Critical consensus vs. fandom sentiment
On social media and within the Star Trek community, the idea that Wrath of Khan is the "gold standard" remains popular. Critics polled by Rotten Tomatoes, however, may be influenced by retrospective reappraisals of First Contact’s more cinematic spectacle and contemporary style.
The aggregate nature of RT scores, including new and sometimes more lenient reviews, has allowed First Contact to surpass Wrath of Khan in this critical metric. Rarely do individual critics argue that First Contact is outright superior in dramatic terms; the higher score instead reflects broader critical accessibility and more frequent positive appraisals.
This change in reputation doesn't indicate that everyone agrees that First Contact is a deeper, more significant movie. Instead, it shows how film criticism changes over time, especially when new reviewers look at franchise entries with fresh eyes. Hardcore Trek fans and film historians still call The Wrath of Khan the best Star Trek movie, noting its strong impact on how stories are told in the genre and on Trek lore. (Continued...)