For me, the one Star Trek film in the series that continued into The Next Generation that will stand the test of time, is Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan. It came on the heels of the first film, Star Trek: The Motion Picture.

The first screen Trek was deemed by many to be a disappointment and some even called it a failure. It wasn't- and upon a recent viewing in a package of the first seven films that I've just purchased, it was just a little too ethereal and somewhere along the way, lost its humanity in its reach for the stars.

My personal opinion is that Nicholas Meyer saved the original Star Trek's glow and was finally the one able to translate it to screen. Apparently he was handed no less than 5 different drafts and plotlines of the script. Being a writer himself as well as a director, he was able to mesh the best ideas into a story that would not only play, but would offer Shatner and Nimoy (in particular), something with real bite. The addition that the budget would be restrained after the massive budget alotted to the first film, also cornered them all back into the world of 'ideas'. The Genesis Device and its implications was one of the best ideas/topics for discussion/battle and drama, Star Trek ever offered.

For the few that haven't seen the film, Kirk has been promoted to Admiral in Star Fleet and he has come aboard The Enterprise, now headed by Captain Spock, to monitor a new team of Federation Cadets.

Khan (Richardo Montalban), and a band of genetically enhanced humans (that escaped the 20th Century and warring crimes against humanity), were exiled to an uninhabited world when they were awakened from hibernation by Kirk and The Enterprise crew, (after trying to steal Kirk's ship), during its original 5 year mission. Fast forward to the present: a Federation ship that's investigating Citi Alpha 5 for testing of The Genesis Device has its crew captured by dwellers on the planet below. Khan awaits with what is left of his band, and has seethed with hatred for Kirk over the years that have passed- and he has inadvertently been handed one of the universes most dangerous devices, as they overtake and dominate the crew and steal the Federation ship. Once aboard the stolen ship, he and his followers set off in search of the man who sentenced him to his prison with a vengeance that will only be eased in blood.

Note: The Genesis Device is a new Federation 'hope'- a device that, once shot into the atmosphere of a dead world, stimulates instant cellular growth and life. The only hazard- if shot into the atmosphere of an already abundant world, it would cancel its life in favor of its new matrix (hence the dark aspect of its proactive implications). I have to say I really loved this idea a lot- its a great metaphor for the perversion of good science falling into the wrong hands. As Criton once wrote " yes, you realized that you 'could' do it... but did you ever ask yourself 'should' you do it? "

What also renders this film as a high water mark is that it successfully aged the characters. They weren't the young voyagers they were in the original run and endless repeats that created the fandom. Kirk in particular because it made sense that he needed to lose his edge and battle back to find his new purpose. Myers, being the literature man that he is, pulled off what Robert Wise (the director of Trek The Motion picture) so 'wisely' had begun.

The inclusion of a villan from the past- and one that premiered in the Space Seed episode of the original series, connected their future with their past, beautifully. And one can't say enough about Richardo Montalban's performance. It's layered, it has depth and you can tell he is revelling in being handed a script that's laced with some Melville (Moby Dick).

William Shatner has never been better than in this film (and I still haven't seen a really good performance like this from him, since). His theatrical roots (in the best sense of the term), come into full play and he blew me away in the death scene. I saw it a number of times in the theatre when it was released.( I do that from time to time if I think something's worth the fun of the watch- and something that has some good points to study and learn from. The fact that the film excited in so many camps was proof of it). The thing I found interesting was- it moved everyone- not just trekkers but people who came because of the good buzz. When Spock fades with " I have been and forever shall be your friend. Live long and prosper ", then dies, Shatner brought people to tears with " no, " as he slid down the other side of the protective plate. He and Nimoy (who had a hell of a hard time playing it, realizing that they were finally on track (trek), and perhaps ready to do some good work again. It's a terrific example of pop history finding its humanity and making an audience 'feel'.

They killed Spock in this film (and successfully 'to a degree', revived him in in the 3rd and 4th entry). But the dramatic conclusion and Kirk's finding his strength, coming to terms with his age, his loss and a son he hadn't been there to be a father to, gave added depth to a film that set it sights on being heads and shoulders apart from much of the space films that have filled the 80's and 90's.

And personal note: for Meyers to have also laced it with some Dickens sealed the deal for me.

I'm reviewing and recommending this to mild or (more importantly) non trekkers. It is a terrific film, regardless of genre. And because it comes with some characters that have passed into the subconscious whether you were watching or not, the story excites and touches in the same breath.

Extremely good Trek, in my opinion.

Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older