Trek Movie Reviews
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
Review by GPrimeCEO
I saw this film as a replay last night on the Sci-Fi Channel, and felt the burning urge to review it here. Quite simply, I think it's the best of any of the TOS (The Original Series) films, though many Trek fans will dispute this with the claim that Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan is better. I'll get to why I think it's the best in a bit, but first, a quick synopsis of the plot.
It is apparently a number of years after the embarrassing events of Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (I'll detail that spectacle in another review), witness a graying Kirk, and a retiring crew. Captain Kirk (William Shatner), is ordered on his final mission, and it's a doozy. The Klingons have apparently destroyed their star system after years of abuse, and need a new place to live. As a result, an envoy, containing the Klingon President/Ruler, and high command, has agreed to come to Earth to come to peace terms and find a new place to live. Kirk is ordered to accompany the envoy, as a sign of unity. Apparently, the Federation believes that sending the greatest enemy of the Klingons will result in the ultimate show of peace. All goes well, with the exception of a brilliantly executed, and tense dinner party, during which the audience is treated to just how far apart culturally the humans and Klingons really are. But the quiet doesn't last long. Without warning, the Klingon vessel is attacked by several photon torpedo hits, the Klingon leader is killed, and Kirk is blamed. Kirk and McCoy are convicted in a banana court, Spock rescues them, and by way of brilliant story, the true culprits are revealed and peace is preserved. (I being intentionally vague, as the knowing the details will truly spoil the film for you.)
As I've stated, this is my personal favorite of the TOS films. We see more character development here than we've seen in the entirety of the original series or previous films. Sulu has become a Captain (of the Excelsior) finally addressing the age-old plot hole of why these super experiences officers have served on the same ship for 28 years with no real promotions. The other members of the crew seem truly tense about their impending retirement, but the best is Kirk. The true strength of Trek VI is in how Nicholas Meyer, the man who should be the head honcho of the franchise, paints the sci-fi icons. Kirk must face old prejudices (as must we) in his view of the Klingons, and it isn't pretty. The beauty of the plot device: we've seen Kirk defeat scores of enemies and overcome impossible odds, but he comes across as a real hero when he overcomes his own limitations (his prejudices) and resistance to change. It's a crowning achievement for a Trek era that has been far too light in character development. (How many times can Kirk win, how many times can McCoy utter "He's dead Jim?) It's also a message that Trek pessimist, who feel the franchise has no future without Kirk, have completely missed.
Return to Reviews
