So I was reading IGN’s article about the top ten best Star Trek moments from the films, and that got me all nostalgic; so I went home and watched Star Trek VI. As that film was ending, still full of nostalgia, I started thinking about my own favorite moments from the films… and so to get ready for the release of the new Star Trek, I thought I’d steal IGN’s idea and share my top five favorite moments from the Star Trek films.
5. The Enterprise tour: Star Trek The Motion Picture.
While I’m sure we can all agree that the first Star Trek film wasn’t the greatest, it did have one of my favorite moments. As Admiral Kirk flies on a on shuttle pod to board the ship, Scotty takes him the long way around to docking, and in doing so, gives Kirk and us an extended look at the newly redesigned Enterprise. I remember watching that scene with my dad and him saying “Is the whole movie going to be just about looking at the ship?” Sure, it was a long sequence, but for fans, it was a beautiful one. To see the new Enterprise in all of her glory, all of the lights and the new curves, was a thrilling, gorgeous moment for anyone in love with that lady called Enterprise. When Kirk tells Scotty “Thank you for the flyby,” he echoes the sentiment of us all.
4. Picard draws the line - Star Trek First Contact.
Captain Picard is a man who’s always in control. The Borg changed all of that. No one has ever been able to get under Picard’s skin (literally) quite like the Borg. That’s part of what makes Star Trek First Contact so compelling, because we see a man who’s normally so calm and cool actually lose control and act out of anger and emotion rather than careful thought. When he’s asked to surrender the Enterprise, he stubbornly refuses and delivers a intense, emotional monologue that ends with him saying in all his rage, “The line must drawn here-ah!” We’ve never seen Pircard go over the edge, and it’s fascinating to watch.
3. Death of the Enterprise - Star Trek III.
“My God Bones, what have I done?” We were all wondering the same thing, Jim. The self-destruct on the Enterprise has been set numerous times, but it was always stopped just in the nick of time. But finding Spock cost more than even James T. Kirk could have imagined, as he loses both his son and his ship. To see the Enterprise die was almost as tragic as watching Spock die in the previous movie. The Enterprise is as much of a character on Star Trek as any of the cast, and her violent, fiery death is chilling to behold. As we see her streak through the sky burning up like a meteorite, we’re left wondering the same think as Kirk; what has he done? The Enterprise is actually gone.
2. So this is goodbye - Star Trek VI.
The original crew’s send off was exactly what it should have been; thank goodness it didn’t end with Star Trek V! After once again saving civilization as we know it, the crew that we’ve shared adventures with for more than a quarter-century gathers on the bridge of their beloved Enterprise one last time. As the camera pans back, they gaze out at us and smile in sad parting. The music strikes up and is both triumphant and melancholy all at the same time. Kirk shares one last log entry as the Enterprise sails into the sunset, and before the credits roll, we see the signatures of the crew that’s become as familiar to us as our own family. It may be a bit melodramatic, but darn it all if it doesn’t get me a little choked up every time I see it. You couldn’t have asked for a better ending for the iconic crew of the Starship Enterprise.
1. Spock’s death - Star Trek II.
My wife had never seen Star Trek before we were married, but I told her she had to see one of the most tragic, moving moments in movie history. I told her that it didn’t matter if she knew anything about Star Trek; when Spock dies, I told her she would cry. She didn’t believe. So we sat down one night and watched Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn. I had to explain a lot to her as the story went on, but when that pivotal scene arrived, there was nothing but silence. Then, as Spock declares his undying devotion and friendship to his captain, his comrade, his friend James T. Kirk before slumping to the ground in death, I hear a sniffle on the couch next time and I see a hand quickly snatch a Kleenex from the table in front of us. It didn’t matter if she had never seen Spock or Kirk before, the power of that moment when two dear friends are divided by death is a moment that brings tears to the eyes all who behold it. It doesn’t matter if you watch Trek or not, it’s a simple moment of humanity that resonates with us all, and that’s why it is without a doubt the greatest moment in all of Star Trek history.
So there you go; a few of my favorite moments from the Star Trek films. I know I’ve missed some great moments, but I did have t whittle it down to five. What about you? What are your favorite Star Trek moments?
May 11th, 2009 at 8:50 am
Good picks, Yo — and I think the opening sequence of the latest flick ranks right up there for me, too.
Oddly, the reprise of your number one pick in the reboot left me cold… and wishing they’d just left that moment alone.