Rating: 
Summary: Star Trek VI: The last great Trek
Review: This was definately the last great Trek of the original series, and perhaps the last great Star Trek adventure. While I enjoyed the first 20 minutes of "Generations" and all the deleted scenes I have, esp the orbital skydiving scene, nothing can compare to the original series crew.The menus were VERY annoying -that and the lack of a booklet cost it a star. How many times do we need to see that cart go down the shaft??? I did think the documentaries took a good chunk of time explaining the allegory to USSR / US, sometimes over-explaining the fact. I did enjoy the Shatner out-take - I just wish this film had more out-takes and or scenes. The problem with a near perfect film is the desire not to ruin it by adding things in that were left out. As for the upside down ship on disc II, there is def. quality control issues - after the pains they went thru for Star Trek II, and TMP with Robert Wise, you'd think there'd be consistancy, but then again look at the titles, package coloring, etc they've all varied too. My only hope is that Generations is of the same calibre as TMP or TWOK in terms of extras - many fans have the 12 or so scenes excised from Generations, and it would be helpful to have a more definitive mastered version of this. But Paramount being Paramount, it's not a 'given'.
Rating:
Summary: Better than I remembered it, but what's the deal with...?
Review: I remember seeing this in the cinemas back when it came out, and I thought it was OK. After watching it twice on DVD now (listening to the director's and writer's commentaries), I found it even more enjoyable, proof that the ST movies with the original cast and crew are still better than those that followed them. A good addition to my ST collection. A couple of questions to other fans out there: did your copy of this DVD come without a printed chapter index (insert)? and why is the picture printed on disc two an upside down still picture of the Enterprise-B (from "ST: Generations", not from ST VI)? Or did I get a misprinted disc? The only reason I didn't give it five stars was because Mike Okuda's text commentary was sparse at best, not much to learn when fans want so much to know...
Rating:
Summary: Thanks, Nick
Review: If you're in doubt about whether there's any value to Star Trek films for those outside their fanbase, I have two words for you: Nicholas Meyer. No one who directed original cast or Next Generation Star Trek movies (not even Nimoy and certainly not Shatner) ever had a feel for what the whole series was about to equal Nick Meyer's. ST II: The Wrath of Khan is arguably the best Star Trek episode ever (on film or TV, old generation or next), and Meyers' second effort is even better in some ways. Chris Eidelmann's score is also the equal of James Horner's, appropriate to this darker tale. Even if there had been no Star Trek universe for this story to play in, it would stand by itself as a very good film about friendship and the hopefulness for humanity that originally inspired Gene Roddenberry. Absolutely worth your time, even if Star Trek's not your usual cup of tea. "It's about the future!"
Rating: 
Summary: huge error spotted by a ST geek
Review: artwork on disc 2 of the Special Edition is upside down! where's the quality control??
Rating: 
Summary: Fabulously Great
Review: Just want to say that it's great to finally have my favorite part of the star trek legacy available in DVD format with the extra features. I have been a fan of (TOS) (TNG) (DS9), as well as the feature length movies, and can say this is one of my favorite installments, so in general i am just saying Good job
Rating:
Summary: The Perfect Ending
Review: The year was 1991,and alot of things were changing in the world around us.One of the most dramatic changes was the fact that the Cold War was finally coming to an end.Regan and Gorbachoff(excuse me if I mis-spelled his name) were finally negotiating for peace.The Iron Curtain was coming down...as well as the Berlin Wall and the steps towards peace were being taken.
On a less serious note,Paramount Studios was trying to figure out how to overcome the disaster that was Star Trek V:The Final Frontier so that they could make some big bucks just in time for the 25th Anniversary of Star Trek.It didn't take a Vulcan to figure out that the best thing to do was to get the old war horses back for one last movie...and make it a good one.
AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THEY GOT!!!!
They brought in Trek II director Nicholas Meyer and Leonard Nimoy(who wrote and directed III and IV) who came up with a brillant concept.Star Trek had always been at the forefront of present day social and political issues since the series first aired in 1966.Now Nimoy and Meyer decided to bring the peace between the U.S. and Russia into a sci-fi context.And,as usual,Star Trek hit it on the head.
From the explosion of the Klingon Moon of Praxis(the Chernobyl incident),to the dismantling of the Neutral Zone outpost(the fall of the Berlin Wall)to the idea that only a hardline conservitive like Captain Kirk could bridge the gap between the Federation and the Klingons(Regan's repore with Gorbachoff,or as Spock put it "Only Nixon could go to China.")the film effectively places current events into the sci-fi context.And in between there is intrigue,betrayal,murder,and redemption which almost turns the film into a political thriller.
The fine performances,not just by the crew of the Enterprise,but those of Kim Catrall as an idealistic,but mis-guided Vulcan,and the wonderfully eccentric General Chang by Christopher Plummer,the great story by Meyer and Nimoy,and the hair-raising action of the dogfight with the cloaked Bird of Prey makes this a terrific final curtain to one of the most exciting ensamble casts in film(or TV) history.
The Special Edition features audio commentary from Meyer as well as a documentary on the making of the film(which also discusses the U.S./Russian peace process) and a wonderful tribute to Deforest Kelley,aka Doctor "Bones" McCoy.
If you're wondering why I'm gushing so much over the film and only gave it four stars,there's a reason.I'm tired of William Shatner whinning and moaning about how Meyers didn't use his ideas(As he did in previous docs. from the other films)The prime example is on the scene where Kirk and Spock are in the council chamber when Kirk exclaims "LET THEM DIE!" Shatner wanted Kirk to make a face as if he regretted saying that.The documentary shows the deleted scene in which Shatner,of course,overacts the gesture.But for the rest of the documentary,he whines about it!
Other than that,It's a great disc.
Rating: 
Summary: The BOXed set to include the booklet for the sixth movie.
Review: Have you ever purchased a MAJOR movie release which doesnt have a booklet or atleast a token insert? Probably, NOT. Except the executives at Paramount feel they can get away with it by short- changing the person most likely to loyally purchase the sixth installment of the Star Trek movies === the Star Trek fan. You would think, that as the last movie with all the original cast that they would perhaps have included a commemorative signoff booklet or something. Preying on the Star Trek fan's desire to have a "complete set",
Paramount is going to release all six movies as a boxed set which more than likely is going to include extras forcing the loyal fan to purchase (for the third time) all six movies again because this set WILL include that ever elusive booklet.
Rating:
Summary: "Have we not heard the chimes at midnight?"
Review: First the DVD review: The very first thing you need to know is your DVD will NOT come with a booklet. Nope, not even a chapter list. So don't bug Amazon about it. Go to the Paramount website and cry to them. But, both discs are excellent! Disc One has a crisp, clear picture with incredible sound and features commentary by the awesome/quirky Director/writer Nicholas Meyer. Disc One also has a text commentary. Disc Two is loaded with goodies but are lacking special effects features. Disc Two has some featurettes, including one that draws the parallel between the end of the Cold War and this stories premise. But my favorite thing about Disc Two is the tribute to DeForest Kelley. If you own all of the other Original Cast special edition DVD's then you know alot has been said about the "triangle" of the Kirk, Spock, and McCoy characters that is the essence of ST. Future encarnations of ST (TNG, Voyager, and that new show nobody watches) have tried (poorly) to give us new captains and Vulcans but no show or writer could ever replace Bones and that is thanks to the awesome DeForest Kelley! Thank you, DeForest, we will miss you and see you later:) Nicholas Meyer, a man who never knew anything about the ST universe before signing on to direct ST II, has given so much to this franchise. He is one of the main reasons why this franchise is so successful today. He co-wrote ST II and IV, which is largely viewed as the fan favorites, and gave creative input on ST III. He is responsible for the new "look" and vision of all of the original cast movies except TMP and V. And he is a very quirky guy! I love listening to his commentaries on ST II and this movie. You have to hear for yourself to really understand (so buy this now!) but the way he describes things is great! What's not to love about this movie? The premise is simple: It's a basic "Whodunit". Who killed the Klingon Chancellor and why? This is a very original storyline as well, which is always a plus! Of the 6 original cast movies only TMP, V, and VI have truly original storylines. (click on my name and read my other ST reviews to see more on originality.) I am a HUGE fan of the original cast. They laid the foundation for everything that is ST today. Everything else is recycled and does not match the chemistry of this cast. But, if this has to be the final frontier for this cast..then it is an excellent send off! Shatner, who is always awesome in everything he does, gives us the best of Kirk! Fighting, kissing alien babes, and strategic decision making! Great stuff that no other captain in the ST universe can even touch. Of course Nimoy gives us another awesome Spock performance and DeForest rounds off the "triangle" by giving the best McCoy performance to date! This movie is PACKED with great performances and cameos. Christopher Plummers General Chang is an instant classic bad guy. ("Cry Havoc! And let slip the dogs of war!") Kim Cattrall (post Mannequin and pre Sex in the City!) plays the Vulcan Lt. Valeris. It's been difficult for the ladies to pull off the Vulcan persona, but she does a fine job. Super model Iman is great as the shape shifting alien Martia. There is a great cameo by Christian Slater, which if you blink you'll miss it, and a gratuitous cameo by TNG cast member Michael Dorn as "Worfs great granpa". (Yeah, I know, woop-dee-doo.) A note about the Klingons. I don't know about other fans but my personal favorite bad guys have always been (and will always be) the Klingons. You can have your Borg's and Species 867-5309 or whatever, both are cool concepts but lack the essence of the bad guy persona a Klingon brings. They are the humans Yang to our Yin! They are bent on dominating the universe and match our technology and then some. So to see them kind of trivialized in this movie and weak is the only drawback to this awesome movie. I'll take Commander Kruge (ST III played by Christopher Lloyd) and General Chang over ANY bad guy TNG or Voyager can come up with! I would also take the Klingon Battle Cruiser and Bird of Prey over ANY ship in the ST universe! The special effects are awesome considering the shoestring budget they had to work with. Paramount has given us some classic, CLASSIC movies like the Indiana Jones series. But they are notorious for taking Star Trek for granted. They are living off of this franchise right now as we speak. But getting money for the original cast ST movies has always been like pulling teeth. Why? Starting with ST The Motion Picture (when Michael Eisner was running Paramount, a man who is slowly and methodically destroying Disney right before our very eyes) on through to ST VI Paramount has lacked WAY behind in backing their cash cow. But that is typical for Hollywood Studios and Hollywood suits. All they wanna know is how little can we spend and how much will we make? Lastly, I don't know about you, but I wish there would have been more original cast movies! I think the original cast had gotten to a point where they were no longer concerned with type casting and accepted the fact that we love them as the crew of the Enterprise. To this day I would go see an original cast movie! I don't care if they are floating around on galactic wheelchairs! I'll even help write the movie. How about this: Since ST likes to deal with issues that are relevant to our times, how about a RENEGADE President of the Federation who wages war without the backing of its people, sending young cadets to do his bidding, a Federation corrupted with greed, and the cast has to stop him? Yeah! Sounds good to me!
Rating:
Summary: So....This is Goodbye......
Review: Following the disastrous critical and box office reception of Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, Paramount could have easily dropped the original cast in favor of The Next Generation. However, sentiment prevailed and Nicholas Meyer, who directed The Wrath of Khan (still the most popular film with most Trekkers) and who co-wrote The Voyage Home (still the highest grossing Trek film), was called in. He, along with Leonard Nimoy, fashioned a script which features most of what has made Trek endure through the years: a relevant story drawing on then current events (i.e., the lightning paced changes in the relationship between the United States and the then Soviet Union, which precipitated the end of the Cold War), with plenty of action, drama, humor (appropriate humor, not slapstick) and character development. Thus, the original cast would be able to exit the franchise with their heads held high. The pacing of this film is much smoother than the earlier films (even Treks II & IV took too long to get moving) starting swiftly and accelerating to the pulse-pounding conclusion. The overall tone of the film is darker and edgier than any previous Trek (perhaps the filmmakers were taking a cue from 1989s Batman, which obliterated Star Trek V at the box office). The directing is fluid, with Meyer's camera swooping around the bridge (a notoriously difficult set to film in) and the other sets, and the editing is tight. Although the story primarily (and correctly) focuses the action on the triumvirate of Kirk, Spock & McCoy, the supporting cast is given plenty to do as well. Sulu, in particular--finally Captain of his own ship--has greater involvement. Guest star Christopher Plummer molds General Chang into Trek's best villain since Khan, and David Warner makes a lends an air of dignity as Chancellor Gorkon (the name is an amalgamation of Gorbachev and Lincoln). There are a few additions from the theatrical version which have appeared on all video versions: The Colonel West plotline was not in the original film (perhaps Paramount thought the parallel to Colonel Oliver North was too obvious). For this DVD, there are also few small alterations during the Spock/Valeris Mind Meld scene. All of the charm of Classic Trek is here: a final needling exchange between Spock & McCoy; the occasional, almost improvised humor; characters being thrown every which way on the bridge during battle; Kirk kissing a beautiful female; one last bit of scenery chewing from Shatner, who holds his own against fellow hamosaurus Plummer; and, finally, a bittersweet ending. The visual effects of The Undiscovered Country (a reference to Shakespeare) hold up well, with very little use of stock shots (three effects shots from this film would later be used in 1994s Star Trek Generations). The score by Cliff Eidelmann accentuates the activities on screen, without overshadowing them, and adds to the dark atmosphere of the film. The transfer on this DVD is excellent, with the colors, especially the maroon uniform jackets, crisp & vibrant--an improvement over the previous DVD, and light years ahead of the VHS and LaserDisc editions. Since the film was shot in "matted" Super 35, rather than Panavision, the aspect ratio is not as wide as the other Trek films. The sound is detailed with plenty of punch. The bonus features are the best of any Trek film so far, including featurettes on the evolution of the story, prejudice in the Trek universe, Shatner's "reunion" with Plummer (back in the 1950s, Shatner understudied for Plummer in Henry V), and a moving tribute to the late DeForest Kelley.
Rating:
Summary: The undiscovered features
Review: I was waiting for months for this special edition
DVD to come out....The first thing I noticed was it was missing the Booklet with the chapter stops, etc...I thought for sure that it was accidently omitted in my copy. I was set to return it to the store that I had purchased it from, but they were sold out. But it looks like the folks at Paramount did not include one! I'm very surprised that they didn't even print a one page card with the chapter stops. The other thing I noticed was on the second disc, the Scene printed was the Enterprise B from ST Generations, oddly enough printed upside down! I guess it goes to show that the folks at Paramount don't care much about their cashcow. The movie itself looks great, I remember watching it several times in the Theatre and many times on VHS. I never saw the original DVD release, so I'm not sure how it compares. I was a little disappointed in watching the effects on dvd, as the Enterprise looks a little Cheezy today. It never looks huge, or as dramatically lit, as in STAR TREK I & II. Speaking of which, I was hoping that there would be a featurette on the Special Effects, but there wasn't. I read that they had a shoestring budget on this film, and it would have been interesting to hear the folks at ILM talk about their work on this final Classic cast picture.
The final battle sequence was also a little longer in FX originally, & it would have been nice to see some of those effects shots before they were edited. But sadly, it seems that no one asked ILM, or Bill George to contribute to this DVD.
Overall, a pretty good entry for the STAR Trek cannon, weakened by some of the things you'd expect in a Major film studio's DVD; insert booklet, and maybe a more comprehensive special features.
The motion on the menu's were weak and derivative compared to some of the other releases. My favorite extras were the DeForest Kelly Tribute, & the Penny's box.
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