The Search for Spock (1984)

 

This one is a bit special, as it doesn't get the recognition it deserves. In all honesty: it has the rotten luck of being wedged in between two of the best Star Trek-films there are, namely the second and fourth. Against those behemoths, who could possibly win? 

So I will make a case for this one. No, it is not the best, but it is still highly enjoyable and tried some new things. Of the original run, this might even be my third most favourite. 

The Enterprise is battered and bruised after the battle with Khan and is limping home, everyone befuddled by the passing of their friend Spock. But strange things are happening: McCoy is acting rather bizarre and no one really knows what is happening. Moreover, the crew are not allowed to return to the Genesis planet and are pretty much grounded as the Enterprise is scheduled for scrap. 

But then Spock's father Sarek appears, claiming Spock is not dead. His 'soul' is trapped in another body, which turns out to be that of McCoy. If they can get the body back to Vulcan, they can reinsert Spock's mind.

Yes, it's a fairly stupid way to bring the character back, but bear with me. 

Kirk and the crew decide to break all the rules and hijack the Enterprise in order to get to Genesis. In the meantime, a rogue Klingon commander is also after the Genesis device, of course for nefarious purposes. He destroys the research vessel orbiting the planet and discovers that Kirk's son David and Lieutenant Saavik are already on the planet's surface, where they discover a Vulcan child.

Yes, Spock. His cells have regenerated thanks to the unstable matter used in the Genesis torpedo. But this is ageing the planet at an accelerated race, as it is doing with Spock. 

So now it comes to a showdown between Kirk and the Klingon commander for Spock, Genesis and even some more (which I won't spoil).

What this film does well, is include some humour into the proceedings. Yes, this could have been a bleak affair and at times, it certainly is, but quips and jokes inserted at certain points manage to lighten the mood enough to turn this into an enjoyable adventure, Star Trek-style. The classic crew is back together again, which is always fun and even though people like to rag on the acting prowess of certain cast members, they all do a great job. Yes, at times it can be a little hammy, but that is what we have come to know and expect and truthfully? We wouldn't want it any other way. 

Is it as tense and profound as the previous one? No. But that was a bloody tough act to follow anyway, so it's good that they didn't try and replicate it. Instead they tried some new stuff and most of it works. 

You know what else makes this film a little brilliant? The Klingon commander.

Why? 

He's played by Christopher Lloyd. 

Yes: Doc Brown/Uncle Fester is an evil Klingon warlord and he simply relishes in the role. If you have seen 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit?' you know Lloyd can pull off menacing and evil just as well as lovable and here he certainly is almost Judge Doom levels of evil. It's glorious to behold. 

Heck, this is a fun romp and more so if you already like the franchise. Give it a chance, it deserves better than the lukewarm reception it usually gets.