There is some authentic emotion in this film, and one is left feeling that all the characters care about each other a great deal. As for the acting, William Shatner has his best performance ever? It is very possible, even though there are a couple of scenes where he is seriously over-acting. But in the scenes where he is more introspective, more subtle with his emotions and comic timing, that is where his work is most rewarding. The remainder of the crew all give solid character turns, with DeForest Kelly hogging most of the best lines. But what makes this film eventually reach warp speed is a career performance from Ricardo Montalban as the villainous Khan. Once in a while, there is a film that comes along where the evil nemesis is so incredibly charming that it is impossible not to like him. Khan is just such a villain! Even when he is attempting to destroy the Enterprise I was compelled to agree with his actions (at least from his point of view), demented and blood-thirsty as they are. The fact that he is constantly quoting lines from "Moby Dick" lends to the credibility that he is as intelligent as he is often called. The previous sentence reminds me that this script is extremely well-written, humorous, sad, adventurous, and altogether great! This is fantastic Sci-fi entertainment!

Rating:
Summary: FROM HELL'S HEART I STAB AT THEE...
Review: While most of the Trek films have met with varying degrees of success (the exception being the first film), THIS one is easily the best of the bunch, being culled from one of the most rivetting episodes of the TV series - Space Seed. As is often true of Trek stories, you can find almost everything here: humor, pathos, drama, excitement. This movie is no different, relying on many of the old series' tried-and-tested formulas: Bones and Spock in their famous debates; Kirk's think-on-your-toes, save the ship military genius; Kirk dealing with the inevitability of aging; terrific special effects, and of course the magnificent Ricardo Montalban as perhaps Kirk's most dangerous foe ever, the psychotically brilliant Khan Noonian Singh, alive and kicking after a 15 year exile on a barren and inhospitable planet - and out for Kirk's blood! The film pits these two brilliant minds against each other in what is perhaps one of the greatest intergalactic chess games ever.

Shatner's performace may be a bit over-the-top in some scenes but overall I think he gives one of his best performances ever - as do all the cast. In my opinion though, it is Ricardo Montalban that steals the show, with an absolutely terrific performance that gives the film it's edge-of-your-seat excitement.

Rating:
Summary: Great Movie, Average Extras
Review: I can remember being slightly disappointed when the first Star Trek movie came out in the theatre, thinking it lacked the television series' "the Enterprise takes a hit and everyone goes flying around the bridge, everything's blowing up and Mr. Scott has ten seconds to fix it or else..."
Well, I wasn't disappointed with Star Trek II. It recalls the best of the original TV series: lots of action, an interesting story, the classic character interaction between Kirk, Spock and McCoy. The claustrophobic feel of the movie works well within the story framework as the crew of the Enterprise are being hunted by their long ago nemesis, Khan Noonian Singh. Star Trek II does right by its villian, Khan. He's the bad guy, a genetically engineered superman from the 20th Century, but he's a well rounded character unlike the cardboard cutouts of evil that we are treated to in so many lesser movies. And he's an able villian, his starship can shoot straight (except in the nebula when neither ship has particularly good aim), and good people need to make the ultimate sacrifice to ensure he is defeated in the end.
I think the reason this movie, out of all the Star Trek movies, works because it not only celebrates the TV past of the Star Trek show, but adds to the canon. Things happen in this movie, characters change, characters besides "Ensign Smith" die. Good TV results in the same characters and the same situations week after week. Good movies result in characters developing over the course of the movie. This is a good movie.
Now, to what's not so good. For the most part, the special effects are quite good, especially when you take into consideration this movie came out in 1982. However, the underground Genesis world just looks bad. It looked bad in 1982 and it still looks bad. Considering how much the first Star Trek movie was redone for the DVD release, you'd think Nick Meyer might have got some extra money to clean those shots up, maybe with a nice realistic looking cavern. Oh well. The Directors' Cut isn't all that much different from the theatrical version: just an addition here and there to add maybe two minutes total of dialogue.
The extras aren't all that impressive. Almost all of it is interviews and snippets made for the DVD release. I think William Shatner is trying to be funny with the whole "Spock dying conspiracy to get more money", but I would have rather heard real information about the movie. And didn't anyone bother to shoot any documentary footage when the movie was being made? No offense, but I am more interested in extras that provide insight to the movie, either physically (show the effects being made, the scenes being directed, etc.) or critically (talk about the drafts and revisions of the story, etc.).
I recommend the DVD as it is nice and clean, the sound is tremendous. Watch the extras once and forget them, but come back to watch the movie again and again.(...)

Rating:
Summary: Even Nick meyer does not like this movie...
Review: Well the movie was among the cheapest budget Trek movies ever done with the TOS crew, they were locked in shooting on sound stages the whole time and the cheap budget can be seen in the large stock footage used from STTMP. This so called Directors Cut is poorly edited and involves new takes of the cast talking although from the poor quality of the dialoge seems to indicate that these takes were never ment to be used, why Paramount choose to use them here, is not clear. The whole part where we see Spock using a mind meld on Bones and saying "Remember", was a reshoot done after they had seen a rough cut of the movie where Spock's death seemed so final, and both Harve Bennet and Leonard Nimoy said; "My God, what have we done?" Nick Meyer wanted to do a much larger story here but the cheap budget would not allow it. He would not really get a change to do a Star Trek movie the way he wanted until Star Trek VI; The Undiscovered Country was made nearly nine years later, and that was a much better movie then this.

Rating:
Summary: Simply the Best
Review: I'm a trekkie from way back. My favorite episode was the one with Khan - so it might not be any surprise that ST2-Khan is my favorite of the ST movies. The thing is though - even so - it still is the best movie. It's simple, it's got action, it's got camp, seriousness, excitement and yes, things get blown up!

Lots of great characters. I happen to like Judson Scott (was in the TV Series, The Phoenix). He's not even named in the credits - but he's Khan's right-hand man who gets killed - this movie's famous "no name character who always seems to get killed") I'd have bought this movie just for him! But no need - I loved this movie right from the start before I knew he was in it!

A young Kirstie Alley is here as well.

Even if you aren't a Trek fan - you could love this movie!

Rating:
Summary: Best of the bunch... the one essential Trek film.
Review: Star Trek II - The Wrath of Khan is the one must-see Star Trek movie, and by far the most accessible movie of the bunch to the casual viewer (with the possible exception of Star Trek IV, which was more an adventure-comedy than a Sci-Fi movie). Conveniently, almost all Trek fans agree that it is the best of the bunch as well. It captures the slam-bang fun potential of Star Trek better than just about anything else out there. I will go even further, and say that STII is one of the best science fiction movies made, period. It won't expand anybody's consciousness anytime soon, or serve as a substitute for science class, but it is great fun.

One surprising thing about this movie is how good it looks. You would expect a 20-year-old science fiction movie to look like crap, but The Wrath of Khan actually looks very good. This is doubly surprising when you consider that the budget of the movie was relatively small, and some of the effects shots were (cleverly) recycled from the even older Star Trek: The Motion Picture.

The acting is good as well. Although most non-Trekkies wouldn't consider Shatner, Nimoy, et. al. to be master thespians, director Nicholas Meyer gets credible performances from them. Any over-acting is strictly for fun here, not groans. Special kudos need to be given to Ricardo Montalban, who does a great job playing the over-the-top villain, Khan. Not to mention his personal trainer; apparently his pecs are real, not a prop as was once rumored.

Not something I usually comment on, but the soundtrack is outstanding as well. It does a great job of setting and enhancing the moods in the various scenes. I particularly liked the main theme from the introduction.

The DVD package is EXTREMELY good, with lots of extras that are actually interesting to watch. I've found that most commentary soundtracks are just a waste of time, but director Nick Meyer's commentary is actually interesting and entertaining. He sounds like a very smart, funny guy, making it easy to see why many people think he "saved" the Star Trek movie franchise after the bloated mess of Star Trek: The Motion Picture. Not coincidentally, he also played a big role in the other two Star Trek movies that are actually worth watching: Star Trek IV (which, in spite of the silly "save-the-whales" message was an excellent sci-fi comedy), and Star Trek VI (a fun combination sci-fi/trial/jailbreak/mystery/action movie). There are also tons of interviews, making-of featurettes, and that sort of thing.

The Director's Cut (the only version of the movie included) is only slightly tweaked from the original theatrical release, and is slightly better all-around as a result. Fans who saw the old version probably won't notice the difference, however. Sound and picture quality are top-notch, especially given the age of the source material.

Unless you can't stand anything even remotely science-fiction, Star Trek II - The Wrath of Khan is a great movie, and the 2 DVD Director's Edition is by far the best version available. It is also priced like most single-DVD sets, making it a great value.

Rating:
Summary: Still My Favorite
Review: A really good Star Trek episode manages to balance technological speculation with a good human story. So let's start with the speculation: "What if someone was able to create a device that could transform any planet into one that supports life, but would destroy anything that was living there in the process?" Then we get the story: "Suppose that someone who has hated you for 15 years manages to get hold of this device and run amok?" These, then, are the elements that make up The Wrath of Khan. But like so much good science fiction (and Trek), this film manages to be much more.

In the midst of this technological crisis, we find a restless, deskbound Admiral Kirk bumping up against middle age. He has discovered that one of his past liaisons produced an illegitimate son and his eyes are failing on him. Put Kirk's mid-life crisis aboard a starship full of young cadets, and you find our gallant hero up against something he never considered before: his own mortality. James T. Kirk is finally forced to grow up, and William Shatner does some of his best acting in this film.

Ricardo Montalban is also excellent as the proud, driven, and fearsome Khan Noonian Singh, a genetic superman from our(!) century. Montalban had played the character in the original series; Khan was exiled to a barren planet in that episode ("The Space Seed"), and has hated Kirk since then. He is fond of quoting Milton and Melville. He's not your mother's Mr. Roarke.

Cinematically speaking, things look a lot better in ST2 than in the first film. The Starfleet uniforms are a rich, burgundy red and look like something out of Horatio Hornblower. There are more colored lights in and around the hallways. Kirk's quarters are not nearly as austere as they were in STTMP. The lighting of the sets (which are the same) manages to make the Enterprise look more inviting and more warshiplike as well.

There are a couple of down sides. Kirk's son, David Marcus, is a whining preppy, right down to the sweater tied around his neck. Chekov, while promoted to first officer on another ship, is reduced to screaming again when something yucky crawls into his ear. Scotty is starting to chunk out here, though the mustache he appeared with in STTMP still looks good. Uhura is back to her old job of saying, "Hailing frequencies open."

Oddly enough, this was my first exposure to Star Trek. I'd never seen an episode until this film. All things considered, this was a terrific introduction to the Star Trek universe. The DVD also restores a couple of great acting moments or lines that I hadn't seen since the movie first hit the theaters. A must-own!

Rating:
Summary: They should have released it first
Review: The only problem I have with this DVD was the amount of material on this and future "Special Edition" Star Trek DVDs. After seeing how much they crammed onto the first picture, maybe they should have released ST 2 thru 6 first, then finally TMP. It wouldn't have seemed like such a letdown. And after just getting the sixth movie, it seems like Paramount is running out of bonus material. Maybe they should dig out that soundbyte of Bill Shatner's Strawberry Fields forever.

Great transfer, the picture is crisp and the sound is full. I remember this movie when it first aired on TV. That's the VHS version I've been watching all these years!!! It looks like other people agree about the picture/sound quality. Well worth it.

This is Ricardo's best performance, ever. Star Trek fan or not.