kfontenot
"The Enterprise Finds God?"
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Many people write off "Star Trek V: The Final Frontier" as the worst film in the Trek franchise. However, it's like the old saying goes, "A bad day fishing is still better than a good day at work." "Frontier" has its downfalls but it still manages to be a solid science fiction film.
+1
In this tale, we are introduced to a renegade Vulcan named Sybok (Laurence Luckinbill) who has embraced the ways of the ancient Vulcans who deemed emotion more important than logic. He has plans to find God (or at least the Vulcan version of Him) on Sha Ka Ree, a planet that is supposedly the Vulcan equivalent of Eden. How's a religious zealot to do this? By simply kidnapping Federation, Romulan and Klingon officials on Nimbus III, the planet of galactic peace. Sybok determines that by doing this, the Federation will send a Starfleet ship to rescue the hostages. When this occurs, he and his small band of followers will overtake the vessel and fly it to the center of the galaxy which is where Sha Ka Ree is supposed to be located.
Kirk and the gang are called away from shoreleave to take an undermanned and malfunctioning Enterprise to Nimbus III to save the hostages and find out what's really going on. Also en route is a Klingon Bird of Prey guided by the eager and cocky Captain Klaa and his right-hand man, er, woman, Vixis. Klaa longs to fight a Federation ship. When he learns that it's Kirk's ship on the way to Nimbus III, his hunger grows stronger. Vixis also longs for power, and uses Klaa as a means to gain it.
Of course, Sybok manages to overtake the Enterprise and gains the trust of most of the crew by allowing them to "show him their fears." Kirk doesn't fall for this so easily and Spock is more familiar with Sybok than even his longtime shipmates know but, in the end the Enterprise does make it to Sha Ka Ree. Do they meet God? Have they really discovered the final frontier? What happens when Klaa decides to give cloaked chase to the Enterprise on its way to the center of the galaxy? I'm sure most of you already know, but I won't spoil it for anyone.
What is good about this film is the fact that it doesn't make light of Sybok's religious beliefs. Sure, he's a bit "out there," but he has true feelings for his god and for his followers. I also like the fact that he isn't seen as a tyrant. While Kirk questions the "god" creature in the film, he doesn't necessarily eliminate the possibility of there being an actual God somewhere out there.
The beautiful shots of Yosemite National Park are also welcome to this film. In a future cluttered with starships and technical jargon, it's nice to see some green for a change.
Jerry Goldsmith's music is spot on as usual, and is one of the highlights of the film.
The downside to this film is the fact that it has a rather cheap feel to it. The special effects are poor even when compared to other films released at the same time. Paradise City looks like it was built from the scraps of "The Road Warrior" film. Also, in the reveal of the god creature, I felt that this all powerful being was just too hokey to be feared.
This DVD release does up the ante for those who are on the fence about purchasing this film. Highlights include an interview with William Shatner, a conference on the bridge of the Enterprise, a few deleted scenes that are worth looking at, Rockman test shots and a very lively interview with "That Klingon Couple," Klaa (Todd Bryant) and Vixis (Spice Williams-Crosby, billed as Spice Williams in the film). An Easter egg awaits those who take the time to search for it as well.
Overall, the Enterprise and her crew took a hard blow from this film. While I enjoyed the added humor and even the storyline, most were turned off by it. This DVD is a must-have for Trek completionists, but casual fans may want to skip this entry into the Star Trek universe. For those who tire of watching films based in a bleak future, the breathtaking shots of Yosemite are more than enough reason to check this film out. Is this a terrible Trek film? Maybe, but I like it just fine.
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More Star Trek V: The Final Frontie... reviews
review by CharlesAshbacher.
December 01, 2010
When I watched this movie for the first time, I experienced a combination of emotions that was unusual for me when it involved anything about Star Trek. I was bored, disappointed and angered. The boredom arose from the simplistic nature of the special effects and most aspects of the storyline. I was angered when I saw some of the minor characters that have been so integral to the show treated as insignificant. FInally, I was disappointed because I believed that this movie would end forever the series … more
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After an iffy beginning to the movie series, Star Trek boasted an excellent run on films II, III and IV. Unfortunately, The Final Frontier marked a return to mediocrity -- a failure which can be blamed largely on director William Shatner as well as the story's co-writers, producer Harve Bennett and David Loughery. Let's face it, the story is dumb. After all these years, we suddenly learn that Spock has a maverick half-brother, Sybock (Laurence Luckenbill), a full-blooded … more
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A renegade Vulcan steals the Enterprise to follow his quest for enlightenment. Seen as the worst and it's hard to disagree. Has moments.
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I just had a thought, if John Landis made a Star Trek movie, do you picture a 72 Starship pileup into a big asteroid? The Star Trek movies have had their ups and downs. None are perfect and others are better then others. This one though is the runt of the litter. Not too long ago, a discussion came up about how if you were on a desert island and had one BAD movie from one of you favorite franchises, which would it be. Star Trek V was my pick. Out of Batman and Robin, … more
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review by Husher315.
May 22, 2009
Known to fans as the worst Trek film of all time to a point were some people (and even countries) don't consider it as one of the films, is unfortunately to many reborn on Blu-ray in this seven disc set. I must admit, I held of a day to watch this and in a span of two days completed it. Though The Final Frontier looks and sounds great on Blu-ray, it doesn't change the fact that it was a bad movie. In Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, Kirk and the rest of his crews … more
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Quick Tip by TheJohn.
December 07, 2009
The Enterprise is hijacked by a fanatic and taken on his quest for the almighty. Weak humor and a poor budget sank a pretty good concept.
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review by KevinTRod.
May 20, 2009
After directing two Star Trek films in a row, actor Leonard Nimoy stood up from the directing chair, and let fellow actor (and star of the franchise) William Shatner assume the role as director. Not only did Shatner direct this installment of easily one of the most popular science fiction franchises of all time, but he also outlined the story. I think this says more about Shatners talents then his hammy acting does. "Star Trek V: The Final Frontier" (though as it turned out this wasn't CLOSE to … more
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About the reviewer
Kendall Fontenot (kfontenot)
Ranked #3
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Despite looking extremely cool, I have to admit that I'm a dork. I grew up on the outskirts of the small town of Oberlin, LA. I have since relocated to the Lake Charles, LA area.I love my home state … more
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About this movie
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 
Theatrical release poster by Bob Peak Directed by William Shatner Produced by Harve Bennett Written by Screenplay:
David Loughery
Story:
William Shatner
Harve Bennett
David Loughery
Characters:
Gene Roddenberry Starring See table Music by Jerry Goldsmith Cinematography Andrew Laszlo Editing by Peter E. Berger Distributed by Paramount Pictures Release date(s) June 9, 1989 Running time 107 min. Country United States Language English Budget $27,800,000 (estimated) Gross revenue $70,000,000 (worldwide) Preceded by Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home Followed by Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
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Star Trek V: The Final Frontier 
Theatrical release poster by Bob Peak Directed by William Shatner Produced by Harve Bennett Written by Screenplay:
David Loughery
Story:
William Shatner
Harve Bennett
David Loughery
Characters:
Gene Roddenberry Starring See table Music by Jerry Goldsmith Cinematography Andrew Laszlo Editing by Peter E. Berger Distributed by Paramount Pictures Release date(s) June 9, 1989 Running time 107 min. Country United States Language English Budget $27,800,000 (estimated) Gross revenue $70,000,000 (worldwide) Preceded by Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home Followed by Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (Paramount Pictures, 1989) is the fifth feature film based on the Star Trek science fiction television series. It is often referred to as Star Trek 5 or The Final Frontier. The film was directed by William Shatner, following two films directed by his co-star, Leonard Nimoy. Shatner also developed the initial storyline. It was shot entirely in California.
Contents[]
[edit] Plot
Following the events of Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, the crew of the USS Enterprise-A is enjoying some well deserved shore leave. The newly christened starship's shakedown cruise goes poorly and it is in Earth ...
Cast:
David Warner,
Bill Quinn,
Leonard Nimoy,
DeForest Kelley,
James Doohan,
George Takei,
Walter Koenig,
Nichelle Nichols,
Laurence Luckinbill,
Charles Cooper,
Cynthia Gouw,
Todd Bryant,
Spice Williams,
Rex Holman,
George Murdock,
Cynthia Blaise,
Melanie Shatner,
Harve Bennett,
Steve Susskind
Genre:
Sci-Fi,
Fantasy
Release Date:
June 9, 1989
MPAA Rating:
PG
Screen Writer:
Harve Bennett
Runtime:
1hr 47min
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