--- title: "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/star-trek-vi-the-undiscovered-country/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/star-trek-vi-the-undiscovered-country" critics_score: 72 critics_reviews: 10 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991): what the critics said Critics' score 72 from 10 reviews: 9 positive, 1 mixed, 0 negative. Most critics like it, and in the same way: as a relief after the previous film and a fitting farewell for the original cast. The praise clusters on the plot, a political thriller built on the Soviet break-up, and on Nicholas Meyer’s direction, credited with a darker look than the series usually manages. Christopher Plummer’s villain is singled out, and the Shakespearean flourishes count as fun rather than pretension. The reservations are mild and consistent. Nobody puts it near the top of the series; even the warmest review, in The AV Club, thinks it lacks the weight of Wrath of Khan and plays like an excellent television two-parter. Others find the middle slack, the dialogue platitudinous and the allegory heavy-handed. Variety, the lone mixed voice, calls the mystery tepid but likes the finale. The spread is narrow; later writers, /Film among them, read it more generously as a study of an ageing hero facing his prejudices. ## The AV Club — Zack Handlen Rating A-. 12 March 2010. The critic calls it entertaining, non-insulting, and respectful, a tightly constructed and polished political thriller and murder mystery that serves as a fitting send-off for the original cast, though lacking the operatic impact of Wrath of Khan and feeling more like an excellent TV two-parter. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/star-trek-star-trek-v-the-final-frontier-star-trek-1798164559) ## Empire — William Thomas Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. The critic finds the film a joy and relief compared to the previous entry, praising it as an honourable, clever and enjoyable addition to the Star Trek canon with clever references to current affairs and strong performances, particularly Christopher Plummer's villain. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/star-trek-vi-undiscovered-country-review/) ## Los Angeles Times — Michael Wilmington Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 6 December 1991. The critic praises how the film revives the series' mythos with topical allegory about the Soviet breakup and restores fullness to the characters after the previous misfire. While noting some weaknesses in the climax and hasty goodbye, the overall verdict is that it works well and feels like it could open new possibilities. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-12-06-ca-560-story.html) ## RogerEbert.com — Roger Ebert Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 6 December 1991. The critic finds the film far more lively and interesting than the previous entry, with an entertaining mix of contemporary allegory, Shakespearean references, and familiar character dynamics among the Enterprise crew. The verdict is that it is reassuring and fun, questioning why Paramount would retire such a beloved cast. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/star-trek-vi-the-undiscovered-country-1991) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Henry Sheehan Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 6 December 1991. The critic finds it not the best of the series but a suitable farewell, praising its conviction, pulp-adventure integrity, Nicholas Meyer's direction, and dark atmospheric sheen, while noting issues with pace and platitudinous exchanges. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/star-trek-vi-undiscovered-country-review-953310/) ## The New York Times — Janet Maslin Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 6 December 1991. The review describes the film as a lively tale that delivers what Trekkies want, with effective Shakespearean flourishes and fun performances despite its valedictory tone. The critic notes it succeeds as entertainment even if not entirely self-contained for new viewers. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/1991/12/06/movies/review-film-aging-trekkers-to-the-rescue-one-last-time-really.html) ## Time Out — DW Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 22 August 2013. The critic notes the film’s in-jokes about the aging original cast and its parallel with the fall of the Soviet Union, as Kirk confronts prejudice and obsolescence. Though patchy, it is deemed far more enjoyable than Star Trek V. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/star-trek-vi-the-undiscovered-country) ## Variety — Variety Staff Rating **. 31 December 1990. The review notes the film is weighed down by a flabby midsection but still delivers enough for Trek fans, with strong pacing in the finale, a terrific score, and a fitting sappy ending. It highlights the Cold War parable but finds the mystery tepid and some elements imitative. [Read the review](https://variety.com/1990/film/reviews/star-trek-vi-the-undiscovered-country-1200428745/) ## /Film — Danielle Ryan Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 11 January 2023. The film is a timely allegory about the end of the Cold War and a character study of an aging hero reconciling his prejudices. It stands out for its exploration of how idealists can grow conservative with age while still affirming the value of self-reflection and change. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/1163073/star-trek-vi-is-a-perfect-tale-of-how-idealists-grow-conservative/) ## Den of Geek — Alex Carter Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 6 December 2019. The critic views the film as a solid but not top-tier entry and the final outing for the original cast, praising its Cold War thriller plot and character focus while noting it feels somewhat heavy-handed and predictable as a sci-fi allegory. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/star-trek-vi-the-undiscovered-country-its-political-parallels/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/star-trek-vi-the-undiscovered-country.md