Catch ‘Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home’ Thursday, Sunday

Above : Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner star in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home.” (Photo/Paramount Pictures)

The writers of “Star Trek” scripts used a number of plot conceits over the years. Chief among them was time travel.

Case in point: “Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home,” the fourth feature film in the series, featuring the original crew of Capt. Kirk, Spock, Bones and the rest.

The movie sees the crew flying home and then choosing to go back into the past (neat trick) so that they can save Earth from the dangerous probe that threatens it. And, oh yeah, the solution has something to do with extinct humpback whales.

Conceived and directed by Leonard Nimoy , and based on a team-written screenplay that included Nicholas Meyer , “Star Trek IV” was released on Nov. 26, 1986, and attracted both a sizable gross ($16.9 million opening weekend, $109.7 million to date) and positive reviews.

Michael Wilmington , Los Angeles Times: “If most movies today are doomed to be sure-fire, presold properties – with ideas leached from our recent TV or cinematic past – let’s hope they’re all as good at the game as ‘Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home.’ “

Janet Maslin , New York Times: “Mr. Nimoy directed this Star Trek installment, and indeed he should probably direct all of them. His technical expertise leaves much to be desired. But his sincerity is unmistakable, and it counts for a lot.”

Roger Ebert , Chicago Sun-Times: “This is easily the most absurd of the Star Trek stories – and yet, oddly enough, it is also the best, the funniest and the most enjoyable in simple human terms.”

And now it’s your chance to weigh in after seeing the film, once again, on the big screen. “Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home” will screen at 3 and 7 p.m. at two area Regal Cinemas theaters, Northtown Mall and Coeur d’Alene’s Riverstone Stadium, on Thursday and Sunday.

If you go, chances are you’ll … live long and prosper .