Odds vs. evens: Ranking the Star Trek films

On his English sitcom “Spaced,” Simon Pegg affirmed the geek truism that only the even-numbered Star Trek films are decent, and the rest are crap (or words to that effect). Since Pegg plays Scotty in J.J. Abrams’ reboot Star Trek — the 11th in the franchise — he’s now hoping to be proved wrong. So does the odd/even rule hold up? Sort of, with two conspicuous exceptions. Here’s a ranking of the 11 Star Trek films, from first to worst. Check out the narrator voices in the trailers.

1. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)

The Enterprise’s big screen debut in 1979 was a financial success (and currently ranks as the third-highest grossing film in the series) but something of a critical and aesthetic let-down. Director Nicholas Meyer put wind in the series’ sails in part by crafting Khan as a futuristic maritime adventure, like a Horatio Hornblower novel or World War II submarine film. A sequel to the original series episode “Space Speed,” Khan features the late Ricardo Montalban as Captain Kirk’s best bad guy, but also brought the Trek regulars (as well as Kirstie Alley’s scene-stealing Lt. Saavik) to vivid life as well. Plus, the (temporary) death of Spock makes grown men cry.

Famous line: “KHHAAANNNN!!!” — Captain Kirk (William Shatner)