Star Trek II The Wrath of Khan; 25th Anniversary!

Can you believe that it's been 25 years since Star Trek 2 The Wrath of Khan was released, June 4th, 1982?

There's been discussion on the Trek sites, since there's a lot of Trek fans here, there might be interest to discuss it.

Some comment that it's considered the best of the TOS films. It did start the even verses odd film theory. It is regarded as the one that saved the Franchise and started the ball rolling for all sequels and spin off shows. Nicholas Meyer and Harve Bennett is credited for this and rightfully deserves a lot of credit.

It is a total contrast to Star Trek The Motion Picture. While that was a cerebral film and lacked some of the better human touches of the series with a very 2001 feel, Star Trek 2 took the crew on with gusto and was a very human centric film. The needs of the many theme follows onto other Trek productions.

Meyer takes Trek to the militaristic side while Roddenberry's original vision of Trek was not militaristic at all, being the humanist he was. So he had some reservations for Trek 2. Meyer saw Star Trek as Horatio Hornblower in space, which is essentially what Roddenberry created. They just differ in how they treated the details. For me aesthetically, I don’t like some of the choices Meyer made for Trek 2. He wanted more blinky lights and added rental computer panels that looked so cheap. Star Trek The Motion Picture was totally new and all specially created for the film.

The use of Khan was a nice nod to the series and the action was what a lot of fans wanted to see. Though I think it’s been too oft imitated now. This is a fear for the new film that JJ Abrams is now developing, but that's for the other thread to ponder.

After 25 years, I still like the film a lot, but I watch it only on occasion, as the power of the ending will be diminished from too often viewings. But I think Star Trek The Motion Picture, especially the Directors Cut has proven to be an equally classic film, but for totally different reasons. This was a very pleasant film for me that one summer of 1982. I have a fond memory of it.

Re: Star Trek II The Wrath of Khan; 25th Anniversary!

I think Nicholas Meyer was the best thing to ever happen to Star Trek being involved in the three best films II, IV and VI of the original cast.

Re: Star Trek II The Wrath of Khan; 25th Anniversary!

Guess that means its was also 25 years ago this summer that i graduated from High School! Saw The Wrath of Kahn on opening day, and its still my favorite trek movie. Nick Meyer was a good director, but i am glad he was reined in a bit. Cant say i liked Trek VI that much.

Re: Star Trek II The Wrath of Khan; 25th Anniversary!

There was a time where the STWOK was my favorite but over time I find it just doesn't hold up and comes off as a cheap 'B' movie. I agree that Meyer leaned toward the militaristic and I never liked that at all. However the commraderie from the series was more prevalent than in the motion picture. I never felt that Harve "The Powers of Mathew Star" Bennet and Meyer "saved" the franchise as it never really needed saving (IMO) but did provide a popcorn movie very accessible to the public.

With the release of the director's cut of the Motion Picture, I loved the Motion Picture even more and find it the most enjoyable to watch to this day. More epic and more of a literature science fiction story than any of the others following.

That said I still enjoy all of them.

Re: Star Trek II The Wrath of Khan; 25th Anniversary!

I think Star Trek II's shift of focus to character and classic adventure story telling was probably the first glimpse of the dieing sci-fi element in trek.

Hard to believe it's practically been all down hill since then.

Re: Star Trek II The Wrath of Khan; 25th Anniversary!

FYI Star Trek II is playing Back on the Big Screen at the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica on June 17. Nicholas Meyer will be there for a discussion.

Jonesy
Movie Theatre Reviews

Re: Star Trek II The Wrath of Khan; 25th Anniversary!

(They're also showing TRON (70MM), CAT PEOPLE, THE THING, THE DARK CRYSTAL, POLTERGEIST and CREEPSHOW.)

Re: Star Trek II The Wrath of Khan; 25th Anniversary!

I've heard many people say this movie looks "dated" now or "doesn't hold up" or was only ever revered because "Star Trek" was still a hot property when it came out. I've heard the suggestion that now people can see this for what it really is - just a mediocre B-movie, and I could not disagree more with all of these ideas. I was a fan of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" as a child, and I only discovered the original series of movies about three years ago, and in the past three years I've seen this movie several times and, if anything, I appreciate it more every time I watch it.

I just watched it again a few weeks ago, and I was shocked by how intelligent, entertaining, touching, and well-written it was. The movie has a beautiful philosophy to it and some truly deep ideas and lines (I can't believe that the profound words "how we face death is at least as important as how we face life" originated in a "Star Trek" movie) and on top of that, it's also exciting in its action scenes and uses humour very effectively.

It is one of the best pure adventure movies I've ever seen, with a villian that is great because he manages to be funny, over-the-top, and menacing/threatening enough to be taken seriously all at the same time, endearing characters, and a moving ending. This movie makes me mad that "Star Trek" is generally regarded as some "pathetic nerd/geek bullshit", because I really believe this movie deserves to be respected and appreciated more than it is when people perceive it (along with its sequels) as nothing more than a shallow formula-driven franchise flick. Mostly because of nostalgia, "Star Trek: First Contact" is my favourite Star Trek movie, but after my last viewing of "Wrath Of Khan" I've finally realized why people call it the best Star Trek movie, and I now agree (objectively) that none surpass it.

Re: Star Trek II The Wrath of Khan; 25th Anniversary!

It rocks.

- Shatner and Montalban are a titanic clash of scenery chewing. They're so entertaining. I love that they never actually share a scene in the same room together. Their chemistry shines through regardless.

-Spock's heroics, death - as well as Kirk's eulogy - make me tear up big time.

-Meyer is a natural storyteller in this. The narrative feels pretty effortless.

Re: Star Trek II The Wrath of Khan; 25th Anniversary!

It wouldn't be a Star Trek II thread without the obligatory....

KHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!



Gotta agree that this is the best of the Star Trek movies.

Re: Star Trek II The Wrath of Khan; 25th Anniversary!

Agree with the love. Saw this one in the theater with my dad (I was 8) and I was a bit terrified of some of the scenes, but I absolutely loved it, and it was what really drew me into the Star Trek world.

If it hadn't been for WOK, I never would have been interested in the followup movies or TNG, etc.

Re: Star Trek II The Wrath of Khan; 25th Anniversary!

Agreed. It's the Empire Strikes Back for Star Trek.

Re: Star Trek II The Wrath of Khan; 25th Anniversary!

VERY cool!

Just watched TRON recently after reading the AICN "1982" stories.
Held up better than I thought it would.
Around here, Berkeley, they simply show Videos (either DVDs or some HD version) on a DLP PJ in the theaters for revival nights and they look awful.

Re: Star Trek II The Wrath of Khan; 25th Anniversary!

So which one is The Phantom Menace?

Re: Star Trek II The Wrath of Khan; 25th Anniversary!

The last one.

Re: Star Trek II The Wrath of Khan; 25th Anniversary!

Didn't you mean which one is Return of the Jedi?

Re: Star Trek II The Wrath of Khan; 25th Anniversary!

"Khaaaaaaaaaaannn!"


The best of the even numbered Treks and my 2nd favorite Trek movie.

Re: Star Trek II The Wrath of Khan; 25th Anniversary!

whats the first?

Re: Star Trek II The Wrath of Khan; 25th Anniversary!

Dave, my favorite has always been the one no one seems to like - Star Trek The Motionless Picture (1979)

I saw all the Treks at the cinema except franchise-killer Star Trek Nemesis. My favorite of the Next Generation films is First Contact. But if I had to choose one adventure I'm afraid it'll be that long slow journey inside V'Ger.

Re: Star Trek II The Wrath of Khan; 25th Anniversary!

Steve, I like the first film too, but I do prefer the Director's Cut. It's probably my third favorite Trek film behind II and VI.

The only Trek films I missed in the theater were I and III. I managed to catch all the others.

Re: Star Trek II The Wrath of Khan; 25th Anniversary!

Now that I think about it, I only missed I and III in theaters as well.

Re: Star Trek II The Wrath of Khan; 25th Anniversary!

Not a huge Trek fan but I do love Khan & The Voyage Home. Major contrasting styles that both work. Khan is better overall. III is 3rd but the rest of the bunch really didn't work for me.

Re: Star Trek II The Wrath of Khan; 25th Anniversary!

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan is the ONLY "TreK" film I didn't see on opening day because my Mom was so disappointed by TMP (I loved TMP, it made me a Trekker). When I visited my Dad (divorced parents) later that summer I saw it on a double bill with Poltergiest. Both movies were awesome (ILM both too).


I think Nemesis failed because the so-called fans made up their minds not to see it before it came out. I don't think it was that bad. My GF at the time said it was her favorite (!), she preferred the films for the characters...and ended up really liking Insurrection for that reason (we watched II, III, IV, VII, VIII, IX together on DVD, Nemesis theatrically). Sure there are plenty of problems with Nemesis but I'm a Star Trek V: The Final Frontier survivor. THAT was the Worst. TREK film. Ever.

Re: Star Trek II The Wrath of Khan; 25th Anniversary!

I too like the director's cut of TMP alot.

Re: Star Trek II The Wrath of Khan; 25th Anniversary!

Remind me again, was it KAAAAAAAHHHHHHHNNNNN, or is it KHHAAAAANNNNNN...i cant ever remember!

Re: Star Trek II The Wrath of Khan; 25th Anniversary!

Can't wait for the eventual (and I do mean eventual...............) release of Star Trek 1-4 on HD-DVD. Did I mention - eventual?

Cheers,

Jason

Re: Star Trek II The Wrath of Khan; 25th Anniversary!

It's KHAAAAAANNNNNN!

And From Hell's heart, I stab at thee.

Re: Star Trek II The Wrath of Khan; 25th Anniversary!

Insurrection wasn't bad, it just should have been an hour long with commercials.

Re: Star Trek II The Wrath of Khan; 25th Anniversary!

Director's cut of the TMP is my number 1. Then its a toss up between 2 & 6, with 4, 3, and 5 following. Even the abysmal 5 has some character moments I enjoy - especially the McCoy flashback with his father.

Re: Star Trek II The Wrath of Khan; 25th Anniversary!

No no it's Khaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannn! At the back of the throat.






I remember looking forward to seeing "Star Trek II The Vengeance of Khan" before the title was changed to Wrath of Khan thanks to um "Revenge of the Jedi", and than that title was changed too.