Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984)

Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984)

[7] Spock himself, Leonard Nimoy, jumps into the director's chair for The Search for Spock, which picks up immediately after the events of The Wrath of Khan. When Kirk (William Shatner) learns that Spock's soul has been transferred to McCoy…
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)

[8] Captain Kirk (William Shatner), Spock (Leonard Nimoy), Bones (DeForest Kelley) and the rest of the Enterprise's bridge crew return in this sequel that better captures the spirit of the original TV show than the previous feature film. Khan Noonien…
Star Trek: First Contact (1996)

Star Trek: First Contact (1996)

[8] This is the best of the Next Generation films, in large part because it deals with one of Star Trek's most formidable foes, the Borg. The movie also incorporates a subplot involving warp drive inventor Zephram Cochran (James Cromwell)…
Star Trek: Insurrection (1998)

Star Trek: Insurrection (1998)

[7] Insurrection is a safe, unremarkable entry in the Next Generation film series that doesn't aspire to anything greater than what the TV show accomplished week after week. The storyline, featuring a planet of eternal youth and a conspiracy to…
Star Trek: Nemesis (2002)

Star Trek: Nemesis (2002)

[6] SPOILER REVIEW. The Next Generation crew go out on a relatively low note, but not a whimper. Aside from the wedding of Riker and Troi early in the film, Nemesis is an uncharacteristically dark entry in the franchise. The…
Star Trek: Beyond (2016)

Star Trek: Beyond (2016)

[8] J.J. Abrams hands the reigns to director Justin Lin (director of several Fast and Furious movies), working from a script co-written by Scotty (Simon Pegg). The result? A damn solid entry in the Star Trek franchise, possibly the best…
Star Trek Into Darkness (2013)

Star Trek Into Darkness (2013)

[7]

Mild Spoilers Ahead!

J.J. Abrams (TV’s Lost and Alias) serves up a second, solid entry in the rebooted Star Trek franchise. Into Darkness is equal parts action and character-driven charm, with an emotional climax and a terrific villainous performance from Benedict Cumberbatch. You don’t have to be a Trekkie to enjoy this flick, but it will add immeasurably to your enjoyment if you’re familiar with the original crew’s feature films, particulary Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. If you want to bring it out for inspection, the film does have something to contribute to a discussion on terrorism, but Abrams’ approach is decidedly less didactic than Gene Roddenberry’s. This Star Trek is just for summer movie entertainment.