Countdown to Into Darkness: Star Trek 2: the Wrath of Khan Review

Often considered the best of the original Star Trek Movies, Wrath of Khan pretty much wrote the textbook about how to write a film that is pretty much a retrospective. Other examples of this type of film would include Live Free or Die Hard and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. For most fans and critics Star Trek 1 was no good. It was too high budget and destroyed much of what fans had loved about the tv show. When one watches Star Trek 2 there is no sign that there was ever a first one. The film picks up like a continuation of the tv show except fifteen years later. What makes Trek 2 work is the fact that in many ways it feels more like an episode of star trek. It brings back the major characters and even a major villain. This really works in its favor. It also knows that it’s a movie and it makes sure to let the bigger canvas work to its benefit instead of hurting its story. The story of dealing with old age was virtually ripped off in Indiana Jones 4. No joke there are way too many similarities for this to be a coincidence. But don’t worry Trek 2 is better than indy 4 mainly because it has much stronger scripting anda way better villain. Khan is menacing and although he doesn’t get too much screen time he makes the most of it. The acting here is pretty good all around and the philosophical quality of the script makes it smarter than your normal space opera. Unfortunately one thing really hurts Star Trek 2, it hasn’t aged well. When watching this film you know you’re watching an ‘80’s scifi flick from the hair to the costumes and the sets. The technology looks old and the effects are definitely showing their age. The script too is sometimes way over the top but in the end this is a fun ride that really continues the original show well and with good taste 3.5/5