My quest to prepare for the new Star Trek movie continues!  I am working my way through all ten Trek films, one per week, to ready myself for the May arrival of the new film.  I actually watched Star Trek III about a week and a half ago, but my computer died a tragic, crashing death and I’ve only just now gotten it back to 100%, so here’s my late review!

This film probably ranks in my top three Trek films for a few reasons …

• It was the first film directed by Leonard Nimoy.  Like Jonathan Frakes (Commander Riker) directing the Next Generation films, Nimoy just understood the characters and the trek universe as only one of the actors could … which is probably why his films are some of the best.
• One of Captain Kirk’s most powerful on screen moments – his reaction to the death of his son.  Seeing him stumble as he reels back is absolutely moving.  Interesting bit of trivia: originally he wasn’t supposed to stumble.  One of the times they were filming, however, Shatner tripped as he stepped back and Nimoy realized the image of the Captain Kirk stumbling back was so much more powerful.  Great, great moment.
• The destruction of the Enterprise.  It’s still shocking to see.  Decades later, the various lead starships in the different Trek shows and movies have all been destroyed multiple times, but this was the first.  And for fans who would have to wait years for another movie, if left the question of whether or not there would ever be another one.  It was definitely a bold move on the part of the writers – the Enterprise is one of the lead characters, and it’s always risky to kill of a lead.

Okay, so I’m biased – as a massive Star Trek fan it’s a given that I like the film.  However, after seeing this thing countless times, it’s still a great story.  I’m just sayin’.