Most people who love the original Star Trek television series and the subsequent movies were in a state of shock after the airing of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. In that film, one of the main characters, Mr. Spock, died while rescuing the Starship Enterprise.

Losing Mr. Spock from Star Trek is totally incomprehensible. He is one of the series most beloved characters because unlike the rest of the Enterprise crew, Mr. Spock is an alien from the planet, Vulcan. Without him, the Enterprise nor the original Star Trek crew would never be the same.

So, it was not that much of a shock to me that the sequel to Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan be appropriately titled Star Trek III - The Search for Spock.

What Is Star Trek?

Well, if you do not know what Star Trek is, then the first part of this Epinion probably makes no sense at all. So, I will attempt to briefly describe Star Trek to you.

Star Trek is the name of a science fiction television series that was produced in the 1960s. A man named Gene Roddenberry who had a great vision for the future created this remarkable television series. In the series, a group of individuals from various races and creeds would fly together on a space ship to seek out new life forms and civilizations. However, it was not just humans who inhabited these vessels, but aliens from other planets as well.

The entire series had mostly a “feel good” experience to it, and usually taught some kind of moral or idea within it to make the audience really think. Star Trek was cancelled though after three seasons and years later motion pictures were released that continued the voyages of the spaceship, the USS Enterprise for many more years.

The Search for Spock

The sequel to Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan takes us to the voyages of Admiral James Kirk and his crew as they return home after fighting the villain, Khan. The USS Enterprise, badly damaged, has been ordered decomissioned much to the surprise of the crew. They had hoped to take the ship back to the Genesis Planet, which was created via a scientific experiment using a massive matter reorganization device. The Genesis device though has the potential to be used as a weapon though, and the magnitude of this possibility has caused the project and the planet to be a major controversy.

Kirk’s son, David, was partial creator of this device and project. While he and another crewmember from the original “II” series, Savik, are on assignment with the science vessel, Grissom, a series of events happen that will determine all of their fates.

First, the Klingon Empire (who is mostly at war with the Federation of which the Enterprise is a ship), is opposed to the Genesis device saying that it will annihilate the empire. Because of the magnitude of this weapon, Klingon Commander Kruge, played by Christopher Lloyd, has decided to become a renegade and “hero” by obtaining the device for the Empire.

In the meantime, the chief physician of the USS Enterprise, Dr. Leonard McCoy, seems to have become demented. Apparently, Mr. Spock mind melded (linked minds) with him just before his death to implant his Vulcan spirit within his own. This has caused McCoy to almost become insane because now he is part McCoy and part Spock.

After Admiral Kirk speaks to Spock’s father, he realizes that he has made a mistake in judgment. Being ignorant of Vulcan religion and customs, he has interred Spock’s body onto the Genesis Planet. Without the return of Spock’s body to Vulcan where he can have his spirit at peace there, McCoy will go insane and instead of the loss of one of his friends, Kirk will lose both.

This causes a massive escapade where the Enterprise crew, who are under orders to stay at space dock, must retrieve Spock’s body and return to the Genesis Planet, and the Klingons en route to take whatever means necessary to acquire the specifications of the Genesis device. But who will win with this situation? And is Spock dead or alive? After all after the Genesis device activated, the entire matrix of the planet was being redesigned. Was Spock part of that too? Or is Spock truly lost forever?

Things I Like About Star Trek III: The Search for Spock

Depth of Feelings

The main thing that I like about Star Trek III: The Search for Spock is the depth of emotions that are shown by Admiral Kirk in the loss of his best friend, Mr. Spock. Having lost my own best friend now about a month ago, I realize the depth and magnitude of that hurt. As Kirk has to relieve that experience with Spock’s father, I felt the tears coming to my eyes with the grief expressed during these scenes.

In addition, the scenes were amplified by use of various camera angles showing only the lips and eyes of individuals as the re-enactment was portrayed giving more depth to the feelings. Truly this made the film much more realistic to the viewer and one that each one of us could readily identify with.

Loyalty Factors

In addition to the feelings portrayed in depth within Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, the sense of loyalty between the crew members of the Enterprise was truly awe inspiring. Each and every one of them was willing to sacrifice anything and everything to help find their lost friend where he could have peace. Admiral Kirk especially had the most to lose in this endeavor, but even then he did not realize the magnitude of what he had to sacrifice until the moment when he heard the last words spoken by his son before the Klingons murdered him.

It makes me wonder how many individuals would literally give everything they have in their lives to help another person in need. With so many people so selfish, it seems really rather unreal at times because most people look out for number “one”. However, with the crew of the Enterprise, it was all or none and each one of them gave their all in this script.

Things I Do Not Like About Star Trek III: The Search for Spock

The main thing that I do not like about Star Trek III: The Search for Spock is that I really believe there is too much graphical violence in it. Not only is there physical violence, but there’s implied violence, destruction of property, destruction of a planet, and murder. While I understand these are all necessary elements for the movie to work out to its logical conclusion, I believe this causes the film itself to be more of one for teenagers than for ages 9-12 due to violence factors.

Recommendation

With parental supervision for younger children though, I believe they will also enjoy Star Trek III: The Search for Spock as they will the other Star Trek movies in this series. While not one of my favorites, I am happy though that the plot of this film came to a “logical” resolution and since I will not reveal the spoiler, you’ll have to figure out just what that means!

Note: Detailed information about Star Trek III: The Search for Spock is located on the Internet Movie Database at http://www.imdb.com.

Personal Note: In the past, I have to admit that I was not that impressed with The Search For Spock. However, now after the death of my best friend in Georgia, my eyes see this movie in a new light. Like Admiral Kirk, I would have done anything to stop or reverse the death of my friend. However, in reality that is not possible – but at least in Star Trek, I can still rejoice with Admiral Kirk that his desires came true.


Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Better than Watching TV
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older