Back Soon!...

Reel Retro is taking a short break, to allow Kirk and Picard time to escape from the Nexus. We'll be back soon, commencing with a review of Star Trek: Generations...

Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991)

"Doctor, would you care to assist me in performing surgery on a photon torpedo?"
"Fascinating!"

Director(s): Nicholas Meyer
IMDb Page: Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991)
Additional Link: Comic Adaptation

Part of a Franchise?...
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country is the final movie to star all of the main Star Trek original series cast, and the second of two Star Trek films to be directed by Nicholas Meyer.

Watch or Drop?...
The Undiscovered Country is my favourite of the first six Star Trek movies, and I particularly enjoy the extended 'Scooby-Doo ending' version, which isn't as easily available to watch as the original cut. I've watched this the most of the first six films, and recommend it as both a standalone film or to conclude watching the first six films in order. Look out for Michael Dorn, playing Worf's grandfather, and also watch the Star Trek: Voyager episode Flashback, which reveals that Tuvok was one of Sulu's crew during the events of the film.

What Came Next?...
Soon after the final season of Star Trek: The Next Generation ended, the Enterprise-D crew received their cinematic debut in Star Trek: Generations, which saw a 'passing of the torch' from Kirk to Picard.

Also See...
Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
Star Trek III: The Search For Spock (1984)
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986)
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989)
Star Trek: Generations (1994)
Star Trek: Voyager - Flashback (1996)

Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989)

"Excuse me...Excuse me...I just wanted to ask a question. What does God need with a starship?"

Director(s): William Shatner
IMDb Page: Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989)

Part of a Franchise?...
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier is the fifth of six movies to star all of the main Star Trek original series cast. Also, because he was promised that he could direct the next film after signing on for The Voyage Home, it is the only Star Trek film to be directed by William Shatner.

Watch or Drop?...
The Final Frontier is the Star Trek film I've seen the least. Inspired by William Shatner's opinions of American televangelists, Spock's never before mentioned brother shows up, and commandeers the Enterprise in search of God. Some consider this plot to be too reminiscent of Star Trek: The Motion Picture, while many consider the film to be the worst in the Star Trek franchise. It's definitely not essential viewing, and can easily be dropped unless you're wanting to watch all of the first six films in order.

Also See...
Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
Star Trek III: The Search For Spock (1984)
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986)
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991)
Star Trek: Generations (1994)

Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986)

"Don't tell me! You're from outer space."
"No, I'm from Iowa. I only work in outer space."

Director(s): Leonard Nimoy
IMDb Page: Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986)
Additional Link 1: Comic Adaptation
Additional Link 2: The Mirror Universe Saga Omnibus*
Additional Link 3: Audiobook Adaptation

Part of a Franchise?...
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home is the fourth of six movies to star all of the main Star Trek original series cast, and the last in a trilogy of linked films in the franchise. It is also the second of two Star Trek films to be directed by Leonard Nimoy.

Watch or Drop?...
Leonard Nimoy felt the need to lighten things up, following the dramatic nature of the previous three films, so The Voyage Home adds a little comedy into the Star Trek movie franchise. The futuristic crew interacting with life in 1986 works well, and makes this one of the better Star Trek movies. I recommend watching The Voyage Home best as the ending to the linked trilogy of films, but as I first saw it without having seen any previous Star Trek movies, I think that it also works well as a standalone installment.

Also See...
Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
Star Trek III: The Search For Spock (1984)
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989)
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991)
Star Trek: Generations (1994)

*This comic run picks up from where The Search For Spock left off, so is an alternate Star Trek story to The Voyage Home.

Star Trek III: The Search For Spock (1984)

"My God, Bones. What have I done?"
"What you had to do, what you always do. Turn death into a fighting chance to live."

Director(s): Leonard Nimoy
IMDb Page: Star Trek III: The Search For Spock (1984)
Additional Link 1: Comic Adaptation
Additional Link 2: Audiobook Adaptation

Part of a Franchise?...
Star Trek III: The Search For Spock is the third of six movies to star all of the main Star Trek original series cast, and the second in a trilogy of linked films in the franchise. It is also the first of two Star Trek films to be directed by Leonard Nimoy.

Watch or Drop?...
The Search For Spock eventually sees Spock resurrected, because Leonard Nimoy regretted his decision to never play Spock again after Wrath of Khan. I'm not sure what the plans were for a third Star Trek film had Nimoy opted not to return as Spock, but what we have in The Search For Spock, is a decent sequel to Wrath of Khan. It's not a great film, but it works well at bringing Spock back from the dead. Definitely watch it if you enjoyed Wrath of Khan, but don't go into it thinking that it'll be as good.

Also See...
Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986)
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989)
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991)
Star Trek: Generations (1994)

My Years, in Films - 1989

1989 was the year I transitioned from year 2 to year 3 of secondary school, and turned 14. I remember there being a trip to York, mainly to visit the then-new Jorvik Viking Centre, but I was unable to go. I've since visited York a few times, and the Jorvik Viking Centre twice.

The 1989 Batman movie was a global phenomenon. Besides watching the film, you could play the computer game, eat the cereal and bubblegum, listen to the soundtrack album, read the comic adaptation, play with the action figures, and buy countless other merchandise. I saw Batman in my local cinema with a friend and his Dad, and particularly remember it stopping around halfway through for an intermission. A film that short doesn't get one nowadays. I've seen most of the various Batman movies released since, but this one remains my favourite. Although 2023's The Flash movie wasn't brilliant, it was great to see Michael Keaton back in the Batcave one more time.

Franchise Index

#

A

B
Batman
Batman '89

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J
Jaws

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R
RoboCop

S
Star Trek: The Original Series
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Wars
Superman/Supergirl

T

U

V

W

X

Y

Z

My Years, in Films - 1983

May the 4th be with you! Going back to school and the cinema, to celebrate Star Wars Day

1983 was the year I transitioned from the infants to the juniors in primary school, and turned 8. I initially didn't enjoy the transition, but settled into my new class by the end of the year.

Return of the Jedi, in its initial cut, was the first Star Wars film I ever watched at the cinema, so I consider it to be the installment that first got me into Star Wars. I'm not sure when I first saw A New Hope, but I think it may have been on TV in the run up to ...Jedi being released.  After seeing ...Jedi, I collected many of the original Kenner Star Wars figures and vehicles, and most issues of Marvel UK's Return of the Jedi comic, which reprinted many of the older Star Wars comic adventures. I also remember doing a Return of the Jedi project in school, which involved the creation of a Chewbacca picture, incorporating brown wool. A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back are better, but I'll always have a soft spot for Return of the Jedi, being the film which kicked off my Star Wars fandom.

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)

"Are you out of your Vulcan mind?  No human can tolerate the radiation that's in there!"
"As you are so fond of observing, Doctor, I am not human."

Director(s): Nicholas Meyer
IMDb Page: Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
Additional Link 1: Khan: Ruling in Hell Comic - Parts 1, 2, 3 & 4
Additional Link 2: Comic Adaptation Parts 1, 2 & 3
Additional Link 3: Audiobook Adaptation

Part of a Franchise?...
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan is the second of six movies to star all of the main Star Trek original series cast, and is a direct sequel to the series episode Space Seed. It also begins a trilogy of linked films in the franchise, and is the first of two Star Trek films to be directed by Nicholas Meyer.

Watch or Drop?...
The Wrath of Khan is generally considered as being the best Star Trek movie. It's not my particular favourite, but I consider it as being a great sequel to Space Seed, and definitely rate it as being one of the more essential Star Trek films to watch. Definitely watch Space Seed first, then read the Ruling in Hell comic run, which fills in the gap between that episode and this film.

Also See...
Star Trek: TOS - Space Seed (1969)
Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)
Star Trek III: The Search For Spock (1984)
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986)
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989)
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991)
Star Trek: Generations (1994)
Star Trek Into Darkness (2013)

Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)

"Evaluation, Mr. Spock."
"Fascinating."

Director(s): Robert Wise
IMDb Page: Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)
Additional Link 1: Comic Adaptation
Additional Link 2: Echoes Comic - Parts 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5
Additional Link 3: Audiobook Adaptation

Part of a Franchise?...
Star Trek: The Motion Picture is the first of six movies to star all of the main Star Trek original series cast. It was released following the success of other sci-fi movies, such as Star Wars two years prior, and the plot is adapted from the abandoned pilot of the proposed Star Trek: Phase II TV series. Two characters clearly inspired Riker and Troi in Star Trek: The Next Generation, and fans of that series will instantly recognise this film's main theme.

Watch or Drop?...
The Motion Picture isn't one of the better Star Trek movies, but it's not the worst either. Watch the Director's Cut, which is generally considered to be the best version of the film. You won't be missing out if you watch it on Blu-ray, as the special features include all the scenes cut from the original theatrical version. 

Also See...
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
Star Trek III: The Search For Spock (1984)
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986)
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989)
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991)
Star Trek: Generations (1994)