Issue 23: Summer edition ☀️

The one with the whales

“As they say in your century, I don’t even have your telephone number.” -Captain Kirk (Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home)

I sure could use a time traveling Klingon Bird of Prey right about now. I’m scrambling to type this review in the next hour so I can come back to it and proofread it just well enough to miss two typos as tomorrow is Friday. Great Scott!

-John

Moving Forward

Episode 472: Summer movie series: Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986)

Captain Kirk boldly goes … into the friendzone.

Catch this week’s episode on Spotify.

Moving Forward is also available on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeart, CastBox, Pocket Casts, Spotify for Podcasters (formerly Anchor), and Audible.

2024 Summer movie series

Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (*****)

The age old debate: Captain Kirk vs Captain Pic … no, not that one. Which is the best Star Trek film? Answering this question can be more dangerous than entering the neutral zone as opinions on this are anything but neutral.

That said, I’m going to boldly go and give you my two cents on the matter. For me, hands down, it’s 1986’s Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (TVH). This is not only a perfect Star Trek film but a near flawless movie in general. Before you venture on, be warned: unlike most of my reviews there will be spoilers for today’s film, and its two predecessors; in case you happen to be lone oddball who’s never seen Star Trek yet wants to read my deep cut, rabbit hole analysis of the fourth film in the franchise.

It’s easy to overlook this entry as the “one with the whales” or the “funny one.” The fact is, TVH is so underrated because it successfully pulls off being a direct sequel to Star Treks II and III while at the same time a thoroughly entertaining adventure into left-field.

On paper, this movie should not work. The previous two entries are yin and yang. Part II is the ultimate clash of egos in space: pitting a middle-aged Kirk against his most dangerous nemesis from the TV series, culminating in the death of Spock. Part III picks up immediately after as the crew of the Enterprise risk their lives and their careers to rescue their fallen comrade who can be brought back to life through a mystic Vulcan ritual called clever screenwriting. Parts II and III are a perfect pair of heavy drama, and space hopping action. So to create a third act that’s set on Earth in the past, that’s not only fun but funny; all without a major villain or a starship, is extremely risky.

Yet, when you watch TVH, you can’t help but smile and feel happy for lack of a better word. This is an uplifting, feel good movie featuring our beloved characters whose actors have known each other so long, they’re like family - dysfunctional behind-the-scenes drama aside.

The plot is so ludicrous that Dr. McCoy, played by the always brilliant DeForest Kelley, sums it up in one of the film’s funniest lines that’s equal parts exposition, equal parts meta humor before that was even a thing. The crew is on its way back to Earth to face a court martial for breaking the rules in the previous film. They get sidetracked by a giant space probe that’s turned off Earth’s electricity and clogged up its plumbing; forcing our heroes to travel several centuries into the past to find a pair of humpback whales (extinct in the 23rd century) so that, as Dr. McCoy observes, they can tell the probe “what to go do with itself.”

This has all the makings of a horrible train wreck. And if it were made today on that premise, it probably would be the franchise’s killer. Yet, in the hands of a consummate professional like the great Leonard Nimoy who arguably understood what made Star Trek tick better than anyone else, you end up with a movie that spins two very big plates without dropping either. On one, it ties up loose threads from the previous films. On the other, it becomes a light hearted sci-fi fantasy set on Earth during the mid ‘80s. That it pulls off both so effortlessly is probably why it’s often overlooked in the best Trek film discussion. If you can ride a unicycle blindfolded while extending one leg out without falling over, then people may assume the act is not so special. Consider though that no other film in this franchise (and few in others) has been able to pull off a similar feat.

There’s a lot to say about Star Trek IV and why it’s not only a great Trek film but a near perfect movie: the tight script, organic humor, the magical chemistry between the main cast; not to mention brilliant performances by its supporting actors, including a noteworthy turn by a then relatively unknown Catherine Hicks. And well, I do say a lot about it on this week’s episode, which is the longest and most deep cut filled movie review I’ve done in this entire series - better start listening now so you can be done by Sunday evening.

For now, I’ll simply say this. This is a perfect end to an unofficial, accidental trilogy. While VI was a great send off, had the TOS films ended here, that would have been OK too, which tells you just how much this unsung hero of a movie accomplishes. Watch it. Just don’t be fooled by how easy it makes it all look. What it pulls off, few could ever manage in the most advanced starship, much less a rickety Klingon Bird of Prey.

Star Trek IV was directed by Leonard Nimoy who also co-wrote the story and acted in it as the guy with the ears and could do this gesture flawlessly: 🖖

• William Shatner as Admiral James T. Kirk

• Leonard Nimoy as Spock

• DeForest Kelley as Dr. “Bones” Leonard McCoy

• James Doohan as Scotty

• George Takei as Sulu

• Walter Koenig as Chekov

• Nichelle Nichols as Uhura

• Catherine Hicks as Gillian

• Mark Lenard as Sarek

• Jane Wyatt as Amanda

• Robert Ellenstein as The Federation President

• Brock Peters as Admiral Cartwright

• Robin Curtis as Savvik

Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home is currently streaming on Max. You can also purchase it on physical or digital media from Amazon (affiliate paid link).

Available now at my bookstore on Pangobooks

An entire technical manual about the ship that had just a brief cameo in this week’s film … that’s nerding out at warp speed!

Quirky reads 📚

Some great books to fill your summer hours. 

[Affiliate disclosure: these are affiliate links to Amazon through which I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.]

• Bad Therapy: Why the Kids Aren’t Growing Up by Abigail Shrier (****)

Follow me on Goodreads for book recommendations and to see what else I’m reading.

Resources

Teach a man to fish, you know the rest (if you don’t, check these out).

• Book a coaching call with me on Clarity.

• Follow me on Goodreads for book recommendations.

• Check out one of my favorite daily newsletters Morning Brew (affiliate referral link).

Books

I wrote most of these so spruce up your home library and look smart in the process.

• The Poshmark Guide for Individuals and Small Businesses (Paperback, Kindle, Audible) 

• The Poshmark Guide for Individuals and Small Businesses (Apple audiobooks)

• The Poshmark Journal for Individuals and Small Businesses

• The Corporate Cliches Adult Coloring Book

• I Am a Professional Metalhead (audiobook) (Audible affiliate link) written by Angelo Spenillo, narrated by John Lim

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