Why Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan Has the Best Space Battle Ever!

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan features what many consider to be the best space battle ever put in a film. But why is this scene so awesome? This video explores the filmmaking techniques and creative choices which went into making the first clash between the Enterprise and Reliant so gripping to watch.

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[swalsh]

Another underrated thing about this scene is when Khan yells "Where's the override?" the camera shows us his POV of the helm console, and not only does he not know where it is, but the viewers themselves don't know. Instantly, and for moment, putting us "in Khan's shoes" to experience his panic.

[RCAvhstape]

That look of horror on Khan's face when Kirk and Spock drop Reliant's shields is priceless. "OVERRIDE! OVERRIDE!"

[martynstembridge]

Horner's music was simply incredible ... you could almost just hear that with no dialogue and still understand the flow of the conflict.
It's a sci-fi masterpiece.

[balamx]

I remember seeing this in the theater. Seeing the ships on the small screen does not do it justice. People literally stood and cheered when Kirk out maneuvered Khan. These same people wept in the dark when Spock died. It was quite a rollercoaster.

[lesigh]

Still the best Star Trek movie ever made. In four decades nothing has surpassed it, and it towers above the recent flashy reboots and FX laden new shows.

[basketvector]

its amazing how much responsibility the composer has for communicating the story

[jvstice]

Hearing James Horner's explanation to the scene showed just how he was the best composer for Star Trek's movies. I always can listen to Stealing the Enterprise and visualize what is going on without the sequence attached to it. His legacy lives on and I only wish he was alive today to give us even more stories through his music.

The event itself is one of those things that is practically impossible to replicate, and I have to give Meyer and the cast tremendous credit for the quality that Wrath of Khan has. It's for that and many other reasons is why it's heralded as the best of the Trek movies. It had the perfect balance.

[TheAcarch]

Trust me folks. On the big screen, this scene was movie magic at its best. Wish they could re-release some of these classics in theaters. Like they did with "Alien".

[patrickdodds]

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan is Trek's Passion Play. It has everything. It has a nuanced, layered, highly spirited and witty Oscar worthy screenplay (thank you, Jack B Sowards). It is a space opera that can easily match the Original Star Wars Trilogy. The fact that we're not just talking about it but making videos reflecting on its greatness FORTY YEARS LATER is a testament to it being a cinematic masterpiece.

[brussell]

I have watched this movie so many hundreds of times over the years, and it never fails to entertain. Everything about this scene in particular is STILL, to this day, utterly captivating. The score, the dialog, the acting, everything done so well.

[jamesdietz]

I've watched this movie more times than I could possibly count and every time it puts chill down my spine. My God... that soundtrack!

[gse]

Since I'm seeing a lot of comments praising this film in general I'll throw my 2 cents in. The standout about this film for me, without question, is the ending. That ending of Spock and Kirk, even after watching it I have no idea how many times, still destroys me. I can recite every word, yet here I am 40 years later and I still will cry. There is no chance there will ever be another Star Trek film that can beat Wrath of Khan. Impossible.

[tayzonday]

Star Trek II relied so heavily on pure acting. Neither Berman nor Abrams Trek enabled such powerful character work.

[Dr.TJ_Eckleburg]

This film also gave us the best representation of the Enterprise as a working, living star ship. The scenes of engineering, the control panel details, the crew musters... it's the only Trek film that really made you feel like this ship was much, much more than the main characters on the bridge. It was hugely impactful.

[randyranderson]

I remember seeing this in theaters at the time. When the Enterprise fired back, I was like 'YES!!!' pumping my fist and arm as the other audience members cheered. OMG it was such an emotional rush. I was totally spent when I walked outta there

[tompinkerton]

The amazing thing is that this was only the second film Nicholas Meyer had ever directed. Yet these scenes were directed so masterfully. It is absolutely amazing what he accomplished. Sometimes, the elements just come together to produce something magical, and Wrath of Khan was one of those times. I really believe the combination of Nicholas Meyer and Harve Bennet was also the best producing/directing team ever in Trek.

[brandonmurphy]

Wrath of Khan is my favorite movie. Not just Star Trek, but my favorite movie period. And I agree with all of this. The score alone still gives me goose bumps.

[martinr]

By far one of the great movies of 1982 and 40 years later still one of the great movies. This was just brilliantly done, unfortunately can’t be said about a lot of movies today

[noheroespublishing]

The Wrath of Khan is an astoundingly thematic film; reflecting on aging, and the acceptance of death. Masterfully paced.

[jeremiahmiller]

*Sulu:* "Sir, you did it!"

*Kirk:* "I did *_nothing..._* except get caught with my britches down. _I must be going senile._ You go right on quoting regulations, Mr. Saavik!"

Just this powerful moment of humility from Kirk after this mess, admitting Saavik was correct and he had ignored his gut, screwed up, and got a lot of cadets killed.