In 1979, Star Trek hit the big screen with Star Trek: The Motion Picture, and fans were ecstatic. However, the film was greeted with lukewarm reviews and mixed fan responses. For a movie that was two-plus hours in length, something considered long back then, the general consensus was that people were left wanting more, and so the powers that be decided to go back to some very familiar territory for the next film, and in doing so, launched the film franchise to new heights.
The Wrath of Khan took everything good about Star Trek and made it bigger, louder, and more enjoyable. Using the 1967 episode “Space Seed” as a launching point, writer Harve Bennett, who wrote the original outline, which was then developed into a script by Jack Sowards, and director Nicholas Meyer, made some very smart and sound decisions. “Space Seed,” while being a very popular episode for its story and ideas, gave the creative team something that was key to pushing the film to new heights: a true adversary for Captain Kirk.
Khan Noonien Singh and James Tiberius Kirk, two larger-than-life characters, were able to bookend a film about life, death, and sacrifice and make it feel like a true space adventure. On the one hand, you had Khan, a product of what can only be described as selective breeding of the perfect human, back in the 20th century. Instead, they created genetic supermen that spurred on the Eugenics Wars. On the other hand, Kirk represents that strong, sexual, swashbuckling figure that makes a great Captain and has a deep desire to come out on top. (His “I hate to lose” mentality can be traced back to Starfleet Academy and stretching all throughout his career). Having two very strong-willed, intelligent figures go head-to-head was what led to “Space Seed” becoming such a well-received episode, and what ultimately led to Wrath of Khan being one the most highly-regarded movies in the Star Trek franchise.
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However, while these two formidable figures were key in creating atmosphere, tension, and drama, there was much more to the film that made it memorable. Spock’s death scene, and his interaction with Kirk, were important for many reasons. They gave the film a sense of realism in terms of loss that they would actually be bold enough to kill off a major character (let’s ignore that Star Trek III: The Search for Spock basically gave away his return in the title) and made viewers actually pause for a moment, to think about what had just happened. The two characters, shipmates for quite some time, developed a unique relationship that made the death scene that much more powerful. It gave the Star Trek franchise a sense that there was real danger, real threats to one’s life, and that space exploration was more than quick banter and zooming through the galaxy.
Beyond the Singh/Kirk back-and-forth and Spock’s death, you can’t overlook that there was actually a sense of fun and adventure here. Star Trek: The Motion Picture was a broad canvas that, while bold in its ideas, just came across as flat and dull at times in terms of the story and the characters. The story and execution were a curious choice to launch a potential movie franchise, and indeed, many were left wondering what to expect next.
There was no real feeling of continuation. More than anything, it felt like some doors were being closed. With Wrath of Khan, you felt none of that, and as it ended, even after Spock’s death, it felt more like a beginning, which, as it turned out, was. The film tackled the idea of aging, getting old, and the power to create life, to go along with the other sometimes larger-than-life figures that dominated the screen, making Wrath of Khan an enjoyable film on many levels.
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It’s ironic that this film, which pushed the Star Trek franchise to a place that sees it still thriving today, was not without its challenges in terms of getting to the big screen. In fact, Gene Roddenberry, creator of the Star Trek TV series, had his sequel idea turned down and was removed from a direct role in the sequel, as it was deemed too boring and expensive. There was inexperience with Star Trek lore with the new people brought in, which, of course, brought even more pressure to the film. However, Nicholas Meyer proved to be a great choice to direct; the story was strong, and the cast came together to bring it all together.
Of course, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the famous “KHAAAAAAAN!” scream from Kirk, which has become somewhat legendary over the years. It was a moment that seemed overblown and overplayed, and truthfully, most likely, it was. However, the film was solid enough to absorb this moment and turn it into a positive. Star Trek ll: The Wrath of Khan is not a perfect film, but it was a wonderful coming together of ideas and emotions, and the importance of its place in Star Trek history cannot be overlooked.
