BrianKoller's Full Review: Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
Fans of "Star Trek" had to wait over a decade for the first theatrical release that was based on the 1960s television series. And for many, the wait wasn't worth it. "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" (1979) was slow, even boring. Still, it did big business at the box office. Paramount knew that "Star Trek" was a hot property, but also knew that further mistakes could ruin the franchise. Creative control was taken away from Gene Roddenberry, who was the executive producer for the original series.
The new man in charge was television producer Harve Bennett, who knew little of "Star Trek". He learned quickly, however, by watching all of the episodes of the original series. He was struck by "Space Seed", which had Ricardo Montalban playing a genetically engineered superman and tough guy villain. Montalban jumped at the opportunity to reprise the character, which was a major change from his dapper role on the dismal "Fantasy Island".
"Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan" went on to gross some eighty million dollars at the box office, ensuring the continuation of the franchise. It also set a precedent, that the even-numbered films (Trekkies refer to them by number) were better than the odd-numbered films that surrounded them.
The film begins by rounding up the cast members of the original series. The ever-dramatic James T. Kirk (William Shatner) is Admiral and the man in charge. Spock (Leonard Nimoy) is a member of the cerebral, dark-haired, pointy-eared Vulcan race. 'Bones' McCoy (DeForest Kelley) is a sarcastic, pessimistic doctor. Scotty (James Doohan) is the emotional, affable head engineer. Sulu (George Takei), a navigator, and Uhuru (Nichelle Nichols), the communications officer, return but are barely present.
They are reunited on their starship, the 'Enterprise', with a crew of young recruits. Among them is Vulcan officer trainee Saavik (Kirstie Alley, making her film debut). For old time's sake, Kirk again takes the captain's chair for what should be a routine space voyage.
Instead, they encounter the 'Reliant', a Federation vessel that has been pirated by Khan (Ricardo Montalban). Khan and his followers were abandoned on a miserable planet years ago by Kirk, and now Khan thirsts for revenge. He wants the Genesis probe, which is capable of spawning life on dead planets. The Genesis project was developed in part by one of Kirk's past lovers (Bibi Besch) who bore his now grown son (Merritt Butrick). Khan finds unwitting allies in his campaign against Kirk: Captain Terrell (Paul Winfield) and Chekov (Walter Koenig), whose minds are controlled by disgusting alien creepy crawlies.
The story has it that Khan's crew was cast from a company of Chippendale dancers. Apparently, genetic superiority consists of having an expansive chest.
It's true that "Star Trek" veterans Shatner and Koenig aren't very good actors. But they work in the campy atmosphere of "Star Trek". The plot often is secondary to the friendship between Kirk, Spock and McCoy, who eternally debate the merits of their respective philosophies: decisiveness, logic and compassion.
The hammy acting, and some drawn out, melodramatic death scenes are the film's chief weaknesses. Kirk's newfound family (especially Butrick) are so boring that you may wonder why their characters were added at all. Still, the old "Star Trek" magic is present. There's some good suspense as well, particularly when the alien slug is crawling into Chekov's ear. In space, anyone can hear Chekov scream. (65/100)
While out on routine training maneuvers a starship encounters a powerful and supposedly exiled foe from the distant past: Khan. Only Kirk can stop the...More at Family Video
DVDS. {#Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan} is fondly regarded as being the closest in spirit to the 1966-69 TV series that spawned it. Admiral Kirk ({$W...More at DeepDiscount.com
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