In the summer of ’82, it seems it was just a matter of course that when you bought a movie ticket, you were in for an enjoyable two hours of escapism. “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial.” “The Road Warrior.” “Poltergeist.” “Blade Runner.” “The Thing.” “Tron.” “Conan the Barbarian.”
I’m not sure that I had particularly high hopes for “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.” I remember I was concerned that, by making it not only a follow-up to the elephantine “Star Trek: The Motion Picture,” but also a sequel to one of the original series’ television episodes, it would be too esoteric for wider acceptance and too “villain-of-the-week” for a suitably resonant theatrical experience, in a franchise that was in danger of tanking when it had scarcely left drydock.
But “Star Trek II” exceeded all expectations, with uncluttered storytelling, good character development, moments of genuine reflection and poignancy between the swashbuckling space battles, state-of-the-art special effects, a nautical tone that was a throwback to the monumental sea pictures of 20 and 30 years earlier, a career-defining score by James Horner, and Ricardo Montalban as (with apologies to Christopher Plummer) the most enjoyable of the “Star Trek” movie antagonists.
Montalban fought Zorro and Gilbert Roland, danced with Esther Williams and Cyd Charisse, and wore white with sophistication on TV’s “Fantasy Island,” but he will always be remembered for his silver mullet, glistening pecs, and theatrical relish with which he delivered his Melvillian soliloquies in “The Wrath of Khan.”
On the next Roy’s Tie-Dye Sci-Fi Corner, we’ll slingshot back in time to the 20th century to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the release of “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.” Join us for a banquet of cold revenge and Ceti eels in the comments section, when we livestream on Facebook, this week at a special time, THURSDAY EVENING AT 7:00 EDT!
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