THROWBACK REVIEW: Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country

And so here we stand.  The final film of the original six Star Trek films, and halfway through my Star Trek filmdom marathon reviews.Firstly let me just apologize for the delay in this review...but Boncos.  Yeah, I had a great time on Sunday watching my team get their third Championship, which didn't leave much room for writing my thoughts on this awesome film, but here I am, let's dive right into the Undiscovered Country.

Despite having seen this before, watching it however many years later, I cannot believe how strong this film is.  Like it just completely blew my mind that I'd forgotten how incredible this film is.  Has it replaced Voyage Home as my favorite Star Trek film of the original six.  Heck has it replaced First Contact as my personal favorite film of all Star Trek?  I don't know, but from start to finish, this film holds up.  It starts with a small dedication to the late Gene Roddenberry who passed before the film released, before setting the entire stage of the movie right then and there with an explosion on the Klingon Moon, Praxis, and one of my favorite ships, the Excelsior (with a much better looking bridge than last time), witnessing the Shockwave.  

Now not only is the opening scene with the Excelsior very impressive to watch, even if certain aspects appear slightly dated, but it's important to note the parallels that Star Trek is so very good at doing. I can't believe it took my father to point thus it, but this movie is basically a science fiction take off the end of the Cold War. He straight up said that Praxis was Chernobyl. He's right. The tie in of Chernobyl was very clever here, and just strengthens why I've come to love this movie so much.

And from there on out, the movie only strengthens in story as the Federation attempts to make peace with the long time enemies of Star Trek. We get an in depth look at Kirk's inner hatred of the Klingons being responsible for the death of his son, we get tension amongst all crew members who are unsure of peace is even possible, and we get an event that only broadens the impressive range of this movie. When a couple assassins successfully kill the ambassadors of the Klingon Empire, Kirk and McCoy are the prime suspects in the murder. From here, this movie starts to take on a feel similar to that of Law and Order, and it is glorious. 

From a trial scene, which ironically stars Michael Dorn (who plays a Klingon named....Worf), to a full blown investigation aboard the Enterprise, the entire length that Kirk is imprisoned in the Klingon mines, and the mystery is being solved by the crew of the Enterprise successfully keeps you in your seat, even at the edge of your seat at times. And the payoff is absolutely phenomenal. Watching it all these years later, I will admit, it pulled an ending I fully did not expect.  I won't dare spoil it, but I will reference it when I talk about a later film in the Trek franchise.

The action in this movie, much like Wrath of Kahn is perfectly paced, but I dare say, it's probably even better as far as tension.  Introducing a Klingon Bird of Prey that can fire while under cloak only builds the suspense, and seeing it just deliver such a beating to both the Enterprise, and the Excelsior is one of the coolest Star Trek scenes I can think of.  And the acting during this scene is just as great, from a frustrated Kirk calling for a torpedo that could save his ship, to the Klingon general endlessly quoting Shakespeare.  It's a sequence that is just excellently put together. I dare say that the only thing I wish could have been done slightly different...was having the Excelsior having just a little bit more to do with the scene.  I mean once it comes in, the Enterprise doesn't even hail it.  I think they could have been just a tad bit more involved with each other there, but that's just a minor gripe.

Heck, sitting here, I really cannot find any major faults with this film.  Unlike Wrath of Kahn, the story of Undiscovered Country keeps your interest from beginning to end. It doesn't phase out in the middle like Wrath of Kahn did for me. It genuinely kept my interest throughout the film.  And I will go ahead and challenge Wrath of Kahn yet again, and say...that Undiscovered Country's ending is nearly just as strong as that of Wrath of Kahn (not the thing I refused to spoil up above). I mean, sure Spock doesn't die or anything, but it's just...such a fitting end to the original crew, that I couldn't help but smile as the credits began to roll, and even shed just a few tears perhaps.  After everything's solved, the Enterprise receives a transmission from Starfleet to return for the official decommissioning of the Enterprise-A.  This also is something the crew is kinda saddened by because this was their final mission before most of them will retire. So what do they do?  They take the Enterprise out for one last run, to...wherever.  We get that famous monologue which gives the verbal change, "Where no man...where no one has gone before." And the signatures of all original cast members are shown on screen one at a time. Now THAT'S how you give the original crew a send off!

Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country has quickly become one of my favorite entries of the franchise.  I may be in some small denial but for all I know, it very well may have replaced First Contact as my personal favorite Star Trek film.  As far as Star Trek, and science fiction in general is concerned, there's not much else to say about just how well a great story is executed, which is why I am pleased to award The Undiscovered Country, with the fullest possible rating I can give, a full on four stars out of four.  It's well told, well acted, and played out to the fullest possible extent that it could do.  It's a film I will not dare ever forget as I did as a kid.  If you've not seen this film, or are new to the franchise or whatnot...just do yourself a favor and watch this.  It's a great way to have told how the Klingons and Federation finally put aside their differences, and it's just an all around fantastic film.  I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

Please feel free to suggest any films I should review down below.  Leave a comment on how you feel about the film, and as always, thanks for reading.

Final Verdict: 4/4

We are officially halfway through this marathon of Star Trek films. Six down, six more to go before July hits!  But if you'll permit me...I'm gonna take a small intermission and write a review I've been dying to write for some time now.  Feel free to check it out as well (its on my profile).