Review of Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984) by Stewart S — 09 Jul 2009

I remember this being quite my favourite of the Star Trek feature films when I was a child. I'm not entirely sure why - very little happens, Leonard Nimoy's direction is so relaxed and static (obviously going for scope and majesty over thrills) that the whole thing lacks any excitement, Shatner, after being great in "Wrath of Khan" is appallingly wooden here (his reaction to the destruction of the Enterprise is hilarious), what should be emotional, tension-filled moments are throwaway, and it doesn't have either a proper beginning or an ending.

Robin Curtis is passable as a recast Saavik, though lacks Kirstie Alley's wryness. Christopher Lloyd as villainous Klingon, Kruge, is hampered by some hokey dialogue and cliched motives ("Tell me the secret of the Genesis device!") The art direction and the effects are well done for the time and the film is nice to look at but has very little else to recommend it.