Star Trek III - The Search for Spock (1984)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Michael E

  
  This is a major improvement over the second film for me. Its pacing is much better, and the plot is much more detailed to me, but I do find it kind of cheap to kill Spock off just to bring him back in the next film, but overall this is a great entry in the film series, and to me this… More
  This is a major improvement over the second film for me. Its pacing is much better, and the plot is much more detailed to me, but I do find it kind of cheap to kill Spock off just to bring him back in the next film, but overall this is a great entry in the film series, and to me this is my personal favorite of the films I've seen, and that mainly has to do with not just the plot, but with the characters, the character of Bones is much funnier in this film, but the best performance to me is Christopher Lloyd as the villain Klingon Leader, who is a very well pulled off ruthless villain character, that is a perfect enemy for Captain Kirk.

• Mike S

  
  Far from exciting story-wise, but worth the watch. I can understand though why so many regard this as one of the weaker Star Trek films, because the writing in this one left a lot to desire. It also has a very dated feel to it, which (however much I tried not to be bothered by it) put… More
  Far from exciting story-wise, but worth the watch. I can understand though why so many regard this as one of the weaker Star Trek films, because the writing in this one left a lot to desire. It also has a very dated feel to it, which (however much I tried not to be bothered by it) put quite the unpleasant sting in my eyes. It's not that I got anything against these older type of sci-fi films, but when it looks as cheap and tacky as it does here, it feels like it might as well have been made in the 60's, back when the original series first aired. Apart from the palpable feel of a low-budget production, however, it's not half-bad.

• AJ V

  
  After seeing how The Wrath of Kahn ended, you need to see this sequel, which is obviously the third movie, but most people would agree that the first one didn't count. Anyway, it's another fantastic Star Trek movie, and if you're a Trek fan, you should see it.

• Richard C

  
  B+

• Chris W

  
  While it is certainly not the masterpiece that The Wrath of Khan is, this films is still pretty damn good. It's quite a strange movie, but it does feature some nice ideas. Plus, the fates of both David and the Enterprise show that everyone involved wasn't afraid to take some… More
  While it is certainly not the masterpiece that The Wrath of Khan is, this films is still pretty damn good. It's quite a strange movie, but it does feature some nice ideas. Plus, the fates of both David and the Enterprise show that everyone involved wasn't afraid to take some risks. Even though I would have liked to have seen Kirstie Alley reprise her role as Saavik, Robin Curtis does a good job. The real scene stealer though is Christopher Lloyd. He kicks ass as a villainous Klingon. This film is certainly entertaining and watchable, but it doesn't quite have the re-watch value of TWOK. Still though, this one's not too bad.

• Carlos M

  
  This third Star Trek film works as a bridge between the second and the fourth ones, offering decent drama and good performances by our well-known cast, even if the plot is overly convenient and lacks the same impact of The Wrath of Khan.

• Tim S

  
  It may an odd-numbered film in the series, but I still enjoy it.

• Anthony L

  
  'You Klingon bastard you killed my son'! Christopher Lloyd is probably the best Klingon yet.

• Jason O

  
  Admiral Kirk and the crew are at it again in this follow up to "The Wrath of Khan". Admiral Kirk (William Shatner) wants to try and find Spock (Leonard Nimoy) any way he can, just in case Spock is still alive. But on the way to searching for Spock, the Enterprise crew run… More
  Admiral Kirk and the crew are at it again in this follow up to "The Wrath of Khan". Admiral Kirk (William Shatner) wants to try and find Spock (Leonard Nimoy) any way he can, just in case Spock is still alive. But on the way to searching for Spock, the Enterprise crew run into their most famous enemies, the Klingons, who will do what they can to try and obtain Genesis. As a clue to whether Spock is still alive or not, Admiral Kirk and the others notice some strange behavior from Dr. McCoy (Deforrest Kelley). "Star Trek III - The Search for Spock" isn't a bad movie. I didn't think that it was the best or worst of the Star Trek movies, it's somewhere in the middle. Some of the parts of the plot, especially the parts that deal with Spock, could've been done a little better. Other than that, this is a good movie. It has good special effects, great acting, and it's entertaining. If you're a fan of the other Star Trek movies and especially if you're a fan of Star Trek the Original Series, I recommend getting "Star Trek III - The Search for Spock." NOTE: That was my Amazon review from the year 2000. Ok movie, but not one of the better Star Trek films

• Curtis L

  
  Not too terrible. It was fun to see Christopher Lloyd as a Klingon. I hope that someday if my kid ever gets murded that I remember to scream, "You Klingon Bastards!"

• Chris G

  
  Star Trek III:L The Search For Spock had the same duty as Return of the Jedi, Temple of Doom, and the upcoming third part of Christopher Nolan's Batman franchise- it had to follow up a great film that it would obviously be compared to. These are always no win situations because… More
  Star Trek III:L The Search For Spock had the same duty as Return of the Jedi, Temple of Doom, and the upcoming third part of Christopher Nolan's Batman franchise- it had to follow up a great film that it would obviously be compared to. These are always no win situations because people will find flaws with it no matter what and film makers will almost try too hard to capture some of the magic from the previous installment. Now to give Star Trek III its due, I will say that it's a good sci-fi film and serves as the bridge in what I have been told is the Genesis trilogy. The film opens right where Star Trek II left off with the crew of the Enterprise led by Captain Kirk (William Shatner) bringing their wounded ship home from the Genesis planet. What no one realizes is that Spock (Leonard Nimoy) (and I'm going to say this in lingo so that non-Trekkies like myself can understand) uploaded his files to Dr. McCoys (Deforrrest Kelly) hard drive. Yes, Spock is dancing around Bones' head. Kirk, after learning that it may be possible to bring Spock back ends up stealing the Enterprise and going to Genesis to save his friend, but there's a catch: Klingons (led by Christopher Lloyd) have already landed on the planet looking for the secrets of Genesis. So does it hold up to the previous installment? Yes, it does stand on its own, although it tends to play like an old audio cassette with the tape being warped. One moment it drags down and feels slow, the next it's going way to fast, mainly in the last twenty minutes. You can't say much about the acting other than the core characters are there playing the roles that they were typecast in years ago. Lloyd actually isn't bad as a Klingon, even though while he was on screen I kept imagining him screaming "Run for it Marty!" in Klingon. Leonard Nimoy directed this installment, ushering in the era of Star Trek actors getting to direct with a good eyes even though the film does have its up and downs. He doesn't waste huge amounts of time on the space shots like the original film, which I thank him profusely for. Bless you, Mr. Spock. Star Trek III stands as a middle of the road sci-fi film that gets its glory from having the words Star Trek in its title. It's an enjoyable film. Nothing to spectacular, but it will entertain.

• Cassandra M

  
  Picking up where "The Wrath of Khan" left off, McCoy seems to be going mad, the Enterprise is being retired, Kirk mourns the loss of Spock and his son Dr. David Marcus is off exploring his newly created Genesis planet with the lovely Vulcan vixen Saavik (exit Kirstie Alley,… More
  Picking up where "The Wrath of Khan" left off, McCoy seems to be going mad, the Enterprise is being retired, Kirk mourns the loss of Spock and his son Dr. David Marcus is off exploring his newly created Genesis planet with the lovely Vulcan vixen Saavik (exit Kirstie Alley, enter Robin Curtis). Kirk then finds out from Sarek (Mark Lenard, who had a brief, unrecognizable role in the opening of "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" as an ill fated Klingon Commander and played a Romulan before playing Spock's dad) catches up with Kirk and tells him that there's a chance at resurrecting Spock, who's mind and spirit are housed in McCoy's brain while his body is on Genesis. Feeling obligated to return the favor for saving them all at the end of #2, Kirk and the gang hijack the Enterprise and rush towards the Genesis planet to rescue Spock "in whatever form he may still be alive." Meanwhile, a bodily resurrected and rapidly re-aging Spock has been found by Saavik and David and they are stranded on Genesis after their ship is destroyed by Klingon Commander Kruge (Christopher Lloyd) and he comes looking for them in hopes of unlocking the secrets of the Genesis project, which he thinks could be used as a weapon against his people. Who will survive? Considered by some to be trash and by others to be the only good odd numbered Star Trek film, this is a sufficiently entertaining bit of science fiction yarn that continues following the theme of what happens when you mess with mother nature. Good performances as usual, with Lloyd giving one of his best as the Klingon Commander Kruge, who becomes oddly sympathetic in light of his blood thirsty actions when you consider that he was just looking out for his own brood and was willing to spare the crew of the USS Grissom. Shatner's brawl with Lloyd is also fun to watch, and the film still has that great James Horner music. Don't miss Shatner kicking Lloyd in the face shouting "I... have HAD... enough of... YOU!" Robin Curtis is a capable Saavik. As a bit of trivia, Saavik apparently engaged in sexual intercourse with Spock while he was going through his aging phases and, as part of an idea never utilized in the films or even in the spin off series, Saavik became pregnant with Spock's child, which was originally why she was supposed to stay on Vulcan in "Star Trek 4: The Voyage Home".

• Jason S

  
  A direct continuation of the last flick we have all the stars on point as they attempt to claim back one of their own. This really feels like a wrap up to the last movie and less of it's own story. I like the crew having to steal the ship but after the space battle it feels… More
  A direct continuation of the last flick we have all the stars on point as they attempt to claim back one of their own. This really feels like a wrap up to the last movie and less of it's own story. I like the crew having to steal the ship but after the space battle it feels like it loses momentum. A watch.

• Dean !

  
  Not one of the better Star Trek films.

• David L

  
  Some minor spoilers here************************ Star Trek III: The Search For Spock picks up shortly after the end of The Wrath Of Khan. As the crew of the Enterprise heads back home after the death of Spock. Dr McCoy starts to behave in a very strange way Spock's phantom… More
  Some minor spoilers here************************ Star Trek III: The Search For Spock picks up shortly after the end of The Wrath Of Khan. As the crew of the Enterprise heads back home after the death of Spock. Dr McCoy starts to behave in a very strange way Spock's phantom voice starts coming from his mouth...words he would never utter stream from his lips...Is our favorite doctor suffering some kind of breakdown? Also we have in the wake of the Genesis Project, the planet is now closed to all but the science teams which are studying the Genesis Effect on what is now termed the Genesis Planet. Starfleet has decommissioned the Enterprise and Kirk can't get an answer as to whether the crew will get another ship, or be split up and reassigned. Meanwhile, Sarik, Spock's father, shows up for a personal visit with Kirk, concerning the condition of Spock's soul. He is certain that Spock would have housed his soul with Kirk, but upon a mind-meld, Sarik determines that Spock is not present within Kirk. And such is the loss to Sarik. He will be unable to resurrect his son, or to properly salvage his living soul since Spock was not in a position to touch Kirk at his time of death. Back on the Genesis Planet, the science team has discovered Spock's burial tube which soft-landed on the planet's surface. And there is an unidentifiable animal life form present nearby. There should not be any life, animal or otherwise, since Genesis destroys all life forms wherever it is targeted, therefore this is of key concern to the science team, who sends down an investigative crew immediately. Kirk and Sarik determine that Spock melded with McCoy before he died, and in order for McCoy to be well again, and Spock's soul to be saved from oblivion, Kirk has to break McCoy out of the psychiatric unit where he is recovering from "exhaustion," steal a star ship, get McCoy to Mt. Selia on Vulcan for a Vulcan religious magickal rite which will separate the two souls from one another, and thereby save them both; face a court martial for stealing a star ship, disobeying direct orders and possibly treason against Star Fleet. Ah, but I haven't told half the story, nor spoiled anything but the first 10 or so minutes of the movie. This is a fantastic installment! and I won't spoil anymore of it for you. This is a great followup from part 2 with strong themes of sacrifice, loss and friendship laced through the story. Highly recommended

• Lafe F

  
  A noble effort, but it is a bit lean in the story department; feeling like one of the TV episodes. The beginning is great how all the Enterprise crew members band together to steal the Enterprise and go in Search of Spock. Christopher Lloyd makes a bad Klingon; blame the Back to the… More
  A noble effort, but it is a bit lean in the story department; feeling like one of the TV episodes. The beginning is great how all the Enterprise crew members band together to steal the Enterprise and go in Search of Spock. Christopher Lloyd makes a bad Klingon; blame the Back to the Future films for typecasting him. The breakdown of the unstable planet was well done. Spock going through Pon'Farr with Saavik was a bit too biological for me to enjoy. The destruction of the Enterprise at the end was one one of the high points.

• Dean M

  
  I'm not really a fan of <i>Star Trek</i> - the sci-fi series suck.

• Michael G

  
  Not so hot, but how do you top Wrath of Khan?

• xGary X

  
  This movie just goes to show what an important character Spock was to the series as a whole; he is essentially absent for most of the film, and it really suffers for it...

• Jon L

  
  This movie is a great follow up to the second Start Trek picture and solves a lot of loose ends from the second film.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings