Collider argues that Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, rather than the more celebrated Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, restored the franchise’s essential character. While Khan revitalised the films commercially with action and emotional stakes, the article says it also shifted Star Trek away from Gene Roddenberry’s more pacifist, exploratory vision.

The article traces the franchise’s path from the original television series’ revival in syndication to the uneven early films. It contends that The Wrath of Khan’s more militarised tone, followed by Star Trek III: The Search for Spock’s reversal of Spock’s death, left the series creatively adrift; The Voyage Home is presented as the film that repaired this damage as it marks its 40th anniversary.