Star Trek III: The Search for Spock

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

Two years after Horner's entrance in the world of movie music with the dazzling Star Trek II, the boundaries of space were awaiting him again for his so far final musical interpretation of the Star Trek sound. No one could predict what the second feature did for Horner, and the world was introduced to a composer that could attach so much inspiration and speed to a movie about galaxies and dogfights. But fans wanted more of the same now they liked it so much, and while Star Trek III is no Wrath of Khan, it surely delivers more of the goods. The rapid faced tempo and the mind blowing fanfares of immense proportion when Kirk steals the Enterprise, the sad goodbye when Kirk and crew foreshadow the destruction of the beloved starship and the overall themes that return from the second to make a link between the movies at hand. The Search for Spock delivers all its benefits in 43 minutes (see why the rest isn't mentioned) of once more supreme Horner music in outer space.

Of course some people might complain about the lack of musical material, don't forget that between 'Bird of Prey Decloaks' and 'Returning to Vulcan' there is a mass of music missing, including the destruction of the Enterprise. Others will see the lack of pure sound quality as a hinder, it remains a sad history because what would I give to hear 'Stealing the Enterprise' in full force with the sound quality soundtracks have today, oh don't get me even started. Star Trek III may limp on these situations but still, Horner did do everything to make the music as enjoyable as possible, the returning Alexander Courage main theme in the first tracks including 'Prologue and Main Titles' and the Klingon music of Jerry Goldsmith that listens so effectively in 'Klingons'. Still, those become history when 'Stealing the Enterprise' starts to kick in, then the speed mixes the fanfares with a music you haven't heard before, or didn't hear enough. This remains one of the all time classic tracks of Horner's career. Also, Horner proved that he is a master in battle confrontations and 'Surprise Attack' from Star Trek II remains a good example, 'Bird of Prey Decloaks' is another one for the list. I always thought that the one of Star Trek II worked so good on CD and not so grand during the movie, with the other it is the opposite, but still Horner weaves tension and the final fanfares to create a classical mix of musical excellence.

While all is said and done, a good old familiar end suite can do miracles and so it does, 'End Title' is a welcome inclusion into the Star Trek franchise. Still, what follows next is beyond words, 'The Search for Spock' is (believe it or not) a pop version of the themes of the movie. Is this real and what the hell is it doing after such a piece of art? Not only does this completely erase everything that Horner's music created, the ambience and mood for instance but surely a pop version of Star Trek is not the kind of thing Gene Roddenberry would have wished for. And especially not in a movie like the third, which is one of the best (and most serious) of the series. Please forget this one and stop with the 8th track. But in the end the question will be, is Star Trek III now better then the second of the series, the first of Horner? No, but still close to the best and a heck lot better then Generations of McCarthy or Roseman's The Voyage Home. Horner still can do it and rehash or not, the Star Trek scores remain the true best sellers of his generation along with all the other space classics. Apart from the laughable version at the end the score of GNP Crescendo is a winner and I will not blame Horner's overall score for this hideous last cue, he obviously didn't compose it. Fans of all Star Trek ages will love it and if they delete the last track from their programming list, then they will surely love this score from begin to end.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Prologue And Main Title * (6.28)

2. Klingons * (5.55)

3. Stealing The Enterprise * (8.33) Excellent Track

4. The Mind Meld (2.30)

5. Bird Of Prey Decloaks (3.37) Excellent Track

6. Returning To Vulcan (4.49)

7. The Katra Ritual (4.29)

8. End Title * (6.12) Excellent Track

9. The Search For Spock (3.43)

* Contains TV theme by Alexander Courage

Total Length: 46.58

The use of artwork or photos is posted for non profitable reasons

=== Link to Composer Site: James Horner ===