Now that JJ Abram's new Star Trek film has been unveiled, I thought it time to revist Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan, widly considered to be the best incarnation of Trek.
And they're not wrong either. It's certainly one of the best written movies I've seen, fusing character with plot with subtext with fresh science fiction concepts. Each script element reinforces the other elements making it stronger (eg, the youthful characters of David and Saavik remind Kirk and Spock of aging and death, the theme of the movie). In the Directors Cut, this is reinforced slightly further; Scotty's nephew banters with Kirk, who is reminded of that youthful quality he also once had. The Genesis device itself gives licence to discuss birth and death. The reintroduction of people from Kirk's past (Khan/Carol) provides a platform to discuss how the past catches up with you. The inclusion of Kirks birthday and his gift of spectacles serves as a reminder of aging an the inevitability of death.
On its original release in '82, many people knew going in that the much adored character of Mr Spock was going to die...and the movie has fun playing with the audiences knowledge while sewing its thematic and plot threads (Spock is seen to die in the opening space battle, only for it to be revealed it's a simulation).
The cast are supurb, especially Shatner, who gives a wonderfully introspective performance of a man who's resigned himself to do what others expect him to do, rather than what he wants to do. Montalban's portrayal of Khan is, deservedly, legendary. The revenge obsessed superman is proud, elegant, confident, powerful, charming and magnetic. Both Shatner and Montalban demonstrate their characters obsessions; Khan with Kirk, and Kirk's with starship command. Kirsty Alley makes an impression too as vulcan Saavik, playing her as smart, capable, but naive.
There are so many great moments in this piece, whether it be a character exchange, effects shot, or plot revealation. Stand outs include KIrk's introduction, stepping out of the light. Kirk's reaction as he steps back onto the bridge of the Enterprise. The McCoy/Spock Genesis argument. The magnificent USS Reliant shot, as it fills the screen in anticipation of battle, and the later 'Jaws' shot as it emerges from behind the Enterprise's saucer. Perhaps the best are the moments of brinksmanship that Kirk displays, the best being his revealtion of how he beat the no-win Academy simulator.. and revelation of his rescue plan. Perhaps no other moment in movie history makes me want to shout at the screen and say "YES!!"
James Horner's score is one of my favorites ever, coveying the majesty of navel life in space.
Nicholas Meyer directs with a sure hand. The movie is adult and confident; the editing may be slow but steady, but the plot is so strong it travels at a fantastic pace. It doesn't have the budget, and therefore the scope of 1979's The Motion Picture, but that works to its atvantage by providing a more intimate, claustraphobic atmosphere that serves the story. Meyer gives the Starfleet Star Trek universe a military feel which helps by transforming the space battles into submarine chases and tallships at war.
Even before I saw this as a kid, I was bound to love it. It's got spaceships, space battles and characters I'd loved on TV. As an adult I still love all that stuff. But I've discovered I love movies where characters have to learn to deal with bleak situations by looking at them in a whole new way (like Red in The Shawshank Redemption. And so it is here with Kirk's loss of Spock. Despite the downer ending, you end on a high. For me it's a 27 year high.
1 comment:
KHAAAAAAAAAN!!
This will always remain in my top five favourite movies of all time - for all the reasons you gave. It's a classical, poetic, elegant tale of revenge, obsession and mortality played out on starships that move and feel like old fashioned naval tall ships. You just don't get any better sequences in film than the Genesis Countdown at the end.
Perfection.
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