Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)

• Year: 1982
• Released: 04 Jun 1982
• Country: United States
• Adwords: 3 wins & 9 nominations
• IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084726/
• Rotten Tomatoes: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/Star_Trek_The_Wrath_of_Khan
• Metacritics: https://www.metacritic.com/movie/star-trek-ii-the-wrath-of-khan
• Available in: 720p, 1080p, 2160p
• Language: English
• MPA Rating: PG
• Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
• Runtime: 113 min
• Writer: Gene Roddenberry, Harve Bennett, Jack B. Sowards
• Director: Nicholas Meyer
• Cast: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley
• Keywords: revenge, spacecraft, space opera, midlife crisis, self sacrifice,

	7.7/10
	67/100

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan Storyline

It is the 23rd century. Admiral James T. Kirk is an instructor at Starfleet Academy and feeling old; the prospect of attending his ship, the USS Enterprise–now a training ship–on a two-week cadet cruise does not make him feel any younger. But the training cruise becomes a deadly serious mission when his nemesis Khan Noonien Singh–infamous conqueror from late 20th century Earth–appears after years of exile. Khan later revealed that the planet Ceti Alpha VI exploded, and shifted the orbit of the fifth planet as a Mars-like haven. He begins capturing Project Genesis, a top secret device holding the power of creation itself, and schemes the utter destruction of Kirk.

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Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan Movie Reviews

Plenty to enjoy here

I’m not a Star Trek fan. I have watched the show a few times, and I don’t dislike it; but it’s not the sort of thing that I would find myself watching week after week. Basically what I’m saying is: I’m not a Trekkie. I did, however, find lots to enjoy about this movie. The plot revolves around Captain Kirk, who has now been promoted to Admiral Kirk and is going through a mid-life crisis. However, his crisis couldn’t have come at a worse time; as it has come on the eve of the testing for a new creation, known as ‘Genesis’, and not only that but a man named Khan has just been found on a planet that Kirk exiled him on, and he doesn’t just want to give Kirk a friendly hug.

The acting in the film isn’t great, actually, it’s about the standard that you would expect from a TV show (which is no coincidence, I’m sure). I’m not sure if all the cast of the shows is present, because I didn’t watch it often, but most of the main ones seem to be here; Spock, Kirk, Scottie, Sulu etc. Also joining them is Kirstie Alley, in the role of a young Vulcan commander and Ricardo Montalban who camps it up and dons a silly costume for the title role of Kirk’s opposite number; Khan. His performance was the standout of the film for me; he’s deliciously over the top, but despite that he comes across as believable as his mannerisms fit the character profile that he is portraying. Unfortunately, non of the show’s best known baddies, the Klingons make an appearance. In fact, aside from the Vulcans, there are no aliens in the movie.

One thing that surprised me about the film is the meatiness of the characters. As it’s a film of a TV show, I wasn’t expecting any development or for the characters to step out of their character arks, but they are surprisingly well done. Some characters also go through a change during the movie (some more than others), which is nice to see. The pace is also a good thing about the movie, as it doesn’t let up and manages to stay interesting all the way through. One thing that worried me before watching the movie is that I would get bored as I don’t know the show, but that didn’t become a problem at any point.

I am proof that you don’t have to be a Trekkie to enjoy this movie. There’s more than enough for the casual movie fan to enjoy about it, it’s an entertaining romp and overall I give this Star Trek film a ‘G’ for ‘good’ rating.

Aside from some overacting, this was a HUGE improvement over the first movie

I have two favorite Star Trek movies–this one and FIRST CONTACT. This one is so wonderful because it is absolutely nothing like STAR TREK THE MOTION PICTURE (known to many of the fans as “Star Trek I”). While the movie is based on a TV episode, it manages to carry on from where the episode left off instead of rehashing the same old material.

Although I loved so many movies by Robert Wise, he was no sci-fi director. Sure, he was wonderful with THE SOUND OF MUSIC, but under his control the first Star Trek movie could have been entitled “THE SOUND OF BOREDOM”! But, in this film, Nicholas Meyer very ably directs and seemed to have a real flare for drama and the characters. Plus, it really seems to have helped having the crew shed their prior monochrome polyester uniforms from the prior film and replace them with cool red uniforms. So, the uniforms AND the characters all were very colorful.

The film concerns the only Hollywood actor who is a big enough ham to match Shatner’s beloved histrionics–Ricardo Montalban. He and Shatner both emoted and fought and entertained the audience. Sure, it was a whole lot more low-brow than the earlier film, but that is why the original series was so beloved! People didn’t expect John Gielgud or Laurence Olivier–they wanted to see Shatner scream “KHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!!!!!!!!!!!” and they wanted explosions! And, while not necessary for the script, most people appreciated the evil buggers they shoved in Paul Winfield’s and Walter Koenig’s ears! The film was bigger than life, emotionally involving, entertaining, heart-stopping and a great improvement in the series. Thanks to the success of this film (and an ending that left room for the sequel), there were many more Trek Movies to come (though the less said about STAR TREK V, the better).

Dark, affecting, entertaining vengeance

Having been one of the shows that was part of my childhood and growing up, the original ‘Star Trek’ still holds up as great and ground-breaking, even if not perfect.

‘Star Trek: The Motion Picture’, to me, is a better film than its reputation but was also a disappointment and could have been much better. Every film franchise has to start somewhere, and ‘The Motion Picture’ paved the way to better films. Of which the second film ‘The Wrath of Khan’ is among the best, a strong contender for the best. Much appreciated its darker tone, emotional wallop and that it was much better paced and action-oriented than ‘The Motion Picture’.

It may not be as visually stunning as ‘The Motion Picture’ (the production values is one of only two areas that is done better in that film to here), and William Shatner still goes overboard in his acting. Then again Shatner was never known for subtlety and when he was restrained (like 1958’s ‘The Brothers Karamazov’) those instances were rare.

‘The Wrath of Khan’ is hardly cheap-looking though, having better production values generally than the original series. The sets are more elaborate, the photography is moody and stylish and the special effects are hardly hokey. While Jerry Goldsmith’s music is missed a little, James Horner is more than up to the plate, not as rousing but typically beautifully orchestrated and high in the thrills factor. The sound effects are suitably eerie.

Writing is an improvement, getting to the point more and less talk heavy, it is very intelligent and thought-provoking without being overly serious. The story has no pacing issues, being much tighter and with much more going on. Credit is due too for exploring (beautifully) dark and universal themes. Nicholas Meyer is a more than welcome replacement, showing more of a sense of loyalty to the original series while bringing his own style without being too ambitious.

Acting, with the exception of Shatner, is good. Leonard Nimoy has rarely been more moving, with a truly powerful final scene, and Riccardo Montalban rarely so deliciously campy (without ever hurting the film’s tone and still being entertaining) and also menacing. No pointless or underwritten characters here.

Overall, great and one of the best ‘Star Trek’ films. 9/10 Bethany Cox