Watching these movies one after another really pointed out to me how much of a middle movie TSFS is. The first ten or so minutes tells and retells the story of Spock's death and funeral straight from the last film. Once it gets moving it does at least get interesting although despite his best efforts Christopher Lloyd is no Ricardo Montalban and this movie hurts for a weaker villain. It isn't really that Lloyd is a weaker actor, it is that Kruge doesn't have as strong a motivation other than generic hate of humans. Despite its efforts to remind us of the emotional impact of Spock's death, the fact that this is a movie about him coming back to life cheapens that a bit as well.
The movie opens with Enterprise limping back to space dock with only rudimentary repairs after the battle with Khan. On the way in they pass the gleaming new NX-Excelsior, an experimental ship which Scotty is quickly transferred to. Meanwhile a Klingon woman on a merchant ship meets with Captain Kruge and transfers him information about project Genesis. After he learns she looked at the information he destroys the merchant ship. Back on the ship someone has broken into Spock's quarters. Kirk rushes in and finds McCoy mumbling about a mountain on Vulcan and then he passes out. Back on earth they are informed that the Enterprise is going to be decommissioned.
Having learned of Genesis and its power Kruge decides he must have it for the Klingon Empire. The action moves to the USS Grissom, a science vessel surveying the Genesis planet. They have detected life signs and a metal tube. Kirks some David and Saavik beam down and find Spock's empty coffin and a bunch of slimy creatures. Back on earth Sarek confronts Kirk and insists on mindmelding with him to see if Spock's katra is within Kirk. It isn't, but Kirk checks the tapes from the last movie and we see Spock transferring his memories to McCoy. McCoy has gotten himself committed for trying to illegally book a ship to the Genesis planet. Back on Genesis David and Saavik hear the screaming of a child rush to him as the planet shakes.
On earth Kirk is denied his request to take the Enterprise back to Genesis to look for Spock's body. He ignores the orders and along with his core crew steal the ship. They warp away from spacedock and the Excelsior's engines shutdown due to sabotage by Scotty. Kruge makes his way to Genesis and destroys the Grissom. Down on the planet Saavik and David have found young Spock rapidly aging and lacking memories or coherent thoughts. They try hide but are quickly captured by the Klingons. The Enterprise shows up and manages to cripple the Klingon ship before taking a serious blow. Unable to fight back Kirk manages to trick the Klingons into sending over most of their crew only to blow up the Enterprise, but not before Kruge orders David killed. Kirk is devastated both by the loss of his son and his ship which he watches burning from the surface.
Kirk and the remaining crew make their way to Saavik and young Spock. After taking out the last Klingon, Kirk talks Kruge into beaming down. There is a short struggle but Kirk manages to throw Kruge off a cliff into lava. They capture the Klingon ship from the one remaining crewman on board and fly to Vulcan to put Spock's mind back in. There is a lot of chanting but it appears the ancient ritual no one is sure will work and is highly illogical works first time no problem. There is an emotional reunion and we are on the Voyage Home.
Review: Certainly not the worst of the Trek films, but the fact that it wraps up one better film and then sets up another better film really makes this one feel a little less. Also the death of Kirk's son never felt like it had the emotional punch it deserved. Just suddenly his life is threatened and then he is dead. The destruction of the Enterprise had a lot more impact in the film. Looking forward to some whales tomorrow!
6 out of 10
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