Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan Redux - Fan VFX Replacement Showcase

As an avid WoK fan and editor myself, I can only say glowing things about this execution. I loved the improved sense of space and location during the nebula battle scenes. The grandeur of the larger ST3 version of the starbase sewrves as a beautiful setting to showcase the jewel: Enterprise. I get the feeling I'm seeing what this film could have looked like in 1982, if it had the budget and support afforded to the original 1979 film. I love the care and effort put into the integration of these appropriate vfx - not just "good vfx." The additions are well-integrated into the film and its flow. I've seen all iterations and releases over the decades, and I feel I know the heart and soul of this film as well as anyone. And this was done very well and with great talent and respect for the source material. I LOVE THIS!!!!!

Enjoyed this variation for the great external shots during the Mutara nebula sequence - especially liked the excellent lightening strikes on the ships hulls - making far better use of the crews reactions during those scenes. I loved many of the new nebula shots - also adding a smoke quality that seemed missing from the original. I wish some shots could be entwined or blended together with the vortex aspects of the original nebula. There were several shots in the original that showed a top down view with both ships crisscrossing through the vortex cloud formation at obvious different Z altitudes. This particular view IMO, helped to accentuate the three dimensionality of the battle space and brought better context to Kirk's ensuing orders. ie: (whether that be Z plus or minus 10,000 meters) Aside from those missing shots functioning as a scaffold for the tactical narrative, and some audio pops (documented).
Wraith has done a refreshing take on this all time classic - and I would absolutely encourage any ST fan to check it out.

Having being a compusive fan of this FIlm and seeing it at least 40 times since the 80's, i was compelled to watch what may look like the best version out there. I wasn't dissapointed!

The freshness of the new space footage and effects gets rid of the 80's tinge that a lot of space films has and dates them to this time. I was amazed by the new Regula station and seamless Starship footage that Brings the film on to a new viewing experience and makes this a more modern level of enjoyment,

Visual Editing - top drawer, nothing but a treat to see this done without any flaws to note. Must have been hard considering the amount of scene switching from old and new footage.

The Genesis simuation scene was a different take on the orignial and although it was clearly a more new age view of epoch making (Sid Meier's civilization series anyone?); i prefered the original where you zoomed through the mountains at the end of the sequence. It was still a good alternative and either are good. Guess its down to indivudaul preference,

The addition of dialogue put in away from the original footage was a cheeky but near perfect way to pave some additional events comming up in the future (i wont spoil it, but you'll know what i mean) Although you can tell it was taken from other sources, it didnt detract and i was impressed by htis and had to listen a few times as it was so good.

The title sequences, text, credits and layering on of the text by Wraith was abosultley a treat to watch. Not usualy that enamoured by credits and stuff but looking out for the changes with Wraith adding to this was good enjoyment also. The in film text added also was done in a good way so that it lended to that fresh new look of the film.

The extra footage from before and the weaving of Wraiths edits, text and the VFX made this in my view the 'version to watch'. Can say that i will definalty watch this a lot more times now that this is a more modenr and less retro film from the Star trek Cannon.

Highly recomended!

I really enjoyed the Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan Redux - Fan VFX Replacement Showcase by Wraith.

I recall seeing the original version in the theaters back in 1982.

Having the VFX updated allowed me to stay in the story, and not be pulled out of it to notice clunky effects, as had been the case with all my repeated viewings over the years. I cannot recall how many times I would make apologies for the VFX with my kids as we watched it every so often.

Less of a criticism of this version and more of an observation about the passage of time, but I almost missed the VFX of the Genesis demonstration reel that Kirk and Co. watched. As I'm sure many are aware, the VFX of the original was state of the art at the time and drew audible gasps from the audience back in 1982. I say almost because I much prefer this edition as it allows both seasoned fans and a newer audience to enjoy the excellent narrative without the aforementioned clunky VFX.

Thank you for sharing!

I love Wraith's editing methodology - he does his research and takes notes so it's baffling to me some of the mistakes that made their way into the final cut of this fascinating fanedit. As others have pointed out, there's three loud BEEPS at 1:21:21, 1:32:44 and 1:35:33. Wraith also made some strange choices, for example when Kirk gives the order: "Z-minus 10,000 meters." when Spock notes that Khan has two-dimensional thinking. In his version the Enterprise goes... up? A decision that makes the final space battle confusing.

This isn't just a straight up replacement of the VFX though, Wraith also made a few creative decisions, like adding sound effects or dialog back in, or adding music cues to music-less scenes. Some of these changes work better than others.

Overall this was an interesting experiment. Some of the new visual effects don't work at all and look like something out of Babylon 5 while others are magnificent and breath taking. I haven't watched the theatrical version which only replaces the recycled shots but I'm sure purists will appreciate that one more. I'm still grateful Wraith created this as it's a nice template for anyone wanting to create their own "perfect" version of ST:TWOK. It is what it is: a Fan VFX Replacement Showcase.