Though I could've easily written this review without viewing this movie again, I took the excuse to watch it. Heck, I'd take any excuse to watch it - this movie is that good. After Star Trek:V nearly killed any possible future movies, it was rewarding to find out they truly saved the best for last.

This movie's events were alluded to in the Star Trek:The Next Generation episode titled Unification. In it, they make reference to Spock's works at the Camp Khitomer Peace Accord. The story deals with change - a change some of us remember quite vividly when the U.S.S.R. and other former communist nations stopped being our enemies and became our friends. Change is not always easy for everyone involved, and this is a suspense-packed and often funny look at the peace process.

The Klingons have overmined their moon Praxis, which explodes in spectacular fashion to begin the movie. This explosion pollutes the atmosphere of the Klingon homeworld, giving them 50 years worth of air left.

Because of this, they can no longer afford to be at war with everyone in the galaxy. The Federation decides that this is the opportunity to finally negotiate a true, lasting peace with the Klingons. Chancellor Gorkon, the leader of the Klingon High Council, heads towards Earth for the peace conference. Spock volunteers Kirk and the Enterprise to escort the Klingon Chancellor to Earth.

Kirk still hates the Klingons for the brutal death of his son. (Yeah, a mention of David! The picture was an especially nice touch since by this time the actor who portrayed him had died of AIDS.) The Enterprise and the Bird-of-Prey rendezvous and are proceeding towards the conference when the Enterprise appears to fire on the Klingon ship for no apparent reason. Two apparent crew-members in gravity suits men beam over to the Bird-of-Prey and mortally wound Gorkon.

Kirk and McCoy beam over to the Klingon ship to help out, but McCoy is unable to save Gorkon's life. McCoy is arrested, along with Kirk, for murder. There is a quick trial before the Klingon High Council, and the two men are sentenced to imprisonment on the Klingon penal colony Rura Penthe. Just before Kirk's beam-out from the Enterprise, a quick-thinking Spock snuck a homing patch to the back of Kirk's uniform.

Back on board the Enterprise, Spock and crew attempt to ascertain exactly what happened, while trying to avoid having to return to base. The testimony at the trial - which is broadcast throughout the galaxy - gives them a few clues as to where to start. The ship is torn apart looking for a pair of gravity boots.

On Rura Penthe, Kirk and McCoy meet up with a Chameloid (which is an early term for shape-shifter, like Odo who we will meet up with in Star Trek Deep Space Nine) Martia, who has an escape plan. The proposed plan turns out to be a trick to get Kirk and McCoy into the open, where they can be killed "while trying to escape".

The Enterprise tracks Kirk's homing signal from the patch and saves the two officers just before they are killed. Once aboard, Kirk develops a plan to flush out whoever is truly responsible for Gorkon's death.

Gorkon's daughter, Azetbur, was named Chancellor following her father's death. She is working on continuing her father's plan of peace with the Federation.

Spock mind-melds with the killer and learns that there is a conspiracy behind the assassination intended to prevent peace.

The Enterprise contacts Captain Hikaru Sulu, now the commander of the Excelsior. Together, the ships proceed to the location of the conference, at Khitomer. Before landing parties are able to beam down they are attacked by an Bird-of-Prey capable of firing while cloaked (this is the ship that fired on the Chancellor's vessel, not the Enterprise). Kirk learns that the Klingon General Chang is it's commander. The two starships sustain considerable damage before Uhura comes up with a solution. Spock and McCoy fit a photon torpedo with equipment usually used for studying gaseous anomalies. This ultimately destroys the cloaked Bird-of-Prey.

Kirk and crew beam down to the peace talks just in time to prevent the assassination of the President of the Federation. The conference will continue.

The Enterprise is recalled for decommissioning. Kirk takes the ship out for one last voyage before passing the baton to a new generation of explorers destined "to boldly go where no man, or no one has gone before."

This is just a general overview of the plot; the details make the story awesome. The scenes of the Klingons and crew of the Enterprise dining together attempting to have a civilized conversation are hysterical. The tension in the air is so real and thick; everyone is nervous about saying the wrong thing and at the same time they are trying to one-up the other. Chekov discovering a gravity boot and confronting the crewman to whom he thinks it belongs Cinderella-style is another excellent moment. The humor works and is a part of the story instead of being forced.

Every cast member is featured in this as well, (with the possible exception of Sulu who is now the captain of the Excelsior) instead of it being primarily the story of several of the main characters. The additions to the cast are also well done. Kim Catrall (now of Sex in the City plays a Vulcan who is expected to succeed Spock as the Science Officer of the Enterprise. Christopher Plummer is outstanding as the Klingon General Chang. I would daresay he gives the most memorable performance of a Klingon ever in Star Trek.

The effects are back to their outstanding caliber as well. From beginning to end, they are incredibly well-done and realistic-looking. The sound is inspiring as well. Since we have the DVD, we have it hooked into our stereo. Even without surround-sound, it resonates throughout the house. The musical score is inspiring as well.

This is my favorite of all the Star Trek movies. The part at the end, where Kirk changes "where no man has gone before" to "where no one has gone before" is a fitting way to hand the franchise over to the cast of Star Trek:The Next Generation.



To see where this movie ranks in my assessment of the Star Trek films, go to: Star Trek's Top 10


Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Better than Watching TV
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 9 - 12