Star Trek III: The Search for Spock

This is the third in a series of Star Trek Movie Marathon review posts.  I’m playing along with Shannon the Movie Moxie and we’re counting down to the release of the newest Star Trek film, due out in May 2009.  Here’s a link to the Countdown post in case any of you want to play along too.  I’m paying particular attention to doing my reflection spoiler free, like Shannon does.  Like my TV episode reviews, I’m going to focus on what I find fun and inspiring about Star Trek.

This film followed very close on the heels of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan and I think they did a very good job continuing the story and keeping a good pace throughout this film. 

The film continues on with the themes of loyalty and the sense of family among the crew of the Enterprise.  The counterbalance to Spock’s philosophy is pursued as the crew puts it all on the line to save Spock – the needs of the one outweigh the needs of the many.

The film also explored more of the Vulcan mysticism, culture, and language.  And, on the opposite end of the cultural spectrum, the Klingons also get a chance to demonstrate some of their unique cultural beliefs and traditions.

In case the condemnation of pursuing science for its own sake wasn’t clear enough, this movie reinforces that and tacks on a reprimand against scientists using unstable substances in the pursuit of science.

This film has some very cool special effects.  But, since the film comes right after the previous movie, there is little chance for there to be many new technological developments.  This doesn’t stop Star Trek though, they just use some technology from a different race.

Cool Science:

• Klingon cloaking device
• Klingon Bird of Prey vessel

Fun Stuff:

• This was Leonard Nimoy’s directorial debut.

Next Trek movie review: Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home on February 17th.  It’s one of my all-time favourites!