As far as the ST series went, there is a very observable pattern:
-Someone would make a mediocre movie, putting the franchise in jeapordy
-Nicholas Meyer would come in and make a great film that re-energized the series.
-Someone would make a mediocre movie, putting the franchise in jeapordy
-Nicholas Meyer would come in and make a great film that re-energized the series.
As far as I am concerned, without Wrath of Khan, Voyage Home and Undiscovered Country, not only would there be no TOS feature film series, but what was there would be pretty sorry. Meyer took great liberties with the series, but that is precisely what was needed, because what was there wasn't very interesting or dramatic. That's the same reason I always approved of First Contact.