Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
A film review by Joel B. Kirk
SYNOPSIS:
Kirk and company voyage back in time to San Francisco in 1986 to bring
two humpback whales back to the future in order to speak with a probe
that is slowly destroying Earth.
MY TAKE:
Where the previous films somber, this entry would be set to be a bit
lighter headed, with a crew from the 23rd century-the Enterprise
crew--interacting with 20th century Earth.
Leonard Nimoy, who did a competent job with the previous picture,
would prove to hit success a second time with this entry. He returns
as director, and contributes to the story idea.
Even more so than the first film, each of the crew members are given
something to do, as each has to break into groups to locate the near
extinct humpback whales they are to bring back with them to the 23rd
century. However, not much is given on the mysterious probe that
attacks Earth; although, that does little to deter from the storyline.
Returning also is Robin Curtis as Lt. Saavik, Jane Wyatt as Spock's
mother Amanda, and Mark Lenard as Spock's father, Sarek.
An idea was thrown around to have Eddie Murphy join this time around,
in the part that would eventually go to Catherine Hicks, but Paramount
deemed it necessary not to combine their two biggest moneymakers. Not
too mention, Murphy might have dominated the film to begin with.
POSITIVE/NEGATIVE NITPICKS:
James Horner is not present this time around as film composer. Leonard
Rosenman (who notably scored Ralph Bakshi's LORD OF THE RINGS in 1978)
provides a strong light-hearted score suitable for the film's tone.
The late actress Madge Sinclair would make history as the first female
Captain shown in Star Trek, and the second ship Captain that happened
to be Black (Paul Winfield being the first from STAR TREK II). This is
notable due to the fact that Star Trek is still produced by
individuals in the 20th century, in a time where heroes of color:
African-American, Asian-American, Hispanic-American, are too few.
Robert Ellenstein who portrays the Federation President, may be
remembered as one of the thugs who kidnaps Cary Grant in 1959's NORTH
BY NORTHWEST. Also, like many of the individuals who make appearances
in the Trek universes, he returns as a different character in the
second incarnation, Star Trek: The Next Generation-in an episode
titled ‘Haven.'
Catherine Hicks, who portrays Gillian Taylor and another Star Trek
alumni, Stephen Collins (who portrayed Will Decker from STAR TREK: THE
MOTION PICTURE) would star with one another in television's 7th
Heaven.
FINAL COMMENTS:
This ends the ‘trilogy' of films that begun with STAR TREK II: THE
WRATH OF KHAN. This film has fun, not insulting the audience or the
people who have been with Star Trek since the beginning. Yes, there is
a major plot hole that isn't explained: The probe and it's origin.
However, you can come away from this picture feeling like you've had a
good time.
MY RATING:
***1/2 out of *****
DIRECTOR:
Leonard Nimoy
WRITER(S):
Leonard Nimoy & Harve Bennett (story)
Steve Meerson (screenplay)
Peter Krikes (screenplay)
Harve Bennett (screenplay)
Nicholas Meyer (screenplay)
CAST:
William Shatner-Captain James T. Kirk
Leonard Nimoy-Spock
DeForest Kelley-Dr. Leonard H. McCoy
James Doohan-Montgomery Scott
George Takei-Hikaru Sulu
Walter Koenig-Pavel A. Chekov
Nichelle Nichols-Uhura
Jane Wyatt-Amanda
Catherine Hicks-Dr. Gillian Taylor
Mark Lenard-Sarek
Robin Curtis-Lt. Saavik
Robert Ellenstein-Federation President
John Shuck-Klingon Ambassador
Brock Peters-Admiral Cartwright
GENRE:
Sci-fi/Action/Adventure
RUNNING TIME:
119 minutes
YEAR OF RELEASE:
1986 by Paramount Pictures
EMAIL:
joelkirk@sbcglobal.net
Copyright 2004 Joel B. Kirk
========== X-RAMR-ID: 37460 X-Language: en X-RT-ReviewID: 1268280 X-RT-TitleID: 1019864 X-RT-AuthorID: 9404 X-RT-RatingText: 3.5/5
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