Rating  - Search for Spock - he's ba-aack!
Average followup to STII:Wrath of Khan. High points: Character development (every key character has something to do in this film), Leonard Nimoy. Low points: Comparatively weak storyline, a weak job by Christopher Lloyd (I guess I am just used to seeing him in the Back to the Future movies). Still worth having in your collection, though, if you like Star Trek.
Rating  - "Your Name...Is Jim"
During the three-series run of the Star Trek: The Original Series television show, First Officer Spock became one of the most intriguing characters on television. Despite a bit of initial misinterpretation about his character (some thought he was supposed to represent Satan because of his pointy ears!), viewers began to embrace the Vulcan's logical mind and ability to stay cool under pressure. Spock become the perfect antithesis to the emotionally-charged Captain Kirk.
Of course, after almost two decades of being associated exclusively with the "Spock" character, actor Leonard Nimoy decided he wanted a break from the character to try to avoid being typecast, hence Spock's emotional death scene at the end of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Nimoy's "I Am Not Spock" days ended quite quickly, however, when he realized that either the typecasting had already occurred, or he missed reprising his most famous character.
As a result (and partially because the Star Trek writers had left an opening for Nimoy/Spock to return), the quest to re-integrate Spock into the Star Trek cannon comprises most of Star Trek II: The Search For Spock. Though the entire film is not as scriptually solid as the "Khan" effort (as Kirk's "family feud" with the Klingons is not fully resolved until later in the movie series), it makes up for it with the emotional punch of Spock's journey back to reality. The final scene, revolving around the tense and delicate Vulcan ritual that must be undertaken to revive Spock, will have emotional fans reaching for the tissue box. The final words will have you weeping (whether from joy or sadness I will not disclose).
To conclude, the third installment in the Star Trek movie cannon is an emotional journey that, while perhaps lacking an air-tight script, is still a great movie due to the emotional struggle of favorite character Spock. If you just finished the "Khan" movie, you will receive the emotional "finale" of that storyline in this film. The ending will also leave you wondering how the U.S.S. Enterprise crew will ever be able to "seek out new life and new civilizations".
Rating - The Golden Age of Star Trek
Back in the 80's Star Trek really hit its stride having finally made it to the silver screen. The first film was a dark, dreary disappointment but the producers stuck with it and created a major hit with the second film, The Wrath of Khan. The next two films including the Search for Spock and The Voyage Home basically created a trilogy that in my opinion represents the apex of the entire Star Trek franchise. By adding humor into the mix and focusing on the interaction between the main characters particularly Kirk, Spock and McCoy the producers created a winning combination that will likely never be repeated. This formula worked extremely well peaking with The Voyage Home before collapsing in a smoldering heap with the moronic row row row your boat scene in The Final Frontier.
The Search for Spock is the weakest entry in the trilogy but that doesn't mean it's weak. This was the first of two entries directed by Leonard Nimoy and they turned out to be two of the best of all the Star Trek films. Search for Spock has a more intimate feel to it with most of the action revolving around the conflict between Kirk and the Klingon Kruge. Nimoy's focus on more lighthearted action and the playful interaction of characters makes the film a real joy and contrasts well with the films darker second half.
William Shatner is often mocked for his acting ability and this film really pushes him to the limit, in particular his reaction after the death of his son David. Shatner may be a ham but he's the kind of ham I love and to me he will always be the true Captain of the Enterprise. I also have to give special credit to Christopher Lloyd who was absolutely fantastic as Kruge. One unfortunate change was the replacement of Kirstie Alley with the forgettable Robin Curtis as Lt. Saavik.
This film is clearly created for the fans, as it should be. If you haven't watched the old episodes or The Wrath of Khan you're unlikely to get much out of this film because it's filled with in-jokes and references to the prior film. The special effects are rather dated. In particular the starships have thick black lines around them that spoil the natural effect and the scenes on Genesis scream movies set. It's a movie with fantastic moments including the classic self destruction of the Enterprise and some lengthy stretches of slowness in particular the finale on Vulcan. I have a lot of fond memories of these three films and despite some flaws recommend them all wholeheartedly.
Rating  - Splendid underrated sequel!
After the death of Spock (Leonard Nimoy) and his corpse is sent to Genesis where his coffin is to remain. Kirk (William Shatner) feels depressed about the lost of his best friend and the crew has repaired the enterprise after the battle with Khan. McCoy (DeForrest Kelly) has been acting strange lately as he channels both Spock's behavior and voice. Spock's father Sarek (Mark Lenard) pays a visit as he knows that McCoy has Spock's soul and learns that Spock is alive on planet Genesis as they must go on that planet to find him. Kirk with his crew (James Doohan, George Takei, Walter Koenig, Nichelle Nichols) and his son Dr. David Marcus (Merritt Butrick) and Lt. Saavik (Robin Curtis) hop aboard the enterprise so they can find Spock on Genesis, but the Klingons with a leader named Kruge (Christopher Lloyd) have learned the secrets of Genesis as they want to steal it.
Energetic and smart third installment of the popular cinematic Sci-fi franchise delivers some goods. Leonard Nimoy himself directed this motion picture as this is part a loose three part trilogy that started with part 2 and ended with part 4, sure it doesn't have the awe or greatness of "Wraith of Khan" but this is still an enjoyable and entertaining installment with good special effects and good acting. The storyline itself is complicated but good, this movie does have the rebirth of Spock after his demise in "Wraith of Khan" and it's still worth watching for fans.
This 2-Disc DVD set contains excellent picture and sound with great extras like an audio commentary from Leonard Nimoy, Harve Bennett, Charles Correll and Robin Curtis. A tex commentary by Michael Okuda and Denise Okuda co-authors of The Star Trek Enchylopedia, trailer, a teaser to "Nemesis", Storyboards, photo gallery, Interviews and featurettes epsecially on how to speak Klingon.
Go to the Product Information page
page 2 of 10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Customer Reviews for Paramount,0792182480,097360625547,9780792182481,B00006G8HX, |
