Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (DVD, 2002, 2-Disc Set, Director's Edition)

"Ah, Kirk, my old friend... do you know the old Klingon proverb that says revenge is a dish that is best served cold? It is very cold... in space."

If there's one important thing to know about drama and conflict, it's that great heroes require great villains. And there has been no better villain, in any incarnation of Star Trek, than Khan. Engineered for super intelligence and strength, he's almost impossible to beat. As played by Ricardo Montalban, he's brooding, sly, witty and extremely dangerous. Whatever else you think of Montalban ("Ah yes, Tatoo..."), he's simply amazing here. And William Shatner gives what I think is his best performance in this film as Kirk, matching Khan round for round, and blow for blow.

In short, unlike the first movie this one feels like Star Trek. If The Motion Picture was a shot glass of Robitussin, Wrath of Khan is a Bombay Sapphire gin & tonic chilled just so with a slice of lime.

What makes this a "Director's Edition"? This version is the extended cut similar (but not identical) to the version that aired on ABC-TV several years ago. Only a few minutes' worth of new footage is noticeable, and while none of it changes any fundamentals, it's good to have the facts about Scotty's nephew back again, and some scenes are extended in ways that add to their content in appreciable ways. Further, the truly devoted Khan aficionado will notice a number of scenes that have always been there but are now present as different takes — subtle differences in line delivery or blocking or camera angles will keep hardcore groupies leaning forward on the sofa. On the commentary track, Meyer states that this is his preferred final cut of the film.

The Wrath of Khan features two the best starship designs ever in Star Trek's illustrious history. The Constitution Class Refit Starship Enterprise and the Miranda Class Starship Reliant (which looks like a stripped down version of the heavy cruiser with a rollbar that just screams hot rod in space).

Until the Blu-Ray version of this fantastic movie is released, this is the definitive Star Trek movie to own with many, many extras on a second disc.

1) The Captain's Log: A 27-minute documentary featuring brand new interviews with Leonard Nimoy, William Shatner, director Nicholas Meyer, Ricardo Montalban, and others. They talk about how they originally intended to put the film together, how they eventually ended up completing that task, and other things.
2) Designing Khan: A 23-minute documentary that features interviews with director Nicholas Meyers, the costume designer, and the production designer. They discuss the transitions they made in costume and production design from the ST:TMP to ST2:TWOK.
3) Visual Effects: An 18-minute featurette that has interviews with the FX crew. They explain how they executed and completed the FX shots. (Big surprise there)
4) The Star Trek Universe: A 28-minute documetary that features interviews with two Star Trek novel writers. They discuss how they fill in the gaps between the movies with their books and where they get their ideas.
5) Original Interviews: Basically 10 minutes of interviews (from 1982) featuring William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Ricardo Montalban, and Deforest Kelley.
6) Archives: The archives feature 10 original storyboard sequences. (That sure beats the storyboard archives on the ST:TMP DVD, which features a mere 3 storyboard sequences.) There is also a thatrical trailer.

Argueably the best ST film ever.

I have watched this twice already, it is a must - have for any Trekkie movie collection as it hightlights all the best of what Trek is about - action, humour, the inevitable moral issue, a genius Supervillian and the heroic crew of the USS Enterprise. The Director's Edition is an extended cut that comes with a 2nd disc that includes cast interviews and background to the story of how Khan and his people came to be.

I bought it because I am a trekkie and my old VHS copy was done. It was well worth what I spent on it and I would do it again!

If you only own one Star Trek movie this should be the one.

Contains the greatest acting of William Shatner's Star Trek career !!!

I call myself a Trekkie, but I didn't own any of the movies since converting to DVD, I put off buying all my VHS movies in DVD for finacial reasons, but I slowing started to buy certain movies in DVD again a few years ago & when it came down to buying my Star Trek movies again I decided to buy one to start ...

Well it was an easy decision to make ...

If you're going to show a non-trekkie one Star Trek movie this should be the one, it has all the original characters, it has action, phasers, fistfights & Star Ship combat !!! Plus all the scenes with Khan.

This is the best acting as Cpt. Kirk ever

I hope everyone enjoys this the greatest Star Trek Movie !!!

I WILL NEVER FORGET CAPTAIN KIRK SCREAMING KHAN!!! MAN WAS HE MAD.STAR TREK 2 THE WRATH OF KHAN IS THE BEST OF THE 6 ORIGINAL STAR TREK MOVIES THE STROY LINE WAS GREAT THE ACTION WAS NAIL BITTING AS THE ENTERPRISE TOOK A HARD SURPRISE ATTACK FROM KHAN USEING THE RELIANT. A NECK TO NECK GAMBLING BATTLE IN THE NEBULA ALL THEY CAN RELAY ON IS INSTINCT IN THE DARK BLINDING NEBULA.AS KAHN SAID FROM HELLS HART I STAB AT THEE SAYING HIS LAST WORDS BEFORE DESTROYING THE GENESIS TUBE.THIS DVD HAS GREAT DIGITAL RESTORATION.I MUST HAVE FOR ANY COLLECTOR OR STAR TREK FAN THIS WAS THE ONLY ONE THAT I HAVE WATCHED 6 TIMES.AS TO BOLDLY GO WHERE NO ONE HAS GONE BEFORE.THIS WAS THE GREATEST OF THE ORIGINAL 6 MOVIES.

What can you say about the acting styles of William Shatner and Ricardo Montalban. It is strictly the preference of stoners and comedy fans. They are not bad actors just stylized and perfectly cheesed out. I love this movie everytime I see it. Out of all the Star Trek films, original and Next Generation, Start Trek the Motion Picture and The Wrath of Kahn stand out as serious attempts to make good movies. Everything after that was done with the intention of serving swill to Star Trek fans. The plot is exciting. The special effects are cheesy but good for their time and not unwatchable. A thin Kirsti Ali? Hmmm. Makes you remember she was at one time a sex symbol. I would buy this again.