Just watched STIII. First time in a long time. I enjoyed it quite a bit and wonder what's not to like. I'm assuming people don't like it because it's one of the odd-numbered movies.
STIII - What's wrong with it?
- Thread starter DarthAkuma
- Start date
There's nothing wrong with it as such, but if any film feels like just another episode, it's that one. I do enjoy it though, but it's quite low on my rankings of the films. It's more just to get Spock back and things back on track.
The 1701 getting destroyed is absolutely epic though, and it has lots of nice moments.
The 1701 getting destroyed is absolutely epic though, and it has lots of nice moments.
I Love The Search For Spock. Well written, well acted, there are some moments in there that I don't think have been equalled since.
I always love to see the Stealing the Enterprise from Spacedock sequence, the music is fantastic.
Spock's return was handled right, giving the audience bits and pieces of him throughout the film until finally bringing him back at the end.
I always love to see the Stealing the Enterprise from Spacedock sequence, the music is fantastic.
Spock's return was handled right, giving the audience bits and pieces of him throughout the film until finally bringing him back at the end.
These days I find Esteban, Styles, nuSaavik and the wandering around on the Genesis Planet to be unfortunately tedious.
That being said, there are the following redeeming aspects-
1) I love the opening. The music's great, and even if you've just seen TWoK the flashbacks have impact. The fade into color is, I think, cool too.
2) Spacedock. Maybe not on a practical level (I wouldn't know), but as a model it's rather impressive.
3) The Enterprise's arrival at Spacedock. I don't care for parts of the music here, but the sequence itself is rather moving.
4) Stealing the Enterprise. The music, the chutzpah of Kirk et al. stealing their own ship, the Excelsior's failed pursuit. Classic moments in a Trek movie, beaten only by...
5) Destruction of the Enterprise. I only saw TOS in reruns, but that was before the movies, and to see that...it was the end of an era for Trek fans.
6) The dialog. The rest of the dialog could have sucked and this still would have stuck in my mind-
"My God Bones, what have I done?"
"What you had to do. What you always do. Turn death into a fighting chance to live."
I could probably go on about the movie, both good and bad, but I think I've said what needs to be said.
That being said, there are the following redeeming aspects-
1) I love the opening. The music's great, and even if you've just seen TWoK the flashbacks have impact. The fade into color is, I think, cool too.
2) Spacedock. Maybe not on a practical level (I wouldn't know), but as a model it's rather impressive.
3) The Enterprise's arrival at Spacedock. I don't care for parts of the music here, but the sequence itself is rather moving.
4) Stealing the Enterprise. The music, the chutzpah of Kirk et al. stealing their own ship, the Excelsior's failed pursuit. Classic moments in a Trek movie, beaten only by...
5) Destruction of the Enterprise. I only saw TOS in reruns, but that was before the movies, and to see that...it was the end of an era for Trek fans.
6) The dialog. The rest of the dialog could have sucked and this still would have stuck in my mind-
"My God Bones, what have I done?"
"What you had to do. What you always do. Turn death into a fighting chance to live."
I could probably go on about the movie, both good and bad, but I think I've said what needs to be said.
SFS has graduated to become probably my favorite Trek movie of them all.
I bought "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" and "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home" but not this movie because there's just a lot of stuff that happens in it that I don't like. I don't think it's a bad movie, it just has events that I'd rather not have to watch again having seen them once. For example, Kirk's son getting killed (which I thought was terribly anti-climactic, although I thought Kirk's reaction was cool), the fight at the end, and most of all, the scenes on the planet with young Spock and Saavik.
I didn't like the performance of the actress brought in to replace Kirstie Alley after Star Trek II, so I'd rather not have to put up with more of her than the 30 seconds or so that she's in Star Trek IV. I liked the characters of David and Saavik as they were portrayed and used in the story of Star Trek II, but while they were good in a limited capacity in that movie, expanding their roles for this one brought it down for me.
Still, there are some wonderful sequences like the hijacking of the Enterprise and a lot of McCoy's scenes (this may be the movie that uses him best), and I agree with another post that it has some very nice dialogue (again, especially from McCoy). I love the scenes where he sounds like Spock or comments on Spock as well, but even with all the talk about him and the presence of Nimoy's voice throughout, I think the movie is hurt by Spock's absence. His appearance at the end is the most uplifting moment in the whole flick, and it's unfortunate when the only truly transcendent moment of a movie is in its final 5 minutes.
All that stuff works beautifully, but I think it's not enough to balance out all the scenes that I find a drag to watch. I think the movie is more good at connecting the second and fourth movies than standing alone as a memorable adventure in its own right. I'd rather just remember the key events that happened between II and IV (or read up on them if I forget) than have to sit through so many scenes that are no fun to watch in order to enjoy the thoughtful continuity of all three movies by watching this one between the other two. Again I want to emphasize that I don't think it's poorly shot, written, or acted (I think the acting is excellent, in fact) there's just not a lot that happens in it that appeals to me as something worth reliving time after time.
I didn't like the performance of the actress brought in to replace Kirstie Alley after Star Trek II, so I'd rather not have to put up with more of her than the 30 seconds or so that she's in Star Trek IV. I liked the characters of David and Saavik as they were portrayed and used in the story of Star Trek II, but while they were good in a limited capacity in that movie, expanding their roles for this one brought it down for me.
Still, there are some wonderful sequences like the hijacking of the Enterprise and a lot of McCoy's scenes (this may be the movie that uses him best), and I agree with another post that it has some very nice dialogue (again, especially from McCoy). I love the scenes where he sounds like Spock or comments on Spock as well, but even with all the talk about him and the presence of Nimoy's voice throughout, I think the movie is hurt by Spock's absence. His appearance at the end is the most uplifting moment in the whole flick, and it's unfortunate when the only truly transcendent moment of a movie is in its final 5 minutes.
All that stuff works beautifully, but I think it's not enough to balance out all the scenes that I find a drag to watch. I think the movie is more good at connecting the second and fourth movies than standing alone as a memorable adventure in its own right. I'd rather just remember the key events that happened between II and IV (or read up on them if I forget) than have to sit through so many scenes that are no fun to watch in order to enjoy the thoughtful continuity of all three movies by watching this one between the other two. Again I want to emphasize that I don't think it's poorly shot, written, or acted (I think the acting is excellent, in fact) there's just not a lot that happens in it that appeals to me as something worth reliving time after time.
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On it's own it's not great. But TSFS improves greatly when it's watched after TWOK since it follows that movie so well. While TWOK was about Spock's sacrifice and the needs of the many, TSFS is about Kirk risking everything to get back Spock. Great stuff.
I also give it points for introducing the awesome Klingon Bird of Prey.
I like TSFS and think it is really underrated by Trek fans. Before ST09 came out I always thought it was the best odd Trek movie.
I also give it points for introducing the awesome Klingon Bird of Prey.
I like TSFS and think it is really underrated by Trek fans. Before ST09 came out I always thought it was the best odd Trek movie.
it is very choppy.scenes don't flow.not enough talking.end scene too long and boring.
not enough action. no star battles of note.
not enough sex or flirting.
I think the major problem with it is that the plot does not grow organically, everything is contrived in order to bring Spock back at the end. This is similar to Generations which was geared entirely towards Kirk and Picard meeting at the expense of having the plot make any sense. I also don't like that fact that they chose to bring Spock back, his death in TWOK was a perfect exit for the character and bringing him back feels like a mistake.
I still enjoy the movie for the many great scenes mentioned above, and the dialogue is fairly well written. It certainly doesn't deserve to be lumped in with TFF and Insurrection.
I still enjoy the movie for the many great scenes mentioned above, and the dialogue is fairly well written. It certainly doesn't deserve to be lumped in with TFF and Insurrection.
I thought STIII was cracking, some great special effects, a fantastic music score, over the top villians, and the shat acting his socks off, as well as a noteworthy performance from DeKelly.
Cracking film.
Cracking film.
Bingo.
Other than that, I very much enjoy the movie.
Plus, Kirk's guido outfit is wonderful and Chekov looks like the definition of a twerp.
Joe, twerp
Yeah, some of the civvies Bob Fletcher came up with were pretty awful, Chekov's Pilgrim costume first and foremost.
Nothing wrong with it at all. Its been a favorite of mine since I saw it in the theater. I see it as a thematic sequel to The Menagerie. Kirk risking everything for Spock, just as Spock did for Pike.
It's a little "lighter" than the depth and greatness of the one before but overall, I've never minded TSFS as much as I've minded TFF which is complete crap.
I have always been partial to STIII. Out of all the Trek movies, I believe this is Kirk at his most emotional, even more so than STII. His willingness to risk all for his friend is very moving, and losing his son is painful to watch as a parent.
I've always watched TWOK and TSFS back to back as one movie. It is a very satisfying double feature.
I've always watched TWOK and TSFS back to back as one movie. It is a very satisfying double feature.
Great movie... the only flaw in my opinion is the editing mistake that robbed Kirk of a real reason to go to the Genesis planet. Originally, Spock's empty burial robes and coffin were supposed to be found first, and he hears about it, causing him to go to Genesis to find out what's up, perhaps even suspecting the truth. In the cut we got in the end, he goes to Genesis for no good reason. He didn't need Spock's dead body, all he needed to do was get McCoy to Vulcan, so in the finished film, the diversion to Genesis makes no sense.
Agreed 100%. I can't believe this. I was getting on here to make this EXACT same thread because I do not understand why Search for Spock gets any criticism. Kirk defying orders, stealing the Enterprise, blowing it up over Genesis- that is just classic. For me, it is a toss up between Undiscovered Country and Search for Spock, but Undiscovered Country doesn't have any sequences in it as awesome as watching Kirk and the gang steal the Enterprise.
Overall, I love the movie. From the destruction of the Enterprise to Christopher Lloyd's scenery chewing as Commander Kruge to the destruction of the Genesis Planet. It even introduces the lovable character of Grignak the Coffee Asswipe 
The problem I have with it is strictly aesthetic. The model work and special effects are awesome, but just the way the film looks... the hairstyles, the costumes, just scream EIGHTIES! ...and not in a good way. If not for that, the movie would be about flawless.
The problem I have with it is strictly aesthetic. The model work and special effects are awesome, but just the way the film looks... the hairstyles, the costumes, just scream EIGHTIES! ...and not in a good way. If not for that, the movie would be about flawless.
The problem is it's too much an episode, not as much of a movie. Without being a trekkie, you can't appreciate the story, you won't care for the "hero" (Spock).
WOK presents Khan as the bad guy, being stranded by Kirk resolting in his wife's death. Anybody that doesn't know anything about Trek can still relate to Khan being the bad guy and enjoy the storie.
But SFP requires you to know who Spock his. Just seing the short video from the end of WOK isn't sufficient for you to understand the logic of his sacrifice and why he's such a dear departed friend.
Plus, the whole story is ultimately just a means of reviving the character and not as much a story in itself.
WOK presents Khan as the bad guy, being stranded by Kirk resolting in his wife's death. Anybody that doesn't know anything about Trek can still relate to Khan being the bad guy and enjoy the storie.
But SFP requires you to know who Spock his. Just seing the short video from the end of WOK isn't sufficient for you to understand the logic of his sacrifice and why he's such a dear departed friend.
Plus, the whole story is ultimately just a means of reviving the character and not as much a story in itself.
