Watch For the Love of Spock

For the Love of Spock is a documentary film that was released in 2016, dedicated to the late Leonard Nimoy who played the iconic character Spock in the Star Trek universe. Nimoy played this character for over 45 years, and this documentary celebrates his contributions to the show as well as his life outside of it. Directed by the iconic Spock actor's son, Adam Nimoy, the documentary delves into the revered and cultural status of Spock, with the famous tagline "Live long and prosper."

The director of this documentary not only documents the character of Spock in detail but also sheds light on the life of his father beyond the camera. Adam Nimoy explores his father's personal life, his struggles with addiction, and the challenges of keeping his public persona apart from his personal life. The film also features interviews with Leonard's colleagues and friends, including William Shatner, Mayim Bialik, and Jim Parsons.

The documentary showcases how the Spock character became an icon for generations of Star Trek fans, generations beyond the originally intended one. The film features interviews with numerous celebrities and scientists who were influenced by Spock's character. J.J. Abrams, creator of the latest Star Trek reboot, spoke about the difficulty of adapting the character for a new audience while still keeping Spock true to himself.

Aside from Abrams's take on the character, the documentary also features input from the likes of George Takei, Nichelle Nichols, and many others who worked and developed a unique bond with Leonard Nimoy over the years. Each one gives their unique take on what it means to keep Spock's legacy alive, as well as Nimoy's personal legacy.

The most fascinating thing about this documentary is how it showcases the symbiotic relationship between Spock and Nimoy. Spock almost became Nimoy's alter ego, his personal voice of reason in the universe. The documentary perfectly highlights how Nimoy poured his heart and soul into making Spock the character we all have grown to love. It’s fascinating to see how the character evolved and how Nimoy developed his endearing qualities that made Spock a cultural icon.

The documentary also pays tribute to Nimoy's philanthropy and activism, showing how he became a role model for many of his fans. He was a big supporter of equality, and the film showcases his work for Autism speaks and his role as a director for the controversial 1987 movie "Three men and a Baby." There is a thoughtful segment in which Nimoy's family members speak about his activism and how they feel proud that he made a difference in the world.

The focus of the documentary is, of course, Leonard Nimoy, but it also gives a glimpse into the careers and lives of other actors in the Star Trek franchise. The film looks closely at the making of Star Trek and how its concepts evolved over time, giving a unique insight into how the franchise grew and became what it is today. In retrospect, fans of Star Trek are given a glimpse of how much it has remained virtually unchanged, the core values that make it the endearing TV show it still is today after so many years.

For the Love of Spock is a wonderful tribute to both the character and the man who brought him to life. The documentary is profound and offers a deep and sincere look into Leonard Nimoy's life, beyond the iconic Spock that we all knew and loved. It's an emotional ride through the history of Star Trek where fans, old and new, will feel at home as they learn about Spock and see what this character meant to Nimoy and the rest of his family.

For the Love of Spock is a 2016 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 51 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6 and a MetaScore of 74.