Star Trek as a revenge tragedy is wonderful. The movie, with it's many highs and lows, moves at a quick pace. And some of the levity that was clearly missing from the first movie is back. That's not to say it's a humorous movie. At the heart of it all is a wonderful melodrama involving Kirk trying to recapture his past glories as a starship commander and coming to terms with the presence of his son and the death of his best friend. It's a shame that most people overlook this subtle performance in favor of his way-over-the-top `Khaaaan!!!!' (which actually turns out to be a performance staged for Khan's benefit). Speaking of which, I don't think there's been a cooler Trek villain then Khan Noonien Singh. Ricardo Montalban is wonderful.
James Horner's score is great. And the dramatic moments are perfectly done. I'll never forget the moment near the end, when Kirk hears McCoy's broken voice over the intercom and then notices Spock's empty seat. The look on Kirk's face, the look that says he suddenly knows what's happened to his friend, hits you like a sledgehammer.
James Horner's score is great. And the dramatic moments are perfectly done. I'll never forget the moment near the end, when Kirk hears McCoy's broken voice over the intercom and then notices Spock's empty seat. The look on Kirk's face, the look that says he suddenly knows what's happened to his friend, hits you like a sledgehammer.