Cast
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William Shatner
as Kirk
Leonard Nimoy
as Spock
DeForest Kelley
as McCoy
James Doohan
as Scotty
George Takei
as Sulu
Walter Koenig
as Chekov
Nichelle Nichols
as Uhura
Mark Lenard
as Sarek
Jane Wyatt
as Amanda
Majel Barrett
as Commander Chapel
Robert Ellenstein
as Federation Council President
John Schuck
as Klingon Ambassador
Brock Peters
as Admiral Cartwright
Robin Curtis
as Lt. Saavik
Catherine Hicks
as Gillian
Crew
Director
- Leonard Nimoy
Producer
- Harve Bennett
Reviews
GenerationofSwine
I guess when I was 6 i liked it, and every generation needs it's time travel movie doesn't it?
But, no, bringing them back to contemporary 80s earth just doesn't work. It's sort of too close to home to be good. Star Trek is Sci-Fi, sure, but this just doesn't work.
They live in a future that COULD be, with it's own history, it's own mythology, and taking the crew of the Enterprise back to our world just makes them feel more out of place than the comedic tone of the film intended.
Jan 10, 2023
CinemaSerf
Probably my favourite of these sci-fi adventures. Having revived "Spock" to something akin to his previous, pompous old self; the crew of the now destroyed "Enterprise" set sail for home in their captured Klingon Warbird. Meantime, unbeknown to them, a probe is wreaking havoc on the galaxy as it emits odd pinging sounds on it's way to Earth. Our explorers approach the planet to discover that the probe has polarised the atmosphere and even the sophisticated Starfleet Command has no idea what's going on... Well, it turns out that the probe is pretty fluent in humpback whale-song but we have long since hunted them into extinction. What's required now is some legerdemain and a bit of time travel to go get some from back in 20th century California. What follows is a fun series of escapades as they set about their tasks - and all of the crew have their own roles to play. It touches on the ecology issues in a humorous but pointed manner and all round delivers an enjoyable 2 hours of entertainment.
May 30, 2024
Thematic Analysis
As a science fiction narrative, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home explores potential technological and societal futures, raising important questions about humanity's place in the universe and our evolutionary trajectory. The film stands apart from other sci-fi works by presenting a vision that is both thought-provoking and visually distinctive.
Director Leonard Nimoy brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1986, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its critical acclaim reflects its artistic achievements and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home took approximately 5 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $21.0 million, the film proved to be a financial success, earning back its investment and more.
- The final cut of the film runs for 118 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 172 minutes long.
- The screenplay went through 13 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 5 weeks before filming began.
- The director insisted on using practical effects whenever possible, reserving CGI for only the most necessary scenes.
Historical Context
- In 1986, when this film was released:
- Economic policies were shifting toward deregulation in many Western countries.
- MTV launched, changing how music was marketed and consumed.
- Independent cinema was growing in influence, challenging the dominance of major studios.
How This Film Stands Out
While Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Ice Soldiers, which takes a more conventional approach to its subject matter, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home offers a fresh perspective through its innovative visual language and narrative structure.
While films like Signals: A Space Adventure and Eolomea explore similar territory, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: November 26, 1986
- Runtime: 1h 58m
- Budget: $21,000,000
- Revenue: $133,000,000
Where to Watch
