Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan  (1982)

Theatrical Release Information:
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan

Because it is the simplest of the Star Trek theatrical films, Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan is fondly regarded as being the closest in spirit to the 1966-69 TV series that spawned it. William Shatner plays Admiral Kirk (remember his promotion?) who escapes the tedium of a desk job to join Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy) and Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy (DeForest Kelley) on a space mission. While boldly going where no man etc. etc., Kirk crosses the path of his old enemy Khan (Ricardo Montalban), who as any diehard Trekker can tell you was the chief antagonist in the 1966 Trek TV episode "Space Seed." Leading a crew of near-savage space prisoners, Khan insinuates himself into the Genesis Project, which is designed to introduce living organisms on long-dead planets. Intending to harness this program for his own despotic purposes, Khan engages in battle with the Enterprise crew. Only through the self-sacrifice of Mr. Spock is Khan disposed of. The shock of Spock's death is softened by the hindsight realization that he will be reborn in the subsequent Star Trek 3: The Search for Spock. Originally released at 113 minutes, this was expanded somewhat for network TV showings. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide