Star Trek movie guide

THE MOTION PICTURE **
Despite having robert wise (THE SOUND OF MUSIC, WEST SIDE STORY) at the helm, this ponderous film might best be appreciated on methamphetamines. It's not as bad as its reputation - if you adjust your attitude and can get comfortable with character-heavy, deliberate pacing, it can even be enjoyable. Stephen collins shines as will decker, and persis khambatta proves that bald women are the sexiest force in the universe.
THE WRATH OF KHAN ****
Shatner and ricardo montalban enact a revenge tale of shakespearean proportions. Add a mind-killing worm in chekov's ear and maybe the greatest death scene in movie history, and you have the best TREK film ever. See http://nakedmeadow.blogspot.com/2011/11/wrath-of-khan.html
THE SEARCH FOR SPOCK ***
It suffers a bit from the contrivance of resurrection, and having to tred in giant spacebootprints. But despite occasional lags, a decent effort. They steal the Enterprise! Christopher lloyd's bloodthirsty klingon shines...they kill kirk's son! Robin curtis is underappreciated as one of TREKdom's three best vulcans. De kelley's finest (movie) hour. And the fiery destruction of the Enterprise A!
THE VOYAGE HOME ****
The little movie that could. Character-driven + story + humor = winner. Our heroes bumble around modern day San Francisco, amused and horrified by the barbaric natives. Catherine hicks finds kirk heavenly...well, who wouldn't? Double dumbass on you.
THE FINAL FRONTIER *
Ew. Well, there actually are fine moments...the kirk/spock/mccoy camping scenes are a hoot...but of the million and three things that have to go right to make a great movie, too many just didn't. Laurence luckinbill is a gamer as spock's half-brother, but the script founders, and spock's feelings about emotions do a pointless U-turn from the previous film.
THE UNDISCOVERED COUNTRY ****
Of all the TREK films, this one comes closest to the impact of the original show. As the real-world Berlin Wall was coming down, kirk must face peace with the klingons, and doesn't know how to stop hating. Christopher plummer is fantastic as the villain all too delighted to sabotage a fragile truce. David warner shines as the ill-fated chancellor gorkon. Sulu gets his own ship!
GENERATIONS ***
A bit awkward, despite fantastic performances. Would a ninety-minute patrick stewart monologue have been too much? Data gets emotions, and it nearly kills him. Malcolm mcdowell's villain doesn't hit a single false note. And shatner picks up the death scene glove nimoy laid down, and acquits himself honorably.
FIRST CONTACT ****
Fantastic pacing, fantastic performances, fantastic visuals, fantastic...everything. Alice krige gives a powerhouse performance as the borg queen who beds data. James cromwell is pitch-perfect as zefram cochrane. Alfre woodard shines as lily, and stewart's "no farther" monologue is towering.
INSURRECTION ****
The NEXT GEN film that most evokes the original series. Every cast member shines. F. murray abraham oozes hatred. Donna murphy creates the most beautiful character in franchise history. Full review: http://nakedmeadow.blogspot.com/2012/03/star-trek-insurrection_24.html
NEMESIS ***
So close to greatness...it was right there for the taking, and the producers balked (and not just because they left wil wheaton's one line on the cutting room floor). Full review:
http://nakedmeadow.blogspot.com/2009/01/nemesis.html
STAR TREK *
I've met STAR TREK. You sir, are no STAR TREK. Why, leonard, oh why? Ditto for the re-boot sequel. See: http://nakedmeadow.blogspot.com/2010/01/star-trek.html and http://nakedmeadow.blogspot.com/2015/08/star-trek-into-darkness.html
Bonus: GALAXY QUEST
TREK in all but name, a brilliant parody of the highest order. You don't even need to be a trekkie to appreciate it. Alan rickman, sigourney weaver, and tim allen are priceless. It's not just a spot-on sendup...few films hit the mark so perfectly (and perfectly-balanced) in adventure, comedy, and heart. Never give up - never surrender!