Hornet Rating:

Starring William Shatner, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, George Takei, Walter Koenig, Nichelle Nichols, Christopher Lloyd, and Leonard Nimoy

Directed by Leonard Nimoy

Produced by Harve Bennett and Ralph Winter

Written by Harve Bennett

Available on Paramount Home Video Entertainment

105 mins.

Rated PG

“Star Trek” hasn’t been the most consistent franchise in the market. The original version of the first film sucked, (and yes, I am aware of the professional risk of including such a word in a professional article), and the second film, “The Wrath of Khan,” still stands today as the best film in the series.

Depending on how you look at it, the third theatrical trip of the original crew of the starship Enterprise, “Star Trek III: The Search for Spock,” either serves as a good bridge from “Khan” to the fourth film, “The Voyage Home,” or falls under the odd-numbered curse of the series (the odd-numbered films never matched up to the even-numbered ones in quality).

“The Search for Spock” begins with a brief reminder of the tragic hero ending of “Khan,” where Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy) gave his life to save the Enterprise. As the surviving crew mourns, Vulcan culture takes the driver’s seat of their new mission; Dr. McCoy (DeForrest Kelley) holds Spock’s katra (soul, if you will) within him, and it must be reunited with Spock’s body, which was ceremoniously sent off onto the Genesis planet (a world essentially manufactured by man).

Of course, it won’t be so easy. A group of Klingons make like pirates for the planet, which is a scientific wonder for whomever discovers its secrets), and Admiral Kirk (William Shatner) finds himself in a position where his life will be thoroughly shattered in order to save his crew.

The opening and closing acts of the film were inspiring in the best tradition of “Star Trek,” but the plot involving the Klingons lags like a Ford Pinto in the fast lane. It does, however, make for a disturbing plot device that will haunt Kirk and take he and McCoy down a dangerous road in a later chapter, namely “Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country.”

It is endearing and emotional to see the crew in their state after Spock’s death, and in this day, to see the original crew reunited in happiness at the end is a treat and, dare I say, worth buying this DVD for.

Perhaps I digress, but “Trek” fans won’t mind when I say this is a must-have. Speaking on a technical level, it’s awe-inspiring to see the film in its anamorphic widescreen glory, thanks to the awesome power of DVD. The remastered soundtrack makes for a sporadically bombastic experience, particularly in the first “bird of prey” scene and towards the end of the film.

Most two-disc sets include a commentary of sorts on the first platter, and it’s great to hear, literally, that this one is no slouch. It’s surprisingly fun (if you like “Star Trek,” that is) to hear Nimoy talk about the film, and his candor is fresh and consistent, never a bore. Also super cool is the text commentary of “Jeopardy”-like knowledge of the world of “Trek” and the film itself.

There are five rather nerd-based featurettes placed on the second DVD, so beware. But then again, you wouldn’t be watching them unless you liked “Star Trek” to begin with.

Juicy anecdotes about production and very specific sequences on the special effects and actual sciences involved and linked to “Trek” are what await you. So do storyboards (hit or miss, I can only take so many still shots off my DVD player before I want to fall into a coma) and the obligatory theatrical trailer.

As an average “Trek” fan (I would use the term “Trekker,” but I think the “Trekkies” will come after me anyway once they read this review), this is one spectacular disc. Sure, the movie’s a bit slow and a bit flawed. But it’s sci-fi and the ending makes the torture worthwhile for fans. To Trek or not to Trek, that is the question. “Search for Spock” is the equalizer.