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Khan is dead: Star Trek II in his honor
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Khan knew many Klingon proverbs...
Ricardo Montalban, who played the unforgettable villain Khan Noonien Singh, has passed away today at the age of 88.
A versatile actor, Montalban has the honor of being the Star Trek series' most memorable villain. Sure, the Borg are frightening. But Khan had style and an Ahab quality, and Montalban was able to portray him to maximum effect.
In the dubious Star Trek filmography, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan is easily the best. The first film was a flagging, tedious piece that was never able to strike the right chord. More than anything, it was colorless and dull. If the Star Trek universe was to find a place in Hollywood, the franchise needed a recovery operation fast.
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan was just what the doctor ordered. Bringing back one of the TV show's most memorable villains was a clever choice.
Montalban's villain was a genetically engineered superman who had ruled over millions of people in a bid for Earthly conquest... not dissimilar to his ancient Mongolian namesake. Frozen in space along with his core followers, he was thawed by the Enterprise crew and came into conflict with Captain James T. Kirk.
That's enough of a backstory. Star Trek II wasn't simply better than the first installment; it remains the jewel in the Star Trek crown, and though there were the occasional enjoyable installments (in fact, Star Trek II sets off a mini-trilogy of good films ranging through Star Trek III to Star Trek IV, before things turned really sour) none of them equalled the energy or excitement on display here. Kirk and Khan are engaged in a grim battle, with a superweapon as the Holy Grail. And of course, for anyone who has seen it, this film supplies the most heartfelt ending of the franchise.
I went to see this film during its opening weekend. It was a rainy afternoon, and I was very young with only a rudimentary background in Star Trek reruns. The line was long, and the theater crowded and noisy. As the film began, silence descended and moviegoers were noticeably pulled into its story. (Alas, afterwards everyone I knew could only talk about how the alien earwig scene gave them nightmares for years.)
And it's no idle comparison between Khan and Ahab. Moby Dick is quoted liberally, and Montalban gives revenge and obsession a bloody new face.
The Wrath of Khan hits the highest marks of entertainment and intelligent action in the series. This is one of those films which has invaded popular culture more than many realize, and its a sad, strange, but perhaps touching tribute that though Montalban has left us, quite a few people you know will be chanting that single name:
"KHAN!"
"KHAN!"
