OK, its time for another post revisitation and this one will be on one of my older reviews of a Star Trek film and the film in question is Star Trek III: The Search for Spock. Now, the odd numbered Star Trek films tend to be less favourable with fans and critics (whereas the even numbered ones are favoured better) so this puts STIII in a rather awkward place.
So, given that it is an odd numbered Star Trek film, will it be that bad??? Well, let's take another look...
And yep the usual warning is coming up...
SPOILERS ARE AHEAD!!!
STORY
So, the story begins with the USS Enterprise returning back to Earth, in the aftermath of Kirk's battle with Khan, who tried to destroy the Enterprise by detonating the Genesis torpedo, and as a result Spock sacrificed his life to save the ship. As they are about to dock, Kirk (Shatner) receives word that someone has broken into Spock's quarters, and he goes to find McCoy (DeForrest Kelly) there who is acting strangely as he tells Jim to "climb the steps to Mount Selaya" which is on Vulcan, but McCoy passes out before he can say more.
Once back at Starfleet command, Admiral Morrow (Robert Hooks) tells the crew that the Enterprise is to be decomissioned and that Genesis is now a taboo subject and not to be discussed with anyone, as a result of a political fallout over the device. Kirk back home receives a visit from Spock's father, Sarek (Mark Lenard) who confronts him over his son's death. Sarek mind melds with Kirk but he finds no trace of what he had hoped was his son's "katra" or living spirit, however Kirk suggests that Spock might have joined with someone else. This is revealed to be the case when they check the engineering room video tapes and they find Spock performed a mind meld on McCoy, on which Sarek tells Kirk that he must find Spock's body and bring him and McCoy to Mount Selaya where they can restore Spock's mind.
Meanwhile Kirk's son David Marcus (Merritt Butrick) one of the main scientists involved in the Genesis project, is now assigned to the USS Grissom, where investigates an unidentified lifeform coming from the Genesis planet. Along with Lt Saavik (Robin Curtis) David beams down to the surface of the planet and they find that Spock's coffin chamber is empty, and they soon find a Vulcan child, which as it turns out the Genesis wave has regenerated Spock's body. However the planet itself is becoming highly unstable as David admits to Saavik that he used protomatter in constructing the Genesis device, which means that Spock will age rapidly and the planet will be destroyed within a matter of hours.
Elsewhere Kirk with help of Sulu (George Taeki), Scotty (James Doonan) and Chekov (Walter Koenig) manage to steal the Enterprise from space dock and fly off to find Spock. However to complicate things a Klingon crew have learned of the Genesis device, and the commander, Kruge (Christopher Lloyd) intercepts and destroys USS Grissom and he beams down to the planet, taking David, Saavik and the rapidly aging Spock hostage.
As the Enterprise reaches the Genesis planet, Kruge is informed of their arrival and beams up to his Klingon bird of prety, where he does battle with the Enterprise, and knocks out the ship's engines and weapons in the process. Kruge tells Kirk that he has David and Saavik hostage below and he orders one of them to be killed, and on the surface, David prevents one of the Klingons from killing Saavik, but he is killed himself in the struggle. Kirk is devastated by news of his son's death and surrenders to Kruge, but in the meantime he activates the Enterprises's self destruct sequence, and he sets the transporter to beam down to the surface of the planet, just in time before Kruge's boarding party arrive on the ship as it self destructs.
On the surface Kirk and the others soon find Saavik and the aging Spock, who by this time has fully growing into the adult Spock we know. But before they can escape, Kruge beams down and seeks revenge over the death of his crewmembers, as he confronts Kirk as the planet collapses around them...
THOUGHTS
Although it isn't quite in the same league as its predecessor, The Search for Spock has alot going for it as a film, and Leonard Nimoy makes an impressive directorial debut here taking over from Nicholas Meyer, who was set not to return. It also sees the second part in what is something of a trilogy of its own as the story arc of finding Spock is a continuation from the events of the second film, and this continues into Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home.
I also quite like the concept that Spock can be brought back to life by placing his "katra" or living spirit into McCoy's mind and it also allows for McCoy behave in an amusingly strange manner, as he takes on some of Spock's personality traits, which I'll mention more about a bit later on. And the Genesis theme is again used well here, although it does seem a bit of a change-up that all of a sudden Genesis, which is supposed to have the power to create, turns out to be a scientific failure, as the Genesis planet becomes unstable and destroys itself later on.
Its also refreshing to see the return of the Klingons to the franchise as well, and this time they are far better represented than they were in Star Trek The Motion Picture, where they hardly had any screen time at all.
PERFORMANCES AND NOTABLE SCENES (Warning: this section will contain spoilers!)
Which brings me onto the performances in the film which are again pretty good, and the regular cast once more deliver some nice performances.
Starting with William Shatner who is great once again in his role as James T. Kirk, and he shows great decency, courage and loyalty in doing all he can to find Spock and bring him back.
And Shatner has his share of good moments in the film, starting with the scene at the start where Kirk narrates as we see him wander around the bridge, deep in thought. So, Kirk narrates "And Enterprise feels like a house with all the children gone. No. More empty even than that. The death of Spock is like an open wound. It seems that I have left the noblest part of myself back there, on that newborn planet". And at the end of the scene a young crewmember asks Kirk "Sir, I was wondering if they were planning a ceremony when we get in? I mean a reception?". Kirk smiles at him and says "A hero's welcome, son. Is that what you would like?" and he looks more serious and says "Well, God knows there should be. This time we've paid for the party with our dearest blood". Kirk then goes off the bridge into the elevator and he looks deeply troubled by Spock's death.
Then there is the scene where Kirk tries to persuade Admiral Morrow that he must take the Enterprise to go on his mission to get Spock's body from Genesis. So, Kirk says to Morrow "You don't have to believe. I'm not even sure that I believe. But if there's even a chance that Spock has an eternal soul, then it's my responsibility". Morrow looks a little amused and asks "Yours?" and Kirk says "As if it were my very own. Give me back the Enterprise, with Scotty's help..." but Morrow insists that the Enterprise couldn't take the pounding and also that Kirk is forbidden to go to Genesis and that he will end up destroying his career if he does. So, Kirk laughs and says "I hear you...I had to try" and Morrow says "Of course" and Kirk then says "Thanks for the drink" and Morrow says "Any time" and he leaves. And as Kirk rejoins with Sulu and Chekov, Sulu asks "The word, sir?" and Kirk tells him "The word is no. I am therefore going anyway!" and Sulu says "You can count on our help, sir" and Kirk says "Thank you, Mr Sulu. I'll need it!".
Another good moment for Shatner is when he finds McCoy who has been arrested in put in a holding cell after having an argument in a bar, and Kirk does the Vulcan peace sign and says "How many fingers am I holding up??" and McCoy annoyed says "That's not very damn funny!". Kirk smiles and says "Your sense humour has returned" and McCoy says "The hell it has!" Kirk then gives McCoy some medicinal injection and says "Your suffering from a Vulcan mind-meld, Doctor" and McCoy gasps and says "That green blooded son of a bitch! Its revenge for all those arguments he lost!".
WARNING: THIS NEXT THREE PARAGRAPHS HAVE BIG PLOT SPOILERS JUST IN CASE YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE FILM!
Another notable scene from Shatner is a rather silly dramatic and cheesy moment where he learns that David has been killed by a klingon on the surface of Genesis. So, as Lt Savik tells him "Admiral...David is dead, Kirk staggers and collapses in his chair on the Enterprise bridge, and says "You Klingon bastard you killed my son!" and he emotionally repeats "You Klingdon bastard you killed me son!" and he stands up and he angrily says again "You Klingon bastard!".
Then there is the moment where Kirk has his showdown with Kruge on Genesis as the planet is destroying itself. So, before they do, Kirk uses one of the Klingon communicators to speak to Kruge, who has just lost most of his crew onboard the Enterprise when Kirk set it to self destruct. So, Kirk says to Kruge "Klingon Commander, this is Admiral James T. Kirk. I'm alive and well on the planet surface. I know this will come as a pleasant surprise, but our ship had an unfortunate accident.
Sorry about your crew, but as we say on Earth, c'est la vie. I have what you want. I have the secret of Genesis. You're going to have to bring us up there to get it. Do you hear me? I'm waiting for you!
What is your answer?!".
So after a long pause, Kruge beams down and the two of them have it out after Kruge beams up Kirk's crew except the regenerated unconscious Spock. So, Kruge says to Kirk "Genesis! I want it!" and Kirk tells him "Beam the Vulcan up and we'll talk!" and Kruge says "Give me what I want and I'll consider it". Kirk however shouts at him "You fool look around you! The planet's destroying itself!" and Kruge says "Yes, exhilirating isn't it?!" and Kirk then says "If we don't help each other we'll die here!" and Kruge accepting his fate says "Perfect! Then that's the way it shall be!". So, after the two of them have a fist fight it ends with Kruge dangling over a cliff edge and as Kirk tries to help him up, Kruge grabs Kirk's foot and in an effort to take him down with him. So, Kirk the kicks Kruge as he says "I...have had...enough...of YOU!!" and with a final kick he sends Kruge falling to his death into a firey pit of lava below.
And last of all is the following scene where Kirk manages beam himself and Spock up to the Klingon ships as he repeated the Klingon phrase for "beam me up" so Kirk points a gun at the last remaining Klingon crew hostage. So Kirk says to him "You! Help us or die!" to which the Klingon officer, Maltz (played by John Larroquette) who says "I do not deserve to live!" and Kirk replies "fine, I'll kill you later!". But shortly after the crew escape the planet in the vessel, Kirk orders for Maltz to be taken below prisoner to which Maltz angrily says "Wait, you say you would kill me!" and Kirk says "I lied!".
DeForrest Kelley is great again as McCoy, and this time he is given more to do as he holds the burden of carrying Spock's katra in his head, and as a result he takes on some of Spock's logical personality, which provides some amusing moments in the film.
Kelley of course has his own highlights in the film that include the scene at the start where Kirk is told Spock's quarters have been forced open after they were sealed off and he rushes to the quarters and finds a delirious McCoy sitting there. So, Kirk grabs McCoy and looks surprised and McCoy in almost a trance says to Kirk "Help me, Jim. Take me home" and Kirk says "Bones, we are home" and McCoy then tells him "Then perhaps it's not too late. Climb the steps, Jim! Climb the steps of Mount Seleya!". Kirk confused says "Mount Seleya?! Bones, Mount Seleya is on Vulcan. We're home! On Earth" to which McCoy deliriously says "Remember..." before passing out.
Then there is of course Kelley's best scene in the film where McCoy goes to a bar to meet with an alien, who can arrange to fly him out to Genesis. So, as McCoy arrives in the bar, a waitress walks up to him and asks "What will it be?" and McCoy says "Altair water" and she looks surprised and says "Altair water??? That's not your usual poison!". McCoy then briefly takes on Spock's persona and tells her "To expect one to order posion in bars, is not logical" and the waitress smiles and says "Got it!" and walks off.
McCoy then meets with the alien, who sits down across from him and says "To your planet, welcome!" and McCoy says "I think that's MY line stranger". McCoy then asks him "How much and how soon?" and the alien replies "How soon is now, how much is where?" and McCoy says "Somewhere in the Mutura sector". The alien sounds cautious and says "Oh, Mutura restricted. Take permits many; money more!" but McCoy angrily says to him "There aren't gonna be any damned permits! How can you get a permit to do a damned illegal thing?! Look, price you name, money I got". The alien firmly however says "Place YOU name, money I name, otherwise bargain no!" and McCoy angrily tells the alien his destination "Alright, damn it! It's Genesis! The name of the place we're going is GENESIS!". The alien outraged, loudly shouts "GENESIS??! Genesis allowed is not! Its planet forbidden!" so McCoy then grabs the alien and he tells him "Look my backwards friend...Genesis maybe forbidden but I'm damn well going...!".
However then a federation security agent suddenly appears having been attracted by the alien's shouting and he puts a hand on McCoy and tells him "Sir, your voice is carrying. I don't think you want to be discussing this subject in public". McCoy angrily says "I'll discuss what like! And who the hell are you?!" and the agents asks "Can I give you a ride home, Dr McCoy?". McCoy however furiously says to the agent "Where's the logic in offering me a ride home, you idiot?! lf I wanted a ride home, would I be chartering a space flight?!!" which prompts an angry groan from the alien. McCoy then asks the agent "How the hell do you know who I am?!" and the agent shows him his credentials and says "Federation security, sir" and McCoy suddenly tries to use a Vulcan neck pinch on the agent but it fails to work. Instead the the agent gives McCoy a look and tells him "You're gonna get a nice, long rest doctor!".
Last of all is the scene where just after Kirk, McCoy, Sulu, Chekov and Scotty beam down to Genesis and witness the smouldering remains of the Enterprise go down literally in flames, all five men look on in shock at the sight. And Kirk says to McCoy "My God, Bones! What have I done?!" and McCoy tells Kirk "What you had to do. What you always. Turn death into a fighting chance to live".
Then there is the scene where just after the crew rescue Spock, who has been regenerated on the planet surface of Genesis and they depart in a stolen Klingon vessel, McCoy talks to an unconscious Spock. And McCoy pleads with Spock as he wants to know what he is to do with Spock's katra (Spock's living essence) and he says "Spock, for God sakes, talk to me! You stuck this damn thing in my head, remember? Remember?! Now tell me what to do with it!". As Spock lies unconscious, McCoy takes a moment and then says emotionally to Spock "I'm going to tell you something that I never thought I'd ever hear myself say. But it seems I've missed you. I don't know if I could...stand to lose you again".
And last of all is there is the scene where on Vulcan, the high priestess is about to carry out the process to transfer Spock's essence back into his body but she warns McCoy of the dangers involved. So, the Priestess says to McCoy "But, McCoy, you must now be warned. The danger to thyself is as grave as the danger to Spock. You must make the choice". McCoy takes a moment then says "I choose the danger" and he mutters to Kirk "Hell of a time to ask(!)".
Of the new cast members, Christopher Lloyd is excellent as the rogue Klingon commander Kruge, an meglomaniacal Klingon who is out to seek power, glory and the usual stuff renegade Klingons look for!
Lloyd overall makes for quite an effecive villain, and he has some good moments that include the one where Kruge's Klingon vessel decloaks and surrends the USS Grissom and Kruge instructs his gunner to target the engine only, however the gunner ends up destroying the ship totally instead. So, Kruge, outraged yells at the gunner in Klingon "I wanted prisoners!!!" and the gunner foolishly says "A lucky shot, sir!" which prompts Kruge to vapourise the gunner and after he says in disgust "Animal!". Then another Klingon officer, Torg says to Kruge "Sir, may I suggest..." and Kruge angrily spins round points his gun at him and shouts "Say the wrong thing, Torg.....!" but Torg tells him "If you want prisoners, there are life signs there. Perhaps the very scientists you seek". Kruge then relents and puts his gun down and says "Very good".
Then there is the scene where Kruge and some of his men beam down to the surface of Genesis and capture David and Saavik along with the young regenerated Spock. So, Kruge addresses them "I've come a long way for the power of Genesis, and what do I find? A weakling human, a Vulcan boy, and a woman!". Saavik tells Kruge "My lord, we are survivors of a doomed expedition. This planet will destroy itself in hours. The Genesis experiment is a failure". Kruge considering Saavik's words, says "A failure? The most destructive force ever created? You will tell me the secret of the Genesis torpedo". Saavik however says "I have no knowledge" and Kruge warns her "Then I hope pain is something you enjoy!".
Another good scene for Lloyd is just after the Enterprise has its brief battle with the Kruge's vessel and the Klingons disable the Enterprise's engines, rendering them a sitting duck. So, as Kirk tries to bluff his position to Kruge, Kruge doesn't buy it and he says to his officer "He's hiding something. We may have hit him more seriously than I thought". Torg then asks Kruge "How can you tell that?" and Kruge says "I trust my instincts".
So, Kruge then addresses Kirk "Admiral Kirk, this is your opponent speaking. Don't lecture me about treaty violations. The Federation, in creating an ultimate weapon, has become a gang of intergalactic criminals. It is not I that should surrender but it is YOU!". Kruge then takes a moment and continues "On the planet below, I have three prisoners from the team who developed your doomsday weapon. If you do not surrender immediately, I will execute them one at a time as enemies of galactic peace!". Kirk outraged then says "Who is this?! How dare you take prisoners!" and Kruge shouts "Who I am is not important! That I have them is!". Then after Kruge let's Kirk speak to David and Saavik, Kruge orders for one of them to be killed, which ends up badly for David. So, after Kirk furiously calls Kruge a "Klingon bastard!" Kruge says to him "There are two more prisoners, Admiral. Do you want them killed too?!".
Then after Kirk agrees, Kruge gives him two minutes to inform his crew, Kruge then turns to Torg "Take every last man, form a boarding party armed heavily!". Torg protest "They outnumber us, Lord..." but Kruge yells "WE ARE KLINGONS!!! Once you control the ship, we'll transfer our flag there and take Genesis from their own memory banks!". And as Kruge's men board the Enterprise, they find the bridge deserted as Kirk and the others have beamed down to Genesis. So, Torg radios Kruge and tells him "My Lord, the ship appears to be deserted" and Kruge asks "How can that be? They're hiding!" and Torg says "The bridge is run by computer, it is the only thing that is speaking". Kruge curiously asks "Speaking? Let me hear" and Torg puts his radio up to the bridge computer's self destruct countdown and Kruge reacts in horror as he realises what is happening and he yells "GET OUT!!! GET OUT OF THERE!!!! GET OUT!!!" just before the Klingons are blow to bits.
And last of all is Kruge's showdown with Kirk as the two of them fight each other on the surface of Genesis as it is destroying itself. So, Kruge says to Kirk "Genesis! I want it!" and Kirk tells him "Beam the Vulcan up and we'll talk!" and Kruge says "Give me what I want and I'll consider it". Kirk however shouts at him "You fool look around you! The planet's destroying itself!" and Kruge says "Yes, exhilirating isn't it?!" and Kirk then says "If we don't help each other we'll die here!" and Kruge accepting his fate says "Perfect! Then that's the way it shall be!" just before they start their fight.
And while they three of them have limited screen time, Walter Koenig, George Taeki and James Doonan also provide nice performances Chekov, Sulu and Scotty respectively. Sorry but I couldn't really find many notable lines for Walter Koenig, so unfortunately I don't have any of his scenes to add here (I think Walter was handed a bit of a bum steer in Star Trek III!).
As for James Doohan, well he has a few good moments such as the scene at the start where Kirk asks Scotty for a repair estimate on the Enterprise as a result of the damage it took from their battle against Khan (in Star Trek II). So, as Kirk asks "How much refit time do we have?" and Scotty tells "8 weeks, Admiral, but we don't have 8 weeks, so I'll do it for you in two!". Kirk then smiles and asks Scotty "Have you always multiplied your repair estimates by a factor of four?" and Scotty grins and says "Of course, sir! How else can I keep my reputation as a miracle worker?!" and Kirk tells him "Your reputation is secure, Scotty!".
Then there is the scene where Doohan get to deliver one of the film's best lines where he is about to sabotage the new USS Excelsior starship he has been assigned to, and the automated elevator voice asks him where he wants to go and he says "Transporter room!" and the voice says "Thank you" and Scotty sharply replies "Up your shaft!".
And last of all there is the moment where Kirk along with his crew, steal the Enterprise and as the fleet's flagship is about to pursue them, the Excelsior, it packs in as it tries to jump to warp speed. And in the next moment, Kirk says to Scotty "Scotty, as good as your word" and Scotty smiles and says "The more they over think the plumbing, the easier it is to stop up the drain!".
George Taeki as Sulu also get's a funny moment where he teases a big security guard who was yawning and says "Keeping you busy?". So the tall guard stands up, towering over Sulu and says to him "Don't get smart. Tiny!". And in the next moment, Kirk knocks out one of the guards and take McCoy and Sulu grabs the big guy and slams him into the wall and says to Kirk "Side elevator! Agents are on their way up!" and he then throws the big guard to the ground and destroys the comms console and says to the guard "Don't call me tiny!".
Nichelle Nichols as Uhura is also good in her role once more as the Enterprise's trusty communications officer. And Nichelle's best scene is when she has to deal with a young cocky, Starfleet officer, Mr Adventure (Scott McGinnis) who wants to go places with his career and he puts down Uhura, who appears to be carry out her duties.
So, Mr Adventure says to Uhura "Look at you. You're a twenty-year space veteran, yet you pick the worst duty station in town. I mean, look at this place. This is the hind end of space!" and Uhura says "Peace and quiet appeals to me, Lieutenant". Mr Adventure however carries on "Well, maybe that's okay for someone like you, whose career is winding down. But me, I need some excitement, some adventure... maybe even just a surprise or two!". Uhura then warns him "Well, you know what they say, Lieutenant. Be careful what you wish for. You might get it!" and at this point Kirk and the others enter the room much to Mr Adventure's surprise.
Mr Adventure then complains that "This is damned irregular! No destination points, no encoded IDs!" and Uhura says "All true" and Mr Adventure challenges her "So, what are you gonna do about it?" and Uhura tells him "I'm gonna do anything about it. You're gonna sit in the closet!". Mr Adventure in disbelief then asks "The closet?! Have you lost all your sense of reality?!" and Uhura tells him "This isn't reality..." and she suddenly pulls a phaser on him and says "...this is fantasy!". Mr Adventure suddenly looks nervous and Uhura asks him "You wanted adventure, how's this? The old adrenaline going, huh? Good boy. Now get in the closet!". So, Mr Adventure awkwardly get's into the closet and the door slides shut and Kirk asks "Can you handle that..." and Uhura smiles and says "Oh, I'll have "Mr. Adventure" eating out of my hand, sir. And I'll see all of you at the rendezvous".
Robin Curtis who takes over the role of playing Lt Saavik also does a good job here although she is arguably not quite as good Kirstie Alley, but she does play Saavik in a more logical way.
Robin has some good moments in her performance also that include the one where on the Genesis planet, Saavik confronts David over his careless choices when constructing the Genesis device as the planet starts to show signs of instability. So, Saavik says to David "It's time for total truth between us. This planet is not what you intended or hoped for, is it?" and David says "Not exactly" and Saavik asks "Why?" and David tells her "I used protomatter in the Genesis matrix". Saavik after a pause says "Protomatter. An unstable substance which every ethical scientist in the galaxy has denounced as dangerously unpredictable". David then tries to rationalise his decision "It was the only way to solve certain problems" and Saavik replies "So, like your father you had changed the rules" and David insists "If I hadn't, it might have been years, or maybe never!". Saavik then says pointedly to David "How many have paid the price for your impatience? How many have died? How much damage have you done? And what is yet to come?"
SPOILER WARNING FOR THIS NEXT PARAGRAPH!
And last of all is Robin's most notable moment when David has been killed, she calmly tells Kirk on the radio "Admiral, David is dead". This might appear to be a badly acted moment, but considering that she is Vulcan and they are a logical race, it makes sense that she wouldn't be overcome by emotion.
Merritt Buttrick again as David provides a good performance and he too has his good moments that include the scene near the start where onboard the USS Grissom, David is with Saavik as the two of them work together monitoring activity on the Genesis planet. So, in the scene Grissom's Captain, Esteban (Phillip R Allen) says to David "Doctor, this is your planet" and David cheerily says "Begin scanning please" and then to Saavik "This is where the fun begins, Saavik!" and Saavik shakes her head and says "Just like your father. So human!".
And last of all is Merritt's last scene, which is quite poignant as David and Saavik are being held hostage on Genesis by Kruge's men and Kirk speaks to David over the radio as the Kruge let's Kirk speak to David and Saavik one at a time. So, David says to Kirk "Hello, sir. Its David" and Kirk says "I'm sorry I'm late" and David tells him "Its alright, I should have known you'd come. Saavik's right, this planet will destroy itself in hours". Kirk asks David "David, what went wrong?" and after a pause David says "I went wrong" and Kirk, puzzled says "David, I don't understand" and David replies "I'm sorry, sir. Just don't surrender. Genesis doesn't work. I can't believe they'd kill us for it".
Mark Lenard next does a fine job playing Sarek, Spock's father, and his main scene and best is when Sarek arrives to confront Kirk over why he abandoned Spock.
So, as Kirk offers his condolences, Sarek interrupts him and says "Spare me your human platitutes, Kirk. I have been to your government and I've seen the Genesis information and your report!". Kirk says to Sarek "Then you'll know how bravely your son met his death" but Sarek angrily asks "Why did you leave him on Genesis? Spock trusted you! And you denied him his future!". Kirk puzzled says "I saw no future" but Sarek tells him "Only his body was in death, Kirk! And you were the last one to be with him!" and Kirk says "Yes I was" and Sarek insists "Then you must know you should had come with him to Vulcan". Kirk, still confused asks "But why?" and Sarek tells him "Because he asked you too! He entrusted you! With his very esscence. With everything that was not of the body. He asked you to bring him to us and to bring that which he gave you. His Katra. His living spirit!".
Sarek then asks Kirk "Kirk, I must have your thoughts. May I join with your mind?" and Kirk says "Certainly" and Sarek performs a mind-meld with Kirk only to find that the katra is not there. So, Sarek solmely says "Forgive me, it is not here. I had assumed he mind-melded with you. It is the Vulcan way, when the body's end is near". Kirk explains "We were separated. He couldn't touch me" and Sarek softly says "I see" and then with sadness he says "Then, everything he was...everything he knew...is lost". However as Sarek is about to leave, Kirk says "Please wait! He would have found a way. If there was that much at steak, Spock would have found a way!" and Sarek says "Yes. But how?".
WARNING: THIS LAST PARAGRAPH IS A SPOILER ALSO!!!
And last of all is Leonard Nimoy himself, who appears briefly as Spock at the end and in the scene he has a good little moment with Bill where Spock speakes to Kirk.
And Spock asks him "My father said you came back for me. Why would you do this?" and Kirk tells him "Because the needs of the one, outweigh the needs of the many". Spock then starts to remember his last words before he died "Ship out of danger?" and Kirk says "Yes, Spock. You saved the ship, you saved us all!". Spock then takes a long moment and he then turns to Kirk and says "Jim...your name is Jim!" and Kirk smiles and says "Yes, Spock". And then the rest of the crew gather round Spock and all greet him warmly and Spock, even through his logical demeanour, manages a brief smile and he turns to Kirk and raises his eyebrows!
DIRECTOR, EFFECTS AND MUSIC
Finally moving onto the direction, Leonard Nimoy took over the directorial helm in this film after Nimoy insisted that he would return to the film series only if he could direct it to which of course Paramount pictures agreed to!
And Nimoy here does a very fine job with Star Trek III and he keeps up the tone from Star Trek II where the regular characters are all engaging and he also allows for a decent balance of action, drama and fun. Nimoy himself also appears as Spock toward the end of the film, so this would allow him to oversee the directorial duties more easily and as his debut this certainly is a pretty good effort.
In regards to the special effects, once again they were provided mostly by Industrial Light and Magic (ILM) and this time we have four spaceships on display with the USS Enterprise, Grissom, Excelsior as well as Kruge's Klingon bird of prey. Overall once again the special effects for the ships are all very impressive and one of the new effects we see in the film is the Klingon cloaking device, which is well used. However the most notable effect in the film is of course the destruction of the Enterprise, and its one of the film's most memorable images as Kirk, McCoy, Sulu, Scotty and Chekov have safely beamed to the Genesis planet, we see the smouldering remains of the Enterprise fire down in the distance.
As for the film's music, we are treated to another very fine score by James Horner, who follows up his terrific work from Star Trek II with another wonderful effort here, which has the perfect mix of drama, adventure and atmosphere. Horner reprises some of the themes from the second film, but he also adds in plenty of great new cues, such as the one used in the Enterprise self destruct sequence, and the scene where they attempt Spock's "refusion" on Vulcan.
FLAWS (Warning: this section may contain spoilers!)
As for Star Trek III's flaws....yesss it does have some but they are mainly connected to the plot.
For starters, I found it a bit daft as to how David decided to carelessly use an unstable substance in the Genesis matrix that would ultimately cause the planet's destruction when his mother, Dr Carol Marcus, was also overseeing the project. I mean if that is the case then surely she would have known the dangers and not have allowed it! But, nah, this is one part of the plot where they need to find a way to quickly destroy the planet, so they pin on in scientific ineptitude rather than anything else!
Another issue was to do with Kruge's interest in the Genesis project and how he was soon keen to get his hands on the materials only to hear later from Saavik first hand how it was a total failure. And later, Kruge challenges Kirk to provide him with the Genesis data but again by this time its clear it was a total disaster as the planet was collapsing around them, so why bother go through all that anyway?! Instead, Kruge at this stage, decides to go on a self destruct mode himself as he is intent on taking Kirk down with him.
Its also a bit daft that Kirk didn't twig alot sooner that McCoy was suffering the effects of a Vulcan mind-meld, even when Sarek popped round to meet him. This should have been a bit more apparent to him when Sarek tells Kirk about Spock's katra and how McCoy earlier mentioned to Kirk "Climb the steps of Mount Seleya!" and maybe at this point, Kirk could have put two and two together and went "Ah wait a minute! One of my crew has been acting a bit funny lately!".
I also found it a bit convenient how they managed to get Spock off the Genesis planet not only in the nick of time but also just at the right time in Spock's life cycle to be most likely the correct age that Spock's body would have been before he died! It was a pretty jammy bit of luck in itself that's how things went as Spock could have been alot older if they hadn't!
Then there is the whole thing involving the Genesis proposal video, which in this film is presented by Kirk and not Dr Carol Marcus, which in itself is a bit curious, as it was Carol's project in the first place, so why would Kirk need to re-record the proposal himself??!! Its more likely just a plot device, so that Kruge can meet with Kirk later on although it is reasonable to assume that Kirk might have been asked to record his own version of the Genesis proposal I guess. Even so though, I still find it a bit weird at times they didn't use Carol's footage instead.
And last of all I thought it was a bit strange in the scene where Kruge's Vulcan mistress, or whoever she was, who transferred the Genesis data to him, would admit that she had looked at the data as that ultimately lead to Kruge having to kill her, as she could have just kept her mouth shut and not told him! But again perhaps that's how the Klingons roll in terms of honour, they make a mistake and they own up to it and then get killed.
Anyway that's it for the flaws!
SUM UP
So, in summing up, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, is a very enjoyable follow up to the very successful, Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan, even if it wasn't as critically lauded as much as its predecessor, it is for me, easily the best of the odd numbered Star Trek films. And the regular cast here are all thankfully just as engaging as they were in ST II, so it was great to see them continue that formulae. The film is also very well backed up by a fine score by James Horner aswell as some good visual effects and solid direction by Leonard Nimoy.
And for me after 33 years, Star Trek III, is still a film I have good memories of and to this day still enjoy watching.
Right, so that's it for now and I will be back with hopefully a final review of the year before 2018 arrives.
So, till then its bye for now!
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