The fourth installment of the long running movie franchise based on the original 1960s TV show is different, but good. "Star Trek IV" is an example of the "fish out of water" comedies popular in the 1980s (humour derived by putting characters in unfamiliar locales - such as in "Crocodile Dundee" and "Down and Out in Beverly Hills"). This makes "Star Trek IV" unlike the other films in the series, but it works because "Star Trek" was always about ideas and characters instead of action sequences and special effects and also because the jokes are actually funny.
"Star Trek IV's" plot is pure contrivance. After angering both Starfleet and the Klingons because of their actions in "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock", Adm. James T. Kirk (William Shatner) and his officers prepare to return to Earth and face the music. However, before arriving home they learn that a mysterious, energy-draining probe is threatening to destroy the world unless it can communicate with the humpback whales it has been sent to find. Since whales are extinct in the 23rd century, Kirk and company go back in time to 1985 San Francisco to retrieve some.
The whole bit with the alien probe is kind of a rip off of the first "Star Trek" picture (which itself borrowed heavily from a couple of old TV episodes), but that's not really the focus of the film. Instead it's the time travel, comedic, and environmentalist elements. As directed by Mr. Spock himself, Leonard Nimoy, "Star Trek IV" strikes the right tone of light hearted fun without becoming too campy. While it does become a little too preachy at times (especially from Catherine Hicks as a marine biologist Kirk befriends), it's hard not to like this goofy sci-fi lark that nicely exploits the cast's encounters with 20th century culture and technology.
7 out of 10.
"Star Trek IV's" plot is pure contrivance. After angering both Starfleet and the Klingons because of their actions in "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock", Adm. James T. Kirk (William Shatner) and his officers prepare to return to Earth and face the music. However, before arriving home they learn that a mysterious, energy-draining probe is threatening to destroy the world unless it can communicate with the humpback whales it has been sent to find. Since whales are extinct in the 23rd century, Kirk and company go back in time to 1985 San Francisco to retrieve some.
The whole bit with the alien probe is kind of a rip off of the first "Star Trek" picture (which itself borrowed heavily from a couple of old TV episodes), but that's not really the focus of the film. Instead it's the time travel, comedic, and environmentalist elements. As directed by Mr. Spock himself, Leonard Nimoy, "Star Trek IV" strikes the right tone of light hearted fun without becoming too campy. While it does become a little too preachy at times (especially from Catherine Hicks as a marine biologist Kirk befriends), it's hard not to like this goofy sci-fi lark that nicely exploits the cast's encounters with 20th century culture and technology.
7 out of 10.