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| Source: rec.art.movies.reviews newsgroup | | Rating: 4
| SYNOPSIS:
Kirk and company voyage back in time to San Francisco in 1986 to bringtwo humpback whales back to the future in order to speak with a probethat is slowly destroying Earth.
MY TAKE:
Where the previous films somber, this entry would be set to be a bitlighter headed, with a crew from the 23rd century-the Enterprisecrew--interacting with 20th century Earth.Leonard Nimoy, who did a competent job with the previous picture,would prove to hit success a second time with this entry. He returnsas director, and contributes to the story idea.Even more so than the first film, each of the crew members are givensomething to do, as each has to break into groups to locate the nearextinct humpback whales they are to bring back with them to the 23rdcentury. However, not much is given on the mysterious probe thatattacks Earth; although, that does little to deter from the storyline.Returning also is Robin Curtis as Lt. Saavik, Jane Wyatt as Spock'smother Amanda, and Mark Lenard as Spock's father, Sarek.An idea was thrown around to have Eddie Murphy join this time around,in the part that would eventually go to Catherine Hicks, but Paramountdeemed it necessary not to combine their two biggest moneymakers. Nottoo mention, Murphy might have dominated the film to begin with.
POSITIVE/NEGATIVE NITPICKS:
James Horner is not present this time around as film composer. LeonardRosenman (who notably scored Ralph Bakshi's LORD OF THE RINGS in 1978)provides a strong light-hearted score suitable for the film's tone.The late actress Madge Sinclair would make history as the first femaleCaptain shown in Star Trek, and the second ship Captain that happenedto be Black (Paul Winfield being the first from STAR TREK II). This isnotable due to the fact that Star Trek is still produced byindividuals in the 20th century, in a time where heroes of color:African-American, Asian-American, Hispanic-American, are too few.Robert Ellenstein who portrays the Federation President, may beremembered as one of the thugs who kidnaps Cary Grant in 1959's NORTHBY NORTHWEST. Also, like many of the individuals who make appearancesin the Trek universes, he returns as a different character in thesecond incarnation, Star Trek: The Next Generation-in an episodetitled ‘Haven.'
Catherine Hicks, who portrays Gillian Taylor and another Star Trekalumni, Stephen Collins (who portrayed Will Decker from STAR TREK: THEMOTION PICTURE) would star with one another in television's 7thHeaven.
FINAL COMMENTS:
This ends the ‘trilogy' of films that begun with STAR TREK II: THEWRATH OF KHAN. This film has fun, not insulting the audience or thepeople who have been with Star Trek since the beginning. Yes, there isa major plot hole that isn't explained: The probe and it's origin.However, you can come away from this picture feeling like you've had agood time.
By : Joel B. Kirk
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