Ranking the Science Fiction Merits of the Original Series Star Trek Movies

What does science fiction merit mean. How about an idea that makes you think and helps bring sense to the world we live in. Star Trek qualifies on many counts so here’s my TOS movie rankings from six to one.

Tie 5th : The Wrath of Khan and The Search of Spock

Obviously Star Trek II is the best of all the movies, and the savior of the franchise. Kirk kicking ass and out thinking the evil Khan surely made us soar. But I was never really that taken with the whole needs of the many moniker. I thought Spock’s Vulcan logic was a naive way to see our Earth, and this comes from a liberal who believes that we must eventually settle into Democratic Socialism. So while the collective good has its place, equal consideration must be given to how individuality has raised the level of humanity. The fifth place tie emerges because Star Trek III provides the counter narrative, but I’m still not taken with the necessity of the entire argument.

4. Star Trek V : The Final Frontier

I keep hearing that The Final Frontier could have been a better movie. The special effects were cut and much of Shatner’s vision never emerged. The aging cast also helped verify that “galloping about the cosmos is a game for the young.” Still, we gain by realizing that the relentless pursuit of daily life and career puts limits on friendship and family. “This is who they are, didn't you know?” Sybok implores.

Revealing the true essence of Spock and McCoy, the emotional Vulcan shames their distant Captain. But the failed search for God really carries the load. “Maybe He's not out there, Bones. Maybe He's right here... in the human heart.”

The sentiment matters whether you believe or not. In other words, if you’re searching for God, truth, or any of the great questions, Kirk’s wisdom provides a good place to start.

3. Star Trek VI : The Undiscovered Country

When I saw Oliver Stone’s JFK, the content kept me mumbling the same refrain - Star Trek VI : The Undiscovered Country. “People can be very frightened of change,” Kirk’s insight works for both movies.

A violent conflict’s end and dialing down the cold war is bad for business. Conspiracy or not, the proof is in a military industrial complex that continues to stranglehold our society, foreign policy and economy.

The economics seem a little kinder in the 23rd Century so the convergence of powerful forces emanates around ideology, hate and familiarity. “Some people are afraid ...of what might happen. I was terrified. No more Neutral Zone. I was used to hating Klingons,” Kirk confesses.

Of course, others on both sides aren’t able to identify their own irrationality so Kirk comes to their rescue. “It's about the future, Madam Chancellor. Some people think the future means the end of history,” he saves the galaxy again.

Pretty cool stuff but I can’t help mention that I’m not a big fan of The Undiscovered Country. The ancient cast again strains the believability, and the Enterprise warping around the galaxy to solve a murder - it just didn’t fly for me.

2. Star Trek IV : The Voyage Home

By my recollection, global warming hadn’t yet entered the lexicon. It was just on the horizon, though, and the environmentally themed installment was better than a head of its time. The Voyage Home was actually in step with the moment. Yeah, yeah, whaling isn’t directly tied to the warming of the planet but “short-sightedness” goes a long way.

A probe arrives, and an extinction level event rains down. Not so fast, according to Spock. “Most unusual. An unknown form of energy of great power and intelligence. Evidently unaware that its transmissions are disruptive. I find it illogical that its intentions could be hostile.”

A little jockeying and our minds are blown. “As suspected, the Probe's transmissions are the songs sung by whales,” Spock reveals.

Extinct long ago, we have a lot of explaining to do, and I thought for sure that Spock would figure out a way to answer. The conversation would have been fascinating. But in the interest of big screen action/adventure, a sling shot around the sun had to do and still worked out across the board.

1. Star Trek : The Motion Picture

After a 10 year wander through the rerun desert, Star Trek:TMP is the gold standard. For this wayward probe, the firepower pales in comparison to any hidden message. But despite the potential for pyrotechnics, TMP contains the action and sticks to the old formula.

The exploration is mostly confined to the bridge of the Enterprise, and the human soul is the subject. Vger stands in for the study - and despite the learned journey - it's not above a crisis of conscience. "Is this all that I am, is there nothing more," Spock voices the mechanism’s disposition.

Vast intelligence, though, doesn’t exempt the lost soul from growing impatient in pursuit of its needs. “V'Ger is a child, I suggest you treat it as such” Spock clarifies Vger's pain.

And when Vger’s origins are startlingly revealed, it’s understand that we can’t go forward until we go back. “What VGer needs in order to evolve is a human quality,” and the tie to Spock’s journey reinforces what we were all waiting for…

The Human Adventure is Just Beginning.

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