Star Trek III: The Search for Spock - This, the second of two Trek soundtracks by James Horner, in many ways, goes the previous score (The Wrath of Khan) one better. While many people prefer the nautical majesty of The Wrath of Khan, I, for one, like this outing better. The orchestration on Khan always seemed a little bit 'thin' to me, and they seem to get a lot fuller sound on this one. The music, with some exception, is a lot more subdued, but, personally, I like that better.
The main theme returns from Khan, but is used a lot less in this soundtrack. It is still as good as ever, but it doesn't really belong as much in this movie, which is all about Spock. Its best use is in "Stealing the Enterprise". The sub-theme based on it returns, appearing a lot more. It has always been one of my favorite themes. Its best use is also in "Stealing the Enterprise". Spock's theme is the main theme in this movie. It seems to have a hopeful quality now, generally. My favorite appearance of it, though, is a very wistful version at the very beginning of the score, in "Prologue" during the flashback. The Klingon theme is honestly the worst one in the movie and one of the worst in all the Trek soundtracks. I really can't stand that little squeaky version in "Bird-of-Prey Decloaks". The Courage fanfare is used liberally throughout the score, something a lot of them are missing. It is used best during "Klingons" after the 30-second interlude, just after the space-dock comes into view. It is magnificently understated, and is one of the two best uses in the series (the other is at the end of Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country). This is how the fanfare was meant to be used. This and in "Stealing the Enterprise", anyway. Courage's Star Trek TV theme also appears, most notably at the end. It is used very well, but doesn't quite go to the same level as Khan's finale.
Overall, this score generally works better as 'pure music' than The Wrath of Khan and, to my thinking, is worth the money more. The downside: that pop version of Spock's theme. ha ha ha ha ha it is SO funny! Actually, it kind of spoils the soundtrack so I never, EVER listen to it anymore.
Best Tracks:
"Prologue / Main Title" (One of the greatest opening themes ever; very touching)
"Klingons" (Not the Klingon theme, after a 30-second silence, the space-dock comes into view, leading to possibly the best track, along with the above one)
"Stealing the Enterprise" (Just plain fun! This very long track never gets boring, and at times is the best track)
"Returning to Vulcan" (This has an amazing crescendo as the Bird-of-Prey lands on the red planet, then reaches another one. Pure, lovely strings music)