Review of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982) by Kate H — 06 May 2013

One of my favourite films ever and not just what is easily the best of the Kirk Star Trek films. We learned from the mistakes of film one and have moved on from that. There's less emphasis on the special effects, there is actual development and really good character stuff going on, and we've gone back to an episode from the TV show ("Space Seed") and have gone back to what Trek is. It's a sci fi adventure, one that I think works very well on its own as well as as a Star Trek film, but it also deals with the major themes of aging, no win scenarios, and the price one pays for the needs of the many.

Khan Noonien Singh was left on Ceti Alpha V at the end of "Space Seed" and Spock wondered at the end what would come of what was left there in a century's time. Only fifteen years have passed since then, Kirk is again bound to his desk job after the second five year mission and Spock is an instructor at Starfleet Academy. When we open it is Kirk's 50th birthday and he is mopey about it. McCoy urges him to get back his command and Spock says later, while he's insisting that Kirk take over, that it was a mistake for him to accept the promotion to Admiral.

A device with the power to create by destroying whole worlds is about to be stolen and Kirk and his team, and Spock's students, head off to stop it. It is a complete shock to Kirk and everyone to find that it's Khan. The bulk of the movie is a conflict between these two men and they never are actually in the same room together. It's all over viewscreens but you swear that Khan is going to strangle him any minute. It's a fantastic tension, especially when they're in nebula and both ships are blind and shield less.

Family and friendship and loyalty play large roles here. You have Scott's ill fated nephew aboard, Saavik's student/teacher or perhaps father/daughter relationship with Spock, and then the introduction of David Marcus as Kirk's son from a fling with Genesis Scientist Carol Marcus. The theme of a no win scenario and the price to be paid for a victory haunts the film with the opening Kobysashi Maru test and then with Kirk doing what he does best and come out on top every single time. This time though, this time, Spock buys the day with his life and Kirk finally understands what exactly a no win scenario is.

I hold up that death scene as one of the best on film. It's extremely public for the two of them and they are separated by transparent aluminum during the whole thing. It's terrible to watch and it makes me want to grab film three right away. Well played on Nimoy and Shatner both here.

Khan is a fantastic film. End of discussion.