Many fans of the original series movies count Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, as their favorite among the 6 movies that feature Kirk, Spock, and the other main characters from the 1966-1969 television show. Admittedly, this film is my favorite too because several of the series' main themes of humanity and friendship figure heavily within the plot. There is also plenty of humor, so let's look back on 4 hilarious lines from Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home that many of us quote almost 40 years later!
The San Francisco cadet review
Once arriving in downtown San Francisco, the crew walks in a group and sticks close together as Kirk tells Spock to come with him to the antiques dealer and tells the others to stay behind. They do so but remain in a semi-formed line. Kirk glances back and says to Scotty, Uhura, Chekov, and Sulu, "And the rest of you, break up! You look like a cadet review!" This is such a great line. considering how long they've served in Starfleet and despite their individual strengths, they feel the need to stick together in the city's unfamiliar environment. What makes the line even funnier is how the crew only fans out slightly, managing to stick out like a sore collective thumb!
Bones wants more power to the thrusters
Spock's resurrection in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock sets up some pretty hilarious lines, especially when Dr. McCoy's concern over Spock's mental state increases. As usual, he complains to Kirk that Spock is back at his science offer post as if everything is normal. When Kirk tries to wave McCoy off, Bones exclaims, "I'm not sure if you get the whole picture or not, but he's not exactly working on all thrusters!" I don't know if this was a wink to the, "I'm a doctor, not an engineer" line from the "Mirror, Mirror" episode in season 2, but it sure feels like it!
Scotty, tell me about the good old days
Scotty and Bones con their way into a materials factory by presenting Scotty as "Professor Scott," a higher-up visiting from Edinburgh to get the transparent aluminum they need, (which hasn't been invented yet either, but that's one of a few arguably loose ends in this film.) McCoy asks their dubious tour guide, Dr. Nichols, if Scotty could use his computer to explain the physics of the material. Scotty tries to use voice commands, and McCoy tries to help by handing him the computer's mouse. Scotty speaks into it, ( "Hallooo, computer!") but gets no response. Dr. Nichols tells him to use the keyboard and Scotty scoffs and cracks his knuckles as he exclaims, "A keyboard! How quaint!" before typing at warp speed to create the formula for transparent aluminum on the screen. We see you gatekeeping your modern tech, Scotty!
Chekov gives himself a promotion
When Chekov ends up seriously injured from a fall on the naval vessel Enterprise, Kirk, McCoy and their friend from the present, Dr. Gillian Taylor, break into the surgical center to rescue him. As McCoy treats him and he starts to come around, Kirk asks Chekov for his name and rank to help him fully conscious. Still halfway inside some cosmic existence, Chekov replies, "Chekov, Pavel. Rank . . . admiral!" The little grin and eyebrow wiggle Walter Koenig added to this line still makes it one of my all-time favorites!
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home and its humor balances the dark themes of Star Trek III: The Search for Spock and the fatalistic tones of Star Trek V: The Final Frontier. Despite the threat of the probe in the future, the light and funny overtones have me watching it at least once every 6 months. What do you love about it? Come over to our Facebook Page and let me know in the comments!