Star Trek III: The Search for Spock 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review
Score: 85
from 4 reviewers
Review Date:
Star Trek III concludes Genesis Trilogy with solid 4K, entertaining yet lacks urgency.
Disc Release Date
True 4K
HDR10
Dolby Vision
Dolby TrueHD
Video: 88
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock's 4K UHD release offers notable visual upgrades, with vibrant colors and richer details, despite some mastering flaws.
Audio: 84
Star Trek III's 4K reissue reuses the 2009 Blu-ray's Dolby TrueHD 7.1 track, lacking a new Dolby Atmos mix but impressing with clean dialogue, solid bass, and dynamically recycled Horner themes.
Extra: 83
Paramount's 4K Star Trek III release features vital commentaries, including rare insights from Nimoy, and a wealth of extras on Blu-ray exploring the franchise's universe and production intricacies.
Movie: 79
Star Trek III, directed by Nimoy, delivers a potent mix of emotional depth and sci-fi adventure, despite its flaws, continuing the saga with heart & unexpected directorial prowess.
Video: 88
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock" receives its Ultra HD Blu-ray release courtesy of Paramount, presented in a stunning native 4K image complemented by Dolby Vision HDR. The disc showcases a 3840x2160/24p BT.2020 image, maintaining the film's original aspect ratio of widescreen 2.4:1. It takes advantage of a Wide Colour Gamut (WCG), High Dynamic Range (HDR), and Dolby Vision, encoded via the HEVC (H.265) codec to ensure a visually impressive experience. Notably, this release marks a significant upgrade over previous Blu-ray versions, offering a remarkable level of detail in facial textures and uniforms, with colors that exhibit both depth and vibrancy. Despite some limitations inherent in the source material, such as variable grain and occasional softer shots, the overall clarity and color fidelity represent a marked improvement, bringing the visuals closer to contemporary UHD standards.
The film, shot on 35 mm using Panavision cameras and finished in the 2.39:1 aspect ratio, benefits immensely from the new 4K scan of original negatives, offering unparalleled detail in live-action footage and model photography alike. The introduction of HDR amplifies the film’s color palette, with particularly vibrant reds, blues, and greens, alongside impressively deep blacks and bright highlights. While some issues with grain management and minor digital noise reduction artifacts are noted, they do not significantly detract from the visual feast this release presents. The preservation of filmic integrity is evident, despite some challenges in mastering that introduce occasional fuzziness.
Paramount's effort on this release might not set new bars for UHD presentations, but it does offer a commendably sharper and more dynamic viewing experience than its predecessors. The detailed textures, improved contrast, and enriched color dynamics afforded by Dolby Vision greatly enhance iconic visuals, including the ornately detailed Bird of Prey and the nuanced shifts in environment colors on the Genesis planet. Consequently, while some aspects fall short of the highest UHD benchmarks, "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock" on 4K UHD Blu-ray presents the best home viewing version of the film to date, making it a valuable addition for fans and collectors alike.
Audio: 84
The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock" presents its audio in a Dolby TrueHD 7.1 lossless mix, a choice that has been carried over directly from the 2009 Blu-ray edition. This decision, while not pushing the boundaries with an advancement to an object-based audio track like Dolby Atmos, still delivers a commendable auditory experience. The soundstage showcases a medium-wide span across the front, with effective utilization of the surrounds to encapsulate music, ambient sounds, panning - particularly notable in spaceship flybys - and directional cues, such as the various environmental sounds on the Genesis planet and the intense sequences of explosions. Additionally, the viewer is provided with a clear and prominent dialogue, solid bass support, and the emotive score by James Horner is rendered with pleasing fidelity.
Despite its age, the audio performance achieves a respectable level of immersion and dynamic range. Ship engines and occasional explosions output a satisfying low-end response, contributing to the film's atmospheric scenes. However, separation remains somewhat lackluster, and the added rear channels in the 7.1 configuration are underutilized. Still, moments of ambient sounds such as wind and storms on Genesis offer some directional quality. The soundtrack's richness is notably bolstered by James Horner’s themes, which despite being a reiteration from the previous film, enhance the narrative's continuity and emotional depth. Dialogue remains crisp, aiding in maintaining a clear narrative focus amidst the vibrant audio backdrop.
The package also includes optional audio mixes in German, Spanish, and French 2.0 stereo in Dolby Digital format, along with Japanese 5.1 surround in Dolby Digital, accommodating a wide range of viewers. Subtitles are available in multiple languages, ensuring accessibility. Although the reutilization of the Dolby TrueHD 7.1 track may seem a missed opportunity for an upgrade to Atmos, it nonetheless offers a solid and engaging listening experience that respects the film's original sonic qualities while presenting them with an enhanced clarity and balance suitable for modern home cinema setups.
Extra: 83
The 4K UHD release of "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock" provides a comprehensive suite of features, primarily hosted on the accompanying Blu-ray, while two robust audio commentaries have been directly ported to the 4K disc for immersive viewing. Notably, the first commentary track features the insightful musings of director Leonard Nimoy, alongside writer/producer Harve Bennett, director of photography Charles Correll, and actress Robin Curtis, offering an invaluable behind-the-scenes look into Nimoy's directorial approach and the film's production nuances. The second commentary brings together Ronald D. Moore and Michael Taylor, seasoned Trek writers, who provide trivia and anecdotes reinforced by their extensive work in the sci-fi genre. The Blu-ray supplements this with a plethora of featurettes covering everything from production insights and the ingenuity of ILM's visual effects to the intricacies of Klingon and Vulcan cultures, propelling fans further into the Star Trek universe. Not to forget, the stills gallery and trailers that round off the extras with a nod to the legacy and continuing impact of this iconic installment.
Extras included in this disc:
Audio Commentary: With Leonard Nimoy, Harve Bennett, Charles Correll, and Robin Curtis.
Audio Commentary: With Ronald D. Moore and Michael Taylor.
Library Computer
Captain's Log
Terraforming and the Prime Directive
Industrial Light & Magic: The Visual Effects of Star Trek
Spock: The Early Years
Space Docks and Birds of Prey
Speaking Klingon
Klingon and Vulcan Costumes
Star Trek and the Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame
Starfleet Academy SciSec Brief 003: Mystery Behind the Vulcan Katra Transfer
Photo Gallery
Storyboards
Theatrical Trailer
Movie: 79
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock," directed by Leonard Nimoy, picks up in the immediate emotional and narrative aftermath of "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan," embarking on a journey that delves deep into the themes of sacrifice, friendship, and the consequences of immense power. The movie, despite its relatively small scale and somewhat constrained budget compared to its predecessors, manages to present a compelling story that revolves around the Enterprise crew's unwavering commitment to their fallen comrade, Spock. The inclusion of the Genesis Device as a plot element adds a layer of complexity, posing ethical dilemmas and creating a target for the new adversaries, the Klingons, who are depicted with more depth, aligning them as formidable Cold War-style adversaries to the Federation's ideals.
Under Nimoy’s direction, the film achieves a balance between character development and plot advancement, allowing for moments of genuine emotional resonance amidst the backdrop of space opera hijinks. The decision to focus on the core characters, following their unauthorized mission to recover Spock’s body, provides a more intimate look into the dynamics of the Enterprise crew, highlighting their loyalty and the lengths they're willing to go for one another. Christopher Lloyd’s portrayal of the Klingon captain Kruge adds a memorable villain to the Trek universe, offering a personal challenge to Kirk that is both engaging and emotionally charged.
However, "The Search for Spock" grapples with pacing issues and some narrative choices that might leave audiences longing for what could have been, had the plot been allowed to explore its more intriguing elements further. While it incorporates significant themes and delivers on the emotional promise made at the end of "Khan," it sometimes feels like an interlude aimed at setting up future installations rather than embracing its own potential. Nonetheless, it manages to carve out its distinct place within the Trek saga by emphasizing the power of friendship and sacrifice, hallmarked by Shatner’s significant performance and a momentous storyline that ultimately cements its legacy as more than just a bridge between its predecessor and sequel.
Total: 85
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock," situated within the heart of The Genesis Trilogy, secures its place as a compelling bridge between the iconic "Wrath of Khan" and the hopeful conclusion in "The Voyage Home." It capably ties up the narrative strands left dangling with a sense of commendable entertainment, even if it fails to fully capture the shock factor it reaches for. The film benefits from a solid focus on its core characters and presents the Klingons in a more fleshed-out, antagonistic light reminiscent of Cold War Soviet adversaries. While perhaps not the strongest in the Star Trek filmography, its role as a pivotal middle chapter affirms its necessity and value to the overarching story.
Paramount's release of "Star Trek: The Original 4-Movie Collection" on 4K Ultra HD, available from 6th September 2021, includes "The Search for Spock" in a package that showcases the film in its finest form to date. The remastered native 4K video with Dolby Vision enhancement delivers an impressive visual experience, albeit not ground-breaking within the larger 4K landscape. Audio quality and supplements remain unchanged, preserving the original experience with high fidelity. This collection, especially for those unwilling to wait for a broader set, represents an essential acquisition for both enthusiasts and newcomers desiring to experience the series at its best quality.
In conclusion, while "The Search for Spock" might not hold the title of the franchise's finest hour, its presentation in this 4K UHD Blu-Ray collection is notably praised. With a restoration that enhances but respects the original material, it offers both longtime fans and newer audiences an opportunity to witness Star Trek in unparalleled quality. The technical execution of this release underscores Paramount's commitment to honoring the legacy of the Star Trek saga, making it a commendable addition to any collection, and an indelible part of the series' storied history.
avforums review by Casimir HarlowRead review here
Video: 80
fans of the film will certainly find this a very pleasing 4K upgrade With a slightly bigger budget than Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan - but still basically a third of the budget of The Motion Picture...
Audio: 80
a very good track Yet again, this is far from the end of the world, with the track largely impressing both in terms of breath, dynamics, and LFE impact....
Extras: 70
Paramount's 4K release enjoys a couple of Commentary tracks ported over to the 4K disc itself, with all the remaining, old extras on the accompanying Blu-ray. ......
Movie: 70
it ultimately made good on the promise at the end of Khan, and did so whilst setting the stage for the future features In some ways this is a bit like the Quantum of Solace to Khan's Casino Royale - for...
Total: 80
a solid conclusion to the threads left hanging after the game-changing Wrath of Khan Paramount's 4K Collection of the first four movies - The Motion Picture coupled with the Genesis Trilogy - is an impressive,...
Blu-ray.com review by Martin LiebmanRead review here
Video: 80
Certainly in terms of raw presentation characteristics this is an inferior image compared to both The Motion Picture and The Wrath of Khan, but the 2160p resolution and the quality of the remaster work...
Audio: 70
This UHD release of Star Trek III: The Search for Spock recycles the existing Dolby TrueHD 7.1 lossless soundtrack from the 2009 Blu-ray....
Extras: 80
Library Computer Production Captain's Log Terraforming and the Prime Directive Industrial Light & Magic: The Visual Effects of Star Trek Spock: The Early Years...
Movie: 60
Most of its trainees reassigned and the badly-damaged Enterprise returning home from its confrontation with Khan, the skeleton crew laments the loss of their friend, Spock, the ship feeling cold and lifeless...
Total: 80
Paramount has left well enough alone in terms of audio and supplements, both of which are fine....
The Digital Bits review by Bill HuntRead review here
Video: 95
Live action footage features abundant detail, while film’s the model photography is simply gorgeous—the opening Bird-of-Prey attack is particularly good, with stunning texturing visible on the ship’s wings,...
Audio: 85
The soundstage is medium-wide across the front, with good use of the surrounds for music, ambient effects, panning (spaceship flybys notably benefit from this), and directional cues (including computer...
Extras: 75
The second track features a pair of longtime Trek writers who went on to work on many other science fiction TV projects (including Battlestar Galactica, Defiance, and For All Mankind)....
Movie: 70
But Spock has given his life to save the ship from Khan’s last gasp—the detonation of the stolen Genesis device....
Total: 81
The Search for Spock is far from the best entry in the Star Trek franchise, but it should really be looked at as the middle chapter of a trilogy that begins in Wrath of Khan and concludes in The Voyage...
DoBlu review by Matt PaprockiRead review here
Video: 60
Evidence of light filtering adds an oily glaze over the imagery, and at times, a minor smearing....
Audio: 80
Passing starships exhibit little motion through the soundstage, and those additional rears in the 7.1 upgrade rarely find use....
Extras: 80
Four featurettes on the production run through the basics like the script and visual effects....
Movie: 60
Those changes are dramatic shifts to Star Trek lore, while anchoring the Enterprise crew as more than a command chain....
Total: 70
A clumsier entry, Star Trek III tells a fantastic story continuation, but lacks urgency in the narrative to convey the desperation of these characters....
Director: Leonard Nimoy
Actors: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley
PlotFollowing the catastrophic events on the Genesis planet, the USS Enterprise returns to Earth, heavily damaged. Admiral James T. Kirk is still reeling from the loss of his friend Spock, whose casket was launched onto the newly-formed planet. However, strange occurrences involving Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy indicate a connection to Spock. McCoy, acting erratically, is discovered to be carrying Spock's katra, his living spirit, within him. Sarek, Spock's father, informs Kirk that they must retrieve Spock's body to lay his katra to rest on their home planet Vulcan, or McCoy's life could be in danger. To honor their fallen comrade and save their friend, Kirk and his loyal crew decide to embark on an unsanctioned mission to recover Spock's body.
Defying Starfleet's direct orders, Kirk and his crew commandeer the now decommissioned Enterprise. As they set course for the unstable Genesis planet, they are unaware of the grave dangers that lie ahead. The planet, a scientific marvel turned deadly, is rapidly deteriorating, making the mission even more perilous. Moreover, they are not the only ones interested in Genesis. A group of Klingons, led by the cunning Commander Kruge, seeks the secrets of the Genesis device for their own purposes, leading to an inevitable confrontation between the two parties. With time running out and enemies closing in, the Enterprise crew must overcome both external threats and personal turmoil in their relentless search to find Spock.
Writers: Gene Roddenberry, Harve Bennett
Release Date: 01 Jun 1984
Runtime: 105 min
Rating: PG
Country: United States
Language: English, Klingon, Russian, French