Spoiler ahead. If you prefer the suspense, click here.
As ridiculous as it sounds, it was only several months ago that I finally decided to get my hands on the video---after having watched several episodes of Next Gen. When the first few scenes came into view, I had a momentary disorientation, as it has been more than a decade since I last watched Final Frontier, and more so the Wrath of Khan, which is pivotal in Kirk's attitude toward the Klingons.
Initially, I thought the undiscovered country in the movie was literally that, a country. My thinking was how could Star Trek, which is all about starships charting planets, show a movie that focuses on a mere country? Kind of backward, I thought. Then I realized it was an analogy for peace. Clever, but is it just me or did the whole movie fail to exhibit the cinema-esque atmosphere that it did in the previous movies? The feel is no different from the Next generation episode Encounter at Farpoint, specifically when Q put Picard and crew on trial. I do have to admit that I was left puzzled as to how the Enterprise could have fired those torpedoes. I did guess that a cloaked ship might be nearby---and there is: a Klingon bird of prey in full cloak is responsible for the torpedoes---however, if the dialogue between the characters is any indication, attempts are made to dismiss that possibility so as to mislead the viewers into thinking that such a cloaked ship firing weapons is impossible, and to keep the intrigue (of the Enterprise firing the torpedoes) alive. Turned out that the viewers (me) are right after all.
What is noteworthy though is Kirk's obvious dislike for the Klingons, which William Shatner was able to portray well in this movie and in character too. It is a universal (Trek universe, that is) fact that Kirk has always been congenial, and his dislike for the Klingons (because of his son's death) looked genuine in the face of his struggle to be the affable captain he is always known for. I think at one point I felt my eyes leak a little when I saw the flash of hurt Shatner managed to portray very well.
On a lighter note, it was a surprise to see Kim Cattrall as a member of the crew (in the bridge at that!) in the Enterprise. If she was cast in this movie post Sex and the City, I think I won't be alone in saying that she would be miscast. Then again, even pre-Sex and the City, I think she stood out too much like a sore thumb.Or perhaps my perceived reputation of her now had colored my opinion. In any case, I already guessed that she is the traitor in the Enterprise even before Spock and company managed to trick her into revealing herself.
Speaking of surprises, I was also amazed when I saw Christian Slater cast as an ensign in Captain Sulu's ship. Now if I was cast as just a passerby in Excelsior while wearing a Starfleet uniform, I would have blabbed it to everybody, and nobody would hear the end of it (heh).
Unfortunately, Undiscovered Country, while entertaining to watch, is not that memorable, save for a few scenes (see below). This is probably because the movie is not a fitting end to the string of successful James T. Kirk movies, with the plot seemingly too ordinary for movie standards. Or maybe because the actors are too old and tired in their roles. Personally, I think The Final Frontier would have been the fitting swan song for Kirk and crew and they should have left it at that. Of course, for all die-hard Trekkies---ahem, Trekkers---including me, we wouldn't miss this for the world (see? I still watched it more than a decade after it was shown in moviehouses. When there's a will, there's a way, as is oft said).
My rating: Sorry, but I'd only give it a passing grade of 7.5/10. The predictabiliy of Kim Cattrall as the traitor, and the not so unique conflict about Klingons, particularly the assassination attempt (and the last minute apprehension of the sniper), has been done several times in the television series to the point that it becomes stale.
Memorable Scenes: Despite my tastless rating, the movie still has its moments.
> Kirk reminisces about his son and his son's death in the hands of the Klingons.
> Kirk kisses the voluptuous and seemingly female creature who befriends him during his and McCoy's incarceration in a Siberia-like world the Klingons use to imprison criminals. He is appalled when he discovers the creature to be a shapeshifter who is able to transform to an ugly and repulsive creature (yes, Captain, we feel for you).
> Just as the Klingons are about to reveal to Kirk and McCoy the mastermind behind the assassination attempt, Spock beams them away to the Enterprise. Of course, Kirk is visibly annoyed at Spock's frequently poor sense of timing, and this is no exception.