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Star Trek VI - The Undiscovered Country (Special Edition)

Star Trek VI - The Undiscovered Country (Special Edition)

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: outstanding -- the best star trek movie ever
Review: Unlike Nemesis, which kind of left you scratching your head at how The Next Generation series of movies could go out in such an average (for TNG's high standards) bang, The Undiscovered Country closed out the original Star Trek series of movies with a BANG in 1991. This is easily the best ST movie ever, about how overmining of the Klingon moon causes a catastrophe on their planet making in uninhabitable and causing them to come to the Federation with talks of a truce. But a deep conspiracy unravels, in some ways predictable, in other ways not.......enough of my blabbering, not like you wanted to hear me tell you any more anyways, if you did I still won't spoil any more. Scenes of this movie were emulated in Next Generation movies (a certain space battle scene is emulated almost exactly in Generations, although nowhere near as well). Get it, watch it, and watch all the original Star Trek movies (except maybe the first one, unless you are INSANE for star trek). THe original movies are the best, and can be loved even if you aren't a Star Trek fan.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: GREAT sign-off for the original cast
Review: "Star Trek V" was a disaster for the fans. Originally, this film was to be a Starfleet Academy film dating back to Kirk and Spock in the academy days. Paramount, however, wanted a conventional film to be made in time for Star Trek's 25th anniversary. Harve Bennett originally planned on participating, but declined later due to this change (and also because of his drinking problems, he later said). In that event, Nimoy was selected as executive producer and was allowed to write and/or direct. Obviously, he didn't want to direct, but he wrote out a story alongside screenwriters Lawrence Konner and Mark Rosenthal. His next choice could not have been better: Nicholas Meyer, who would direct and co-write alongside novelist Denny Martin Flinn.

The film is very dark in comparison to the previous features and even Kirk and Spock have a strained relationship due to the coming peace conference and the renegade vulcan played by Kim Cattrall. The film flows well and the story is very Shakespearian (General Chang, played by Christopher Plummer, often quotes Shakespeare and other famous words).

While Nemesis failed to be a great final film for the TNG cast (although it may or may not be), this film took the original cast out in style. A humanly enthralling tale with betrayal and suspense (and Sulu FINALLY becoming a captain!), this should please all Trek fans.

Cliff Eidelman produced the score here and I believe it to be quite good. Many fans were put off by this because it doesn't have a dominant theme (although it HAS a theme); it's mostly a dark, operatic score with overtures ranging throughout. I personally enjoyed it. It ranks up there with most of the other scores.

And finally, William Shatner actually acts well here. The ending is so well done (no spoilers), too. The visual effects are very impressive. Overall, a grand adventure in the best Trek tradition. It's a shame Roddenberry hated it at the preview and then died three days later. This is definitely one of the Trekkiest and is, sad to say, the last of the great Treks. Only "First Contact" comes close to surpassing any of the original Trek films (except TMP and V, of course, which are terrible), which is a shame.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A magnificent send off to the legends of space.
Review: Having Nick Meyer at the helm once again, proves that the original chemistry among the Star Trek family could once again be recaptured. Giving a "darker" image to the movie reflects the plot of what is a teriffic way to say good-bye to the magnificent seven who have had such a great impact on our lives. With the stage being set with the erie opening score, to the final (and quite literal) sign off by the cast, Star Trek VI, The Undiscovered Country once again gives us what true Star Trek fans have come to expect. Stellar performances by Christopher Plummer and William Shatner lead to lessons in racial bigotry, and tolerance to change. Captivated by a proverbial "who done it?", the audience is kept guessing throughout the movie. That along with some spectacualr battle sequences once again gives us Trek at it's best demonstrating the awesome power of the Starship Enterprise, with it's equally awesome crew at her helm. Star Trek VI is entertaining as well as inspirational, fitting Gene Roddenberry's original pattern to the series he created. Star Trek VI is a winner for sure.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Great Movie bad commentary
Review: i would have given it 5 stars but the commentary of the movie isn't about the movie. I was really looking forward to it after star trek 2 Nicholas Meyer did a great commentary, then this is all about the cold war really Zzzzzz..... the movie is great arguably the best of them excelletn cast of guest stars ties it up nicely and sentimentaly nice to see Deforest Kelly for the last time as Dr. McCoy almost hard to watch knowing he is gone. the tribute to him is one of the best extras i have watched the text commentary is awesome like all the star trek special editions all in all a great movie and the exstended scenes are nice addition and should have been in the original.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: As timely now as when released...
Review: This film is a must-see for those who have power over war and peace. Think about it - the peace treaty is about to be torpedoed by high ranking officers of both the Klingon Empire and the Federation, who stand to lose big time if peace ever breaks out.

Is there any similarity to the present Israeli-Palestinian conflict? Looks like it... Especially since, every single time there is a chance for peace, some new attack on the part of anyone over there derails whatever progress is made. Almost seems like the rogue Federation and Klingon officers of this film. But I digress...

This picture is a huge credit to the filmakers of the Star Trek saga, just when it was most needed (after the disaster that was Star Trek V). If you are interested in serious science fiction, toelrance between cultures or are in the mood for a good thriller, watch this one. If you live in the Middle East, by all means watch this one!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Pretty good...but
Review: I have to say that my favorite is still "The wrath of Kahn". Although, General Chang is a very good villain, almost reminiscent of old Kahnnie boy. The movie itself had a good storyline, but it was the ending that totally ruined it for me. The assassination attempt was reaching its climax, the shot was fired, and Captain Kirk tackles the president just in time to save his life, and then.... immediatley afterwards announces his name and the name of his ship. ((appropriate pause)) He knows who the heck you are, goofball. And then, he starts to explain exactly why all of this is going down, to a very intent audience, and everyone standing around apparantley ignoring the fact that someone's trying to bump off the president and there's a dead Klingon on the floor. No secret service with their phazers coming out of the woodwork to protect the president, and what's a good movie without the one guy who starts the slow clapping until everyone is cheering? Because after all, who doesn't enjoy a good presidential assassination attempt? CHEESEBALL CITY. All in all, except for the ending, it was a good movie. The part prior to the one discussed where Kirk blows up Chang still gives me chills everytime. But like I said, I still have to go with "Wrath" for my favorite.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Let Slip the Dogs of War !
Review: "The Undiscovered Country" was the sixth of the Star Trek movies and hit the movie screens in 1991. Like "The Wrath of Khan", this film was directed by Nicholas Meyer, and tells the story of the last mission undertaken by Captain Kirk and his crew.

The film opens in 2293, with the USS Excelsior returning home from a three-year mission charting gaseous anomalies in beta quadrant. Under the command of Captain Sulu, it monitors a devastating explosion on the Klingon moon, Praxis - one that literally tears the moon apart. As well as losing a key energy production facility, the Klingons are left with a more pressing problem : within fifty years, the Klingon homeworld would be uninhabitable due to the resulting damage to its atmosphere.

Several months later, Kirk and most of his senior staff are mysteriously called to a meeting with Starfleet's top brass. Three months away from retirement, they're a little confused as to why they have been summoned - and why Spock is, apparently, missing. The mystery is presently cleared up : they are briefed on what happened on Praxis and informed that, as a result, peace talks have opened between the Federation and the Klingon Empire. Further details are then provided by the Federation's Special Envoy : Spock. Compounding Kirk's surprise at Spock's role in proceedings is his dismay that Spock's plans for the Enterprise and her crew. Spock has volunteered them, without their knowledge, to escort Gorkon (the Klingon Chancellor) to Earth for a peace conference. Obviously Kirk - having spent his career fighting Klingons and still smarting from his son's death at Klingon hands - does not approve. He is not alone in expressing his concerns - several Admirals, including Cartwright, believe it very dangerous to even consider allowing Klingons free access to Federation space. All objections, however, are brushed aside by the Commander-in-Chief and Spock's plan is given the green light. Unfortunately, mixing Kirk and Klingons can only lead to trouble - especially when both parties are threatened with peace. (Just so long as nobody lets them near the Romulan Ale....D'OH !!).

There are several well-known guest stars in the movie : Michael Dorn (Worf from TNG and DS9) appears as a Klingon Defence Attorney, while Iman appears as a shape-shifting convict. Kim Cattrall also appears playing Lt. Valeris, a new Enterprise Bridge Officer. She was sponsored through the Academy by Spock and was the first Vulcan to graduate top of her class. General Chang, one of Gorkon's aides, is a great character - probably the most entertaining in the movie. He seems to enjoy testing Kirk - someone he shares a few traits with. Both are tough old warriors who are suspicious of the peace initiative. Overall this in a hugely entertaining movie - there's plenty of action, humor and opportunities for characters to bend the rules. For me, this beats "The Wrath of Khan" as the best of the Trek movie featuring the crew of the original series.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The Best of the movies
Review: The movie deals with a intersting concept, what happens when you enemys are no longer your enemys. This film was made shortly before the end of the cold war and this is reflected in the film.

The large powerful Klingon Empire is waning in strangth after the explotion of the moon Praxis (it's main source of power). It opens a diplomatic channel to its old arch enemy the United Federation of Planits.

Kirk faces a delemma, the Enerprise is sent to escort the Klingon diplomat, Gorcon, to Earth for peace talks. Kirk hates Klingons, they killed his son in Star Trek III. Kirk is trying to cope with his long standing distrust of his enemys when Gorcon is assasinated, Kirk is blamed, an Spock must solve the mystery of who the real killer is before the chance for intergalactic peace has ended.

A excellent final entry into the original movies.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A Excellent Swan Song for the Original Series!
Review: THE STORY: Peace negotiations between the Federation and Klingon Empire are interrupted by the assassination of a Klingon high official; Captain Kirk is blamed and thus he & McCoy get sentenced to an alien mining penal colony.

Like many of the original TV episodes which incorporated the important issues of the day into a futuristic space story, Star Trek VI is a morality play about the wall coming down in outer space, with the Klingons standing in for the Soviets. Nice moral about how radical change can be really scary -- there are some who are able to embrace it and others who have serious difficulty with it. In this case there are adverse reactions on BOTH sides by those who believe they have too much invested in the present state of hostility.

HIGHLIGHTS: Watch out for the ravishing Kim Cattrall playing Vulcan Lieutenant Valeris. She adequately proves that sex appeal is not necessarily about nudity and flirtation, as Valeris is fully clothed and maintains a demeanor of sophistication the entire film. The formal dinner with the Klingons is also a highlight; it's reminiscent of Khan's powerful dinner scene from "Space Seed." When the dinner party ends and the Klingons beam away, each Enterprise crewmember shares a fitting exclamation of relief, including Scotty's "Thank God!" and McCoy's "I'm going to go find a pot of BLACK coffee." After everyone says their piece Spock merely looks around and characteristically raises an eyebrow. Kirk meanwhile returns to his cabin to "sleep it off" and voices his final log entry for the day: "Note to Galley: Romulan ale no longer to be served at diplomatic functions." (Ha, Ha!).

BEST HISTORICAL QUOTE: As General Chang prosecutes Kirk at the trial he screams out "DON'T WAIT FOR THE TRANSLATION -- ANSWER ME NOW!!" The writers ingeniously slipped this famous line in; it's a quote from U.N. Representative Adlai Stevenson during the Cuban missle crisis in 1962 wherein he drilled Soviet Ambassador Zorin.

BEST TRIBUTE LINE: It was twelve years before that Shatner uttered his ridiculously criticized "Oh my God" line in The Motion Picture. Well, guess how he reacts when he meets an intimidating 7-foot pig-skinned alien in the mines? You guessed it -- it's gotta be an homage.

I could go on and on with the highlights; this is just a TASTE of the wealth of great scenes/bits.

FINAL ANALYSIS: This is the last film in which the original cast appear together, and it's a more-than-solid outing verging on greatness; a good chronicling of the events leading up to the Klingon-Federation alliance portrayed in Star Trek: The Next Generation. Although the film lacks the profundities of, say, The Final Frontier and The Motion Picture, it's a more than satisfying romp -- very involving and fun, highlighted by a nice whodunit scenario. What more could a Trek fan ask for? Needless to say, a fine way to end the series.

CRY HAVOK AND LET SLIP THE DOGS OF WAR!!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: These Special Edition DVDs are fantastic
Review: Now all six of the original cast Star Trek films are available in DVD special editions, and each one is well worth the price because of the restored sound/video, the fantastic extras, the candid commentaries, and the learned text commentary on each disc by ST historian family, the Okudas. It's almost like the film itself is secondary to all these neat extras! Fortunately for Trek fans, this final voyage of the original crew is also one of the best (for my money, only Wrath of Khan is better). Nick Meyer retakes the directorial reigns, and uses them to craft an engaging and exciting story, interwoven with strong parallels to the real political climate of the time.

The story: an environmental disaster occurs in the Cronos system (containing the Klingon homeworld). The leader of the Klingons realises he must sue for a peace treaty with the Federation or the Klingon Empire will collapse under its military budget. On his way to Earth for negotiations, under escort by our heroes in the Enterprise-A, he is assasinated. Kirk and McCoy are held responsible, tried and convicted, and shipped off to the Klingon Gulag. They must attempt to escape while Spock and the rest of the crew try to find the real assasins.

Because Meyer is not a Star Trek person, per se, he tried to craft the best movie he could, regardless of "Star Trek sensibilities". He succeeds admirably in making a great film with engaging dialogue. Because the film works so well, and because the characters are cut a little more sharply (Kirk says of Klingons "Let them die!"), the melodrama is heightened and the payoff is more poignant. Older fans (like myself) will easily recognise the parallels with the Cold War Communist/NATO conflict (in fact, the Klingon General Chang gets to use Adlai Stevenson's famous Cuban Missile Crisis line: "Don't wait for the translation, answer me now!") Other notable Star Trek-isms include frequent quotations from Shakespeare and Chekov's claim that Cinderella is a "Russian epic".

Basically, the film just works. There are many small joys in the details of the characters, and my favourite segment in ALL of the Star Trek films is the opening of the assassination sequence: it gives me chills every time I watch it. Finally, with such a collection of Canadian actors (Christopher Plummer and Kim Catrall join regulars Shatner and Doohan), how could a Canuck like me not like this film?!


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