Marval Movie

Star Trek 2 was a big hit and would go on to big a big cult phenomenon, but maybe that is due to what number it is. It seems that (when it comes to Star Trek movies) the odd numbered movies are the worst of them while the even numbered are the treasures of the bunch. I've seen all six of the original movies and none of the Next Generation movies, and this theory seems to be right. Star Trek the motion picture is a stale rip off of 2001 and Final Frontier does not have as much of a lasting impression as the others, but the exception to this rule is Star Trek 3 Search for Spock. I think I might even enjoy more that Wrath of Khan.

The movie begins with a battered Enterprise going back to Star-fleet with Kirk and the whole crew morning the loss of Spock, meanwhile Dr. McCoy seems to be suffering a breakdown thinking that he's Spock. Later the crew gets their well deserved pat on the back but they learn that the Enterprise will be decommissioned being considered out of date (well it is twenty years old). Later again the crew meet up in Kirk's apartment but they have an unexpected visitor, Spock's father (Mark Lenard), who asks why he denied Spock his future. Apparently when Vulcan's are near death they can pour their soul into one who they trust so that they can be restored after their body has healed, makes scenes. So naturally Kirk wants to recover Spock's body and steals the Enterprise to do it.

One of the most interesting notes to make about Search for Spock is that it is directed by Lenard Nimoy, this is most interesting because Spock's presence can be felt throughout the movie. Along with this Nimoy can get some really good performances from his long term college's, everyone does a very good job especially Shatner, William Shatner has often been connected with cringing bad performances but here hes at the top of his game, not Oscar worthy but very enjoyable.

The villain this time is a Klingon Commander Kruge played by Christopher Lloyd, who wants the Genesis missile for its destructive capability's. Lloyd is one of those good old reliable actors who no matter what material you give him he'll produce a solid performance along with long lasting memorability. He's really good as this bad to the bone Klingon Commander who learns of this missile that can transform a barren wasteland into a vibrant oasis and all he sees is the ability to wipe out the enemies of the Klingon empire.

We then see that Kirk's son David is on Genesis monitoring his planets condition, it seems to be going through crazy climate changes as well as there seems to be a life form of the planet. They beem down to discover an infant Vulcan child, guess who this is. Yes they find a baby Spock on the plant with no memories, we then learn that David added a dangerous chemical to the Genesis missile that has made the planet unstable and is now exploding from within.

Later once the Enterprise reaches Genesis they encounter the Klingon's and have a little fight that ends with both shaken, but Kruge is holding David and the others hostage and David sacrifices himself for the others and merely minutes after they initiate the self destruct code for the Enterprise so they can take out the invading Klingon's, the destruction of the Enterprise isn't as shaking as Spock death but its heavy enough and is still memorable. Then finally Kirk and Kruge have their rough and tumble on an exploding planet, this is nice to see because Kirk and Khan never met face to face.

After Spock is brought back to Vulcan the ceremony goes through with out a hitch, Spock has his memory back and Kirk says "that the need of the one outweigh the needs of the many" clearly in denial.

Looking at it again Search for Spock is a little depressing, Wrath of Khan ended with the birth of a new planet and Kirk feeling reinvigorated, and Search for Spock shows the intentions of Genesis as a weapon and the missile not even working it seems to be taking the hopefulness that Khan ended on and Spock gives all that the slap in the face.

Star Trek 3 does however have good moments followed by solid action, story and effect as well as taking some risks.

Rating: 3 stars out of 4