Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
Spock's father tells Kirk of a way to restore Spock to life and save McCoy, who has apparently gone mad. It won't be easy, with Klingons, Starfleet officials, and the collapsing Genesis planet to confront, but Kirk's willing to give all he has to see the Vulcan back at his side.
Though The Wrath of Khan and this film are supposed to represent two equal sides of Star Trek morality, we find this the more accurate representation. The needs of the one always outweigh the many, if that one happens to be James T. Kirk. (Despite what his mother will later tell him, the "one" sure isn't Spock.) In fact, this had the potential to be something quite powerful and unique. It's the best premise of the series - almost mythical - but the plot doesn't deliver. Instead of giving Kirk some real obstacles, we have a lame-o Klingon, a collapsing planet, and a Federation so unprepared for this rebellion as to pose no threat to its success.
The early scenes are actually a bit improvement on the last two films as far as involvement for the minor characters, giving them each a useful function and character-specific moments. Uhura's scene is best; she's still nobody's fool, and Kirk and McCoy know it. Once we reach Genesis, proceedings are slow, especially since David and Saavik are given little to do but nurture Spock. (Who we know will be fine.) I'm sure no viewer cares that David dies, though watching Kirk's fall-on-his-butt reaction is funny in a sadly inappropriate way. The slow middle can almost be forgiven with the poignant scene in which the Enterprise is destroyed. Shatner shows some true skill in the final scenes, his fiery determination palpable. De Kelley is great throughout in a sort of dual role. We're told the fal-tor-pan is risky, but it doesn't feel so. It's nice that Spock isn't 100% at the end, and there's more room for development. To that end, this is where the film series becomes a true series, rather than individual motion picture events. The Search for Spock is best viewed with those films before and after - together, they constitute a wonderful trilogy.
Themes: Sacrifice, defying fate and death, friendship, the needs of the one outweighing the needs of the many.
Production: Not so good. Much more could have been done to relate the rapid growth and decline of the Genesis planet to Spock's maturing, symbolically - with careful set design and camera work. The planet sets look pretty tacky. All the positive elements of The Wrath of Khan remain in place, though they lack novelty. The Enterprise's fiery death is the only remarkable effect. And planet Vulcan looks more convincing than last time we visited.
Spock: Not much can be said for either Spock's body, lacking a soul (don't overthink that one), or Spock-McCoy. (An amusing fellow if nothing else.) The reborn Spock is whom we're concerned with. He is more innocent than the Vulcan ever would have been, ready to regain his knowledge and memories and consider his life experiences and choices from an open, adult perspective. We would also submit this as proof of Kirk and Spock's deep love to anyone in doubt. It's unique, it's special, and it's the driving force behind this film and its two lead characters.