Star Trek III: The Search for Spock

The world of the Star Fleet is surprisingly covered with mystique this time, but unfortunately very dull. Lengthy dramatic dialogues that don't help, twists indicating a concocted mess that the creators don't know how to handle, and a disgracefully sterile environment punctuated by ridiculous tricks (the Klingon dog will haunt me for a long time). Only the images of Genesis and the unbelievable charisma of Shatner save the first hour, without which the Enterprise (which retirement is this already?) would perhaps not have returned. It is not until the moment of negotiations with the Klingons that something finally starts that can be called good sci-fi. This is caused by Kirk's determination, a believable and tangible bond with Spock, and several plot twists that prove that even in Star Trek, we can expect the addition of emotional fuel. The end of one face comes at the last minute in this episode. To repeat for the fourth time that Scotty never really rests and that James T. Kirk would still gladly be a captain would be a trip to hell. Fortunately, it was an unforgettable Journey Home. (05/04/2009)

It's too bad. This is a weak and very forced re-introduction of a character for whose destruction the creators did not have enough courage. The problem is that the only goal of the film is to revive Spock in the final captions, and everything around him (Klingons, shootouts, fights) feels mechanical and complementary. Even Horner's soundtrack no longer has the explosiveness of the previous film, and what's worse, Admiral Kirk's energy doesn't work either. Although Kirk undergoes two terrible sacrifices, neither of them has the hallmark of exceptionality, they are not performed in a dazzling way, and only Shatner's solid acting prevents this from being absolute routine. As a director, Nimoy certainly did not achieve Meyer's or Wise's greatness, and The Search for Spock shrank to the level of a regular series episode. If it weren't for a few good moments (the hijacking of the Enterprise and Scott's one-liners), the third film would be ready to be written off... (03/24/2007)

I definitely don't enjoy it as much as "Star Wars", but you have to admit that those movies have something to them. I do have a little issue with Spock coming back, in terms of the story, but at least it was done in a tolerable way. There are great scenes with Klingons and generally, there are great ideas on the planet. However, it's not an outstanding sci-fi. (03/24/2015)

It's hard to believe today that the makers of Star Trek were ever serious about Spock's death and his resurrection wasn't part of the plan, but if nothing else would convince me of that, this movie would. You can see that The Search for Spock was made quickly, it's all about that one thing and the plot isn't very interesting otherwise. It's not as well thought out as the first film, not as action-packed and entertaining as The Wrath of Khan. Moreover, Leonard Nimoy didn't really show off in the director's chair, Christopher Lloyd isn't really suited for the Klingon role, and James Horner seems to have only used music for the soundtrack that he had already composed from memory but found weak. Still, though, The Search for Spock isn't a bad movie. It is "only" slightly above average. (08/07/2023)