As I watched, I started to realize that this was no ordinary fan film but was instead one of the most incredibly well made biographical documentaries I'd ever seen. The closest thing to it was the amazing documentary on Roger Ebert, Life Itself (2014). And, because of that, the film has appeal for everyone…not just Trekkers, Trekkies and the like.

The driving force behind this film is Leonard Nimoy's son, Adam. Adam had envisioned making a film about just the Spock character but later decided to also make it about his father as well…particularly since Leonard had just died. However, Adam didn't have the money to make the film and did what many indie filmmakers do today—he started a Kickstarter campaign. Now considering this, you would expect the resulting film to be cheap…really, really cheap. And this is what really shocked me about the film, as it was anything but cheap. In fact, it looked as if the documentary cost many millions to make. All the clips from the original Star Trek show were gorgeously remastered and vividly colored and it's obvious that Adam was able to get the studio to give him access to these clips. But, more importantly, the number of stars from the Trek franchise in the film was incredible— and not just from the original show but the new movies as well. It also helped that the film features much of the narration by Leonard as well as some nice clips of the man as he talks about his life, his family and legacy.

As far as the film goes, it's part biography of Leonard Nimoy, part the history of the Spock character as well as healthy doses of the family life of Nimoy…a family life that was, sadly, rather rocky until his later years. But, and this is what I really enjoyed, there was redemption for him and his estranged children and grandchildren… which leads to the part of the film where you really do need to brace yourself and have some Kleenex handy. I found myself shedding a few tears as Adam and his sister revealed how estranged this relationship had been as well as the efforts made to repair it…as well as Adam's sad second marriage. As I said, this part is tough to watch—but ultimately very satisfying.

I score this movie a 10, something I almost never do. This is because like the Ebert film I mentioned, it was not just some superficial biography but a deep look into who the person was. It also features absolutely amazing special effects and is a quality production throughout. Clearly it's a must-see for Trek fans but anyone could enjoy and learn from this slickly produced film. One of the best films of the year and a movie that just debuted with Netflix's streaming service.

I found this documentary to be a fitting companion piece to Leonard Nimoy's own autobiography titled "I Am Not Spock". Like many Star Trek fans, the character made famous by Nimoy happens to be my favorite from that series, and it's a tribute to all those connected with the show that it's influence and popularity endures for over fifty years since it went off the air. I got a kick out of the clip in which Nimoy reads the first review of Star Trek from the Hollywood bible, 'Variety' magazine, which stated that the show 'won't work'. I do recall those arguments by studio executives that the program was 'too cerebral', suggesting that it needed to be dumbed down to an audience that could understand it better. I just love it when real life intrudes on the biases people have when they think they know more than the average person. The things that made Spock, and thereby the show popular, were the things that appealed to viewers who could identify with it's characters and want to go on a journey with them. The one thing I was never aware of was the existence of these so called 'slash fantasy' fanzines that fantasized about a gay relationship between Captain Kirk and his science officer. I can understand it, even if the idea strikes me as surreal. Besides Nimoy's development of the Spock character, this doc goes on to describe his life after Star Trek and the personal issues he encountered with it's constant demands, which affected his family life. On screen appearances by his son Adam, who directed the film, siblings Mel and Sybil Nimoy, and a host of fellow actors from the TV series and subsequent movies, lend credence to the huge effect Nimoy had on fans and followers. It's a worthwhile documentary to experience if you're a Star Trek fan, and quite honestly, even if you're not.

It may be called "For The Love Of Spock," but this documentary is really about the entire breadth of Leonard Nimoy's life. Perhaps the most beloved and iconic character and actor in the long history of the Star Trek franchise, this film obviously has a heavy focus on Star Trek, but also provides a fascinating (to use a word made famous by Mr. Spock) look at Nimoy's family and the way in which Star Trek fame impacted his family life. It can be a bit jarring at times to those who want to see Nimoy as interchangeable with Spock. He wasn't as in control as his famous alter-ego. His family life wasn't perfect, he had his own demons and addictions to deal with. The documentary was made by Nimoy's son, Adam, who used a letter his father had written to him in the early 1970's as a sort of catalyst, moving the film forward. Theirs was at times a troubled relationship, but was ultimately a healed relationship, and this film is clearly the story of a man paying tribute to his father, who died partway through the film's production.

There's a lot to follow - from Nimoy's early days as a struggling actor (never working more than two weeks at a time until Star Trek, as he tells us in an interview) to the fame he achieved as Mr. Spock, and a brief look at some of his other work as an actor and director. One thing we learn is that fame came with a price. However, clearly Nimoy was a man respected by his many peers and whose portrayal of Spock had an influence beyond his own work. There are interviews with the cast of the new Star Trek franchise, some discussions with Jim Parsons and Mayim Bialik from "The Big Bang Theory" about Spock's influence on Parsons' "Sheldon" character, appearances from a variety of others (including Neil deGrasse Tyson) and interviews with many of Nimoy's original Star Trek castmates (William Shatner, George Takei, Nichelle Nichols and Walter Koenig all appear.)

I must be honest and confess that it seemed a little bit too long at almost two hours, but it does have a lot of interesting material in it. It will be of most interest to fans of Star Trek, obviously. (8/10)