I have to analyze a Star Trek movie for my 'Intro to Cultural Anthropoloy' class. In this assignment I have to apply 4 anthropological theories, and find examples from the movie. Which Star Trek movie is the best one to get for this or which one is the best Star Trek movie out there, that I can stay awake watching?

Any will work. Btw, folks here don’t like doing your homework for you, I’ve noticed.

I’ve heard about people not liking Star Trek but I’ve never actually encountered one before. Go with 3!

You get to watch a Star Trek movie for homework and you’re complaining about being bored and asking for help here? I’d be all over that like pee on a jellyfish sting.

Anyways I’m not hardcore but I’m nerd enough to have enjoyed the later ones. So I’d recommend the latest three (but in the following order of preference) ‘cause they at least have some shiny CGI action.

Star Trek – First Contact
Star Trek – Insurrection
Star Trek – Nemesis

Star Trek centres around a future where we are fairly liberal, an ideal implementation of the United Nations vision perhaps. They all have extremely obvious sociocultural themes, you’d be hard pressed not to come away with. Conflict centres around contact with other races (states) and carries the similar conflicts that various states of the world encounter today – imperialism and non-interference, appropriate use of violence and force, collective interests vs individual liberties, etc.

There are RiffTrax commentaries for several ST movies that make them much less painful to watch—even great fun—if you don’t like ST. They’re great.

“KHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!!!”

Sorry, just had to get it out. 2, 4 and 6 are all enjoyable. 2 and 6 are good space opera, while 4 is something so rare as an entertaining message movie (the crew time travels back to contemporary San Francisco to save the whales. Hijinx ensue). “First Contact” is the best of the New Generation ones.

Seriously the best films that have huge human themes are Star Trek II and Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (both said before). Both are very Shakespearean and operatic.