Star Trek: The Voyage Home (1986)

 

It is often said that from the original run of Star Trek-films, the even numbered ones are the best. 

This seems to be true. And even though 'The Wrath of Khan' is an exceptional entry in the series, this fourth installment is a lot of fun in a more goofy way, which might also make it the most Star Trek-y film in the series, actually.

Our story picks up about three months after the events of the third. Our main characters are still in self-imposed exile on Vulcan, but they decide to head for Earth and face the consequences for disobeying their superior officers. But in the meantime, a massive alien probe is heading for Earth, sending out signals no one can decipher. What's even worse: ships are rendered completely helpless because of it. It gets even worse, because as the probe positions itself above the planet, it is wreaking havoc with the weather. Heck, things could get so bad as to destroy every last living thing on Earth. 

Through a bit of clever deduction, our heroes figure out that the signals are sent to the oceans and are actually aimed at humpback whales, who unfortunately have become extinct. Thus, the crew hatch a mad plan to attempt time travel to the late 20th century in order to find some whales and bring them back alive to save the future. 

Yes, it is a time travel plot. Yes, it is silly. Yes, it is also fun and so in line with the spirit of the series.

Of course, they end up in San Francisco in the 1980s, where they stick out like a sore thumb as none of these people are familiar with the customs of the time. Well, maybe except for Kirk, but that can be explained as history was always something of an interest to him. But still, seeing them act out the 'fish out of water' ideas is pretty darn funny. Through a stroke of luck, they also find two humpback whales at the Cetacean Institute and they want to take these back. But dr Gillian, the person in charge of the care for the whales, is pretty sceptical because, you know: aliens and such. Through some shenanigans, they eventually manage to bring the whales back to the 23rd century and so save the planet. 

This one is a lot less serious than the previous entries and plays out more like a comedy than an action adventure, but that is okay. The series needed something different for a change, so it wouldn't become stale. That, coupled with a strong script actually gives this an edge and it is surprisingly engaging for its ideas. Sure, there is some conservationism involved and the message does hit home, but it is never preachy. What is really funny, is of course how the crew have no idea how to blend in. I mean, Chekov walking around in San Francisco at that time asking where the nuclear vessels are: it is hilarious if you know about the Cold War at that time. Spock trying to incorporate profanities? Hilarious. McCoy bitching about medieval torture when visiting a state-of-the-art hospital? Same.

I guess that sums up this film the best: it's just a lot of fun and it is highly entertaining. It's as silly as a bag of cats, but that's the charm and strength of it. Sure, it might be more fun for fans of the show anyway, but give it a try. A warning though: it feels more complete if you have seen 2 and 3 beforehand.