Compared to the first Star Trek feature film—a first effort that almost felt like watching grass grow—The Wrath of Khan delivers a real Star Trek experience in movie format. Traces of some of the original's flaws remain, but they are appropriately contained in sequences that make heavy (re)use of footage from the first, very sedately paced film. It was probably inevitable that this second film would make a bigger splash. After all, its very title invokes one of the Trek fandom's favorite villains, and promises to bring him back. And back he comes, Ricardo Montalban performing splendidly—perhaps even better than he did in the TV series episode that introduced Khan. There's also just more meat to this plot than the first film. It has character development, it establishes additional backstory, and even introduces a new technology (the "defense field") never seen again in a Trek production. Joking aside, Kirk and Spock get to explore real emotion, and we see just how far Spock will go for logic. (Stopping just short of a spoiler here so I don't have to flag this.) Keep an eye out for an egregiously bad cut near the end—it's notable because it's the only truly bad edit in the film (that I've noticed). I'll say only to keep an eye on Kirk when he's in Engineering—anything more would be a spoiler.

Even after what may well be my 100th viewing of this film, I still get pretty emotional at the ending. While _Star Trek: The Motion Picture_ had been a financial success, it went so wildly over budget (and was really dull), that a sequel wasn't guaranteed. When a new Trek film was finally greenlit, it would have to be made on a very small budget. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as many of the best things are made when you have to work within restrictions. Lack of budget meant that the filmmakers would have to be creative and make a strong, exciting story be the main force of the film. _Star Trek II_ delivers on that front, and marks such a change in tone for the franchise that it's almost a soft reboot. For me, this is where Star Trek really begins. While the film doesn't ignore what's come before, it establishes many things that would remain with the whole series. This time around, Kirk and crew are training up a new bunch of inexperienced cadets on the Enterprise when an old enemy resurfaces and is intent on exacting his revenge. By this point, the cast are beginning to show their age and the film acknowledges this beautifully. It deals greatly with themes of getting older and of obsession, from both protagonist and antagonist. The movie is tense, exciting and gripping. And yet, it doesn't move at a breakneck pace. I really appreciate the time the film takes to set things up and establish the characters. I love the revelation that Kirk needs reading glasses and is embarrassed to let his bridge crew see him wearing them. These are a wonderful bunch of people to spend time with. Add the fantastic Ricardo Montalban into the mix as Khan and you have something very special. Once the action does begin, it benefits from the time taken to get there, because as a viewer you are completely in it. Parts of the film become almost like a submarine movie as a game of cat-and-mouse begins. The effects budget for this film was used well, with the filmmakers saving money by re-using a lot of shots, set decoration and props from other films. The new shots they do use are spectacular, and I really love the model work for the spaceships. Additionally, it has one of the earliest uses of CGI. Through all this, the film never loses the emotional impact. The modern Trek films are all pretty mindless action with jokes thrown in, _Star Trek II_ has action and humour (McCoy is great: "would you like the sedatives?") but also has heart and makes you care. Plus the nasty ear-bug torture scene really disturbed me as a little kid. Add to that a _gorgeous_ soundtrack (elements of which were later reworked for _Aliens_), and it ensures that I will never get tired of this wonderful film and I would recommend it as a perfect starting point for anyone who's never seen any Star Trek.

Seriously one of my fav Star Trek movies. Considering it was made in the 1980s, without the fancy computer graphics and AI we have today, it's truly spectacular effects. Plus, who doesn't love the life lessons at a personal and species level? True today, perhaps even more so. Sure it thought generic engineering was just a decade plus away, but as we become closer to being able to unlock the human genome? Khan is a real possibility. The one thing I was reminded was how even if we were to engineer the superior intellect and physical attributes, would those modifications reduce emotional intelligence? I vaguely remember a conversation when the movie first came out, "meathead crossed with super genius" would possibly result in beings self absorbed, only loyal to the more vicious, more physical and more intellectual.... but then would that intellect be blindsided by its own self importance and trivial revenge? Not all intellectuals are good with emotional interactions so arguably giving them a vicious physical ability would be nightmare-ish for those that were not. It also isn't required to know the original episode to follow this movie, but damn. It was one of the best episodes of the original series and Ricardo Malteban delivered both times. 9.3/10. A couple story inconsistentencies. Admittedly only caught one this time, like 5th or 6th time watching. but otherwise, phenomenal.

"Of my friend, I can only say this: of all the souls I have encountered in my travels...his was the most...human."