Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
The second Star Trek movie is a favorite among many and it is easy to see why. It has a fairly tight plot with a great protagonist giving Kirk a proper challenge. It acknowledges that the Enterprise crew is getting older which leads to some great scenes with Kirk - all contrasted with the whole Genesis project which creates life from nothing. And of course the famous death of Spock.
Compared to the first movie, there is way more traditional action, but still in a very subdued way. Just two ships - Kirk versus Khan. Not the entire Federation thrown into a battle for the fate of the universe. This gives room to explore how Kirk is having trouble with getting older and how the otherwise competent Khan gets so consumed with the need for revenge that it ultimately becomes his downfall. How Kirk and Khan go back and forth outsmarting each other is really well done, because none of them are making dumb decisions as such (at least not at first) - the other is just one step ahead.
Even though you know that Spock is not really dead, it is hard not become a little teary eyed - especially when Kirk gives his small speech at the funeral.
All that said, it is not a Star Trek movie I see myself rewatching that often.
Rating: 4