Star Trek Part 8: Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984) Movie Review

[Boogyman4050]

@NecroVMX Pretty good review, but to be a highly viewed Sci-Fi movie critic, you gotta have some kind of gimmick, like RedLetter's Plinkett character. If you don't care about that, then I'd say your reviews are OK. Keep up the good work. Swear all you want. The first 3 movies are Good. ST 4 is ok, but it goes downhill rapidly from there.

[Capt777harris]

The comment on the Odd verse Even number films is incorrect. The sequels are typically made with a reduced budget, therefore production values.  Once recouped, a newly budgeted film can be made.

[DeedsResearcher]

This was okay.....until the profanity was brought in."F---ing rules"? Sorry, but there is no need for profane language in any Star Trek episode or movie. I have to give this one a "thumbs down" rating.

[NecroVMX]

@DeedsResearcher good luck with that.

[DeedsResearcher]

@NecroVMX Such as it was, I didn't notice that the ratings feature had been disabled. I guess someone is afraid of what sort of ratings he or she will get. Oh well!

[NecroVMX]

@DeedsResearcher "he or she" you are stupid.

[reviewreviewer1]

@NecroVMX Great defense.

[flickmonger87]

um, sorry friend, but no way is Search For Spock as good as Wrath of Khan. There just isn't.

[NecroVMX]

@flickmonger87 actually it is. See, I can declare things too! *flails*

[flickmonger87]

@NecroVMX Well, it is true that I haven't seen it in a while. I'll rewatch it and then issue another judgement then.

[GoongalaGoongala]

@flickmonger87 Of course it isn't as good as Star Trek II, but as part of a 3 film narrative, its a solid flick. Its much better than I hear many people claim it is. Its definitely better than "The Final Frontier" and moves at a better pace than The Motion Picture did. I actually enjoy it more than IV, because it feels more like a Star Trek film than "The Voyage Home" does.

Its also an easily better film than any of the Next Generation films which I thought were all pretty lackluster.

[masonTganes]

@GoongalaGoongala star trek III was the STAR WARS entry of the trek 80s film.

Not as solid as Trek II--- but one of the best trek films.

I think only FIRST CONTACT might be better than this one.

[SpockBorg5]

of all the people who have ever produced trek nimoy appears to have done it the best

[K1productions]

Yes, thank you very much. Search for Spock has always been my favorite of the entire TOS movie franchise, for many reasons I just could not explain, I could just feel.

[mikedrummonds]

@K1productions It's just such a beautiful feeling movie in it's way. Probably the most deeply emotional of all the films but never feels overdone either. It contains simple but timeless messages about loyalty and devotion and sacrifice. The atmosphere is great, Nimoy's direction is impecable. All in all, I don't think I've ever encountered a film that has gotten so much consistently better every time I watch it.

[spacemouse1]

Hi. That is a good synopsis of the movie...

[mikedrummonds]

my personal thoughts on all six origional ST films; Best ones in order: #6 #4 and #2. All wonderfull, amazing and awesome. Most underrated: #3- was underwhelmed the first time I saw it, but really grew on me. Bottom two: #5-kind of a guilty pleasure to be honest. Ultimately a mess but has some great moments and fascinating ideas. Worst: #1-total sleeping pill, great music score though.

[K1productions]

@mikedrummonds I disagree slightly. It is very tough to put them in any order, as they are all good in their own right, yes, even 5. Saying that, I'm sad to say 5 is the least favorite of the six films = 3, 4, 6, 2, 1, 5. Now before I get bashed for putting Wrath of Kahn as #4, they're like 1/10th of a point difference.

The problem with 1 is, it was written as a two-part episode, not a film. 5 still had the heart of Star Trek (kirk-spock-mccoy trinity) just failed in main plot and budget.

[mikedrummonds]

@K1productions Well, now that one can of worms is open. Care to talk TNG films? I can't dispute in the least that they're not nearly as strong as the origional feature cannon, though I don't hate them as much as most seem to either. Personal summation: I could write a book about all my problemns with Generations. First contact: lot of fun, still can't hold a candle to the best of the first 6, but entertaining just the same.

[mikedrummonds]

@K1productions Insurection: Actually started out very well, then lost it's dramatic footing in the second half. Love the scenery however. Nemesis: Ocasionally fun, instantly forgettable. All in all, a truly underwhelming sign off to the series in accordance with the previous nine films. Patrick Stewart is as rock sollid as ever as unflappable Piccard though.

[GoongalaGoongala]

@mikedrummonds Totally disagree. For me its "The Wrath of Khan", "The Undiscovered Country", "The Search for Spock", a tie between "The Voyage Home" & The Motion Picture, and finally "The Final Frontier". The Voyage Home is a really good film, but in my opinion, an average Trek film. It works as an episode for the series, but as a feature film falls a little short for me.

I don't care for any of the Next Generation films and would rank them all below the original crew film series.

[xierotron]

Nimoy hated ST:TMP as it sucked balls so didnt want to do a sequel but then Wrath of Khan was awesome so he decided to return basically

[gammafounder79]

Finally, someone who loves Star Trek III as much as I do! I find this film nearly as good as The Wrath of Khan and as good as First Contact.

[bodieofci5]

Great to hear some support fro Star Trek III. Very under rated movie.

[RigTig16]

I always loved this movie. I have always noticed that the Enterprise has alot more damage on her then what she received in ST2. The nacelles are damaged, bith sides of the secondary hull are dammaged along with 2 spots ontop of her saucer section. In ST2 the Enterprise was hit on the right side secondary hull, bottum-back rightside of the saucer section and the torpedo by. I have always wondered why in ST 3 there extra damamge added.

[Trek001]

@RigTig16 That is a funny story. The reason is that when Khan attacked with Reliant, damage was shown to be on the starboard side - but damage seen was to port. In III they corrected this by adding the correct damage, but didnt remove the inncorrect stuff. As for the secondary hull, Reliant hit Enterprise with a lone torpoedo on the starboard naccelle pylon as they entered the Mutara Nebula. This was not seen in the film (damage wise) but added with the rest of the stuff.

[wleoradio]

Woohoo!!!



[vccstudents]

It would have definitely shocked us all had "Star Trek III done a scene where Uhura woke up and found Spock in the shower, and we find out "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" was ALL A DREAM!

[Trekfreek]

@vccstudents Only thing it would have been Chapel or Savic not Uhura.Uhura likes Scotty. (Star Trek V).

[vccstudents]

@Trekfreek Yes, but she LIKES Spock from the '09 movie!

[Trekfreek]

@vccstudents 09 is an alternate Hollywood time line where sex, violence, radical changes in characterization and impossible things with large Plot Holes and lens flares happen all the time. If Roddenberry was alive he would declare it Non Cannon, and then fire the writers and producers. 09 is an insult to everything Trek stands for. It is also an embarrassment for any self respecting filmmaker. It's so bad it makes “Plan 9 from Outer Space” look like “Laurence of Arabia”.

[vccstudents]

@Trekfreek I won't argue. Then again, Uhura did make the rounds. She liked Sulu when he was running around with a sword. Then again, Sulu should have changed his name to LULU! :) She was forced to kiss Kirk in "Plato's Stepchildren," and she shopped for tribbles with Chekov!

I noticed a few timeline problems with the '09 movie, but you know they'll do sequels to get everything back to where it should be.

[Trekfreek]

@vccstudents Uhura was only trying to get the sward away. Pay attention. "I'll protect you far maiden!" "SIR, I'M NEATHER!" Chekov was chasing her. How can you get anything back on track with that mess? Will Kirk ever teach at the Academy as a Lieutenant, or meat Captain Garavick his first captain? How about the birth of his son or the moronic way he got the Enterprise, Can they fix that? How can Trek 90210 deliver Gene's vision of the future? Face it Star Trek is dead! Jar Jar's team KILLED IT!

[vccstudents]

@Trekfreek POssibly. Either way Shatner said it best when he hosted SNL 25 years ago!

[Trekfreek]

@vccstudents Billk was referring to the few who never date, "You're almost 30, have ever kissed a girl?" and spend all their lives memorizing Star Trek, "What was the combination to Kirk's safe?" Plus it was a joke that most Trekkers love. As I told another fake Trekkie, Trekkers are Doctors, bank owners, Engineers and Astronauts. Most have families and children. It is bullies like you that keep them from being open about their passion for Star Trek.

[vccstudents]

@Trekfreek I apologize. I didn't intend to come across as a bully. I have a huge Trek passion, my friend. Again. I apologize.

[Trekfreek]

@vccstudents I accept your apology. Have a great day. :-)

[vccstudents]

@Trekfreek You too. I need some sleep!

[DavidBCusumano]

It was one of my favorite star trek movies

[amaxamon]

My third favorite ST movie. Nimoy was a wonderful director. Elements of myth, fairy tale & C.G. Jung bring this film a fresh dimension. It's tight, looks great & uses all of the characters.

[videozfann]

Doc Brown!

Love the original Star Trek franchise.

[robbycan]

Wrath of Khan is not about death as much as it is about rebirth and finding purpose. Search for Spock is about loyalty and sacrifice for comrades.

[Trekfreek]

Sorry, but you are wrong. Nemoy told the producers that he would do Star Trek II but it would be the "last time I put on those DAMN EARS!" (It was reported him saying that, whether or not it was true). However it was not his idea to kill off Spock. Originally The Spock character was going to be replaced with a younger actor, but the Studio wanted Nemoy. Nemoy said he would return only if he got to direct and the rest is history.

[TheRealfishers64]

@Trekfreek Have to agree.

[carltonpowers]

Very good reveiw.

[eslubin]

i agree. this is a good movie with some great moments. the scenes on genesis were what held it down if anything. them getting together and stealing the ship and fightting croog were tremendous. its one of my favorites

[SpockNation]

I personally love this movie.  What's not to love about getting our beloved pointy eared friend back?

I also love this movie for the intriguing counter of Spock's "needs of many" speech;that perhaps sometimes, the needs of the few, or the one, outweighs the needs of the many.

TSFS not the best, and it's certainly not the worst. Sequels almost always have a difficult time coming off the success of another film. And since this was obviously a sequel to the incredible WOK, it suffered.

[bolatluver29]

thanks for this review.. i agree. i really enjoyed this movie and its very underated

[DavidHenesy]

great movie, reviewed well

[thisisrumorcontrol]

Thank you NecroVMX for standing up for this movie when others have blasted it. I have never been one of these people who've gone with the notion that the "odd numbered" films are worse then the "even numbered" films. While one movie may not be as good as another, each film has its redeeming qualities that makes them good in it's own way.

[JediMasterHorton]

i like this movie, but the destruction of the enterprise wasn't needed

[eslubin]

@JediMasterHorton the destruction of the ship tied the entire film together. the ultimate expression of shedding material to evince life in its purest form. they all sacrificed, including the ship. for their friend

[JediMasterHorton]

@eslubin

well i disagree with it

[eslubin]

@JediMasterHorton why

[JediMasterHorton]

@eslubin

I don't agree to the fact that Harvey Bennett wanted to destroy the enterprise. I don't like it but this movie really has a point about sacrifice

[eslubin]

@JediMasterHorton why don' you like it

[JediMasterHorton]

@eslubin There could have been another way, to save the enterprise. that's what bugs me

[eslubin]

@JediMasterHorton how?

[RobRobertTheMusicMan]

Anyone who does not like this movie, Is a homicidal maniac Fan of Star Trek. OK, So that might be overexaggerated, Way Over. It didn't bother me at all that he came back after that emotional scene from "Wrath". Because I like Spock, and you can't have Kirk without his Spock by his side.

[eslubin]

@RobRobertTheMusicMan lol, great comments

[gideonblackman]

But the destruction of the Enterprise and David's death at least give bringing Spock back to life a consequence and I agree 100% that had Spock come back 10 minutes into the film that the film would have sucked.

And there have been Star Trek even numbered films that sucked (or average). Both TNG even numbered films.

[gideonblackman]

I think the main reason that this film is looked down upon (Although in my opinion it is better than any of the TNG films) is that it came after the best Star Trek film. And there were high hopes for this one. I agree that this film is the exception in the odd numbers suck rule (As is the new Star Trek Film). Although it does lack a real strong Villain and Starfleet looks like bufoons in this film. I mean they defend Genesis with one barely armed Science Ship.lol.

[StoneKnivesBearskins]

Mr. Nimoy did not come up with the idea of Spock dying, and he did not insist upon it. He was asked if he wanted a beautiful death scene. Since Mr. Nimoy thought this would be the last Trek film, he thought "why not go out in a blaze of glory" and accepted. As they were working on 2, he started to wonder if he was wrong. He saw it was a realy good movie, and it might not be the last one. When they filmed Spock's death scene, he was depressed, and when he saw it for the first time, he cried.

[MissMael]

What I've read is that Spock was supposed to die early in TWOK but the writers pushed the scene further and further back until it was a part of the end. Nimoy wrote that he started to feel more and more reluctant to do the death scene and at the end he almost feared it. The scene where he touches McCoy's forehead was of what I heard not originally in the script but something Nimoy came up with while the scene was done. Maybe he had an idea for resurrection for Spock already then?

[hanniballecter3]

"most illogical" lol

[DOMuricu]

I don't believe that most ST fans dislike ST III, more that they just find the movie to be average. Check out SF Debris' review for a good overview of why this film is less popular that ST II or IV. Personnally this is the ST movie I watch the least as it doesn't really make as much of the story elements as it could have. Nimoy does a solid job directing, but the low-ish budget is often obvious.

[erentheca]

@DOMuricu Yes indeed. SF Debris mostly had a problem with the scope of this film, which he felt wasn't quite big enough. While he agreed the film was good, his only complaint was that it could have been better, given the powerful themes it explored and the number of crucial events that happened: David's death, Enterprise Destroyed, Spock's resurrection, et cetera. This film, while good, didn't reach its potential.

[ArmagideonTime]

Y'know, I never really put 2 and 2 together with the whole Saavik/Spock thing. Vulcan statutory rape/molestation?! Who knew Star Trek could be so bold! And though I grew up only mostly knowing TNG, the scene where the Enterprise explodes was still a jaw-dropper. Also, agreed on the debunking of even vs. odd numbered Trek movies. If you like the movie, you like it. That simple. And this one is still good stuff. And come on, Doc Brown as a Klingon? Nice.

[Darkhillpic28]

Again. My uncle loves Star Trek III then previous one. Still love the second thought, but the third movie was a close follow-up to Khan, and it's a classic. It's the best of odd number Trek movies.

[sserpent21]

Leonard Nimoy reportedly had a great experience in II and did want a way to come back, which is how they worked the "Remember" from II as a way out for a return in III. Another addition to coming back for a third was he wanted to direct. A deal was eventually worked out.

This movie is better then people think and it gets lost in the shuffle between Khan and "The one with the whales" since a lot of people like those more. I do like this movie and for a while it was my favorite after VI.

[megagrey]

The new reboot movie pretty much torpedoes the 'odd numbered Treks blow' notion too.