Star Trek - Into Darkness (1 Viewer)

[Arsenal of Doom]

I'm going to disagree with AOD's take. Not vehemently, just a little.

Spoiler

The alternate timeline only split after the approximate events in the reboot movie. That means that Khan & Co. were still out there, just as they were in the original. So while they are dipping into that well at the expense of going into a fresh one, it still makes conceptual sense.

Also, examining the Kirk/Spock role reversals in the resolution shows that whether the decision was an emotional or logical one - it's still the right choice. So I don't have a huge problem with that either.

Kirks revival was forced and a bit eye rolling, but it's not like they were going to kill off the new Kirk in the 2nd film.

As for Khan being a white dude...maybe he just assumed the name because he was really Bob Smith. And who's really going to be afraid of Bob Smith?

I liked it plenty. Will see again.

Spoiler

I don't have a problem necessarily with Khan being used, it was inevitable at some point in the new films, I guess it's mainly the timing and execution that just didn't work for me.

My review probably sounds harsher than how I actually feel about the movie, which I liked overall. It was just disappointing for me compared to the standard it intentionally set itself to be measured against.

 

[Osaurus]

I thought it was okay....not great...not horrible, just okay.

 

[Jojo the circus boy]

Spoiler

Being a fan I liked knowing the tribbles backstory and how they were going to save Kirk, I was disappointed not getting to see http://neatnik2009.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/trouble-with-tribbles-10.jpg]this on the big screen though

There's still hope they will open the 3rd installment with that scene.

 

[timschochet]

I thought it was okay....not great...not horrible, just okay.

This. I saw it last night with my family. I came away disappointed, not because it was a terrible movie, but because the first one was so very good, and because given all the hype in this thread and elsewhere, I had come to expect more.

It was awfully dark. Perhaps, given the title, that's what they intended. But the best Star Trek, either films or television, have a certain joyousness, sense of optimism, and spirit of adventure that this film strangely lacked.

 

[Zasada]

<p>Just saw it.  Great movie.  Not sure if I like it more than the first reboot, but the first reboot is probably in my top 10 of all-time.  They managed to reboot the story without it seeming re-hashed while also not making it cheesy.</p>

 

[Buddy Ball 2K3]

Loved it. All I can say is I am glad JJ has handling two of my favorite franchises.

 

[Papa Georgio]

The Tribble didn't get nearly enough screen time.

This needs more love!

Excellent movie.

 

[lakerstan]

As a fan of the BBC Sherlock Holmes, I really hope Cumberpatch gets catapulted into superstar status. I loved the movie, and I went in skeptical.

 

[snore]

Disclaimer: Loved the original series (tv shows as well as movies) and also loved the reboot. Not a huge TNG guy either.

Just saw this with the wife and kid. Highly entertaining and very well done. The first plot twist I didnt see coming but should have. The second was a little more apparent towards the end.

I like this version of spock a little better. I think the writers are letting the human side through a little more which I like. There is some good comedy as well.

I plan on seeing it ahain, albeit a matinee.

 

[tdoss]

Spoiler

Being a fan I liked knowing the tribbles backstory and how they were going to save Kirk, I was disappointed not getting to see this on the big screen though

There's still hope they will open the 3rd installment with that scene.

I don't think they'll open with it but it would be awesome. I really was hoping they'd do something after the credits with Bones calling up to the bridge saying, "Jim...I think we've got a problem down here!" And show Bones dealing with those things.

 

[BustedKnuckles]

Hows this in 3D at the Imax ,going tonight.

 

[Buddy Ball 2K3]

Hows this in 3D at the Imax ,going tonight.

My wife hates 3D but she did enjoy it in this. It was not over the top and you pretty much forgot it was in 3d for the most part. IMAX is the way to go.

 

[BustedKnuckles]

Hows this in 3D at the Imax ,going tonight.

My wife hates 3D but she did enjoy it in this. It was not over the top and you pretty much forgot it was in 3d for the most part. IMAX is the way to go.

Thank you,talked my GF into seeing this,shes not into star trek but i told her it will be a fun movie with the 3D in outer space blah blah blah ...she bought it lol

 

[saintfool]

Caught this last night. It was fun and reasonably well done.

 

[tdoss]

Could've just gotten the DNA from the guy they unfroze...but, whatever...

 

[simsarge]

Couple of items that stood out to me...

1. I had to laugh out loud at Robocop's over-the-top "You want me on that wall, you need me on that wall" speech.

2. Been a good while since I saw the last one. Were Uhura and Spock an item in that also?

3. As someone mentioned, Spock puts the Vulcan Mind Meld and the shoulder knockout pinch on Kahn and he shakes it off. Uhura pops him a few times with the stun gun and he's out cold. Dumb.

4. All the high tech gizmos that Star Fleet command has at their disposal and Kirk can speed dial Scotty sitting at a bar in San Fran, why they can't put Google Translate on the ship? Kirk had to take Uhura down to Kingon land just so she could translate?

5. What was up with the little alien guy with Scotty? Was he the only alien on the ship? Kind of a wierd sub plot.

6. Also mentioned, someone buried in quibbles at the end would've been pretty funny

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Could've just gotten the DNA from the guy they unfroze...but, whatever...

Oh crap...

BTW - Can someone remind me of Adm. Marcus' motivations?

Spoiler

Because it seemed like he was trying to revenge the deaths of some Starfleet personnel and in order to do so he was willing to...kill some other Starfleet personnel.

I get insanity and all but...

 

[bigbottom]

Couple of items that stood out to me...

1. I had to laugh out loud at Robocop's over-the-top "You want me on that wall, you need me on that wall" speech.

2. Been a good while since I saw the last one. Were Uhura and Spock an item in that also?

3. As someone mentioned, Spock puts the Vulcan Mind Meld and the shoulder knockout pinch on Kahn and he shakes it off. Uhura pops him a few times with the stun gun and he's out cold. Dumb.

4. All the high tech gizmos that Star Fleet command has at their disposal and Kirk can speed dial Scotty sitting at a bar in San Fran, why they can't put Google Translate on the ship? Kirk had to take Uhura down to Kingon land just so she could translate?

5. What was up with the little alien guy with Scotty? Was he the only alien on the ship? Kind of a wierd sub plot.

6. Also mentioned, someone buried in quibbles at the end would've been pretty funny

Spoiler

1. Agreed.

2. Yep.

3. The way they took out Khan was fairly lame and anti-climactic.

4. I didn't really have an issue with this.

5. Little alien dude was in the first reboot. He's a recurring character.

6. Funny, but it would have been a rolleyes moment for me I think.

My issue is somewhat along the lines of Arsenal of Doom's. The whole role reversal thing felt forced. Like they decided to do that and then wrote an entire script around making it happen. And while I've never been a fan of Shatner and Nimoy in terms of acting chops, they did that scene with about ten times the emotional resonance of Pine/Quinto. As a stand-alone movie, I think this one pales in comparison to the first reboot. Unlike the first reboot, this one really relies on those ties back to the original storylines. However forced they may have been, they increased the entertainment value - but I just don't think this second installment stands on its own two feet.

 

[bigbottom]

Could've just gotten the DNA from the guy they unfroze...but, whatever...

Oh crap...

BTW - Can someone remind me of Adm. Marcus' motivations?

Spoiler

Because it seemed like he was trying to revenge the deaths of some Starfleet personnel and in order to do so he was willing to...kill some other Starfleet personnel.

I get insanity and all but...

Spoiler

I thought he just wanted to kill himself some Klingons. The whole war is awesome so let's start a war cliche we've seen in dozens of movies.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

I would rank it here:

The Wrath of Khan
The Voyage Home
Star Trek
Star Trek: Into Darkness
Generations
The Search for Spock
Nemesis
First Contact (I know I'm pretty alone in having this one so low)
The Undiscovered Country
The Motion Picture
The Final Frontier
Insurrection

 

[timschochet]

I would rank it here:

The Wrath of Khan
The Voyage Home
Star Trek
Star Trek: Into Darkness
Generations
The Search for Spock
Nemesis
First Contact (I know I'm pretty alone in having this one so low)
The Undiscovered Country
The Motion Picture
The Final Frontier
Insurrection

I've got it:

1. Wrath of Khan

2. Star Trek

3. Generations

4. Umm, I dunno. The rest of them are all OK including this one. Star Trek The Motion Picture and The Final Frontier were really awful though.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

1. Wrath of Khan

2. Star Trek

3. Generations

4. Umm, I dunno. The rest of them are all OK including this one. Star Trek The Motion Picture and The Final Frontier were really awful though.

Glad you rank Generations high.

I think it gets a bum rap.

 

[NewlyRetired]

5. What was up with the little alien guy with Scotty? Was he the only alien on the ship? Kind of a wierd sub plot.

I noticed plenty of aliens on the ship in the background scenes. One guy on the bridge had an eye like thing in the back of his head.

 

[Yankee23Fan]

I would rank it here:

The Wrath of Khan
The Voyage Home
Star Trek
Star Trek: Into Darkness
Generations
The Search for Spock
Nemesis
First Contact (I know I'm pretty alone in having this one so low)
The Undiscovered Country
The Motion Picture
The Final Frontier
Insurrection

Interesting.

Kahn is absolutely #1. There is no debate there. Why do you have the whale one ahead of the final old crew one?

 

[timschochet]

1. Wrath of Khan

2. Star Trek

3. Generations

4. Umm, I dunno. The rest of them are all OK including this one. Star Trek The Motion Picture and The Final Frontier were really awful though.

Glad you rank Generations high.

I think it gets a bum rap.

I think it does too. Whoopi Goldberg and the whole Nexus/Vortex whatever was pretty stupid. But I liked the villain, and I liked the interaction of Shatner and Patrick Stewart together. I thought it was fine.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Here are my rankings. Have seen all of these 3 times or more each.

1) Wrath of Khan

2) First Contact

3) Voyage Home

4) Star Trek (2009)

5) Into Darkness

6) Undiscovered Country

7) Search for Spock

8) Generations

9) Insurrection

10) Nemesis

11) The Final Frontier

12) The Motion Picture

 

[timschochet]

I would rank it here:

The Wrath of Khan
The Voyage Home
Star Trek
Star Trek: Into Darkness
Generations
The Search for Spock
Nemesis
First Contact (I know I'm pretty alone in having this one so low)
The Undiscovered Country
The Motion Picture
The Final Frontier
Insurrection

Interesting.

Kahn is absolutely #1. There is no debate there. Why do you have the whale one ahead of the final old crew one?

The whale one was fun to watch in the day, but unlike Khan it doesn't hold up well. The dialogue is just terrible.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

I would rank it here:

The Wrath of Khan
The Voyage Home
Star Trek
Star Trek: Into Darkness
Generations
The Search for Spock
Nemesis
First Contact (I know I'm pretty alone in having this one so low)
The Undiscovered Country
The Motion Picture
The Final Frontier
Insurrection

Interesting.

Kahn is absolutely #1. There is no debate there. Why do you have the whale one ahead of the final old crew one?

Because it's fun. I just watched Undiscovered Country the other night and I thought it was dull. Except for the riding off into the sunset scene.

 

[TxBuckeye]

simsarge, on 20 May 2013 - 13:06, said:Couple of items that stood out to me...3. As someone mentioned, Spock puts the Vulcan Mind Meld and the shoulder knockout pinch on Kahn and he shakes it off. Uhura pops him a few times with the stun gun and he's out cold. Dumb.

I thought he withstood the phaser blasts just fine, it was Spock nailing him in the skull with the big metal piece that knocked him out cold on top of the shuttle? And on the ship, I thought he was just "playing dead" when he went down to one shot?

 

[tdoss]

Was bothered that Scotty was able to stun Khan with one shot while Uhura shoots him like a half dozen times with little effect.

Could've been explained by Khan having the ability to adapt to it after he was stunned once.

I guess we could explain it away with Khan faking the stun altogether. Khan jumps up and I kept thinking to Scotty...You had ONE job!

Have to agree...shatner-Nimoy did that death scene way, WAY better. I didn't feel sad at all. Probably because they telegraphed the DNA and tribble a bit too blatantly. It was just thought out, written and acted much better in original. Which is odd to say since Shatner is SUCH a ham.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Here is how the 12 movies were ranked by imdb users

Into Darkness: 8.3*

Star Trek (2009): 8.0

The Wrath of Khan: 7.7

First Contact: 7.5

The Voyage Home: 7.2

The Undiscovered Country: 7.1

Search for Spock: 6.5

Generations: 6.5

Insurrection: 6.3

Nemesis: 6.3

Star Trek TMP: 6.3

The Final Frontier: 5.2

*This number will drop as time goes on but should end up around 8.0.

 

[tdoss]

simsarge, on 20 May 2013 - 13:06, said:Couple of items that stood out to me...3. As someone mentioned, Spock puts the Vulcan Mind Meld and the shoulder knockout pinch on Kahn and he shakes it off. Uhura pops him a few times with the stun gun and he's out cold. Dumb.

I thought he withstood the phaser blasts just fine, it was Spock nailing him in the skull with the big metal piece that knocked him out cold on top of the shuttle? And on the ship, I thought he was just "playing dead" when he went down to one shot?

I considered that but it's so out of character for him to fake it for an advantage...he's already got it. They can't do ANYTHING to stop him. Hell...he took on a platoon of Klingons with nothing but his balls as a shield.

 

[NewlyRetired]

simsarge, on 20 May 2013 - 13:06, said:Couple of items that stood out to me...3. As someone mentioned, Spock puts the Vulcan Mind Meld and the shoulder knockout pinch on Kahn and he shakes it off. Uhura pops him a few times with the stun gun and he's out cold. Dumb.

I thought he withstood the phaser blasts just fine, it was Spock nailing him in the skull with the big metal piece that knocked him out cold on top of the shuttle? And on the ship, I thought he was just "playing dead" when he went down to one shot?

Yeah, Uruha hit him at least 6 times with the gun and he did not go down. But was distracted enough to allow Spock to clock him.

 

[Todem]

I have not seen Into Darkness yet (will in the next couple of weeks)

Here are my rankings

1. Wrath of Khan

2. Star Trek

3. Voyage Home

4. The Search For Spock

5. First Contact

6. Undiscovered Country

7. Generations

8. Nemeisis

9 The Motion Picture

10. Insurrection

11. The Final Frontier

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Was bothered that Scotty was able to stun Khan with one shot while Uhura shoots him like a half dozen times with little effect.Could've been explained by Khan having the ability to adapt to it after he was stunned once.I guess we could explain it away with Khan faking the stun altogether. Khan jumps up and I kept thinking to Scotty...You had ONE job!Have to agree...shatner-Nimoy did that death scene way, WAY better. I didn't feel sad at all. Probably because they telegraphed the DNA and tribble a bit too blatantly. It was just thought out, written and acted much better in original. Which is odd to say since Shatner is SUCH a ham.

But...the Shatner and Nimoy Kirk/Spock characters had much more on-screen history for us to draw on.

Even though they're ostensibely the same characters, they're really not to we the audience, so there's not going to be the emotional resonance.

 

[tdoss]

Was bothered that Scotty was able to stun Khan with one shot while Uhura shoots him like a half dozen times with little effect.Could've been explained by Khan having the ability to adapt to it after he was stunned once.I guess we could explain it away with Khan faking the stun altogether. Khan jumps up and I kept thinking to Scotty...You had ONE job!Have to agree...shatner-Nimoy did that death scene way, WAY better. I didn't feel sad at all. Probably because they telegraphed the DNA and tribble a bit too blatantly. It was just thought out, written and acted much better in original. Which is odd to say since Shatner is SUCH a ham.

But...the Shatner and Nimoy Kirk/Spock characters had much more on-screen history for us to draw on. Even though they're ostensibely the same characters, they're really not to we the audience, so there's not going to be the emotional resonance.

Definitely has to factor.Honestly...I think it was too soon for Khan or that death scene. Part Three should've been the time for us to really get into these guys having that bond.Am I misrembering or did we not know about the Genesis project when Spock died in the original? It just felt like...woa...Spock is dead.This one it felt like...aw come on...just give him the tribble DNA and lets move on.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Am I misrembering or did we not know about the Genesis project when Spock died in the original? It just felt like...woa...Spock is dead.

Khan was to have been the end of the road for the Spock character but during filming Nimoy relented and we got the shot of Spock's coffin on the Genesis planet at the end of the movie.

 

[NewlyRetired]

[Am I misrembering or did we not know about the Genesis project when Spock died in the original? It just felt like...woa...Spock is dead..

The major plot line in Wrath of Khan was the Genesis device. The Genesis device was activated by Khan creating a new live planet. After Spock dies they shoot his torpedo coffin into the planet. The movie ends by showing the torpedo safely landed on the new planet.

 

[Braktastic]

JJ Abrams rebooted Star Trek so he could make Star Wars films before he was allowed to make Star Wars movies for real. Once you get past that, you can enjoy the rebooted Star Trek universe more easliy. I'm a huge fan of Star Trek: The Original Series. My dad introduced me to the show while it was in syndication, and I grew up with it. I've never been a fan of any other incarnation of Star Trek until the reboot, which I enjoy, but it's not your father's Star Trek so-to-speak.

That said, I enjoyed Star Trek Into Darkness and would give it 4/5 stars. The positives were that it was engaging, fun, and action packed. It addressed why Starfleet was becoming militarized, and the crew made an effort to steer the organization back to its role of exploration. Each crew member had their moment to shine and a pivotal part to play in the plot, and Benedict Cumberbatch owned every scene.

However, I'm not sure the Khan twist was even necessary. I feel like a solid film could've been made without reusing Khan and making an inverse of The Wrath of Khan in the final act. There were some pretty big plot holes in the film though just like the reboot's jettisoning of Kirk onto the planet the Spock Prime just happend to be marooned on. For example if Khan was so closely watched, how is it he had all this time to smuggle all his crew into torpedos? And if he did have that much time, why not just wake them all up instead?

Here are my rankings

01. The Wrath of Khan

02. Into Darkness

03. The Undiscovered Country

04. Star Trek

05. First Contact

06. The Motion Picture

07. The Search For Spock

08. The Voyage Home

09. The Final Frontier

10. Generations

11. Nemeisis

12. Insurrection

 

[Arsenal of Doom]

Am I misrembering or did we not know about the Genesis project when Spock died in the original? It just felt like...woa...Spock is dead.

Khan was to have been the end of the road for the Spock character but during filming Nimoy relented and we got the shot of Spock's coffin on the Genesis planet at the end of the movie.

It was much less obvious that Spock would be coming back at the end of Wrath of Khan. I may be remembering this wrong, but I don't think it was until post-premiere that Nimoy confirmed he would come back for III. I felt that was part of what took the emotional edge out of Kirk's sacrifice. At that point everyone knows he's getting Khan's blood.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

For example if Khan was so closely watched, how is it he had all this time to smuggle all his crew into torpedos? And if he did have that much time, why not just wake them all up instead?

He didn't put them in the tubes. Admiral Marcus did.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Am I misrembering or did we not know about the Genesis project when Spock died in the original? It just felt like...woa...Spock is dead.

Khan was to have been the end of the road for the Spock character but during filming Nimoy relented and we got the shot of Spock's coffin on the Genesis planet at the end of the movie.

It was much less obvious that Spock would be coming back at the end of Wrath of Khan. I may be remembering this wrong, but I don't think it was until post-premiere that Nimoy confirmed he would come back for III.

They put in a pretty big hint that Spock might come back into the end of Wrath of Khan with this quote from Kirk.

"Captain's log, stardate 8141.6. Starship Enterprise departing for Ceti Alpha Five to pick up the crew of the U.S.S. Reliant. All is well. And yet I can't help wondering about the friend I leave behind. 'There are always possibilities' Spock said. And if Genesis is indeed 'Life from death', I must return to this place again."

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Am I misrembering or did we not know about the Genesis project when Spock died in the original? It just felt like...woa...Spock is dead.

Khan was to have been the end of the road for the Spock character but during filming Nimoy relented and we got the shot of Spock's coffin on the Genesis planet at the end of the movie.

It was much less obvious that Spock would be coming back at the end of Wrath of Khan. I may be remembering this wrong, but I don't think it was until post-premiere that Nimoy confirmed he would come back for III.

They put in a pretty big hint that Spock might come back into the end of Wrath of Khan with this quote from Kirk.

"Captain's log, stardate 8141.6. Starship Enterprise departing for Ceti Alpha Five to pick up the crew of the U.S.S. Reliant. All is well. And yet I can't help wondering about the friend I leave behind. 'There are always possibilities' Spock said. And if Genesis is indeed 'Life from death', I must return to this place again."

All of that stuff was added on after shooting had begun. All the Katra stuff too.

 

[Arsenal of Doom]

Am I misrembering or did we not know about the Genesis project when Spock died in the original? It just felt like...woa...Spock is dead.

Khan was to have been the end of the road for the Spock character but during filming Nimoy relented and we got the shot of Spock's coffin on the Genesis planet at the end of the movie.

It was much less obvious that Spock would be coming back at the end of Wrath of Khan. I may be remembering this wrong, but I don't think it was until post-premiere that Nimoy confirmed he would come back for III.

They put in a pretty big hint that Spock might come back into the end of Wrath of Khan with this quote from Kirk. "Captain's log, stardate 8141.6. Starship Enterprise departing for Ceti Alpha Five to pick up the crew of the U.S.S. Reliant. All is well. And yet I can't help wondering about the friend I leave behind. 'There are always possibilities' Spock said. And if Genesis is indeed 'Life from death', I must return to this place again."

True but that was obviously after Spock's death and far cry from - hey, let's see what happens if we put Khan's blood in this dead Tribble, for no apparent reason.

 

[bigbottom]

It was awfully dark. Perhaps, given the title, that's what they intended. But the best Star Trek, either films or television, have a certain joyousness, sense of optimism, and spirit of adventure that this film strangely lacked.

Your comment is interesting. Because the first reboot was incredibly dark. Nearly the entire vulcan race obliterated in a planet-destroying act of genocide. A villain as dark as they come and consumed by hate. The death of Kirk's father. Nevertheless, you are right that there was still a light-heartedness about the movie. A twinkle in the Kirk's eye that always seems to permeate in the best of the Star Trek narratives. That twinkle wasn't really there in this one. Plus, we always like to see Kirk outsmart the villain. That didn't happen in this one.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Have to say that Chris Pine has done his homework. He's got Shatner's Kirk mannerisms down pat and some of them are quite subtle.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Am I misrembering or did we not know about the Genesis project when Spock died in the original? It just felt like...woa...Spock is dead.

Khan was to have been the end of the road for the Spock character but during filming Nimoy relented and we got the shot of Spock's coffin on the Genesis planet at the end of the movie.

It was much less obvious that Spock would be coming back at the end of Wrath of Khan. I may be remembering this wrong, but I don't think it was until post-premiere that Nimoy confirmed he would come back for III.

They put in a pretty big hint that Spock might come back into the end of Wrath of Khan with this quote from Kirk.

"Captain's log, stardate 8141.6. Starship Enterprise departing for Ceti Alpha Five to pick up the crew of the U.S.S. Reliant. All is well. And yet I can't help wondering about the friend I leave behind. 'There are always possibilities' Spock said. And if Genesis is indeed 'Life from death', I must return to this place again."

All of that stuff was added on after shooting had begun. All the Katra stuff too.

There was not a single mention of Katra in Wrath of Khan.

The idea of the katra is introduced to the movies in Star Trek 3. It was actually introduced briefly in the TOS episode "Return to Tomorrow."

 

[Arsenal of Doom]

Have to say that Chris Pine has done his homework. He's got Shatner's Kirk mannerisms down pat and some of them are quite subtle.

Agreed, he's fantastic as young Kirk. Generally speaking I think the whole cast is great, though I feel that Karl Urban has been somewhat wasted up to this point doing a somewhat stale DeForest Kelley impression. Particularly compared to Simon Pegg who has really run with Scottie.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

There was not a single mention of Katra in Wrath of Khan.

The idea of the katra is introduced to the movies in Star Trek 3. It was actually introduced briefly in the TOS episode "Return to Tomorrow."

Not by name. But when Spock melds with McCoy and says "Remember", he's transferring his Katra. That scene was added on after filming begain.

 

[saintfool]

Am I misrembering or did we not know about the Genesis project when Spock died in the original? It just felt like...woa...Spock is dead.

Khan was to have been the end of the road for the Spock character but during filming Nimoy relented and we got the shot of Spock's coffin on the Genesis planet at the end of the movie.

It was much less obvious that Spock would be coming back at the end of Wrath of Khan. I may be remembering this wrong, but I don't think it was until post-premiere that Nimoy confirmed he would come back for III.

They put in a pretty big hint that Spock might come back into the end of Wrath of Khan with this quote from Kirk. "Captain's log, stardate 8141.6. Starship Enterprise departing for Ceti Alpha Five to pick up the crew of the U.S.S. Reliant. All is well. And yet I can't help wondering about the friend I leave behind. 'There are always possibilities' Spock said. And if Genesis is indeed 'Life from death', I must return to this place again."

True but that was obviously after Spock's death and far cry from - hey, let's see what happens if we put Khan's blood in this dead Tribble, for no apparent reason.

I thought he was doing a full medical review of Khan's claims, which included some blood work. The results showed something interesting which McCoy tested against a harmless/dying animal.