Although there have been thousands of science fiction films released over the past 100 years, only a handful are required viewing for film buffs. In addition to Fritz Lang's 1927 classic `Metropolis,' Stanley Kubrick's `2001: A Space Odyssey' and the original `Planet of the Apes' epic released in 1968, `Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn' is a standout in the genre. The 23rd century-set adventures of the Federation Starship U.S.S. Enterprise - while often entertaining and insightful - rarely were displayed with the kind of cinematic greatness in 1982 under the capable direction of Nicholas Meyer. `The Wrath of Kahn' revisits a storyline that was started in the original 1960s television series (in the first season episode `Space Seed'), where the leader of a genetic super race of humans led by Khan (Ricardo Montalban) escapes from the dying world where he was left by James T. Kirk (William Shatner) and takes control of another Federation starship. Rather then flee, Khan decides to pursue a course of vengeance against Kirk and the Enterprise while also stealing a top-secret scientific project known as Project Genesis. The movie never falters, nor does this impressive Director's Edition of the classic first released in 1982. The print and sound featured on the 2003-issued Director's Edition DVD are wonderful, and the many insights into the production prove to be icing on the cake. Extras include commentary by director Nicholas Meyer; text commentary by Michael Okuda (co-author of `The Star Trek Encyclopedia'); `The Captain's Log' featuring new cast & crew interviews with Meyer, Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Ricardo Montalban and writer Harve Bennett; trailer; original interviews with Deforrest Kelley, Shatner, Nimoy and Montalban; storyboard archives; `Designing Khan' featurette; and much more.
Review of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
