Review of Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984) by Knox M — 22 Jul 2016
Like its predecessor, Star Trek III is essentially just an overextended episode of a television series. Often placed in the "odd-numbered" Star Trek bunch, some people consider this film to be absolutely horrible. Bad enough that the Nostalgia Critic did a review on it. I find these criticisms to be misplaced. The Search for Spock is, at least out of the original three, the most enjoyable. Finally, some good humor that made me laugh out loud.
Since The Wrath of Khan was an advertisement for the sequel, Star Trek III has the Star Trek crew, save for Uhara and of course Spock, searching for Spock. If you haven't seen The Wrath of Khan, let me fill you in. In Khan, Spock mind-melded with McCoy just before he died of radiation poisoning.
Kirk: You're suffering from a Vulcan mind meld, doctor.
McCoy: That green-blooded son of a bitch. It's his revenge for all the arguments he lost.
A project titled "Genesis," which can transform moons to planets, or life from lifelessness, has resurrected Spock. The Enterprise is "stolen" by Kirk and company before it was going to be decommissioned, and their mission is to bring Spock and McCoy to Vulcan so McCoy can transfer Spock's thoughts back to Spock.
The plot is, admittedly, a bit convoluted. Although it is easy to get back on track with the plot once it takes a turn, these shifts occur to often.
Leonard Nimoy's direction is quite impressive for a debut, and he proved with the film that he had a knack for directing. It is a bit of a shame he didn't direct any Trek films past Star Trek IV.
The acting merit is the same as it was in The Wrath of Khan, though the actors didn't have any scenes to demonstrate their talents. Except for Kirk, who provided an excellent reaction to his son's death.
The main adversary of the film is a slimy Klingon named Kruge, played by none other than Doc Brown himself, Christopher Lloyd. It is a little awkward when you think about it that way, since his voice is so "good guy." I would have preferred if he would have spoken the Klingon language throughout the entire film.
The Search for Spock is an underrated film that is unfairly considered terrible. A nice middle act.
This review of Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984) was written by Knox M on 22 Jul 2016.
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock has generally received positive reviews.
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