This week on Film Score Friday, we listen to the score from Star Trek III: The Search for Spock. James Horner wrote the score for this 1984 entry in the Star Trek series. Horner returned to the series after the success for Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Horner continued with many of the themes he used in the previous film. This is one of the weaker Trek films, but also one of the better scores.
Horner uses the idea of playing the same line octaves quite a bit. Each instrument in the brass section has their own chances throughout the score to play in octaves. The effect works well and achieves the foreboding effect the film needs. Horner, as usual, adapts motifs and groupings of instruments to fit characters on screen. For example, if you hear low brass with percussion, expect Klingons to be on the way shortly.
Where does this rank for Star Trek scores? Let us know in the comments.
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