Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
A film review by Joel B. Kirk
SYNOPSIS:
A historic peace initiative is nearly thwarted when Klingon Chancellor
Gorkon is assassinated, and Kirk and McCoy are wrongly convicted of
his murder.
MY TAKE:
A definite improvement over the previous film as director Nicholas
Meyer (who helmed most uniformed Trek film to date: STAR TREK II: THE
WRATH OF KHAN) returns in a film that would be the farewell of the
original cast.
The Klingons were the main villains of the original series and movie
series. In the television series, STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION,
there is a Klingon officer, Worf, who serves aboard the Enterprise.
STAR TREK VI bridges the gap, showing the beginnings of the Earth
Federation/Klingon alliance.
'The Undiscovered Country' is a line from Hamlet, but in Klingon, it
refers to the unknown according to David Warner's (TIME BANDITS, TRON,
STAR TREK V: THE FINAL FRONTIER, TITANIC) Chancellor Gorkon, who
initiates the peace toward Earth's Federation of Planets. It was the
fear of the unknown due to change; the character brings out in the
film.
Interestingly, this film goes to show some of the human prejudices
haven't all been suppressed. Two subordinates aboard the Enterprise
welcome Klingon diplomats, only to spurt out racial remarks the
diplomatic guests leave. Even William Shatner's James Kirk isn't
immune. Understandably upset by the death of his son (in STAR TREK
III: THE SEARCH FOR SPOCK) which was the cause of a Klingon, he
himself is hesitant to ally with the Klingon Empire.
*
George Takei's Sulu finally gets to show his stuff as commander of the
U.S.S. Excelsior, a ship we first saw in STAR TREK III: THE SEARCH FOR
SPOCK. His communications officer is Grace Lee Whitney as Janice Rand;
who had made appearances in STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE and STAR
TREK III and STAR TREK IV. She is known as the sexy Yeoman Janice Rand
from the Original Series. (Of course, she has been promoted since
then).
The beautiful Somalian model Iman shows up as alien Martia, who is in
league with those who do not wish peace between the Federation and
Klingon Empire.
Kim Catrall (HBO's SEX AND THE CITY) makes an appearance as Spock's
second protégée, Valeris, who may or may not be what she seems.
Christopher Plummer (SOUND OF MUSIC, MALCOLM X, A BEAUTIFUL MIND, THE
INSIDER) is the Shakespeare spouting Klingon, General Chang.
Michael Dorn (television's STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION and STAR
TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE, CHIPS) stars as the grandfather of the
character he portrayed on television.
Christian Slater (TRUE ROMANCE, BROKEN ARROW, HARD RAIN, INTERVIEW
WITH THE VAMPIRE, WINDTALKERS) makes a small cameo as Communications
officer.
Not too dramatic or 'uncharacteristically' Star Trek. All are in good
form, showing people we have all grown up with, or become used to. We
have journeyed with them during the 5-year missions, and are now
gladly journeying with them one final time.
POSITIVE /NEGATIVE NITPICKS:
If there was something to negatively nitpick about this picture, it's
that everything 'just happens.' There is no dramatic buildup to the
finish. When we find out about the culprits who want to sever the
impending peace between the two factions, we feel more suspense would
have played better.
FINAL COMMENTS:
STAR TREK VI: THE UNDISCOVERED COUNTRY was a return to form for the
Enterprise crew on their last voyage. This was a satisfying and
adventurous entry in the Star Trek franchise, passing the torch for
the 'next generation' of characters who will continue the adventure
onscreen.
MY RATINGS:
***1/2 out of *****
DIRECTOR:
Nicholas Meyer
WRITER(S):
Leonard Nimoy (story) and
Lawrence Konner (story) &
Mark Rosenthal (story)
Nicholas Meyer (screenplay) &
Denny Martin Flinn (screenplay)
CAST:
William Shatner-Cpt. James T. Kirk
Leonard Nimoy-Spock
DeForest Kelley-Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy
James Doohan-Scotty
Walter Koenig-Cmdr. Pavel Chekov
Nichelle Nichols-Cmdr. Nyota Uhura
George Takei-Capt. Hikaru Sulu
Kim Catrall-Lt. Valeris
Mark Lenard-Ambassador Sarek
Grace Lee Whitney-Cmdr. Janice Rand
Brock Peters-Admiral Cartwright
Leon Russum-StarFleet Commander-in-chief
Kurtwood Smith-Federation President
Christopher Plummer-General Chang
Rosanna DeSoto-Azetbur
David Warner-Chancellor Gorkon
John Schuck-Klingon Ambassador
Michael Dorn-Colonel Worf
Paul Rossili-Brig. General Kerla
Jeremy Roberts-Lt. Dimitri Valtane
Boris Lee Krutonog-Helmsman Lojur
Christian Slater-Excelsior Communications Officer
Iman-Martia
Darryl Henriques-Nanclus
Rene Auberjonois-Colonel West
GENRE:
Sci-fi/Action/Adventure
RUNNING TIME:
113 minutes
YEAR OF RELEASE:
1991 by Paramount Pictures
EMAIL:
joelkirk@sbcglobal.net
Copyright 2004 Joel B. Kirk
========== X-RAMR-ID: 37466 X-Language: en X-RT-ReviewID: 1268285 X-RT-TitleID: 1037799 X-RT-AuthorID: 9404 X-RT-RatingText: 3.5/5
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