Fan Recreates Iconic STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN Battle with Motion Controlled Model Kits

In summary, out of the 13 “Star Trek” movies produced over a span of 45 years, “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan,” directed by Nicholas Meyer in 1982, stands as the most esteemed. This sci-fi classic has been added to the Library of Congress’ National Film Registry, making it the only “Star Trek” film to receive such an honor. One of the most memorable scenes is the fight between the Enterprise and Khan’s hijacked starship, the Reliant. Recently, a fan named NJM Photo on YouTube re-created this iconic battle using only AMT Star Trek model kits and homemade motion control cameras. The result is quite impressive, and you can view his rendition of the “Battle of the Mutara Nebula” right here: [YouTube link]

Forty years have passed, yet it’s astonishing that a visual effect once requiring Industrial Light & Magic countless hours and a hefty sum of money can now be replicated easily at home, in a DIY fashion. Remarkably, the results are nearly as impressive as what was showcased in theaters in 1982. NJM Photo didn’t create an exact replica of the battle scene, but certain key elements like the intense action and special effects are present. For instance, you won’t find shots of Captain Kirk or the bridge crew on the Enterprise, as they were not part of this recreation.

Fortunately, his wisdom shone through as he decided to re-use the phenomenal film score by James Horner. In our view, this late composer’s music remains the most impressive Star Trek film score, though we hold Jerry Goldsmith in high regard too. (No disrespect intended to the exceptional work of Jerry Goldsmith.)

On NJM Photo’s YouTube channel, you can find other videos featuring the use of model kits to produce cinematic renditions of iconic Star Trek starship scenes. Among these are replicas of the Enterprise-D from Star Trek: The Next Generation and the Enterprise-E from films such as First Contact. Additionally, there’s a video of Voyager, along with several others based on the original Star Trek series. They also have a “Behind the Scenes” video available on their channel, demonstrating how these masterpieces are created at home for fans to follow along. This just goes to show that the Star Trek fan base remains as dedicated as ever, approaching the 60-year mark.

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2025-01-15 04:02