Review of Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984) by Patrick H — 04 Aug 2009

This is admittedly a bit of a comedown, but the film itself seems to understand this and is content to act as an extension/inversion of the themes from its predecessor. The story does get a little on the convoluted side, as it has to rely on some mystical elements and pseudo-science in order to bring everyone's favorite Vulcan back to life.

Then there's the added hinderance that some significant supporting characters are re-cast or just dropped. However, it's a credit to Nimoy's watchful direction that everything seems to hang together, and ultimately proves a satisfying ride that earns the warmth of its ending.

Along the way, he stages some rousing setpieces as Kirk and crew are forced to hijack their own ship and later do battle with those bastard Klingons (lead, in a fun performance, by a pre-'Back to the Future' Christopher Lloyd).

It also must be said that, in spite of the years of self-parody since, Shatner was actually very good in these films. His Captain (or Admiral, I guess) Kirk makes some tough decisions in this installment, and you feel his loss and the weight of the history behind this iconic character, yet (as Dr.

McCoy points out) he's always got the nerve to do what needs to be done.