Unlike “Star Trek: The Motion Picture,” “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan” has a better look and a more clear script. Kristie Alley (“Cheers”) made her film debut as Saavik, the latest commander of the USS Enterprise. The special effects are mediocre, especially when we see the ship floating though space (which looks all computer animated), but all hope is not lost.
On a distant planet, Chekov (Walter Keong) and Captain Chuck Terrel (Paul Winfield) have been kidnapped by Khan (Ricardo Montalban), who was exiled by James T. Kirk (William Shatner) for attempting to kill him. He blames Kirk for his wife’s demise and vows revenge on him, so he sticks two mind-controlling eels in Chekov and Terrel’s ears in order for them to take the Genesis device from the Reliant. Kirk, McCoy (DeForest Kelley), and Spock (Leonard Nimoy) learn about the device, and their ship gets attacked by Khan, who demands the Genesis device.
Like I said: “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan” is even better than the first film. It has a nice cast (the best performances come from Shatner, Nimoy, and Montalban), a challenging villain, a fresh story, and a memorable conclusion.
It’s been 35 years and Trekkies have seen it, so they already know what happens. Spock dies of radiation poisoning, and a funeral is given for him. Kirk says: “Of all the souls I have encountered in my travels, his was the most…….human.” This is such a beautiful ending.
The film does drag on a bit, and some of the special effects could have been done better, but overall, director Nicholas Meyer has made some improvements on the original film.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Playing at select theaters on September 10 and 13 celebrating its 35th Anniversary release.
Leave a Reply