Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie1986

68%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Kirk and crew time-travel to 1980s San Francisco to kidnap whales and save the future—yes, really, and it's the most fun Trek film.

7.3/10

81%

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Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home

movie

PG, 1986

68%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Kirk and crew time-travel to 1980s San Francisco to kidnap whales and save the future—yes, really, and it's the most fun Trek film.

7.3

81%

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7.3/10

81%

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Screenwise Verdict

This is the Trek film your parents remember fondly, and for good reason—it's warm, funny, and has actual heart. The environmental message holds up beautifully, and watching Spock try to use 1980s slang is genuinely delightful.

But let's be real: this is a 1986 movie that feels like a 1986 movie. The special effects are clunky, the pacing is glacial by modern standards, and there's a whole lot of talking in rooms. Kids raised on the MCU will wonder when something is going to explode. (Spoiler: nothing really does.)

If your kid is patient, curious about sci-fi history, or already Trek-curious, this is a solid entry point—way more accessible than the darker films in the franchise. But if they need constant stimulation, this will be a tough sell. It's more 'pleasant Sunday afternoon watch with a parent who loves it' than 'kids will beg to rewatch it.'

Age Fit

Best for kids 9-14 who can handle slower pacing and appreciate character humor over action. Younger kids might get restless; teens might find it quaint but charming if they're into retro sci-fi. Adults who grew up with it will enjoy the nostalgia, but it's not appointment viewing for families in 2025.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

The crew works together to save Earth through cooperation rather than combat. Kirk and crew show respect for endangered species and environmental stewardship. The humor is gentle and character-driven, with Spock's fish-out-of-water moments in 1980s San Francisco providing warmth without meanness. The emotional tone is optimistic and pro-social, modeling teamwork and sacrifice for the greater good.

Imaginative

Time travel to save whales is a genuinely creative premise that mixes sci-fi with conservation. The fish-out-of-water scenarios invite kids to think about how future people might view our present. The alien probe concept and the solution requiring interspecies communication show inventive problem-solving. However, the execution is more charming than visually spectacular, and the 1980s special effects haven't aged particularly well.

Safe

This is the most family-friendly Star Trek film. Common Sense Media rates it for age 10. Violence is minimal—mostly implied or off-screen. Some mild profanity (Kirk uses 'damn' and 'hell' a few times, Spock learns a swear word for comedic effect). No gore, no sexuality beyond a brief romantic subplot. The main safety concern is some tense moments with the dying whales and the probe threatening Earth, but these are handled without graphic imagery.

Enriching

Strong environmental message about conservation and extinction that was ahead of its time. Kids learn about humpback whales, their endangerment, and why biodiversity matters. The film explores themes of redemption (the crew is fugitive), personal growth (Spock relearning humanity), and taking responsibility for past mistakes. The time-travel premise invites thinking about cause and effect. However, the pacing is slow by modern standards and some of the humor feels dated.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Genuinely funny fish-out-of-water humor as 23rd-century officers navigate Reagan-era California
Strong environmental message about extinction and conservation that feels relevant today
Character-driven story that prioritizes cooperation and problem-solving over phasers and photon torpedoes
Spock's journey of rediscovering his humanity provides emotional depth
The most accessible Trek film for non-Trekkies—no prior knowledge required

⚠

What to Watch For

Slow pacing and 80s production values may bore kids used to Marvel-speed action
Some mild profanity (mostly 'damn' and 'hell,' plus Spock learning a swear word)
Brief tense moments with dying whales and Earth under threat, but nothing graphic
Runtime of 119 minutes feels longer than it is—this is a talky movie

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think the filmmakers chose whales as the key to saving Earth?"
"What would you find hardest about visiting 1986 if you were from the future?"
"The crew breaks rules to do what they think is right—when is that okay and when isn't it?"
"What animals today are endangered like humpback whales were in the 1980s?"

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