The Blu-Ray release here in the States has the Director's Cut on it, and it looks and sounds amazing! It is my favorite Trek movie ever and has been since I first saw it on HBO in the early-'80's.
Oliver Harper great show its in my top 5 favourite films of all time, remember watching it back in my youth always remember the dead bodies and the ear creatures I'm 41
Yep, even I enjoy the new star trek movies including into darkness I was so pissed he got white washed. The white man gotta have all the parts from 2 face to raz ah gul (great movies for full disclosure) to having the white man be the star in movies like the great wall & last samari. Never ends
@@saculmoviereviews9200 I’ve always said this movie deserves the same acclaim as Empire Strikes Back. It’s not fair cuz Nicholas Meyer did so much with a much smaller budget than Irvin Kershner did with Star Wars for their respective sequels. Khan and Kirk didn’t even face each other face to face which was amazing and yet they accomplished so much with this film.
Wrath of Khan, E.T., Blade Runner, The Thing, Poltergeist, Rocky III, 48 Hours, and Tron. Add to that The Road Runner (Mad Max 2), they all came out in the summer of 1982. What a summer! I remember it well.
Also Conan The Barbarian, The Sword And The Sorcerer, Fast Times At Ridgemont High, Last American Virgin, Beastmaster, Friday The 13th Part 3, Halloween Three; Season of the Witch, and Creepshow.
I just saw this in theaters. It was fantastic, it was playing for one night only. Holy shit it was amazing. Hearing and seeing in a dark theater was something I will remember for a long time. Truly superb.
I agree. I actually saw it no less than four times when it first released in 1982 just for this reason. Only the original Star Wars (at 7 viewings) beats this personal record for movies I saw on first release in theaters.
Not arguing with you, but why do you feel seeing it as an adult would be more special than seeing it as child? i should think the opposite would be the case. I was 10 when the first season of star trek came out and I was totally blown away by it, whereas seeing STNG as an adult of 31 was puirely, "Meh". Like other children, I am sure I was much more easily impressed as a child than now, and am glad I first saw such syfy shows as Star trek, Time Tunnel, Lost in space, and all those various Saturday morning syfy cartoons like space ghost when I was just a kid and not when i was older... and also when those shows were still cutting edge and not overshadowed by later shows with less cheesy effects (and also less well-developed story-telling). :-)
Okay, that makes sense. I thought you meant kid ages in general since, to me, a 13-year-old is definitely still being a kid but memories from around then *are* somewhat clearer and more detailed. I thought you meant any age under 18 or so. Btw I bought the soundtrack for Wrath of Khan on LP back when it first came out. Played that thing like a million times. LOL
I know this is a reply to a 5 year old comment, but heads up, they’re re-releasing it for its 40th anniversary! Going to see it next Sunday :) Saw it with my dad when I was a wee lad, still in my top 10 of all time, excited to see it again!
Blasted Heath i agree wholeheartedly. Nicholas Meyer did so much with so little to work with. I mean between him and James Horner and Harve Bennett, they all deserve oscars for this movie I swear man it’s not fair Sci fi movies seldom ever get considered for such cred. Imo it deserved oscars just as much and if not then more than aliens and I LOVE aliens.
One of my late father's proudest moments as an actor was having a small part in a 1979 production of Twelfth Night in Pittsburgh, with Leonard Nimoy as Malvolio. We lost a truly great actor this year. Terrific retrospective as usual, Oliver. You really know the value of presentation, good editing, fantastic narration, and deserve far more credit than you receive. You bring class to internet movie reviews, in a way that not many can yet appreciate.
This isn’t just the best Star Trek movie, it’s one of the best science fiction movies of all time. I saw this as a kid with little knowledge of the original series, and I loved it. It stands on its own with universal themes that resonate with everyone.
"...5 'greatest' science-fiction..." Objectively best, or subjective favorites? My top five faves: 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968); Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977, 1980, 1998); Blade Runner: The Final Cut (1982, 2006); The Abyss (1989); Star Trek: The Undiscovered Country (1991)
"Kirk, Kirk. You're still alive, My old Friend" best Delivery of a Line, in the entire Star Trek Franchise. Ricardo Montalban, certainly played the Role as a Nemesis to Kirk, very well indeed The line, to the Reliant's Captain, "You are in a Position to Demand Nothing. I, on the other hand, am in a Position to Grant Nothing." was delivered Perfectly.
I preferred the Horner score. It evoked and paid homage to the original series with the beginning everyone recognizes, before transitioning into its own thing. The nautical feel also suits Star Trek better, it after all being a show about a ship that is voyaging into the unknown and having adventures there.
Jerry Goldsmith is my fave movie music composer but I never did like his Star Trek theme; very simplistic and bit too martial. Kudos to Horner who did a fantastic job. Keep Mozart. Keep Beethoven. Keep them all. I'll take Goldsmith and Horner.
calql8er classical composers of the 18th and 19th century either evoked images or composed for theatre and opera. We are blessed to be living on the era of contemporary classical composers, Goldsmith, Williams, Horner, Zimmer, Silvestri....
I always loved both Goldsmith and Horner ' s music. I understand what Oliver is saying regarding keeping a central theme to a series, but it is a bit hard for me to imagine Goldsmith ' s theme opening Star Trek II. Horner provided a perfect score, just as Goldsmith provided the perfect score for the first film which was one of the best things about it. Still, it is Goldsmith ' s sound that would eventually define Star Trek when it was brought back as the theme for Star Trek The Next Generation. Before that, his theme was a one off for a film that was largely ignored in the movie series. It was a bit weird hearing the theme return for Star Trek V after it became the intro to TNG, but Trek V still has a great score. I am glad that Goldsmith got to score the last three TNG films!
Ricardo Montalban was exceptional as Khan. Very much 'episode' in focus it really hit it out of the park. I love this sequel. I'm a fan of all Star Trek movies...even the unlikeable Star Trek 5. Thank you so much for these reviews and remembrances.
I loved the tilt towards the ship being more of a submarine in space. The claustrophobic feeling added to the tension. That at any moment they could "drown" in space and, like the ocean, there's no place to hide when things go wrong.
I first saw this movie with my family when I was 9. This is one of the first times I saw my dad, a big fan of the ST:TOS, cry when Scotty plays ‘Amazing Grace’ at Spock’s funeral service ❤️❤️
One can't wonder what the trajectory of Star Trek would have been if this had been the first Star Trek movie. It was brilliant to have a call back to a previous TV episode.
Wraith of Khan is one of my earliest Star Trek memories. I was three years old and my brother was watching it on cable. All I remember was walking out of my bedroom and into the dark living room lit only by the television, seeing Khans burned face creep up over the console of the Reliant, and running back into my room in terror. That memory was lost to me until I was ten years old and saw WOK again. That's when the mempry came flooding back to me. I agree that WOK should have used Jerry Goldsmiths main theme, but I still think it's the best score of the film series over all. I listen to it when building wooden sailing ships on Minecraft. The nautical theme seems to fit perfectly when building Minecraft replicas of old ships of the line like the HMS Victory.
I think it's got something to do with the mother's height. My mom's not as tall as my dad, but she's well above female average, while he's right in the middle.
@@MichaelRichards983 SO you weren't joking? Then you're talking bollocks. So no it doesn't sound good. I don't need to research it. I know for a fact that's rubbish. I am taller than my father was and my mother was shorter than him but he was definitely my father. I look just like him and his father. I get my height from his father who was very tall. Genes do skip a generation sometimes you know.And don't you dare insult my mother's memory by suggesting she had an affair. 1. she was totally against that sort of thing and 2. As, I said I have my father's family looks.
As a kid the Spock death scene had me in tears. Loved how Kirk finishes Spock's sentence which he had said earlier in the film. "The needs of the many....outweigh the needs of the few" and Spock says "or the one."
Once again, Oliver, you never cease to impress me. But this one was particularly loaded with emotion, thanks to the recent passing of Leonard and James... still, bravo!
"Benedict Cummerbund" as "Khan" in "Star Trek: Into Darkness" was a photocopied version of "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan." (He was ruthless and cold, but did not rise to the 'Bond-level villain' that Ricardo Montalban did and exceeded just by his physical presence.) One could almost see the "Kelvin timeline 'Star Trek" collapsing before our eyes.
I've been watching this movie ever since it came out in theaters and it still amazes me that the creatives behind the scenes ,who admittedly weren't fans or familiar with the original show, made the best Star Trek movie to date.
I had a mere 10% battery left on my phone when I saw that this video was posted. I had to choose between using the GPS on my phone to get home. Or watching this video and just winging it. I chose to watch the video. And I'm damn happy that I did. This is easily one of my all-time favorite films. It captures all great things Trek. And tells a tremendous story about revenge friendship and getting old.
34 years later, and there have been good Star Trek movies, but none better. I also absolutely love the music and the nautical style. Revenge is part of it but I think the key theme is middle age. There's so much in it about getting older, and what it does to your relationship with the young who're headed in; they're the future now, they have all the enthusiasm, but you have the experience, you know what's out there waiting for them. And dealing with death is part of that, which is why losing Spock at the end fits so well. I love Star Trek but this movie, I think, even works for people who aren't really fans.
"I don't know where he gets his height from, appearing taller than his mother and father." My mother is 5ft 7. My father is 5ft 9. I'm 6ft 8. That's 2.03 meters for those who don't know ft and inches. People can easily be taller than other members of their family.
Two giants. I grew up with Shatner and Nimoy but felt closer to Shatner who was born in Cote-St-Luc in Montreal near my hometown. Many laughed at the mannerisms of Shatner acting but for me, James T. Kirk of the 60's and 80's have been the ultimate federation commander and watching his performance these days as Kirk is still an highlight for me. As a young man, I would have give my right arm to be like him. Good review Oliver! I really enjoyed your analysis and comments!!!
I peg this movie as one of the most important science fiction films of all time, because of its effects: Paramount was wary of big-budget sci-fi, after the lukewarm reception to the first Star Trek movie, and the collapse of both the original Battlestar Galactica and the Gil Gerard Buck Rogers TV series. Had this movie tanked, I am convinced that science fiction would have stayed firmly dystopian, until at least the original Stargate movie. This movie, by itself, is responsible for the subsequent Star Trek franchise - NextGen, DS9, Voyager and even Enterprise...That said, it's still my hands-down favorite of the theatrical movies.
I'm a BIG fan of Nicholas Meyer's "Time After Time", about H.G Wells traveling to 70s New York to catch Jack the Ripper. Great, under appreciated flick.
+Derke73 Yeah that was indeed a great flick (Time After Time) a great movie of Meyer's prior to Wrath Of Khan. Saw it as a kid on TV a few year after its release, and it wasn't something for kids given it had Jack The Ripper in it. but for many years i always liked Meyer's style of direction and love of; *literary/novel* works which he includes in his movies.
Back in the days when Star Trek strived for realism and was both fun and emotional. Recent Star Trek is just an action flick. What was so impressive about this, mentioned in this video, is that Harve Bennett started this project without knowing Star Trek at all. Rather than just take it in his own direction and ignore everything that came before, like a certain recent Star Wars director, he went back and watched every single Star Trek episode to prepare to make this movie. I guess movie makers are too lazy to do things like that these days. Thanks to everyone who came together to make this masterpiece of a movie.
Rob L much like suggesting Empire Strikes Back is responsible for the subsequent Star Wars franchise, I wonder if Star Trek could have continued without Wrath of Khan. Roddenberry was (thankfully) excluded from production, but I wonder if there would have been an appetite for Next Gen in 1987, if there was no Trek II, III or IV
Isn't it incredible that arguably the best Star Trek film ever made (I say arguably as to not speak for everyone else because IMO it *IS* the best,) was done so with so many people that weren't fans of the series and never even _seen_ the series? Plus the creator Gene Roddenberry had little to no input either. Amazing how that turned out. I personally this that _Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan_ and _Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country_ were the best movies of the entire franchise. Both directed by Nicholas Meyer.
+Oliver Harper you are a very talented man. I was wondering if you were interested would you check out my youtube channel? I do reviews of under rated movies. But I also do some amateur film making.
Same here, and my son is also taller than me. My parents where also taller than their parents so I guess that it's simply a genetic thing that breaks us (and you) from the average.
Oliver, your review was the most comprehensive, well read and well thought out review of this fantastic movie I have ever heard or read. You went over such detail, and completely captured every point I wanted to hear. I agree with you in every detail. I was particularly happy to hear your thoughts about the lack of continuity in all the Star Trek films scores. Well done sir!
Another great retrospective of a great film. If there were an online equivalent to the Academy Award®, I reckon you would be a nominee in some category or other. You clearly have fans of your work the world over, and even for films that are largely deemed to be terrible you give their few good points a chance to shine. You obviously love what you do and it really shows in the final product.
Love this film to death. Just hated the fact it was so popular that they kept remaking it. Nemesis and Into Darkness and this revenge in space plotline. RIP Horner and Leonard
A lot like ALIENS, which was cloned countless times in not only the tie ins to the ALIEN franchise, but also by every other sci-fi action flick! But still, ALIENS is a great film, just like Star Trek II is a great film.
How sweet it was growing up in the 80s seeing these films on the big screen.Great times. I just found your channel and really love these retrospectives.
To see this movie in the theater in 1982 was thrilling. I'd seen TMP two years before and was worried there might not be more. But then to see TWoK come out and be so wonderful was such a relief and exciting experience. And remember, there was no Internet in 1982. We heard rumors about the film, read a bit here and there, but didn't really know what would happen in this film or the next. And I really liked ST3, too. That "odd number" is just a trope, a lazy categorization.
Wrath of Khan had me feeling the full range of emotions. One of very few films to have me in tears. I've watched it a few dozen times and each time I watch it I notice a few things I hadn't before, it's pretty deep.
Is it just me or is Khan the most sympathetic villain in Star Trek ? I mean I would really like to have seen him and his people going out on their own Journey, get into adventures and maybe even having the opportunity to redeem themselves and become good guys for at least some oppressed peoples ! I don't know maybe it's just Ricardo Montalban he really was a Powerhouse actor . I really wish he got more roles than 'I can remember' than just Star Trek, Fantasy Island and 'God help me', Spy Kids !
This is one of my top ten all-time favourite films, everything works. A great swashbuckling adventure story with great acting all round, Shatner deserves a special mention (i always get the feeling in the following films his performances started to descend into a parody of himself) for nailing it in every scene. The soundtrack was perfectly pitched (Oliver you were right about the Goldsmith theme it works well too). Good review.
Here is a nice factoid that is strangely little known. JJ Abrams' parents were close friends with Nicolas Meyer, so much so that he was Uncle Nick to JJ growing up. That fact makes it very strange to me that not only was JJ not a Star Trek Fan growing up, but that he shit so mightily on the series, especially using Khan so terribly. Sorry Uncle Nick.
I don't really blame JJ too much. He wasn't a fan, but they hired him anyway, he did the job. I like almost nothing about JJ Trek, but he did do a solid job on it. I liked the score and the casting. The script and the production design were pretty much trash though. And they got worse with each film.
9:40 They put the Kobayashi-Maru in there at the beginning due to the obsessive discussions about Spock's death. It was there to fool the audience into thinking the simulated death at the beginning was the one causing all the fuss. Therefore, the death at the end comes as a surprise.
My dad was 6'2" tall. His father wasn't even 6'. My dad got his height from his mother who was 5'9", a tall woman of Dutch descent. As a result, I turned out 4" taller than my mother.
Thank you, Oliver, you are the best and most thorough reviewer on YT. Please, please, please, please, please do a review/retrospective of Star Trek IV.
I once started the score for Wrath of of Kahn and Aliens at the same time by mistake . The result was .... very interesting. I ended up downloading both and overlaying them. I have listened to "Wrath of Aliens" many times since.
i just saw that Paramount is in fact going to release a Blu Ray Director's Cut version of Wrath Of Khan ...something i am personally looking forward to
If they'd fix a couple of effects, like the screen around the genesis effect sales pitch video I'd love it. Those look like they were generated on a C64. not the genesis effect, that looks very Amiga. lol. but the screen surrounds look so poorly rendered.
Among top-ten films of the last 100 years. Surpasses anything from Star Wars. Peak Star Trek. Thank you for being a major and enriching part of my entire life.
I love the design of the Phasers from this movie. I picked up the Diamond Select Toys replica a while back and its a great toy for both young and young at heart. Next to the Type II Phaser from Star Trek: The Next Generation it is defiantly one of the best looking phasers ever made if you ask me.
Dear Oliver - watched many of your reviews and retros recently. Thoroughly enjoyable and comprehensive. I was born in ‘77 and I suspect you were around this time as well given the vintage of your reviews. Please keep them coming they are great, however sadly (or should I say happily) it feels like we were a blessed generation that grew up with some of the best movies of the last few decades.
I think the original cast got a great lineup of films overall. 2,3,4,6 ranged from good to great (Search for Spock is very underrated) The first film, while a bore, still had some interesting stuff. Only 5 was crap. The Next Generation on the other hand only had one, First Contact that was good. Generations was a mess, Nemesis was odd, and insurrection as the worst out of the series!
+KD84Afc™ I sadly disagree. Linkara from AT4W said it best, it feels like a really bad episode of a TV episode. A bland silly story, which doesn't feel remotely movie worthy. The Motion picture was an epic story, and the Fifth at least tried to be epic. Insurrection is just meh.
Biggest issue with Next Generation films was having the same TV production staff doing the movies. That was Paramounts biggest mistake they should have kept the TNG producers and production staff as consultants instead of having direct involvement with the movies in the end TNG's movie run was a total disaster.
A GriffinTV see I don't think so as t.v. production is different to films, I believe the story would of been stronger as they wouldn't had to rely on big budget special effects
Another great review. It was nice that you remembered Leonard Nimoy & James Horner. I know, why don't we just send them to the planet with the Genesis Project?
I used to hate Star Trek The Motion Picture as a kid. I now see myself as lucky to watch it on the big screen. Now i absolutely love it…and watch it with the sequel straight after,nearly every time i watch it,with 3 & 4 the next day. I watched all four on the big screen. I rate Wrath Of Khan is my perfect Star Trek movie. As always,thanks for another shining review!
I personally think this is the best of the TOS movies. It's been almost 40 years since I saw it in the theatre the day it opened and I never tire of it, no matter how many times I've seen it. I had the pleasure of seeing it at the 50th Anniversary convention in New York where Nick Meyer premiered the director's cut and a couple of years ago saw it on the big screen followed by a discussion with Shatner. Nice job on the video.
and to think som ppL call think Jar Jar Abrams tha brand new Stfphvn SpieLbrg , wat a joke . JarJar Abram shouLd'v nevr bn aLowd cLose near a hoLywood camra studio , Least of aLL starwars and startrk , tis aLL George Lucas fauLt , he soLd his hart souL to tha dark side
This film in my opinion is the perfect film and one of my all time favorites!!! Got a chance to watch it on the big screen with a live Q&A with Shatner afterwards, it was amazing!!!
One of my favorite films of all time. Good review. ...One of the few bonuses about The Motion Picture was the score, but I think Horner's score surpases it COMPLETELY, and I kind of like that he repeats certain beats in Aliens (Krull is a bit wank, let's face it so doesn't really count.) I also like that "III" carries the same theme. IV NEEDED that different score, or perhaps should have re-claimed the Goldsmith theme if Next Gen hadn't stolen it. There's no way that the earth-bound comedy of IV would lend itself to the awesome haunting Horner space-balad (vice versa, but you know what I mean). RIP Horner... again very nice review.
I also thought having Kirk's son killed was always a bad move. That was a door to continuing the franchise into literally the next generation. Even if they had used another actor, or even a grandson. At least the name Kirk could have continued. I always thought it strange that for a show called the next generation, they never bothered to actually use any descendants of the original cast. If Star Trek TOS had gotten another season they would have introduced McCoy's daughter to the show.
This movie was(is) so awesome...I remember riding my bike to the local 1$ movie theater(yes you could see a movie for a buck in 82). Saw it 20+ times, also was able to score the soundtrack for a buck at the local mall(The Form in Arlington TX). Still have it. RIP James Horner.
My mom is 5' tall and my father is 5'2" but I'm 5'5" so I lucked out. I still get weepy with Spocks death. That and Optimus Prime dying in the cartoon movie get me every time.
Ricardo Montalban was just awesome in this movie. The monologue to Kirk when he marooned him, ending with "...buried alive! Buried Alive!" never ceases to give me chills. You believe absolutely that he hates Kirk, just excellent. Shatner was great too, particularly when Spock dies, and the aftermath with his eulogy. That crack in his voice...."His was the most......human". Just brilliant. I think it's the highlight of Star Trek for me, as good as it gets. I liked Into Darkness...but the take on Khan in that movie sucked. Just not even close to the same league as Wrath of Khan. It was a mistake to draw comparisons, because new Trek lost out big time.
I think the smaller budgets pushes creatives to come up with unique ways to get the look and effects they want... Wrath of Khan is a great example of this, small budget and maybe the best effects of any Trek film - Change my mind? Great juxtaposition of the genetically superior Khan and Kirk putting on his reading glasses. Love the navel tone - Classic! I should also say I get teary eyed every-time Spock adjusts his uniform suffering from radiation before addressing his captain.
Wholeheartedly agree with everything you said! As usual, you hit it right on the nail! TWoK raised the stakes and Kirk is placed in a no-win scenario and even when he won, he loses Spock in the process, thus, making his victory bittersweet. Not to mention that Spock's death was necessary to have that emotional punch, unfortunately, knowing in TSfS that Spock is revived cheapens his sacrifice. Also, the film creates the impression that Khan is an idiot for him to fall for Kirk's trick when he orders Sulu to deactivate Reliant's shields code, considering that Khan has always stated that he is a superior intellect! LOL!
This is by far my favorite Star Trek film. Ricardo pushes this movie To The Top and with the death of Spock at the end makes this movie more heartfelt. There are some good action sequences and the story moves along very well. My pure ice with this movie are with the special effects which aren't the best but if they went back and touched up this movie to clean up the special effects this movie would be a 10 out of 10.
Your choice to put the Jerry Goldsmith TMP theme over the outro is the best example of why James Horner's theme was so much better for Wrath of Khan. Also, I still don't understand how people still call the 2009 Star Trek a good movie. It's a festival of empty references, with a generic sci-fi plot underneath. Beh :(
Yeah the Trek reboot was pretty bad. It was generic action. What annoys me is that many reviewers (and even Mr. Plinkett) criticised the TNG films for become action-driven adventures rather than remaining true to the series, and then praised the JJ Abrams Trek films for doing precisely that! Meh, the Abramsverse Trek films happen in an alternate reality anyway (before even the time travel). The producers said so. It doesn't even happen in the 'Prime' Star Trek universe.
KRSsven *"What annoys me is that many reviewers (and even Mr. Plinkett) [...]"* Haha, I said that exact same thing on Plinkett's video only a few weeks ago! :) People are slowly starting to realize this, but they still have some weird need to insist that Star Trek 2009 was good for some reason. I really don't understand why.
Headrock Haha that's a strange coincidence! I really highly objected to the 2009 film. I thought so much about was wrong and it never felt like Star Trek. Abrams can do blasters, explosions and lightsabres but Trek isn't a cartoon.
RedLetterMedia liked it because judged on its own merits the 2009 film is solid at what its going for. Its more action driven but its done well. The TNG films action was done poorly in comparison. Plinkett also criticized Into Darkness heavily, so its not like he's a fan of the Abramsverse, he just thinks the 2009 film was solid.
I love this film. I have been a Trek fan since the original series and in my top five this is fights for the number one spot with First Contact with Undiscovered Country coming in close on the tails. The only annoyance I had with this movie was the fact that we are supposed to believe the Reliant didn't realise an entire planet was missing from Ceti Alpha system, LOL
Get Star Trek II on Blu-ray here goo.gl/JrWlLt
Get the soundtrack to Star Trek II here goo.gl/hP03C9
The Blu-Ray release here in the States has the Director's Cut on it, and it looks and sounds amazing! It is my favorite Trek movie ever and has been since I first saw it on HBO in the early-'80's.
Oliver Harper great show its in my top 5 favourite films of all time, remember watching it back in my youth always remember the dead bodies and the ear creatures I'm 41
I did not know James Horner died, that is sad.His music was great.
@@alanscott4846 Yes it is sad. I saw The Wrath of Khan so many times that I can pick his music out of any movie. It is very distinctive.
What a great movie! Great review too.
The new films have absolutely nothing on this. This isn't just the greatest Trek movie, this is one of greatest movies.
JohnnyZenith almost on par with TMP!
@@rexremedy1733 HAHAHAHAHA
I'll always love the review comment "Shatner and Montalban don't just chew up the scenery, they devour it!". They were both at their peak for this.
@@anthonylogiudice9215 You’re an idiot just like Rex.
@@rexremedy1733 ..... and you’re a moron.
Ricardo Montalban will *ALWAYS* be Khan.
No, you mean: KHAAAAN!!!
YES. nobody will ever beat his acting.
I heard he couldn't get a job after STII because no one would hire an ex-Khan.
Guess its a good thing they recast Ricardo to reprise the roll.
Yep, even I enjoy the new star trek movies including into darkness I was so pissed he got white washed. The white man gotta have all the parts from 2 face to raz ah gul (great movies for full disclosure) to having the white man be the star in movies like the great wall & last samari. Never ends
"I am and always shall be your friend. Live long and prosper."
R.I.P Leonard Nimoy and James Horner
Excellent review Oliver
This movie is a science fiction masterpiece.
2nd best Sci Fi movie ever behind the Empire Strikes Back
@@saculmoviereviews9200 I’ve always said this movie deserves the same acclaim as Empire Strikes Back. It’s not fair cuz Nicholas Meyer did so much with a much smaller budget than Irvin Kershner did with Star Wars for their respective sequels. Khan and Kirk didn’t even face each other face to face which was amazing and yet they accomplished so much with this film.
@@saculmoviereviews9200 Star Wars isn’t really sci-fi though is it? More like action/fantasy.
Star Wars is not science fiction. As for Star Trek 2, it's not even close to being a science fiction masterpiece. The movie is a fun space opera.
Agreed
Wrath of Khan, E.T., Blade Runner, The Thing, Poltergeist, Rocky III, 48 Hours, and Tron. Add to that The Road Runner (Mad Max 2), they all came out in the summer of 1982. What a summer! I remember it well.
Aaron Morris Road Warrior. Meep meep!
I think you just renamed “Road Warrior” to instead be “Road Runner” - intentional joke? Funny in any case. Beep beep!
My ranking:
9: 48 Hours
8: Poltergeist
7: Rocky 3
6: The Thing
5: Tron
4: Blade Runner
3: Road Warrior
2: ET
1: Wrath of Khan
Also Conan The Barbarian, The Sword And The Sorcerer, Fast Times At Ridgemont High, Last American Virgin, Beastmaster, Friday The 13th Part 3, Halloween Three; Season of the Witch, and Creepshow.
@@ianfindly3257 and Porkys
He's really not dead as long as we remember him.
And Bones was right.
Of all the beings I've encountered in my travels, his was the most...human.
I just saw this in theaters. It was fantastic, it was playing for one night only. Holy shit it was amazing. Hearing and seeing in a dark theater was something I will remember for a long time. Truly superb.
I agree. I actually saw it no less than four times when it first released in 1982 just for this reason. Only the original Star Wars (at 7 viewings) beats this personal record for movies I saw on first release in theaters.
Not arguing with you, but why do you feel seeing it as an adult would be more special than seeing it as child? i should think the opposite would be the case. I was 10 when the first season of star trek came out and I was totally blown away by it, whereas seeing STNG as an adult of 31 was puirely, "Meh". Like other children, I am sure I was much more easily impressed as a child than now, and am glad I first saw such syfy shows as Star trek, Time Tunnel, Lost in space, and all those various Saturday morning syfy cartoons like space ghost when I was just a kid and not when i was older... and also when those shows were still cutting edge and not overshadowed by later shows with less cheesy effects (and also less well-developed story-telling). :-)
Okay, that makes sense. I thought you meant kid ages in general since, to me, a 13-year-old is definitely still being a kid but memories from around then *are* somewhat clearer and more detailed. I thought you meant any age under 18 or so.
Btw I bought the soundtrack for Wrath of Khan on LP back when it first came out. Played that thing like a million times. LOL
KeithRose I saw it in the theater back when it first came out! It was a great experience! After it was over, we wanted to see it again! So tense!
I know this is a reply to a 5 year old comment, but heads up, they’re re-releasing it for its 40th anniversary! Going to see it next Sunday :)
Saw it with my dad when I was a wee lad, still in my top 10 of all time, excited to see it again!
You are absolutly right this a submarine battle of two ship captains in space, chasing each other in the oceans of space, bravo my friend!
One of the best sci-fi films of all time, and definitely the best Star Trek film. Great video! :)
+Noah Griego Agreed. It was so good Abrams and Co. thought they could just remake it with Into Darkness, but you can't replicate success like that.
Same with Nemesis and Generations.
This movie locked me in as a Trekkie. Star Wars, although good, was too much fantasy.
Great plot and chracters. Saw it in theaters as a teenager when realeased. Look back on it today, the movie and visual effects hold up well.
It was a classic good vs evil movie, moving from the wild wild west in space to the story of a great naval battle, all wrapped in classic Trek.
Great retrospective! This film is a true masterpiece.
Blasted Heath I absolutely do agree both on the film and on the review
Blasted Heath i agree wholeheartedly. Nicholas Meyer did so much with so little to work with. I mean between him and James Horner and Harve Bennett, they all deserve oscars for this movie I swear man it’s not fair Sci fi movies seldom ever get considered for such cred. Imo it deserved oscars just as much and if not then more than aliens and I LOVE aliens.
One of my late father's proudest moments as an actor was having a small part in a 1979 production of Twelfth Night in Pittsburgh, with Leonard Nimoy as Malvolio. We lost a truly great actor this year.
Terrific retrospective as usual, Oliver. You really know the value of presentation, good editing, fantastic narration, and deserve far more credit than you receive. You bring class to internet movie reviews, in a way that not many can yet appreciate.
+Douglas Booth Your feedback was much appreciated sir!
You mean Master Xehanort.
This isn’t just the best Star Trek movie, it’s one of the best science fiction movies of all time. I saw this as a kid with little knowledge of the original series, and I loved it. It stands on its own with universal themes that resonate with everyone.
Folks, this may be one of the 5 greatest Science-Fiction movies EVER made.
What you consider the top 5?
I agree, it is right up their with Blade Runner and Robocop for me.
no argument here
1: Empire Strikes Back
2: Wrath of Khan
"...5 'greatest' science-fiction..." Objectively best, or subjective favorites?
My top five faves:
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968); Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977, 1980, 1998); Blade Runner: The Final Cut (1982, 2006); The Abyss (1989); Star Trek: The Undiscovered Country (1991)
"Kirk, Kirk. You're still alive, My old Friend" best Delivery of a Line, in the entire Star Trek Franchise. Ricardo Montalban, certainly played the Role as a Nemesis to Kirk, very well indeed
The line, to the Reliant's Captain, "You are in a Position to Demand Nothing. I, on the other hand, am in a Position to Grant Nothing." was delivered Perfectly.
"Still, 'old...friend...' You've managed to kill just about everyone else, but like a poor marksman you keep...missing...the target!"
I like the line Scotty said to Jim, "I know this ship like the back of my hand," and then turns around and bangs his head on a metal beam.
Still my favorite Star Trek film. I cried like a baby when I saw this as a kid, lol. Spock was always my favorite character
I preferred the Horner score. It evoked and paid homage to the original series with the beginning everyone recognizes, before transitioning into its own thing. The nautical feel also suits Star Trek better, it after all being a show about a ship that is voyaging into the unknown and having adventures there.
I had Horner’s score on vinyl. It’s the first film soundtrack I ever had. Augmented by the expanded CD.
Jerry Goldsmith is my fave movie music composer but I never did like his Star Trek theme; very simplistic and bit too martial. Kudos to Horner who did a fantastic job. Keep Mozart. Keep Beethoven. Keep them all. I'll take Goldsmith and Horner.
calql8er classical composers of the 18th and 19th century either evoked images or composed for theatre and opera. We are blessed to be living on the era of contemporary classical composers, Goldsmith, Williams, Horner, Zimmer, Silvestri....
I always loved both Goldsmith and Horner ' s music. I understand what Oliver is saying regarding keeping a central theme to a series, but it is a bit hard for me to imagine Goldsmith ' s theme opening Star Trek II. Horner provided a perfect score, just as Goldsmith provided the perfect score for the first film which was one of the best things about it. Still, it is Goldsmith ' s sound that would eventually define Star Trek when it was brought back as the theme for Star Trek The Next Generation. Before that, his theme was a one off for a film that was largely ignored in the movie series. It was a bit weird hearing the theme return for Star Trek V after it became the intro to TNG, but Trek V still has a great score. I am glad that Goldsmith got to score the last three TNG films!
Ricardo Montalban was exceptional as Khan. Very much 'episode' in focus it really hit it out of the park. I love this sequel. I'm a fan of all Star Trek movies...even the unlikeable Star Trek 5.
Thank you so much for these reviews and remembrances.
+Mark Hyde "Buried ALIVE!!!" :D
You're a better man than I and I am a dyed-in-the-wool Trekker.
I love Star Trek 5. Go climb a Rock !! :)
I loved the tilt towards the ship being more of a submarine in space. The claustrophobic feeling added to the tension. That at any moment they could "drown" in space and, like the ocean, there's no place to hide when things go wrong.
I first saw this movie with my family when I was 9. This is one of the first times I saw my dad, a big fan of the ST:TOS, cry when Scotty plays ‘Amazing Grace’ at Spock’s funeral service ❤️❤️
One can't wonder what the trajectory of Star Trek would have been if this had been the first Star Trek movie. It was brilliant to have a call back to a previous TV episode.
In regards Saavik--she is half-Vulcan, half-Romulan, which is why she appears so emotional.
"The emotionless delivery of her lines didn't convince me she was a Vulcan."
Ironic observation.
Wraith of Khan is one of my earliest Star Trek memories. I was three years old and my brother was watching it on cable. All I remember was walking out of my bedroom and into the dark living room lit only by the television, seeing Khans burned face creep up over the console of the Reliant, and running back into my room in terror. That memory was lost to me until I was ten years old and saw WOK again. That's when the mempry came flooding back to me. I agree that WOK should have used Jerry Goldsmiths main theme, but I still think it's the best score of the film series over all. I listen to it when building wooden sailing ships on Minecraft. The nautical theme seems to fit perfectly when building Minecraft replicas of old ships of the line like the HMS Victory.
Your opening montage is very good.
David got his height from being Kirk's son. A lot of guys are taller than their fathers. I know I am.
I think it's got something to do with the mother's height. My mom's not as tall as my dad, but she's well above female average, while he's right in the middle.
If your son is taller than you and your wife is shorter than you, then she had an affair and the kid isn’t yours. It’s science.
@@MichaelRichards983 Sorry but that's not science. I assume you were joking.
@@Trev359 Research it and then we will talk about it, sound good?
@@MichaelRichards983 SO you weren't joking? Then you're talking bollocks. So no it doesn't sound good. I don't need to research it. I know for a fact that's rubbish. I am taller than my father was and my mother was shorter than him but he was definitely my father. I look just like him and his father. I get my height from his father who was very tall. Genes do skip a generation sometimes you know.And don't you dare insult my mother's memory by suggesting she had an affair. 1. she was totally against that sort of thing and 2. As, I said I have my father's family looks.
"the emotionless delivery of her lines didn't convince she me was Vulcan"
Wait, what?
I don’t think he gets Vulcans.
I think she did well.
As a kid the Spock death scene had me in tears. Loved how Kirk finishes Spock's sentence which he had said earlier in the film. "The needs of the many....outweigh the needs of the few" and Spock says "or the one."
Once again, Oliver, you never cease to impress me. But this one was particularly loaded with emotion, thanks to the recent passing of Leonard and James... still, bravo!
If I may be so bold, this is a damn good commentary. I will not presume to debate your wisdom.
+Alfred Valrie Oh shit, you put the Goldsmith music over the battle scene. Okay, 9 out of 10.
"Benedict Cummerbund" as "Khan" in "Star Trek: Into Darkness" was a photocopied version of "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan." (He was ruthless and cold, but did not rise to the 'Bond-level villain' that Ricardo Montalban did and exceeded just by his physical presence.) One could almost see the "Kelvin timeline 'Star Trek" collapsing before our eyes.
He had none of the charisma or flair Ricardo did.
I prefer to think of the Kelvin movies like the odd relative we don't talk about in public. A complete embarrassment.
I've been watching this movie ever since it came out in theaters and it still amazes me that the creatives behind the scenes ,who admittedly weren't fans or familiar with the original show, made the best Star Trek movie to date.
Back when movies were fan-tastic!
I had a mere 10% battery left on my phone when I saw that this video was posted. I had to choose between using the GPS on my phone to get home. Or watching this video and just winging it. I chose to watch the video. And I'm damn happy that I did. This is easily one of my all-time favorite films. It captures all great things Trek. And tells a tremendous story about revenge friendship and getting old.
34 years later, and there have been good Star Trek movies, but none better. I also absolutely love the music and the nautical style.
Revenge is part of it but I think the key theme is middle age. There's so much in it about getting older, and what it does to your relationship with the young who're headed in; they're the future now, they have all the enthusiasm, but you have the experience, you know what's out there waiting for them. And dealing with death is part of that, which is why losing Spock at the end fits so well. I love Star Trek but this movie, I think, even works for people who aren't really fans.
RIP James Horner and Leonard Nimoy (both died this year).
+Kurt Garwood I know they passed away this year its mentioned in the review.
"I don't know where he gets his height from, appearing taller than his mother and father." My mother is 5ft 7. My father is 5ft 9. I'm 6ft 8. That's 2.03 meters for those who don't know ft and inches. People can easily be taller than other members of their family.
Two giants. I grew up with Shatner and Nimoy but felt closer to Shatner who was born in Cote-St-Luc in Montreal near my hometown. Many laughed at the mannerisms of Shatner acting but for me, James T. Kirk of the 60's and 80's have been the ultimate federation commander and watching his performance these days as Kirk is still an highlight for me. As a young man, I would have give my right arm to be like him. Good review Oliver! I really enjoyed your analysis and comments!!!
James Horner's music is epic. the Khan theme has a feral barbaric sound
I peg this movie as one of the most important science fiction films of all time, because of its effects: Paramount was wary of big-budget sci-fi, after the lukewarm reception to the first Star Trek movie, and the collapse of both the original Battlestar Galactica and the Gil Gerard Buck Rogers TV series. Had this movie tanked, I am convinced that science fiction would have stayed firmly dystopian, until at least the original Stargate movie. This movie, by itself, is responsible for the subsequent Star Trek franchise - NextGen, DS9, Voyager and even Enterprise...That said, it's still my hands-down favorite of the theatrical movies.
+The Major -- And please: Do a review of Logan's Run. That is a film that could certainly use a treatment from you.
It is a shame Kirk and Khan never got a scene together, not even for a final confrontation.
I prefer it this way.
Agreed, a physical encounter would have been awesome.
totally wasted
Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. Wonderful. So good I watched it 5 times in a row and Im going to watch it again after I write this. RIP Mr. Nimoy.
+Jack Sofalot Thanks a lot Jack!
Oliver Harper A reply from the man himself! What an honor!
+Jack Sofalot And Ricardo Montalban, DeForrest Kelley, James Doohan, Paul Winfield (Capt. Terrell,) Majel Barrett and of course Gene Roddenberry.
From Hell's heart, I stab at thee! -- still the best line in any Star Trek movie
Thanks, jerry!
Sincerely, Herman Melville
:)
it's a line from Moby Dick.
Gregory Peck delivered that line superbly ...... but Khan was awesome.
True, but it originated from Shakespeare.
“for hate’s sake I spit my last breath at thee”
I'm a BIG fan of Nicholas Meyer's "Time After Time", about H.G Wells traveling to 70s New York to catch Jack the Ripper. Great, under appreciated flick.
+Derke73 Yeah that was indeed a great flick (Time After Time) a great movie of Meyer's prior to Wrath Of Khan. Saw it as a kid on TV a few year after its release, and it wasn't something for kids given it had Jack The Ripper in it. but for many years i always liked Meyer's style of direction and love of; *literary/novel* works which he includes in his movies.
Back in the days when Star Trek strived for realism and was both fun and emotional. Recent Star Trek is just an action flick. What was so impressive about this, mentioned in this video, is that Harve Bennett started this project without knowing Star Trek at all. Rather than just take it in his own direction and ignore everything that came before, like a certain recent Star Wars director, he went back and watched every single Star Trek episode to prepare to make this movie. I guess movie makers are too lazy to do things like that these days. Thanks to everyone who came together to make this masterpiece of a movie.
Rob L much like suggesting Empire Strikes Back is responsible for the subsequent Star Wars franchise, I wonder if Star Trek could have continued without Wrath of Khan. Roddenberry was (thankfully) excluded from production, but I wonder if there would have been an appetite for Next Gen in 1987, if there was no Trek II, III or IV
Isn't it incredible that arguably the best Star Trek film ever made (I say arguably as to not speak for everyone else because IMO it *IS* the best,) was done so with so many people that weren't fans of the series and never even _seen_ the series? Plus the creator Gene Roddenberry had little to no input either.
Amazing how that turned out. I personally this that _Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan_ and _Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country_ were the best movies of the entire franchise. Both directed by Nicholas Meyer.
Sometimes it's just best to get someone who's not familiar to have a fresh perspective on something
You deserve way more subscribers!
+Clint Dlowrev spread the word my friend
Will do, my friend,
+Oliver Harper I'm on it
+Oliver Harper you are a very talented man. I was wondering if you were interested would you check out my youtube channel? I do reviews of under rated movies. But I also do some amateur film making.
+Clint Dlowrev: Agreed. Well, at least he's got one more now!
I'm taller than my mother and father, and the rest of my direct relatives. shrug
Same here. Much taller than my parents.
Same here.
Same here, and my son is also taller than me. My parents where also taller than their parents so I guess that it's simply a genetic thing that breaks us (and you) from the average.
If children were only ever expected to match their parents in size, how would we ever have progressed from being proteins and amino acids?
How tall is the milkman?
I still love this movie. Don't forget Paul Winfield was also in TNG's Darmok!
Oliver, your review was the most comprehensive, well read and well thought out review of this fantastic movie I have ever heard or read. You went over such detail, and completely captured every point I wanted to hear. I agree with you in every detail. I was particularly happy to hear your thoughts about the lack of continuity in all the Star Trek films scores. Well done sir!
The needs of the many out way the needs of the few, or the one. Word's to live by!
Another great retrospective of a great film. If there were an online equivalent to the Academy Award®, I reckon you would be a nominee in some category or other. You clearly have fans of your work the world over, and even for films that are largely deemed to be terrible you give their few good points a chance to shine. You obviously love what you do and it really shows in the final product.
Love this film to death. Just hated the fact it was so popular that they kept remaking it. Nemesis and Into Darkness and this revenge in space plotline. RIP Horner and Leonard
A lot like ALIENS, which was cloned countless times in not only the tie ins to the ALIEN franchise, but also by every other sci-fi action flick! But still, ALIENS is a great film, just like Star Trek II is a great film.
How sweet it was growing up in the 80s seeing these films on the big screen.Great times. I just found your channel and really love these retrospectives.
To see this movie in the theater in 1982 was thrilling. I'd seen TMP two years before and was worried there might not be more. But then to see TWoK come out and be so wonderful was such a relief and exciting experience. And remember, there was no Internet in 1982. We heard rumors about the film, read a bit here and there, but didn't really know what would happen in this film or the next. And I really liked ST3, too. That "odd number" is just a trope, a lazy categorization.
The main theme to this film is, by far, the most memorable...I still get chills!
Wrath of Khan had me feeling the full range of emotions. One of very few films to have me in tears. I've watched it a few dozen times and each time I watch it I notice a few things I hadn't before, it's pretty deep.
If one read the book, there was a bit of a back story for Saavik who was actually a Vulcan/Romulean hybrid.
bovnyccc operalover that’s great! I am a hybrid as well...
This movie saved the franchise as a motion picture vehicle. Without it, the franchise fades into history.
Is it just me or is Khan the most sympathetic villain in Star Trek ? I mean I would really like to have seen him and his people going out on their own Journey, get into adventures and maybe even having the opportunity to redeem themselves and become good guys for at least some oppressed peoples !
I don't know maybe it's just Ricardo Montalban he really was a Powerhouse actor . I really wish he got more roles than 'I can remember' than just Star Trek, Fantasy Island and 'God help me', Spy Kids !
This is one of my top ten all-time favourite films, everything works. A great swashbuckling adventure story with great acting all round, Shatner deserves a special mention (i always get the feeling in the following films his performances started to descend into a parody of himself) for nailing it in every scene.
The soundtrack was perfectly pitched (Oliver you were right about the Goldsmith theme it works well too).
Good review.
Here is a nice factoid that is strangely little known. JJ Abrams' parents were close friends with Nicolas Meyer, so much so that he was Uncle Nick to JJ growing up. That fact makes it very strange to me that not only was JJ not a Star Trek Fan growing up, but that he shit so mightily on the series, especially using Khan so terribly. Sorry Uncle Nick.
Jim Humphries To be fair, he didn't write the screenplay. Of course, he could have changed a few things, so...
I don't really blame JJ too much. He wasn't a fan, but they hired him anyway, he did the job. I like almost nothing about JJ Trek, but he did do a solid job on it. I liked the score and the casting. The script and the production design were pretty much trash though. And they got worse with each film.
9:40 They put the Kobayashi-Maru in there at the beginning due to the obsessive discussions about Spock's death. It was there to fool the audience into thinking the simulated death at the beginning was the one causing all the fuss. Therefore, the death at the end comes as a surprise.
This is a great point. And I loved Kirstie Allie and thought she should have been the first female captain to get her own show.
exactly
@LoveBadeMe rubbish she was dreadful
Out of the first 4 Star Trek films I've seen so far, The Wrath of Khan is the best Star Trek film with the original cast members in my opinion.
I finally watched this a year ago and now i see why its considered the best Star Trek movie.
Many people are taller than their parents ;)
My dad was 6'2" tall. His father wasn't even 6'. My dad got his height from his mother who was 5'9", a tall woman of Dutch descent. As a result, I turned out 4" taller than my mother.
Thank you, Oliver, you are the best and most thorough reviewer on YT. Please, please, please, please, please do a review/retrospective of Star Trek IV.
+Broyale26 I will get to it at some point.
+Oliver Harper
I have been, and always shall be..subscribed. Live long and prosper.
i really like the first one, but i have to say that the second one works better as a film.
I once started the score for Wrath of of Kahn and Aliens at the same time by mistake . The result was .... very interesting. I ended up downloading both and overlaying them. I have listened to "Wrath of Aliens" many times since.
i just saw that Paramount is in fact going to release a Blu Ray Director's Cut version of Wrath Of Khan ...something i am personally looking forward to
If they'd fix a couple of effects, like the screen around the genesis effect sales pitch video I'd love it. Those look like they were generated on a C64. not the genesis effect, that looks very Amiga. lol. but the screen surrounds look so poorly rendered.
Among top-ten films of the last 100 years. Surpasses anything from Star Wars. Peak Star Trek. Thank you for being a major and enriching part of my entire life.
The only classic era Trek film where they use phasers.
I love the design of the Phasers from this movie. I picked up the Diamond Select Toys replica a while back and its a great toy for both young and young at heart. Next to the Type II Phaser from Star Trek: The Next Generation it is defiantly one of the best looking phasers ever made if you ask me.
Turns 40 today and im about to watch it right now for the very first time. Thank you Oliver for having the very best retrospectives. Cheers
thanks for the Horner tribute
Dear Oliver - watched many of your reviews and retros recently. Thoroughly enjoyable and comprehensive. I was born in ‘77 and I suspect you were around this time as well given the vintage of your reviews. Please keep them coming they are great, however sadly (or should I say happily) it feels like we were a blessed generation that grew up with some of the best movies of the last few decades.
Thank you Oliver this is one of my favorites
Another great review in retrospective. One of my all-time favorite movies and, of course, one of my favorite sci-fi films
I think the original cast got a great lineup of films overall. 2,3,4,6 ranged from good to great (Search for Spock is very underrated) The first film, while a bore, still had some interesting stuff. Only 5 was crap.
The Next Generation on the other hand only had one, First Contact that was good. Generations was a mess, Nemesis was odd, and insurrection as the worst out of the series!
+A GriffinTV insurrection would've made a good two part tv episode, didn't work for a movie
+KD84Afc™ I sadly disagree. Linkara from AT4W said it best, it feels like a really bad episode of a TV episode. A bland silly story, which doesn't feel remotely movie worthy. The Motion picture was an epic story, and the Fifth at least tried to be epic. Insurrection is just meh.
Biggest issue with Next Generation films was having the same TV production staff doing the movies. That was Paramounts biggest mistake they should have kept the TNG producers and production staff as consultants instead of having direct involvement with the movies in the end TNG's movie run was a total disaster.
A GriffinTV see I don't think so as t.v. production is different to films, I believe the story would of been stronger as they wouldn't had to rely on big budget special effects
Maybe, but Bennett wanted a Starfleet Academy movie.
I've only knew of Ricardo Montaban when he was an old, frail man. Damn, that dude was a straight up beast when he was young.
Another great review. It was nice that you remembered Leonard Nimoy & James Horner. I know, why don't we just send them to the planet with the Genesis Project?
I used to hate Star Trek The Motion Picture as a kid. I now see myself as lucky to watch it on the big screen. Now i absolutely love it…and watch it with the sequel straight after,nearly every time i watch it,with 3 & 4 the next day. I watched all four on the big screen. I rate Wrath Of Khan is my perfect Star Trek movie.
As always,thanks for another shining review!
Great video as usual, Oliver.
Still the best ST film, even after all these years!
I personally think this is the best of the TOS movies. It's been almost 40 years since I saw it in the theatre the day it opened and I never tire of it, no matter how many times I've seen it. I had the pleasure of seeing it at the 50th Anniversary convention in New York where Nick Meyer premiered the director's cut and a couple of years ago saw it on the big screen followed by a discussion with Shatner. Nice job on the video.
Love your videos, dude! Keep it up!
Gutted just found out from your vid that James Horner passed away in a plane crash. The krull sound track is my favorite film score ever : (
Star Trek Into Darkness was a mess due to Jar Jar Abrams. He is a poor choice for doing Star Wars and Star Trek films
and to think som ppL call think Jar Jar Abrams tha brand new Stfphvn SpieLbrg , wat a joke . JarJar Abram shouLd'v nevr bn aLowd cLose near a hoLywood camra studio , Least of aLL starwars and startrk , tis aLL George Lucas fauLt , he soLd his hart souL to tha dark side
Totally agree. Into darkness is terrible.
dboymax1 agreed!
Disagree
JJ having Spock yell "Khan" didn't make sense.
This film in my opinion is the perfect film and one of my all time favorites!!! Got a chance to watch it on the big screen with a live Q&A with Shatner afterwards, it was amazing!!!
One of my favorite films of all time. Good review. ...One of the few bonuses about The Motion Picture was the score, but I think Horner's score surpases it COMPLETELY, and I kind of like that he repeats certain beats in Aliens (Krull is a bit wank, let's face it so doesn't really count.) I also like that "III" carries the same theme. IV NEEDED that different score, or perhaps should have re-claimed the Goldsmith theme if Next Gen hadn't stolen it. There's no way that the earth-bound comedy of IV would lend itself to the awesome haunting Horner space-balad (vice versa, but you know what I mean). RIP Horner... again very nice review.
I think you have what it takes to be a great reviewer. This review was outrageous and well done. You should have your own show.
I also thought having Kirk's son killed was always a bad move. That was a door to continuing the franchise into literally the next generation. Even if they had used another actor, or even a grandson. At least the name Kirk could have continued. I always thought it strange that for a show called the next generation, they never bothered to actually use any descendants of the original cast. If Star Trek TOS had gotten another season they would have introduced McCoy's daughter to the show.
This movie was(is) so awesome...I remember riding my bike to the local 1$ movie theater(yes you could see a movie for a buck in 82). Saw it 20+ times, also was able to score the soundtrack for a buck at the local mall(The Form in Arlington TX). Still have it. RIP James Horner.
My mom is 5' tall and my father is 5'2" but I'm 5'5" so I lucked out. I still get weepy with Spocks death. That and Optimus Prime dying in the cartoon movie get me every time.
nice genetics
+Scott Destan just checked that prime scene and the comments below. Wished it was one of my childhood series.
The best Star Trek movie.
One of the best sequels, ever
Ricardo Montalban was just awesome in this movie. The monologue to Kirk when he marooned him, ending with "...buried alive! Buried Alive!" never ceases to give me chills. You believe absolutely that he hates Kirk, just excellent. Shatner was great too, particularly when Spock dies, and the aftermath with his eulogy. That crack in his voice...."His was the most......human". Just brilliant.
I think it's the highlight of Star Trek for me, as good as it gets.
I liked Into Darkness...but the take on Khan in that movie sucked. Just not even close to the same league as Wrath of Khan. It was a mistake to draw comparisons, because new Trek lost out big time.
I think the smaller budgets pushes creatives to come up with unique ways to get the look and effects they want... Wrath of Khan is a great example of this, small budget and maybe the best effects of any Trek film - Change my mind? Great juxtaposition of the genetically superior Khan and Kirk putting on his reading glasses. Love the navel tone - Classic! I should also say I get teary eyed every-time Spock adjusts his uniform suffering from radiation before addressing his captain.
Wholeheartedly agree with everything you said! As usual, you hit it right on the nail! TWoK raised the stakes and Kirk is placed in a no-win scenario and even when he won, he loses Spock in the process, thus, making his victory bittersweet. Not to mention that Spock's death was necessary to have that emotional punch, unfortunately, knowing in TSfS that Spock is revived cheapens his sacrifice. Also, the film creates the impression that Khan is an idiot for him to fall for Kirk's trick when he orders Sulu to deactivate Reliant's shields code, considering that Khan has always stated that he is a superior intellect! LOL!
I absolutely love your intro cuts, they‘re like new trailers with perfect music.
Gosh the best Star Trek movie everything about it is incredible!!!
This is by far my favorite Star Trek film. Ricardo pushes this movie To The Top and with the death of Spock at the end makes this movie more heartfelt. There are some good action sequences and the story moves along very well. My pure ice with this movie are with the special effects which aren't the best but if they went back and touched up this movie to clean up the special effects this movie would be a 10 out of 10.
Your choice to put the Jerry Goldsmith TMP theme over the outro is the best example of why James Horner's theme was so much better for Wrath of Khan.
Also, I still don't understand how people still call the 2009 Star Trek a good movie. It's a festival of empty references, with a generic sci-fi plot underneath. Beh :(
Yeah the Trek reboot was pretty bad. It was generic action. What annoys me is that many reviewers (and even Mr. Plinkett) criticised the TNG films for become action-driven adventures rather than remaining true to the series, and then praised the JJ Abrams Trek films for doing precisely that!
Meh, the Abramsverse Trek films happen in an alternate reality anyway (before even the time travel). The producers said so. It doesn't even happen in the 'Prime' Star Trek universe.
KRSsven *"What annoys me is that many reviewers (and even Mr. Plinkett) [...]"*
Haha, I said that exact same thing on Plinkett's video only a few weeks ago! :)
People are slowly starting to realize this, but they still have some weird need to insist that Star Trek 2009 was good for some reason. I really don't understand why.
Headrock Haha that's a strange coincidence! I really highly objected to the 2009 film. I thought so much about was wrong and it never felt like Star Trek. Abrams can do blasters, explosions and lightsabres but Trek isn't a cartoon.
KRSsven
Precisely. +1
RedLetterMedia liked it because judged on its own merits the 2009 film is solid at what its going for. Its more action driven but its done well. The TNG films action was done poorly in comparison. Plinkett also criticized Into Darkness heavily, so its not like he's a fan of the Abramsverse, he just thinks the 2009 film was solid.
I love this film. I have been a Trek fan since the original series and in my top five this is fights for the number one spot with First Contact with Undiscovered Country coming in close on the tails. The only annoyance I had with this movie was the fact that we are supposed to believe the Reliant didn't realise an entire planet was missing from Ceti Alpha system, LOL
Back when they knew how to make Star Trek movies.