Star Trek Retrospective: Star Trek The Motion Picture, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock

The longevity of Star Trek is somewhat amazing at this point. Since the original series debuted in 1966, Gene Roddenberry's creation has continued to churn out T.V. shows, movies, and fans for five decades. So with the latest Star Trek film about the hit theaters (Star Trek Beyond) about to hit theaters, I thought I would comb through the series' feature films to filter out the highlights and the lowlights. Today we begin with the first three films featuring the original crew.

Star Trek The Motion Picture

The first Star Trek movie revisits the reunited Enterprise crew as they seek out a deadly alien alien entity known as V'Ger. However, with so much time away from his beloved ship, the question remains whether Kirk is properly suited to captain the ship and strop the threat.

When this movie first came out it nearly derailed any chances of another Star Trek film ever being released. Probably because it's a bit of a slog. Instead of being full of action, big character moments, or humor, the movie plays out like an extended episode of the television show, which philosophizes on the nature of humanity and life itself. The only true action scene I can remember is an attempt by the first mate to stop something mind-warp in an effect so dated I thought it was Spaceballs' "They've gone to plaid!" moment.

Another thing that ebbed on me is the collection of long and loving pans of the ships. I swear the first time they arrive on the Enterprise it takes them five minutes to take it in before Kirk even reaches the bridge. I'm all for a ship-based glory shot but that's a bit much.

Dull and a bit lifeless, the original Star Trek Motion Picture feels like a necessary viewing for completitonists but no one else.

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan

The second Star Trek turns up the action as Captain Kirk and company are lured into a trap set by Khan Noonien Singh, an old enemy with a desire to make Kirk suffer. Separated from help, the Enterprise crew will have to out maneuver Khan and keep a potentially devastating piece of technology out of his hands.

This is widely considered by many fans to be the best original crew Star Trek film and it's easy to see why. This movie is littered with iconic moments from Kirk's legendarily over the top "Kahn!" to Spock's sacrifice and plenty more. It's also a movie that's built for entertainment. 

The titular villain played by Ricardo Montalbán is legitimately terrifying and properly motivated. The stakes are clearly very high, and the film emphasizes Krik's abilities as a commander and tactician vs. a fist-fighter as his saving grace. The film also gets props in the creepiness category for the mind-controlling eels as well.

Emotional, entertaining, and iconic, this remains my favorite film from the original Star Trek cast.

Star Trek III: The Search For Spock

Picking up where the last film left off, the Enterprise is attempting to limp back home when they discover that Spock's spirit may still be alive within Dr. Bones. However, in their attempt to unite Spock's mind and soul with a newly created body, they run afoul of a rogue Klingon set upon obtaining the potentially destructive Genesis device.

Continuations with a previously covered storyline are always a bit difficult. You're duty bound to address a number of open loops from the previous film and that can frequently get in the way of creating something truly engaging. The Search for Spock does this in a fairly admirable but disjointed fashion. 

The movie feels like two storylines from the previous film that just happen to merge: the attempt to save Bones and Spock and the necessary villain who just happens to have Spock's new body. This kind of works but it does mean the film juggles a dual identity with something more playful as Bones acts strange and the crew defies orders to get the Enterprise and then a Kirk revenge tale once he gets on the surface of the planet formed in the last movie. It all feels a little manipulative.

There's still some fun to be had though. Shatner gets some fun moments of overreacting, and many of the crew members to show off their prowess better than the previous film (George Taikei taking out a guard that calls him "Tiny" is a memorable moment in my mind).

A lesser entry your entertainment value for this movie will likely come from individual moments rather than the product as a whole, but it's still a solid showcase for this talented cast.