Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home was lighthearted fun after the seriousness of Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
With Spock being curious about Admiral Kirk’s use of “colorful metaphors,” Scotty’s attempt at conversation with a 1986 computer, and Chekov’s “nuclear wessels,” Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home was a far cry from the somber notes of the previous three movies before it. It relied more on emotions than action and delivered comedy in heaping doses, which was a breath of fresh air after Star Trek III: The Search for Spock which was, at times, both heartbreaking and gutwrenching. And The Voyage Home remains as popular today as it was the day it released back in 1986.
But a CBR writer wrote that Star Trek fans would hate the movie if it were to be released today, mostly because of the comedy and the overt political message. The only problem with that statement is that today’s Star Trek contains both of the same, and fans today, for the most part, enjoy the series and the movies for what they are—good science fiction, comedy, drama, and action.
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home is a far cry from the Star Trek of today, but that doesn’t mean it’s less beloved.
Even newer Star Trek fans have discovered the movies with the original crew from Star Trek: The Original Series, and the film is still appreciated for what it was: a fun break from the heavy overtones of its predecessors. Yes, The Voyage Home had a message, but so do most of the episodes of every Star Trek series. And, if anything, Star Trek today has gotten more political, but fans today get that and can still enjoy the series.
In today’s society, most dramas contain some type of political message. It’s difficult to find any show on television or streaming channels that don’t refer to a topic that could make some viewing members testy. Yet, the series continue because we enjoy watching them and can overlook political messages while watching seriously good science fiction.