After hitching his wagon to the Starship Enterprise with 1982s Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, composer James Horner returned to the franchise for its third film installment, expanding and refining the dark cosmic fanfares he introduced in the previous outing. At first blush Horners melancholy themes seem to contradict the optimism so critical to the Star Trek mythos, but theres no denying his ponderous approach works well with the films spiritual overtones. The quest to reclaim the life of the fallen Mr. Spock vaults the franchise into new emotional territory, and Horner responds with a series of profoundly personal themes that communicate the humanity at the core of this interstellar adventure. But by no means does Star Trek III: The Search for Spock fail as an action score -- themes like "Klingons" and "Bird of Prey Decloaks" rank alongside Horners most suspenseful and intense moments. ~ Jason Ankeny
Rovi