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Widely considered the best movie in the "classic
Trek" series of feature films,
Star Trek IV returns to one of the favorite themes of the original TV series--time travel--to bring Kirk, Spock, McCoy, Scotty, Sulu, Uhura, and Chekov from the 23rd century to present-day San Francisco. In their own time, the Starfleet heroes encounter an alien probe emitting a mysterious message--a message delivered in the song of the now-extinct Earth species of humpback whales. Failure to respond to the probe will result in Earth's destruction, so Kirk and company time-travel to 20th-century Earth--in their captured Klingon starship--to transport a humpback whale to the future in an effort to peacefully communicate with the alien probe. The plot sounds somewhat absurd in description, but as executed by returning director Leonard Nimoy, this turned out to be a crowd-pleasing adventure, filled with humor and lively interaction among the favorite Star Trek characters. Catherine Hicks (from TV's
7th Heaven) plays the 20th-century whale expert who is finally convinced of Kirk's and Spock's benevolent intentions. With ample comedy taken from the clash of future heroes with 20th-century urban realities,
Star Trek IV was a box-office smash, satisfying mainstream audiences and hardcore
Trek fans alike.
--Jeff Shannon
Additional Features
The
Star Trek Special Editions produce a solid amount of fresh material, and this chapter, produced 16 years after the film, is no exception. Through optional subtitles, the authors of
The Star Trek Encyclopedia give us blow-by-blow facts of behind-the-scenes action, reveal flubs, and balance the series lore with pithy injections of humor. Anyone who considers Leonard Nimoy/Spock and William Shatner/Kirk "friends" will certainly enjoy their casual commentary track. The second disc has a new 30-minute look at the making of the film but is better when it ruminates on the scientific ideas presented in the story, as told by a variety of experts. The segment with sound designer Michael J. Benavente is a must-see for anyone who wonders how all those sounds are created.
--Doug Thomas
DVD ~ Nicholas Meyer
DVD ~ William Shatner
DVD ~ Robert Wise
