Well we’re finally here, the number one Star Trek film that I’m likely to sit down and watch. A list that after examining the movies has shifted in and out of order and back again more times than I can count. But the list was a snap shot at the time and Star Trek VI - The Undiscovered Country has the number one spot.
It has a solid storyline that does what Trek has always been renowned for in reflecting society but there are probably several scenes in this particular instalment that edge it up above the rest.
Shatner brings his ‘A game’ to a weary Kirk who seems content in commanding the Enterprise in what I imagine, but it is not established on screen, general duties. In the novel it describes the old crew being rounded up for one last ‘big mission’ with Scotty working on the Bounty from Star Trek 4 and Uhura teaching at the academy (I think, it’s been a while now). I wonder if the line ‘I just bought a boat’ is a nod to Scotty exploring the sunken Klingon Bird of Prey.
But this movie is very much the Kirk and Spock show, with a side of McCoy. Kirk has some of the best lines which Shatner delivers brilliantly. Memorable lines such as ‘don’t believe them, don’t trust them’ and ‘let them die’ delivered in classic strong Shatner style in response to Spock volunteering them to meet with the Klingons. It is Star Trek 6 that we are treated to my favourite Shatner/Kirk scene, right at the end when he steps forward, raises his fist and simply orders ‘fire’.
The Enterprise herself is at her best in this film, when we actually see her. The external shots of the Enterprise are certainly not the lavish beauty shots that appeared in the Motion Picture and nor should it be, I just remember noting when I watched it the first couple of times that Enterprise screen time seemed limited. Mind you when she is on screen they pack everything into those scenes with her ‘taking quite a walloping’, a brilliant scene shows a torpedo impacting the dish and blasting right through, the only time I think I’ve cringed like that about damage to ship on screen since would be in Serenity when Serenity crash lands.
Nimoy and Spock appear to be at peace with his character, this is the Spock who is most comfortable with himself, with an acceptance of his human side and its importance, a journey touched upon in Trek 4. An extraordinarily powerful moment comes when Spock realizes that Valeris has used logic to betray the Federation and he angrily smacks a phaser out of her hand.
Of course we can’t mention Valeris without discussing the infamous mind rape scene. I side with the school of though that comes from the novel despite it not being canon. That Spock, whilst he could have ripped the information from her, mentally asks her permission which she is taken aback by and allows him to take the information. Others will argue she is obviously in pain on screen however it should be noted that it is established that a mind meld can be a very painful process.
McCoy has his moments with the highlight being him and Spock performing surgery on a torpedo. His response of ‘fascinating’ is classic.
The others all have little gem moments and I don’t think are overlooked as such, I love Uhura’s response to Kirk ordering them to surrender. Sulu demanding that they fly the Excelsior apart was a welcome diversion from his tea drinking scenes.
The end is appropriate, the Enterprise sailing off into the unknown and Kirk’s order to make for the ’second star to the right and straight on till morning’ still sends shivers down my spine as a wonderful Trek moment, had Kirk not returned in Generations it would have been an awesome line to finish with in addition to his final log entry where he bridges the no man and no one tagline. It is also nice how each of the bridge crew get their moment caught up in the nostalgia.
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12/12/2007 at 6:23 pm Permalink
I guess the christmas holidays will have to be filled partly with watching this.
As said before, I only watched startrek movies at random on tv. As for trek tv-series..I’m an complete omnivore..and like a drunk pig..I really ate everything (although some better than others).
12/12/2007 at 6:50 pm Permalink
Arjan - there are some really wonderful soundtracks associated with the Trek films that may even be worth taking a look at for your site - especially Star Trek 3’s.
The movies are a great experience especially when you watch them in order over a number of days.
A lot of people really hate Enterprise and I counted myself amongst them but after re-watching it I really grew to enjoy it so i have no problem with anyone consuming all the series!!!