Star Trek III: The Search for Spock | Rotten Tomatoes

Star Trek III: The Search for Spock

PG

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1 hr. 45 min.

Sci-Fi

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78%

51 Reviews

Tomatometer

64%

50,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Adm. James T. Kirk (William Shatner) has defeated his archenemy but at great cost. His friend Spock has apparently been killed, the USS Enterprise is being scrapped, and starship physician Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy (DeForest Kelley) has taken ill. McCoy's odd behavior is evidence he's harboring Spock's katra, or animating spirit, and Kirk seeks to take the Enterprise back to the Genesis Planet and find his friend. Rebuffed, Kirk takes dramatic action that results in war with deadly Klingons.

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Critics Consensus

Though it may be short on dazzling special effects, The Search for Spock is still a strong Star Trek installment, thanks to affecting performances by its iconic cast.

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Hopeful R

Star Trek III: The Search for Spock is the nostalgia movie we wanted!! Unlike Star Trek: The Motion Picture, which focused too heavily on nostalgia and not on the plot. While this movie did have some plot holes and everyone was wearing their 80's best instead of futuristic costumes!! This movie gave us the feeling to watch it again!! Between dialogue and the acting, you might feel that way too!! It was also interesting to see Christopher Lloyd in Star Trek!! If you want to hear the in-depth review and rating of this movie, come and check out Hopeful Reviews! A podcast that-surprise-reviews and rates TV shows and movies!! 9.1/10 #blessed.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/18/24

Full Review

Alec B

Despite the fact that the movie undoes the tragedy of its predecessor it still feels sad and mournful (the destruction of the Enterprise remains shocking) so the ending doesn't feel like a cop out.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/07/24

Full Review

Blu B

I feel like the issue hat holds this back is Nimoy's direction of the material. On it's own this should be more interesting and entertaining on paper as the story makes sense and nothing about really is that broken in fact it's totally passable. Music and Cinematography are half decent with some good special effects (when used) and the end set piece is memorable. The problem is the pacing isn't that good and really drags (not as bad as the first). Everything else is passable enough. Most of the scenes are just them talking with not a lot of emotion. That really makes it feel dry at times despite a interesting premise. Some of the soundtrack could be stronger also espeically in the second half. Lloyd's villian is just ok and doesn't really feel that intimidating and is just sort of there to be the villian of the story more than anything. It also does jump around a bit in the first half before settling in once they arrive back at Genesis with them mostly just talking. Again this just needed more emotion in the performances, a quicker pacing, more distinct soundtrack, and a bit more action perhaps. If your a hardcore fan of the franchise give this a watch. Otherwise most people can skip this and just watch a 5 minute summary.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

11/29/23

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John K

I remember seeing the televised promo for Star Trek III that stated "The final voyage of the Starship Enterprise" and wondered aloud why a promotional trailer for a film would give away that kind of information prior to seeing it in person. I saw this movie at its release in 1984 and overall felt it was "good," but the ending lacked satisfaction with a "...and the story continues" caption at the expected ending. The most surprising, yet not surprising (due to the promos) storyline - was the destruction of the Enterprise. How this happens was very cool for hard-core fans (revisiting a sequence from the original series), yet seeing the crew traveling in an enemy ship at the end of the movie was a bit "off." Many of the reviews of the film noted "You don't name a movie "The Search for Spock" and then not find him - yet literally as soon as the movie accomplishes its goal, it's over without any time to digest what just took place. All in all a good movie, yet not a great movie. Christopher Lloyd as the Klingon commander is a bit campy and over the top. Kirk and Company stealing the Enterprise (also in the promo) was one of the best sequences in all of the original cast movies. All in all, I remember feeling "That's it?" at the end of the film yet somewhat satisfied as the movie delivered on its promise.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

10/13/23

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Donald J

If the previous film ("The Wrath of Khan") was a master of plot devices, this film is a master of plot execution. Its hilariously witty get-the-band-back-together-type scheme is done even better than the first film which united the crew back from the original show.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/24/23

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Jace E

Code 000... In true Star Trek form, there is plenty of bad dialogue to go around, but the story is there. While the cast is aging quickly (and it shows in this movie), the performances were still believable. The stakes are clear, danger is present, and a question of loyalty is front and center: What would you sacrifice to get your friend back? The Klingons were an afterthought, but the strategic out-maneuvering was strong. Though it doesn't quite live up to the brilliance of "Wrath of Khan" it is much better than "The Motion Picture". Best Character: McCoy Best Scene: The Return Best Quote: "What you had to do, what you always do. Turn death into a fighting chance to live." - McCoy

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/12/23

Full Review

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Leonard Nimoy

Director

William Shatner

Admiral James T. Kirk

DeForest Kelley

Commander Leonard H. McCoy, M.D.

James Doohan

Commander

George Takei

Commander Hikaru Sulu

Walter Koenig

Commander Pavel Andreievich Chekov

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Star Trek III: The Search for Spock: Official Clip - A Damn Illegal Thing

2:14

Star Trek III: The Search for Spock: Official Clip - I'll Kill You Later

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Star Trek III: The Search for Spock: Official Clip - Ever Shall Be Your Friend

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Star Trek III: The Search for Spock: Official Clip - Be Careful What You Wish For

2:14

Star Trek III: The Search for Spock: Official Clip- A Klingon Bird of Prey

2:13

Star Trek III: The Search for Spock: Official Clip - Don't Call Me Tiny

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Star Trek III: The Search for Spock: Official Clip - The Enterprise Self Destructs

2:13

Star Trek III: The Search for Spock: Official Clip - I Have Had Enough of You

2:13

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Star Trek III: The Search for Spock: Trailer 1

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Jay Carr

Boston Globe

This "Star Trek," the liveliest and most likable of the three, will satisfy hard-core Trekkies and win more than a few new recruits to their ranks.

Apr 26, 2018

Full Review

Kevin Thomas

Los Angeles Times

"Star Trek III" has a genuine spirituality, and, at its end, you may be surprised, especially if you're not really a Trekkie, to realize how moved you've been.

Sep 7, 2016

Full Review

Richard Schickel

TIME Magazine

These are classic directorial occasions, and Nimoy rises to them with fervor, in effect beaming his film up onto a higher pictorial plane than either of its predecessors.

May 3, 2009

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Flaws aside, The Search for Spock is pleasant, character-driven entertainment.

Rated: 3/4

Sep 5, 2023

Full Review

Kevin Carr

Fat Guys at the Movies

Not as iconic as The Wrath of Khan, this is still one of the better original Trek film, which stays close to the series original purpose.

Rated: 3/4

Jun 16, 2023

Full Review

Alan Jones

Starburst

Leaves a lot to be desired and becomes pretentious.

Aug 2, 2022

Full Review

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Synopsis

Adm. James T. Kirk (William Shatner) has defeated his archenemy but at great cost. His friend Spock has apparently been killed, the USS Enterprise is being scrapped, and starship physician Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy (DeForest Kelley) has taken ill. McCoy's odd behavior is evidence he's harboring Spock's katra, or animating spirit, and Kirk seeks to take the Enterprise back to the Genesis Planet and find his friend. Rebuffed, Kirk takes dramatic action that results in war with deadly Klingons.

Director: Leonard Nimoy
Executive Producer: Gary Nardino
Screenwriter: Harve Bennett
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures, Cinema Group Ventures
Rating: PG
Genre: Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 1, 1984, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 16, 2009
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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