Star Trek III: The Search for Spock Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		3.5

Star Trek III: The Search for Spock Blu-ray Movie Review

Paramount has released 'Star Trek III: The Search for Spock' to Blu-ray with a remastered 1080p transfer. The disc replaces the imperfect 2009 issue. No new primary audio track or supplemental contents are included. This disc is available individually, unlike the concurrently released UHD, which is only available as part of a four-film boxed set.

Star Trek III: The Search for Spock Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Paramount's Blu-ray refit for Star Trek III: The Search for Spock yields a 1080p picture vastly superior to the smoothed-out release from 2009 but one that lags far behind the standards set with The Motion Picture and The Wrath of Khan. While this image is far more organic than its 2009 predecessor, boasting superior grain management (grain had been all but wiped away for the 2009 presentation) and firmer textures, it's an imperfect image even in its refined and remastered state. Grain is on the sharp and spiky side. Details never reach a zenith for the format, looking a bit soft and flat in places. This is in evidence across faces, uniforms, and environmental details (look at a scene when Admiral Morrow addresses the assembled crew upon return to the star base), but all hope is not lost. There are many instances when the image offers a stabilized clarity and definition approaching expectations. Look at a scene when Kirk meets with Sarek at the 27-minute mark. Ample detailing and clarity are on display, even if very mild compression issues creep into the low light, fire-lit environment. More often than not, this looks good, just never quite great. Colors are where this image appears to be lacking. The palette frequently appears washed out and flat, with the red uniforms particularly drab and lacking depth and contrast. Whites are fairly bland, too, particularly opening titles. Black levels depth isn't at all bad, however, whether out in space or in low light, such as onboard a Klingon bird of prey. This is a solid image, albeit one with some significant room for growth.

Star Trek III: The Search for Spock Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

This Blu-ray release of Star Trek III: The Search for Spock recycles the existing Dolby TrueHD 7.1 lossless soundtrack from the 2009 Blu-ray. Please click here for a full review.

Star Trek III: The Search for Spock Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This Blu-ray release of Star Trek III: The Search for Spock contains the full suite of extras from the 2009 Blu-ray. Below is a list of what's included. Please click here for full coverage. A digital copy code is included with purchase, but a DVD copy is not. This release does not ship with a slipcover.

• Audio Commentary: Director Leonard Nimoy, Writer/Producer Harve Bennett, Director of Photography Charles Correll, and Actress Robin Curtis.
• Audio Commentary: Ronald D. Moore and Michael Taylor.
• Library Computer
• Production
  
  
  • Captain's Log
  • Terraforming and the Prime Directive
  • Industrial Light & Magic: The Visual Effects of Star Trek
  • Spock: The Early Years
• The Star Trek Universe
  
  
  • 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

Star Trek III: The Search for Spock Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Search for Spock is perhaps the most unheralded of the original six films. In 2021 it still plays well and the original 3/5 score may have been a mite low in hindsight. Nevertheless, the important thing here is the remastered Blu-ray video quality, which often leaves viewers wanting; the UHD is clearly superior. Paramount has left well enough alone in terms of audio and supplements, both of which are fine. Recommended.