The Best One…

[@thedirectorschair1054]

Shatner always gets castigated for ham acting, but Shatner, Nimoy and Montalban give three of the best performances ever seen in a cinema.

[@kyriss12]

Always thought Nimoy was to stiff as an actor. Then I caught a few mission impossible reruns where he really went through the acting range with all the under cover work. After that rewatching some of the old treck with a more mature eye I noticed that just beneath the stoic mask Nimoy managed to still show hints of emotion, and that kind of subtlety is really hard to pull off.

[@missingnola3823]

Agreed, particularly about Shatner. He's often made fun of in terms of his acting and, in some cases, arguably deserves it. But, he was great in this movie, full stop.

[@gbuddy]

It might be the best of Star Wars, but the greatest collective performance by a cast goes to the three LOTR movies.

[@thedirectorschair1054]

@@gbuddy Have to disagree there. Put it this way: Wrath of Khan is Shatner's finest performance in a 70 year career, Nimoy's finest performance in a 60 year career and Montalban's finest performance in a 50 year career. It's arguably the career best performance of all the rest of the cast as well. Compare with LOTR. The performances are all good, some are even great. But it is nowhere near the career best performance of Ian McKellen, Christopher Lee, John Rhys-Davies, Sean Bean, Hugo Weaving or most of the others. The Actors who did have career best performances in LOTR were Viggo Mortensen, Andy Serkis, Elijah Wood and Sean Astin. Which isn't enough for 'best collective performance'.

[@Mengha]

I always felt that their acting was based on how much they had had to drink. Nimoy was a consummate professional who could perform hungover, while Shatner would go balls to the walls over the top when he was 10 whiskey's deep (as was the case a few too many times). I also think both suffer from the problem of parody and iconic status creating an unwinning scenario.

[@hixta7889]

" Of all the souls I have encountered in my travels,his was the most.......Human." one if the best movie lines ever.

[@Dreamfox-df6bg]

No matter how often I've seen the movie or just this scene, it always makes me cry. The pause where Kirk cracks for a moment always gets me. There are only a handful scenes in movies or shows that get me that hard. Scotty playing 'Amazing Grace' on the bagpipes does not help avoiding it. On the contrary.

[@liwojenkins]

@@Dreamfox-df6bg I was in the Army, attend a few funerals, that song always gets me close now. Minimum goosebumps and some mist.

[@Z1gguratVert1go]

Chokes me up. Every. Time.

[@Jim-Mc]

Shatner is just a great actor.

[@thomashauguel6811]

Yeah, that line hits me hard right in the feels every time.

[@truecrimescotsman]

Not just the best trek film, it truly is one of the greatest films of all time.

[@parkerknowsbest1]

A masterpiece. Themes of ageing, obsessive revenge, loss, and rebirth. Expertly crammed into a tight brilliantly scripted film with beloved characters. They don't make them like they used to. Shatner delivers his best work here especially the Engine room scene and the funeral.

[@former_dmcrt8614]

To add to that. The scene of Kirk removing his spectacles (Spectacles in the 23rd century! - get it?) then saying "fire!" remains my favorite scene of all the Trek movies. It's always the little things, isn't it?

[@kiers1970]

A movie with a real story, fast moving plot, excellent action, humour when needed, wonderful characterisatiion and brilliant acting.. Imagine a flick like this now? No neither can I.

[@TheSulross]

and when you kill off one of the most beloved characters of a franchise ever, you damn well better leave an out to resurrect said character some how and so they did and went on to make more money because of that out

[@rossydv]

@@former_dmcrt8614there’s a scene where he removes his glasses then says “fire”? I don’t recall that.

[@rossydv]

⁠​⁠@@former_dmcrt8614this might be my favourite scene in all of Trek! I felt it had a Tarantino-esque to it! The zoom in as Kirk clenches his fist and says “fire!” kzbin.info/www/bejne/jIHdXml-qrJricUsi=oi0IoJeYmcPAiT9n&t=298

[@christophercatiller2422]

More than 40 years later, it's still the best trek film.

[@grandmufftwerkin9037]

I went to university with a foreign student named Kahn. One night we lost track of him while bar hopping, and one of our buddies started yelling 'Kaaaaaahhhhhnnn!' Kirk style in the middle of the downtown hub.

[@iamperplexed4695]

That sounds stupid enough to track.

[@ianmc87]

LOL 🤣

[@theelder4797]

Nice 👍😂

[@theelder4797]

​@@iamperplexed4695Whoa, tone down your personality, buddy, that's too much for the internet!

[@och70]

Had the exchange student seen the movie? I think that would have made it even funnier if he was in on the joke/reference.

[@davidalangay1186]

A friend of mine and I went to see this movie. We were originally going to have lunch after the movie, but were both shaken and saddened by the death of Spock we both decided to call it a day. The day after, we met again to talk about the film and discovered just how much that film really impacted us.

[@JohnInTheShelter]

This is still one of the great opening night moviegoing experiences I've had. The audience was ready for the Trek movie they'd hoped The Motion Picture would be. In the moments after the simulation, we get McCoy being a wiseguy, Kirk and Spock being friends ("Happy Birthday")--we knew our TV pals were back. When the Enterprise is hit by Reliant's phasers, the whole audience was like, "HOLY SHIT!" It felt like our heroes were REALLY in trouble. At that point, Enterprise had never been hurt like that. This was one of Kirk's toughest situations--which of course is what the whole Kobiyashi Maru subtext is about.

[@veganconservative1109]

I was there on opening (and purchased the little mag they used to give out during openings) and can second this. Audience was shocked to see our Enterprise hurt so. It was one 'arms gripping the arm rests in a death grip' moment.

[@chrisgorton4577]

I was at the opening night when I lived back in England. I am so happy that we didn't have the internet in those days because the UK release was after its US. I bought the novelization (it coming out even before the movie did, along with magazine material) and abstained from reading it. I agree with you and the previous comment to mine.

[@rossydv]

Even you writing that made me feel that panic again😱😂

[@donaldduck7461]

Definitely the best one! Nicholas Meyer was the best thing to ever happen within the franchise. Montalban was an unforgettable as a villain.

[@dr.juerdotitsgo5119]

Hell no. Motion Picture and Voyage Home are, and I can't understand how any TOS fan can think differently.

[@Oi1Suzy]

​@@dr.juerdotitsgo5119 We're not snorting as much coke as you and Roddenberry were. That's probably got something to do with it.

[@hrs2044]

Montalban's performance as the villain really sells the movie. I don't know that any other actor could've done it as well in this movie. Him and his intimidating pecs are just captivating in every scene.

[@DocMicrowave]

Fully agree. ST: WOK is the best trek movie hands down. In my opinion, this has not changed since I first saw it in '82.

[@DocMicrowave]

​@@hrs2044 Agree! There are few Star Trek actors that can equal or best Shatner for chewing up a scene. Montalban certainly did. Best Trek villain ever.

[@briankeirns9936]

“He tasks me….he tasks me and I shall have him….”

[@awesomehpt8938]

Kirk: KHAAAAAN!!!! Khan: (evilgasm)

[@grandmufftwerkin9037]

The Wrath of Kahn probably has Shatner's best performance in anything he's done.

[@ianramsey101]

I thought he did really good as Denny Crane on Boston Legal

[@Midwinter2]

It's his best Kirk performance. He's great in Star Trek IV as well, though. Generally speaking, Shatner never fails to deliver.

[@chrisadams8182]

He was great in Search for Spock as well. The scene when David is killed and his reaction..From shock and grief to sheer determination to survive and save his friends at what ever the cost. Always got me.

[@boduke9428]

​@@ianramsey101agree, he was great. It's still one of my favorite shows ever

[@SmiloRen]

Its not Kahn.....its Khan

[@chrisw6164]

The consensus in 2009 was that the Star Trek reboot was a fun one-off. We had no idea that it was going to influence all of Star Trek moving forward.

[@plugsocket9432]

Star Trek 2009 has destroyed Star Trek since then with Alex Kurtzman taking over Star Trek on the small screen since 2017.

[@bluearcher1559]

@@plugsocket9432 Id agrue the only damage those films did was give Alex K negotiating power within paramount. I think somewhere around first contact (not that i dont love it) someone decided Star Trek movies worked best as action flicks. I could never make sense of it.

[@plugsocket9432]

I agree.@@bluearcher1559

[@Infinite.Worldz]

The moment it (2009) made good money was the moment the franchise was doomed for a while, at least.

[@TF80s]

I liked the first (2009) one (for the most part) but it was all downhill from there...I'm not a huge fan of First Contact so I don't get the love for that movie amongst the fandom. I thought the writing was poor and the sets & props looked really cheap and stagey...the guns they were using looked like big, plastic kid's toys to me, nothing felt real.

[@chris.hinsley]

The ending with Spocks voice over always makes me cry. It’s so powerful.

[@haitolawrence5986]

Wrath of Khan got a late August rerelease in Canada that summer. I lived in a small town but when I went I was still amazed to find I had the entire theatre to myself! Just me and the big screen watching that fantastic movie. It's something I'll never forget. 😎

[@elrickthebrave]

What got me the most of this movie was the soundscape. The music was superb, the timing is perfect, it makes the story more real, visceral, and emotional. It is what moved me.

[@phvisser13]

James Horner gets some criticism for re-using parts of his musical themes/tunes (listen to the soundtracks of Krull and Aliens example) but in any case he absolutely nailed it for Wrath of Khan! The sequence at the end escaping Genesis is amazing and fits perfectly!

[@chonconnor6144]

Undiscovered Country will always have a special place in my heart as it was the best one I saw in theaters as a kid and is nearly as good as Wrath in terms of writing, directing and acting. But nothing beats Montoblan and Shatner who were both so individually masterful and played off each other perfectly despite not having a scene together.

[@bitharne]

Ya. I just watched all of these and after the abysmal “Final Frontier” (I suspect there was a suit that HATED shatner and sabotaged every aspect of that movie) Undiscovered Country was just so great…just shows you how much a director can influence a movie that the same one who did Wrath did that and they’re, easily, the best trek movies by a long shot.

[@tomtcf76]

I wish Nicholas Myer had directed The Force Awakens and had a hand in production and screenplay, the point being that film was actually made by a guy who proclaimed to be a huge Star Wars fan and understood how to make those films great when he made two of them absolutely terrible, whereas Myer would have just made a belter. Wrath Of Khan is a masterpiece.

[@rhettgervaisauthor]

Thanks for this one. This is one of my top 5 favorite films of all time, and anyone who thinks Shatner can't act should watch this film over again. His, "No" When Spock closes his eyes makes me tear up every time, as does his speech at the funeral.

[@theelder4797]

We need some motion added when the ships are taking hits, that's the main improvement I can think of. I know purists don't want anything done to any movie, but watching Khan now after seeing more action packed ones, the stationary camera just makes the crew look silly as they bounce around in their seats.

[@och70]

Kirk's speech at Spock's funeral ceremony still hits me in the feels. It's not overly emotional, the way it would undoubtedly be in a current era movie, with weak male characters. His voice only breaks that one time, and it's perfect.

[@rhettgervaisauthor]

@@och70 Agreed. Michael Burnham cries in every episode, I can't stand it! Sonequa Martin-Green has the chops to play the character right, but the writers have really given her a raw deal.

[@DocMicrowave]

​@@och70 Agree fully!

[@Z1gguratVert1go]

@@rhettgervaisauthor Are you sure? She's a plank of wood, insufferable and condescending. Crying is the only thing she does that has any emotion in it at all. Honestly you'd need to cast Bree Larson to make her any worse.

[@ianmc87]

BTW, The Wrath of Khan has an outstanding score done by the late James Horner. I just happened to be listening to it last night. Good timing, Dave!

[@DocMicrowave]

I had the privilege of seeing Start Trek: The Wrath of Khan in a theater in late summer 2022. It was a Fandom Events showing for the 40th anniversary of the film at theaters around the country. I got to take my Wife and adult daughters and a friend to see it. It was quite an experience being there with my family to see my favorite Scifi film of all time. Not to mention being in a theater full of tried and true Star Trek fans. I, like them, have seen the movie probably many many dozens of times since 1982 on various forms of media. But nothing beat seeing it on the big screen, surrounded by fellow fans. And yes, my family thoroughly enjoyed it.

[@ronaldmalcolm5609]

I saw TWOK when it was in theaters in July of 1982 . . .I was 13 and thought I'd seen the most powerful film ever made, given how absolutely gutted I was about Spock's death. Two years later, I'd experience the same revelation with the demise of the original Enterprise, an event of similar emotional gravity. Good times.

[@diviningdragon]

This remains my favorite film from all ten pre-revisionist installments. Only First Contact managed to effectively repeat displaying the same level of narrative strength. I think the big key in both was the 'personal' nature of issues being faced by the lead characters--Kirk's mid-life crisis, and Picard's PTSD. When there is some kind of universal personal theme the audience can connect with, it makes such stories feel much more compelling. But in a franchise run, this is a kind of peak that can only be visited a few times. After that, it becomes a weak derivative contrivance. The cerebral problems of the first film were a little like the problems in the original pilot, The Cage. This explains the need for a second pilot. As science fiction fans, we love world-building and allegories exploring thought exercises and current issues. But at the same time, this IP needed to break out to a broader audience. Bringing in such tight writing that addresses universal issues along with both external and internal drivers for the characters was the stroke of genius it needed. I'm not sure the franchise would have received a second shot had this film been perceived as weaker than The Motion Picture.

[@bjgandalf69]

I would argue that the Meyer written and directed film based on Nimoy's storyline, Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country is also quite good, almost on par with WOK. I agree that the only Next Gen film that reaches anywhere near the level of these films was First Contact.

[@diviningdragon]

@@bjgandalf69 Agreed! I was always of a mind that a more intense follow-up to ST4 would have been a story addressing Saavik and the Romulans. The Final Frontier was not a wise narrative course to follow. Once that chapter played out, having her in the role filled by Valeris would have been even more powerful, really binding five films together as a Five Act saga. I do love Undiscovered Country!

[@isodoublet]

Wrath of Khan is thematically very strong and it is those themes that resonate. Script-wise however, it's kind of weak and contrived. Of course later screenwriters copied the script instead of the powerful theming!

[@diviningdragon]

Good observation. The question then becomes, "Why was a weak and contrived script so well received compared to many other films? And what compels other writers to copy it?" In the end, the success or even the quality of a script has everything to do with how strongly it resonates with a general audience at a universal level. Even in retrospect as a film legacy, it hasn't really been beaten. So it qualifies as successful. Many writers would count themselves lucky to produce even this type of accomplishment.@@isodoublet

[@sseltrek1a2b]

yep- "First Contact" is the Next Generation's, "Wrath of Khan"...

[@donk4304]

Although I consider The Motion Picture as my favourite, I still absolutely love this film - an absolute masterclass in sci-fi that is rarely (or never) equalled. The eulogy Kirk gives at Spock's funeral still chokes me up :)

[@j.d.b.4683]

When McCoy tells Kirk over the com "that he better get down here... better hurry," and then Kirk looks over at Spock's empty seat, that almost gets me as much as the following scene in the engine room. Kirk knows Spock so well. Kirk knows that Spock would risk his life for the ship. And DeForest's voice.... all of it kills me every time, just as it always has. So well done.

[@bkatbamna]

Saw it in the theater in 1982. Loved it then. Appreciate it even more now.

[@MrPGC137]

When Harve Bennett was given the job of producing the movie, the first thing he did (since he never watched the original series) was he rented a screening-room, sat down and watched every episode of the entire original series in the original order, from beginning to end. And as he watched, he made notes about the strongest, best elements of the series, those that (in his opinion) worked best, as well as the weaknesses to avoid, and the elements that had potential for further development. And these notes were ultimately utilized in the production of the final film, which is one huge reason it was so satisfying & did the best job, in the opinions of many, of capturing the feel of the original. It's the kind of "doing your homework" dedication that the current show-runners of modern "Trek" can't apparently be bothered with, and the difference definitely shows in the end-result of their work.

[@Dunmer4287]

I wasn't around in the Sixties during Trek's initial TV run. But as a kid in the Eighties, TWOK was my introduction to Star Trek. It's been my absolute favorite film ever since. Interesting side note: This is the only film from the original run of films to depict the Enterprise firing phasers, for some reason.

[@Raider0075]

IIRC ILM (yes, the company that did the SFX for the original SW trilogy) did the SFX for TWOK. Also there was some sort of dispute over some of the SFX (mainly the phaser effect) and it wasn't allowed in any further films. Someone please correct me if I've missed something. I'd like to know more of the story.

[@Pwade21]

Best uniforms, best villain, best music.

[@moxica93]

Went with a friend to see this in the theater in '82. I wasn't really a Trek fan going in, but I was when I left the theater!

[@kurtwinter4422]

Star TMP is a sublime work of art, but the trilogy was a proper epic.

[@bluntguy9532]

I always thought there was room for both TMP and the trilogy without the comparisons. Good in their own way.

[@markeastwood74]

The Wrath of Khan is one of only a few movies that I can watch again and again without ever getting tired. There's a distinct lack of action, with only 2 ships engaged in 2 fairly brief space battles, but given modern Hollywood's trend for swarms of CGI models blowing each other up, it's all the better for it. It's great action, because we care about what's happening and we feel the tension. It's an absolute masterpiece an deserves the praise it receives. 👍🖖

[@rossydv]

Ditto

[@bluntguy9532]

Hollywood forgot what suspense means.

[@rossydv]

I could barley contain myself as a 13 year old kid knowing this film was approaching. Months seemed like years. I couldn’t wait for Kirk and Khan to go fisticuffs! Of course they never fought in this film, and it was so brilliantly executed that I never “missed” it! One of the brilliances of the film is they never met face to face.

[@Simon-xc5oy]

Yes, you covered it all to a T. When I was a kid seeing this in the cinema for the first time I was annoyed with Kirk. Why was he moping around? How much longer till he gets out in space and starts fighting something? What is he all moody about? Then when it did kick off I was transfixed, and finally distraught that Spock died. He cant be dead! He is one of the heros!!! The good guys in Trek always win!!! And so on. It really stuck with me. Its not until I hit 50 myself that I finally understood the mood Kirk was in. It really resonated with me. I am glad someone else finally noted that Shatner gives the best performance of Kirk ever in this movie. He goes through it all, and is not over the top. You can see him struggle and think things out and turn his experience to his advantage. When I finally got my ex wife to watch a Trek film with me, some years ago it was this one we picked. And she was hooked in the first half hour, never expecting Trek to be this good....

[@theelder4797]

But she was a typical western whoooooore that broke your heart, took your home, car, kids and bank account when she left you? And the intelligent man then said, "And I was never dumb enough to get married again..."

[@bluntguy9532]

You can thank Nicholas Meyer for the lack of Shatner's overacting. He would let Shatner do takes over and over exactly as he had done on the show until Shatner was finally too exhausted to keep up that type of energy and bravado. At that point, Meyer would ask for one more take and that's the takes you see in the final movie.

[@Simon-xc5oy]

Well thats one way to do it I suppose. In the motion picture you can still see the original Kirk to a large degree, but he is pushing and hell bent on getting back into space and getting the Enterprise back. And in the end McCoy calls him out on it. And he is right and that sinks in with Kirk and from that point on in the film he is more tempered and refined and less eager. Its really noticeable if you are a long term fan and know Kirk well. As for the Khan performance its just brilliant. And so is Nimmoy, the pair of them own the film with everyone else backing them. I always remember Shatner in some interview in America on tv being asked about his performance in the film, and about how its about getting older. And he agrees with it, so he must have known what was going on. Its in the script as well...he is just so good in this film, and I still cant put my finger on why, but it sometimes feels to me that this is the point in Shatners life where he concludes he will always be Kirk, and that it is his best role and he will be remembered for it. So he truly owns it at last and knocks it out of the park...

[@mr.sinjin-smyth]

"Commanding A Starship Is Your First, Best Destiny. Anything Else Is A Waste Of Material." Easily the BEST of Star Trek movie, Montalbano was a fantastic villain, Kristie Alley was very beautiful and the main Star Trek cast were at their A-game.

[@paulaburrows8660]

I would not pressume to debate you

[@LordFalconsword]

The funeral scene in the torpedo bay, with Kirk's simple eulogy, is one of the most heartfelt scenes I have ever seen in sci-fi. "Of all the souls I have encountered, his was the most...human."

[@johnsmithfrombackeast7376]

Wrath of Kahn is amazing. The first Trek movie I got to see in the theater as a child of seven years. And the first movie that made me cry when Spock died. A masterwork of Sci-Fi.

[@KerbalSpaceCommand]

The planet in the Genesis animation is orbiting the star Epsilon indie which is 12 light years away. Near the end of the animation you can see the big dipper, but with one additional star. That star is our sun.

[@ABQSentinel]

I just watched this a couple of days ago with my oldest daughter--it was her first time seeing it. This, after finishing the entire original series--also a first time for her. This movie is just so good, and she really enjoyed seeing the original Star Trek in all of its former glory. It is an absolute travesty what Paramount is doing by trying to memory-hole Captain Kirk, easily the greatest captain in the history of the Federation. See this really makes me angry and absolutely contemptuous of the people who now control and defile these once-great IPs. I sincerely hope these activists get the comeuppance they so richly deserve!

[@whos-the-stiff]

Hear, hear ! 💯

[@Otokichi786]

There's those used but unoccupied cargo containers on Seti Alpha V...

[@bluntguy9532]

As far as I'm concerned, Trek ended with the next to last episode of Enterprise in 2005. Nothing since really counts.......even callback/member berry crazy Picard season three.

[@ABQSentinel]

@@bluntguy9532 I completely agree with this. None of the nuTrek is real Star Trek, just like none of the Disney Star Wars is real Star Wars.

[@Awakeandalive1]

As a kid i ADORED Star Trek: TOS & had nothing but contempt for TNG (except for The Best of Both Worlds which I loved), and this was the first TOS movie I ever saw. I watched it one night on tv and remember eagerly talking about it with other kids at school -- every one who had seen it was changed by that film.

[@shlomokallner3180]

At 3:51 With respect, the sentiment of a strife between the military and the scientists in Starfleet is also very well expresses in the novel "Star Trek Federation" by Judith & Garfield Reeves-Stevens, a book I would recommend anyone interested in both scifi and/or Star Trek in particular to read!

[@AMERICANNERD76]

How was this film not nominated for any Oscars?!

[@c20995]

What they did with only $12 million. Is simply amazing. It proves...a good story is priceless.

[@ENEBReviews]

Wrath of Khan remains my favorite Trek movie, w/ The Undiscovered Country and First Contact both vying for runner up. All three movies are just fantastic in storytelling, suspense, and character building

[@carlwilliams3488]

Likewise, I think the Undiscovered country just edge's it though due to Plummers excellent Chang (bit bit more real than the Borg queen) and the final very emotional sign off by the OG cast, it's not even a scene but credits and evokes nearly as much feeling as the death of Spock in WoK.

[@stevenscott2136]

These remain my favorite Trek uniforms. They look practical, they seem to flatter most wearers, and they actually look like military uniforms.

[@JasonGorton]

Great review of the absolutely best Trek movie. Coincidentally, I just watched this last week (along with "Space Seed") with my daughter and had fun pointing out the Melville references. She was shocked and impressed with how it ended. Minor correction for future reference: Boatswain is pronounced "bosun".

[@agenticmark]

They can try, but they will NEVER erase CAPTAIN FUCKING JAMES T KIRK.

[@FatNorthernBigot]

What I learnt from Wrath of Kahn... When stranded on a planet, you'll run out of food before you run out of hairspray.😮

[@TheDissident77]

I've heard that Nimoy himself originally wanted to die in this movie. It wasn't until later that he saw that this movie could be a spring board for far better ST movies and wanted/agreed that he should be brought back.

[@jooei2810]

Star Trek 6 - The Undiscovered Country is a great send-off of the original crew, ending gets me emotional every time.

[@dovgoldstein3755]

You mentioned the introduction of the whistle. I just like to point out that it was first used in the Star Trek episode where President Lincoln and Genghis Khan appeared in TOS. Another great video of yours by the way, great commentary and it's nice to hear your insights and all the history you bring to these reviews. Keep it up!

[@colinmontgomery1956]

That's actually a great point.

[@brettcooper3893]

I will say that hardly a day goes by where I don't directly quote this film. Just yesterday, I said, "This is damn peculiar." Sometimes it's just something small like that. Sometimes I roll-out the Klingon proverb...

[@AnansiTheSpider8]

Khan, not Kahn. Also, Khan and his people were on Ceti Alpha V for 15 years, not for over 20 years. (Space Seed was in 1967, and Star Trek II was in 1982. Also, Kirk said to Carol "There's a man out there I haven't seen in fifteen years. He's trying to kill me. You show me a son that'd be happy to help him. " Further, Khan said to Chekov "What you see is all that remains of the ship's company and crew of the Botany Bay, marooned here fifteen years ago by Captain James T. Kirk.")

[@Atamastra]

I'd genuinely like to see you cover the 3 Kelvin Trek movies. Not just to see you eviscerate them, but to see a critical analysis from your POV.

[@Buford_T_Justice1]

This is one of my favorite movies of all time. I remember seeing it in theaters as a 10 year old kid and being blown away. I even went and created a fanfic comic book where instead of dying from the radiation blast Spock turns into a Hulk. That’s right. Spock Hulk. Very logical and very angry. Great review! Thanks!

[@rossydv]

That’s adorable and awesome! I wanna see it!

[@tjcarr8097]

I went to see the 40th anniversary of this film. And! I still felt like that little boy who first saw it on his parent’s home tv. I’ll always love this film Can’t wait to show it to my kids one day!

[@jrr2480]

I also saw the 40th Anniversary re-release of this film, I think 🤔 it's more awesome on the big screen. I remember seeing this movie on those TV 📺 movie night showing either in the late 80s or early 90s, I always enjoyed watching it. 😊

[@thattinawoman5119]

The use of Holst's "The Planets" during the nebula fight is genius. One of my all time favorite movies. It's a great story that happens to be Star Trek IMO.

[@sdpo27]

When Kirk looks at the monitor, just before they order Reliant to lower her shields so the Enterprise can blast her and says in a very understated manner, "Here it comes." is one of the coolest lines in any movie and delivered perfectly by Shatner.

[@colinmontgomery1956]

Do you know the Nicholas Meyer story behind that piece of dialogue?

[@sdpo27]

I believe so. Meyer wanted Shatner to deliver the line the way he did but Shatner kept doing it more "dramatically". Meyer kept getting him to do it over and over until Shatner got bored and ended up doing it how we see it in the movie. Something like that. @@colinmontgomery1956

[@qwaurk985]

As an adult one thing detracts from this movie: advanced computer and sensors with great range to get information on the system, and no one notices there's a whole planet missing.

[@jack_m100]

Star Trek TOS was originally modelled on the Navy. Ship's captain, Admirals, torpedo's, .... And it was more than superficial. The Captain and ship was suppose to be modelled after exploration ships of old. Battles in the old series were definitely taken from WWII Navel battles in movies. A cloaked vessel is essentially a submarine in the period where we had little technology to detect them. By the time DS9 rolled around, Starships moved like fighter jets and not Navel vessels. This was just wrong.

[@jv-lk7bc]

1:19 if the lack of a villain was TMP's failing, it was Star Trek's failing. Most TOS eps did not have a clear villain, as it tended to explore more nuanced ideas. This very much includes TWOK's own precurser ep. In Space Seed, Khan was an enigma, bad in some ways but also quite compelling ... so much so that he inspired a 23rd century Starfleet officer to give up her career, and inspired Jim Kirk to refuse to commit him to a prison cell, preferring to break regs and risk his own career to give him another chance on the the theory that the right environment might bring out the best in him, resulting in something good for the galaxy. As you can tell by the title, this was the main point. The Khan we see in TWOK couldn't inspire any of this, because the writers had stripped him of all his depth, leaving a 2 dimensional cardboard cutout in his place. The actors did all they could with it, but it was a wooden script with a mustache-twirling villain. Space Seed showcases better writing, withstands the test of time far better than the cynical and simplistic TWOK.

[@jv-lk7bc]

The characterization of Roddenberry's vision as "utopian" is unjustified. Utopia implies perfection, and there are plenty of imperfections on display in TOS... from Imperfect characters like Lt Cmdr Finney and Cyrano jones, imperfect technology like the M-5, to imperfect handling of major crises like when Kirk’s brother is killed when his whole colony is wiped out. Roddenberry dared to think the future might be different .. that we might handle things better, on average, than we do now. History bears out this thought. Compare the freedom and longevity we have now compared to 300 years ago. Many of the social and technological changes Roddenberry envisioned have already come true. Does our society now look like a utopia to you? I didn’t think so. But it is different. ..even from the way it was in the mid 60s. Its already happening. in fact, we're already doing better than Roddenberry predicted. He thought we'd have another global genocidal war under our belts by now. This you call utopian?

[@jv-lk7bc]

David's observation about scientists and military has resonance, but made no sense in context because Starfleet was NOT the military. Thats one of the things Roddenberry was talking about when he said ST2 didn't stay true to Star Trek's values. Theres nothing in the 5 year mission about fighting wars, or even defense. In any authentic Trek true to Roddenberry’s vision, Starfleet’s primary purpose is science and exploration. 3:34 seriously? you are sufficiently arrogant to think you are a better judge than the creator on whether a thing matched his own vision?! WOW, Dave, that is some Hollywood-grade narcissism. I think I need to turn this off now, before I lose any more respect for you.

[@jv-lk7bc]

" to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before." thats what the man said, and thats what he meant. bitter old men with revenge mania and even heroic sacrifices are distractions at best.

[@patrickpellow7863]

This is a masterpiece….. thanks for the memories Dave and for your thoughts. Spot on as usual..

[@kathleenhensley5951]

Just mentioning the end of that movie brings tears to my eyes. Dave, great review.

[@mutatedgenome]

Wrath of Khan is one of the greatest sci-fi films ever made.

[@Midwinter2]

Ricardo Montalban hams it up outrageously as Khan in this movie - to the point of being comical. But it's all good! A great Star Trek movie. The scene where Kahn disables the Enterprise with a surprise attack - and then Kirk turns the tables on him - is brilliant.

[@estoguy]

Even better than the KHAN! line was Montalban's lead up... Especially the final "Buried alive... Buried alive..." Always chills my bones. It was what he thought would be his final dig at Kirk, which got the reaction he wanted.

[@ccrazool]

To this day, whenever I hear "Amazing Grace" I am brought to tears, and I think "This is the song they played at Spock's funeral"

[@mmcleod06]

I saw it in a theater. I've rewatched it many times. The scene with the "slugs" still haunts me. This is one of my favorite ST films, and possibly Montalban's best performance.

[@veronicasiegfried2712]

This is my favorite film! The sad moment between Spock and Kirk always makes me cry.

[@feenix219]

It was 15 years, not 20 - 1967 (space seed) to 1982 (TWoK), and stated in dialogue.

[@FandersonUfo]

it has always been the best - always will be

[@MrMojoman1976]

What really makes this movie work is that one can view it with minimal Star Trek knowledge and still find it enjoyable. You just have to like good movies!

[@TurtleTrackin]

This one is what made Trek viable in the 1980s and 90s. A new "canon" arguably begins with this film that will carry forward all the way to TNG. By new canon - I mean that, unlike a reboot, it was understood that some elements from TOS would continue in continuity. However, the more dated and/or silly elements (Spock's Brain, Journey to Eden) wouldn't be denied or negated, but just not mentioned. Star Trek as a story should always go forward, but never backward. It was going backward that killed it. Not really "Enterprise" (which was "forward-from-'First Contact,' but the new crap that jettisons everything that went before it.

[@saladinbob]

I love Ricardo Montablan's performance as Khan, but I still think Christopher Lloyd's performance as Kruge is better. Nonetheless, fun fact: The reason you never see Khan and Kirk square up is because Montablan was shooting three different movies at the same time and the only way to allow him to be in WOK without delaying release was to have him shoot his lines separately to the rest of the cast.

[@Otokichi786]

Ricardo Montalban went from playing the urbane, white-suited Mr. Roarke of TV's "Fantasy Island" to a gritty, intimidating, physically imposing , barely sane villain. An actor's dream role, to be sure.;)

[@sabatheus]

"I will chase him round the Moons of Nebia, and round the Antares Maelstrom and round Perdition's FLAME before I give him up!"

[@jaxkommish]

Such an absolute work of art. It's an amazing movie, not just a good Star Trek movie

[@RRTNZ]

This is one of my favourite films of all time. Seen it more times than I can remember - and if I hear even a few seconds of the score I can see the scene in my head. WoK explores both very personal and cosmic themes. The story, pacing, effects and performances are top notch. Spock's death gets me every time

[@SWATStrachan]

As well as being the best of the Trek movies, it also has the best soundtrack of arguably any movie! Even after all these years, I can still listen to the music and know exactly what would be happening on the screen. not many musical scores can achieve that.

[@veganconservative1109]

The theme sound of the Reliant under Khan was just downright chilling.

[@Major73Problem]

Don’t trip at the finish line man! Do that last one. You’re tripping everyone’s OCD!

[@danjohnson887]

For me along with other millions this defined Star Trek for me. It also goes to PROVE beyond a doubt that an intellectual property does not have to be made by total fan boys but does have to RESPECT the property. This is something that nearly every modern franchise have totally missed.

[@johnhazlett3711]

Ricardo Montalban was scary good in both the TV episode and the movie. At first, his mannerisms seems a little,,,,,, like an actor. But the brilliant menace underneath took everyone by surprise until it was almost too late. The return in the movie was well executed for that character, because the depiction of the bitterness was obvious to who knew the original story.

[@ukmediawarrior]

Kirk didn't know he had a son at all, lol. That was the whole point, he had no idea David was his son.

[@AMac-qd6ft]

Not only is it a complete deconstruction of the status quo of TOS, there isn't a single aspect of Kirk's character as we know him that isn't challenged: his swagger (getting older), his promiscuity (a failed lover & son who hates him), his intelligence (Khan coming from his past for revenge) and of course, his unacknowledgement of defeat/death (Spock). Its rare for any film to explore one of these well, but TWoK does each theme extraordinary justice. That's why no other ST comes close.

[@prangerli]

This is film is the perfect example, that the captain should not beam down.

[@jesse7631]

I felt like Star Trek 2 and 6 (The Undiscovered Country) were real gems in the Star Trek original series movies.

[@JustTooDamnHonest]

This film gave Captain Kirk his greatest nemesis in Khan.

[@NashmanNash]

Actually,the original intended design was not just a flipped version of what we got..It had 2 torpedo launching pods and no rollbar^^

[@danielcraig9666]

The Reliant was slightly more than just upside down. There wasn't the giant weapons bar across the bottom but two giant weapons pods slung underneath on each side.

[@agent7796]

An amazing & unforgettable film, a true classic.

[@Jimmie2429]

RIP Ricardo Montalban. Memorable sci fi and fantasy roles. Armando in Planet of the Apes. Khan in Star Trek. And of course, Mr. Rourke in Fantasy Island. They don’t make them like they used to.

[@MikeSmith-rh5gc]

Don’t forget Vincet Ludwig in Naked Gun

[@carlesq.]

escape from the planet of the apes 👍

[@jtro77]

Born in 77 and my father in 51. He was a trekkie and I grew up with every iteration of Star Trek (blockbuster rental in the 90's for every TNG) I was more of reader and enjoyed Asimov and philosophy (through my grandfather) but the Wrath of Khan stays with me. I detested the fact that I knew the dialogue of every TNG star trek episode because of my father. I just wanted to be cool. However, The Wrath of Khan was a great film. Perfect.

[@williamwelch7]

Thanks Dave, you're a man after my own heart!

[@bigbigfizzi]

Deep Space 9, Season 1, episode 19, called Duets is one of the best episodes ever. It is Star Trek's version of Silence of the Lambs

[@tonyjanney1654]

I thought that Ricardo Montalbon seemed to be having such an enjoyably delicious time playing Khan. He injected a bit of a campy, yet really fun element into the movie. Khan was smart, wicked, warped and full of such joi de vere. A great villain, snarky, yet sympathetic due to the back story about his wife.

[@MrKeech666]

As an 80’s kid, only two scenes have, and always will make me choke up; The death of Optimus Prime, and of course that of Spock.

[@stevehensonuk]

If memory serves they also re-used the orbiting base from the original movie for Wrath of Khan - turning it upside down to become Regular 1

[@ericnorris1928]

My mother cried when Spock died. And she H-A-T-E-D Star Trek.

[@atomicninjaduck9200]

It's interesting to note that after being demoted to executive consultant, Gene Roddenberry hated every film that came out, not just 5 & 6.

[@sseltrek1a2b]

absolutely amazing movie, and you don't have to be a Star Trek fan to enjoy it...the death of Spock is by far one of the most moving things i've ever seen in a movie...

[@YouLousyKids]

The nautical theme extends to the James Horner score, which you could play behind "Master and Commander" or any old footage of a great sailing ship heading off on a great voyage or going to war and it would be appropriate. The music for arriving at the Enterprise just makes me think of sails unfurling and sailors climbing up into the rigging, etc.

[@seankayll9017]

I read once that Horner wrote it deliberately to sound like a nautical epic theme. It certainly makes the galaxy feel vast and unexplored.

[@veganconservative1109]

I loved, loved, loved the nautical theme change. Uniforms, everything. Motion Picture's uniforms and bridge looked plain and sanitized by comparison. Like having real wood antique furniture with brass accents versus plastic furniture with cheap metal tubing.

[@YouLousyKids]

@@veganconservative1109 I just subscribed to your channel!

[@ianmc87]

I have no idea either about the source of the light 10:45 but the film is so good its easy to let that question go unanswered.