Several years after the first Star Trek movie, the creators decided to continue the story of Enterprise. After Robert Wise, Nicholas Meyer was put in the director's chair and wrote the screenplay. After much thought and rewriting, it was decided that the crew would be confronted by a more unknown villain, Khan, played again, almost twenty years later, by Ricardo Montalban, for whom the character of Khan had become altogether more infamous.
After a quick and fleeting introduction, in which Kobayashi Maru's test of Captain Spock's cadets takes place, we're back on the space voyage again. Once again, it's a return to the problem of destroying living beings. Project Genesis, which can revive a dead planet, must not fall into the wrong hands.
Kirk is already an Admiral. Unfortunately, his position doesn't suit him and he very much welcomes the opportunity to inspect the Enterprise, which is currently commanded by Spock. He doesn't stick with the inspection trip, it becomes a quest to save humanity and defeat Khan.
The whole film has a different feel. The producers couldn't afford a famous director, so they chose a new director, Nicholas Meyer. Even the composer has changed. James Horner, a newcomer to the composer's chair at the age of 29, has created new themes, referring to the first part, but the whole film is darker, in some parts characterizing very well the depressing situation of the cosmic void, similar to the one in Aliens, for which Horner also composed the music.
The character stories are more fleshed out, each of the actors is aware of their characters, and the scripted extras, such as the glasses for Kirk or the death of a relative for Scotty, give the whole film more realism and believability.
Ricardo Montalban's return as Knahan is a success. Never has Star Trek had a bigger bad guy. His SS Botany Bay, which Kirk left behind on Ceti Alpha V, has returned. Khan decided to destroy not only Kirk, but he also decided to destroy planets with the Genesis rocket he acquired. Khan's character is very charismatic, his wrinkled forehead and face. The whole figure, including the chest, give this negative person an otherworldly appearance. But it's a shame that even in the second modern film, Khan is recycled again.
The death of the unpopular Vulcan character Spock is a very clever idea from the makers. It also solves the hassle of arguing with the actors about whether or not they want to return to their roles. It is said that Leonard Nimoy only agreed to continue the role of Spock in future films on the condition that he would direct the next film. He directed the next two episodes, with William Shatner taking over the directorial reins from him in episode 5. I wouldn't want to be in the position of fans of the early 80s films hoping that Spock will come to life in the next film.
It's almost a convention in Star Trek films and series that the leads of their characters direct some episodes, even films. The most recent film to be directed by a Star Trek actor is Jonathan Frakes, who directed Star Trek VIII: First Contact and Star Trek IX: Insurrection. In the Star Trek chapter of the series, Patrick Stewart (Star Trek: The Next Generation - 5 episodes) and LeVar Burton (Star Trek: The Next Generation - 2 episodes/ Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - 10 episodes/Enterprise - 9 episodes).
As the second installment of the Star Trek films, the entire movie is very well done. As I said with the first episode, modern times are very different. But in the context of the whole Sci-Fi movies, it's another hilarious piece. With a well-chosen charismatic villain, the filmmakers have managed to build on the very hilarious and successful first installment.
Photo © Paramount Pictures
Original release of this article October 19, 2021 – Kritiky.cz
