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Take a classic television series with a dedicated fanbase, insert one of its most popular villains and toss a major motion picture budget at it and what do you get: "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan." Perhaps the closest film in the "Star Trek" catalogue to the original televison series, "Khan" finds Kirk as the admiral in charge of assessing a green crew on routine training maneuvers. They happen to be aboard his old ship, the Enterprise, and the crew includes most of his key past crewmates. In another part of the galaxy, former crewman Chekov and his new captain are investigating a planet that may be used for Project Genesis, a device that could literally give new life to a planet. What Chekov and his captain actually find is a man hungry for revenge: Khan. Having been exiled years ago and blaming Kirk for the death of his wife, Khan puts a plan into action to bring Kirk back into his clutches in order to get revenge. Falling for Khan's trickery and with an inexperienced crew in tow, Kirk takes the Enterprise to Regula One, home of Project Genesis. He hopes to find out who used his name in order to get their hands on Genesis. Instead, he finds an ex-wife, an estranged son and one of his greatest enemies waiting to strike. What happens next is, simply put, a wonderful blend of drama, suspense and humor as Kirk and Khan battle each other to the death. For a film released in 1982, "Khan" has excellent special effects. Granted, there are a few miscues, but the story more than makes up for them. Director Nicholas Meyer paces the film with perfection, utilizing the musical score and the individual performances of the players in order to build tension on the screen. He guides the games between Kirk and Khan with precision. All of the original crew do superb jobs, but I must point out that William Shatner gives his best performance ever. Ricardo Montalban's over-the-top performance as Khan makes this film worthy of five stars. Kirstie Alley makes her first big screen appearance and adds quite a bit of sex appeal to the film as Lt. Saavik. That's a tough job for a person playing an emotionless Vulcan to do. As for the DVD, this two disc set makes up in quality what it lacks in quantity. The digital transfer of the film is excellent. It's one of the best transfers of a film including the original cast. Only "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country" has a crisper looking transfer. The sound is also very good. There aren't as many special features included with this set when compared to the other films in this series, but they are some of the best extras you'll find. Highlights include original interviews with DeForest Kelley, Leonard Nimoy, Shatner and Montalban as well as new interviews with Shatner, Nimoy, Montalban, Meyer and executive producer Harve Bennett. There's also an interesting segment involving "Star Trek" authors Julia Ecklar and Greg Cox. Fans of "Star Trek" have most likely viewed this film already. For those folks who haven't or for people who aren't fans of science fiction, I highly recommend "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" for its drama, wonderful suspense and overall story. For fans of military films, the calculated tactics of both Kirk and Khan should keep them interested. These are just a few of the reasons that have made this film one of the most popular of the "Star Trek" pictures.
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TheJohn
September 10, 2010
I really do like this movie. I always like hearing that it's one of the greatest sci fi movies ever when people usually shy away from saying things like that in Trek.
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STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN. I remember it well. Despite the predominantly youthful audience, you could still hear a pin drop during Spock's death scene. The film works so well on so many levels but the single greatest reason STII is revered by so many Trek enthusiasts worldwide is b/c it is, perhaps, the only Trek film to celebrate the passion of life and death so poignantly. If you haven't seen it, do so ... even if you're not of the Trek variety.
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Who says that rebooting tranchises is a new idea? In a real sense, this is a reboot of the first Star Trek film, and it starts a trilogy of perhaps the best of the Star Trek films.
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Still stands as my favorite Star Trek film of all. Exciting, fun and mesmerizing! Full review coming soon...
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It has been forever since I've watched this, but it has some vividly memorable scenes
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Khan escapes being deserted and wants Kirks blood. Fantastic story and action of old age and sacrifice. No wonder it's seen as the best.
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Why? Because these two men saved Star Trek from what even Leonard Nimoy called and I quote, "A Beached Whale." Star Trek: The Motion Picture for all intents and purposes only made it's money cause it was feeding a starving audience. 10 years after the original show wrapped up and a few years after the animated show ended. People wanted a Star Trek fix and they got it, paid money to see it and well... if you've seen the movie you know what … more
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. . .this film is, by far, the greatest pure science-fiction movie ever made, regardless of whether or not one is normally a fan of "Star Trek".A quality drama, with good character development, wonderful special effects, a remarkable villain (played with incredible melodrama by Ricardo Montelban), and an unbelievably powerful and emotional ending (complete with the catharsis of a Greek tragedy) make this the most unforgettable movie in the "Star Trek" series -- and arguably one of the greatest Sci-fi … more
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About the reviewer
Kendall Fontenot (kfontenot)
Ranked #3
Ranked #3
Despite looking extremely cool, I have to admit that I'm a dork. I grew up on the outskirts of the small town of Oberlin, LA. I have since relocated to the Lake Charles, LA area.I love my home state … more
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About this movie
AlthoughStar Trek: The Motion Picturehad been a box-office hit, it was by no means a unanimous success withStar Trekfans, who responded much more favorably to the "classicTrek" scenario ofStar Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Inspired by the "Space Seed" episode of the original TV series, the film reunites newly promoted Admiral Kirk with his nemesis from the earlier episode--the genetically superior Khan (Ricardo Montalban)--who is now seeking revenge upon Kirk for having been imprisoned on a desolated planet. Their battle ensues over control of the Genesis device, a top-secret Starfleet project enabling entire planets to be transformed into life-supporting worlds, pioneered by the mother (Bibi Besch) of Kirk's estranged and now-adult son. While Mr. Spock mentors the young Vulcan Lt. Saavik (then-newcomer Kirstie Alley), Kirk must battle Khan to the bitter end, through a climactic starship chase and an unexpected crisis that will cost the life of Kirk's closest friend. This was the kind of character-basedTrekthat fans were waiting for, boosted by spectacular special effects, a great villain (thanks to Montalban's splendidly melodramatic performance), and a deft combination of humor, excitement, and wondrous imagination. Director Nicholas Meyer (who would play a substantial role in the success of futureTrekfeatures) handles the film as a combination ofMoby Dick, Shakespearean tragedy, World War II submarine thriller, and dazzling science fiction, ...
Cast:
Leonard Nimoy,
DeForest Kelley,
James Doohan,
George Takei,
Walter Koenig,
Nichelle Nichols,
Bibi Besch,
Merritt Butrick,
William Shatner,
Jeff McBride
Director:
Nicholas Meyer
Genre:
Action,
Adventure,
Sci-Fi,
Thriller
Release Date:
4 June 1982 (USA)
MPAA Rating:
PG
Screen Writer:
Harve Bennett,
Gene Roddenberry
Runtime:
113 min
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