Customer Reviews
The worst movie of the series but not the worst movie ever! 
2008-02-05
As Captain Admirel James Kirk (William Shatner) with Spock (Leonard Nimoy) and the rest of the crew (DeForrest Kelly, George Takai, James Doohan, Walter Koenig and Nichelle Nichols) are having a nice pleasant camping trip since their newly christened U.S.S. Enterprise are having it at spacedock for repairs. They get called on a urgent mission to head to planet Nimbus III where a renegade Vulcan named Sybok (Laurence Luckinbill) has taken some people there hostage as he wants the Enterprise to find the universe's most supreme being.
Considered by fans and critics alike as the worst movie in the franchise! William Shatner who directed and wrote the story for this movie. One of the biggest problems in this movie is too much lighthearted humor unlike "Star Trek 4" which worked like a charm but this movie overdoses on it too much especially on Scotty and Uhra who feel romantically involved and of course the infamous teaching Spock how to sing campfire songs. The special effects themselves are quite bad without the help of Industrial Light and Magic as they come off as laughable and the characterization is thin as a pencil but at least Shatner got to give this movie a try at directing and co-storying the film but he failed at that.
This 2-Disc DVD contains good picture and sound with great extras such audio commentary from William Shatner with Liz Shatner and Text commentary by Michael Okuda co-author of the Star Trek Encyclopedia. Featurettes, deleted scenes, production gallery, trailers and TV Spots.
Ah, yes, I was disappointed, BUT, there are some great aspects about this outing.. 2007-12-20
Like most folks, I had very high hopes for this film, definitely after the loosely connected 3-movie story arc preceeding it. This movie didn't have the punch nor leave the audience with the typical satisfactory feeling afterwards. I despised the use of an otherwise talented and beloved supporting cast for comical relief. Instead of allowing the secondary characters a real chance to run, it resorted to sight gags and pretty much made them look like buffoons, and Shatner clearly didn't rectify the more-embarrassing moments. However, that being said, the film show several wonderful moments..:
1) LOVED the campfire scenes both at the beginning and end, effectively bracketing the film's story in a poignant way. Why couldn't you have had moments like these for the secondary characters??? ~ They are seasoned ACTORS for heaven's sake..! After how many movies and episodes, not only are they relegated to remain as secondaries, but treated with even less respectful screentime. Again, warm moments you WISHED they did more on the big screen ~ Taking time out to EXPLORE these characters and what makes them tick together, after all these voyages. Without families, who have they really become..?
2) Loved the horseback and wilderness scene's overall. Gave the normally 'sterile' starship crew a more beneficial and agreeable backdrop to work against.
3) Despite the lack of good effects, the Kirk/Spock interplay at the end was excellent ('Spock, not in front of the Klingons...'). It helps to make up for the heavy-handed 'I-need-my-pain' message you had to slog through.
The Sybok character was entirely miscast and misdirected.. Who would believe he would be a Vulcan, even Spock's half-brother, raised by Surak...? Terribly chemistry between him and the stars. Granted he was no Khan, but a more cerebral and reserved, less jovial approach would have made for better and conflict with depth. Instead we're treated to some painfully embarrassing exchanges.
All in all, some excellent, warm screen moments found nowhere else in this franchise, but try not to wear out your fast-forward button.
The Final Frontier? We hope so... 
2007-11-16
"Star Trek V" stands as the one&only ST movie directed by William Shatner himself. It's a dubious honor,since Roger "Easily Entertained" Ebert dubbed this "the worst Star Trek movie ever made." "Final Frontier" brings up important questions about God's existence,religious fanaticism and fundamentalism...and bungles the whole enterprise.
"Final Frontier" begins on a desert planet, in Paradise City,of all places. Spock's half-brother, Sybok, takes the Nimbus III hostage to go to the "Great Barrier" (not the reef off of Australia,unfortunately) to meet his Creator. In the meantime, Kirk, Spock, and McCoy are climbing fake rocks in Yosemite (supposedly they're ascending Half Dome,but it looks like papier mache to me) They sing "row,row,row your boat" around the campfire when they find out about the Nimbus III situation. The Enterprise comes to the rescue-complete with a paunchy Lt. Uhura doing a slinky catwoman dance. Yes,that requires a suspension of disbelief! You must have faith...as Sybok would say.
Sybok's a smooth-talking outer space preacher. His charisma hooks everyone except Kirk, McCoy,and his skeptical half-brother Spock. One expects Sybok to ask for "love gifts" and give away cheesy gifts that look like they came from the Intergalactic TBN. But no. It turns out he's a result of Sarek's first marriage to a Vulcan princess. Darn pon farr. Sex DOES make people- and Vulcans- stupid. Or Sybok has father issues because dear ol' Dad remarried to an Earthling,and lavished all his favors on the younger. It's Oedipus Wrecks. Star Trek-style.
The Enterprise comes to Sha-Ka-Ree,the cheesy home of the Creator. It looks like a desert matte painting,but Sybok is impressed and has a mystical experience. But the Creator is not so pleased. Sybok does meet his Maker- literally- and the movie ends with Kirk pointing at his paunchy belly, saying that's where God is.
"Final Frontier" is compelling in its badness. At several points it's long-winded and boring. For Shatner,this movie was the final frontier. He never directed another Star Trek movie.
Outstanding Trek Nears Cult Status 
2007-11-14
STAR TREK V is very underrated. It is the closest motion picture to capture the spirit of the original TV show. The TV series was about characters and their combined experiences integrated into cohesive stories based upon their trek into space. This film reverts back to the characters and forgoes the special effects. Jerry Goldsmith's rich score bolsters this approach directed by William Shatner.
It all Begins and Ends with the Human Heart 2007-11-11
This is a great tale focusing on the three central Star Trek characters (Kirk, Spock and "Bones"). It examines their strengths, weaknesses, their diversities but ultimately shows us why they have grown a great sense of camaraderie through the years in search of that final frontier. It is a more personal story than the title of the film indicates and perhaps that is the film's true notorious weakness. The title gives one a sense of going beyond the beyond to find what lies beyond us, to find truth, but that is entirely misleading. Instead this film examines what drives these men to search for the all elusive unknown going literally great distances, to go where no man has gone before, when all the time the answer lies in the heart. In one sense this film is a scaled down version of STAR TREK: TMP and again that has unfortunately remained the bottom line for diminished appreciation for what STAR TREK V truly is. Even William Shatner's brilliant direction has been diminished into obscurity by this film's poor reputation. Even Shatner admits that he wanted the film to take on epic qualities. Shatner admits in the extra footage that the constraints of the budget and the poor special effects destroyed what he was trying to accomplish. I believe unwittingly Shatter seems to have wanted something larger than life, yet he captured the true essence of life and why we exist quite efficiently and successfully in this film. This was not a fly by night production, as one would have been lead to believe, and the seriousness of the intent of this production as seen in the extra footage is quite evident. Visually Shatner did not get the greatness he wanted but Jerry Goldsmith's outstanding score fills that void. Goldsmith's score goes beyond giving this film a feeling of the great adventure going to the ends of life's final frontier and once again coming full circle back to the conclusion that it all begins and ends with the human heart.
The Enterprise Finds God? 2008-07-15
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.
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.
Rest In Peace Star Trek: Harve Bennett and Nicholas Meyer Have "Killed" You Good--They Even Twisted The Instrument of Death! 
2008-06-26
In my attempts to reconcile myself with the Star Trek movies, I recently purchased "Star Trek V - The Final Frontier (Two-Disc Special Collector's Edition)" and have watched it three times trying to find any value in the film beyond the brief filming in Yosemite National Park (and the conclusion that John Muir's park will somehow rediscover it's pristine nature in the far future). Try as I have, I have found NO redeeming qualities, no moments of greatness, no scenes of nostalgia, no flicker of what Star Trek is all about.
"Star Trek V: The Final Frontier" is the culmination of Paramount's, Harve Bennett's, and Nicholas Meyer's total incomprehension of Star Trek and their malign endeavors to "recreate" Star Trek into something it is not (their version of "Star Wars?"). While I could repeat all the problems of the movie, I feel no need to do so. Rather, I wish to express my feelings of deep regret that "Star Trek V: The Last Frontier" was pure hogwash, and forever "tarnished" the brilliance of Gene Roddenberry's world of Star Trek. It was nothing less than a collector's pride that led me to purchase this film; to say that I followed the "original" Star Trek crew to their "Final Frontier;" albeit, Bennett and Meyer somehow convinced Paramount to make another movie! I am confident that it was only the actors pride in their characters (except for the egotistical Shatner) that coaxed them into doing this film.
Regardless, it is very sad to see Star Trek caught in the throes of death so badly. But that is what happened with "Star Trek V: The Final Frontier."
Update--1 July 2008: If this review was not helpful to you, I would appreciate learning the reason(s) so I can improve my reviews. My goal is to provide help to potential buyers, not get into any arguments. So, if you only disagree with my opinion, could you please say so in the comments and not indicate that the review was not helpful. Thanks.
Why Does God Need A Spaceship?! 2008-06-10
With the Star Trek II-IV movie "trilogy" (one long plotline) finished, the fifth film of the series is a self-contained story about growing old, friendship, and religion. Sadly, the film fails on all those accounts.
The gist of the film is that Spock's half-brother, Sybok (who has rejected his Vulcan heritage), hijacks the Enterprise in search of God in the outer reaches of the universe. Once found, "God" turns out to be a rather tempermental being who becomes angry when his escape from beyond the galaxy (the Enterprise) is taken from him. When Kirk utters the phrase "why would God need a spaceship?", the major plot point of the film turns to shambles. The entire mission (which wasn't all that compelling to begin with) turns into a sham, and ultimately a waste of time.
Perhaps the largest downfall of the film, however, is the inability of the writers/producers to create dramatic tension between Spock and Sybok. It is too much of a stretch to believe that the emotionless Spock will succomb to the rash tendencies of a character only just introduced to him.
Yet, despite failing on nearly all accounts, a few scenes are inspiring for their place in the Star Trek cannon. Kirk, Spock, and McCoy's vacation at Yosemite National Park is awe-insipring, heartfelt, and funny (Spock's marshmallow roasting machine is classic!), while the scene where Sybok diagnoses McCoy's and Spock's greatest pain is classic Star Trek fare (even down to Kirk's defiant refusal to be given the same treatment).
To conclude, this fifth installment in the Star Trek movie franchise is a forgettable romp through the deepest galaxy. Besides a few interesting scenes, the majority of the movie is unemotional, bland, and even hokey. Hard-care Star Trek fans will enjoy the moments (however slight) of character development this movie brings to the table, but I would advise less dedicated viewers to skip over this installment entirely.
top off with RIFFTRAX! 
2008-02-28
this movie has its charms, especially (and obviously) for fans of the original series like myself. but it really is a pretty crappy movie overall. the perofrmances seem to almost border self parody, especially with scotty. the crew has a sort of 3 stooges routine going on, acting like bumbling fools. there's even two scenes featuring kirk, bones and spock camping in what are suppose to be 'futuristic sleeping bags'. in actuallity the aging sci-fi icons look like potatoes wrapped in foil. while acting like average joes in the woods dressed with flanels tucked into tight wrangler jeans, spock treats himself to a "marsh-mellon" and they make sad attempts to sing one of the easiest and also dumbest sing alongs ever.......row row your boat. ya no joke.
other highlights, or lowlights, depending on where you stand with sort of thing, include what is supposed to pass as a sexy kinked up dance by uhura wearing some kind of feathered wings. close ups of "her legs" just seem to wriggle and dig her feet into the sand. back in the day of the original series this would have been pretty sweet but now this kind of exploitation is just awkward and straight up bizarre. as are the sexual overtones between her and scotty. with soft caresses n all that seem to come out of know where. this could really go on and on but rather than spoil all the surprises i simply suggest downloading the mike nelson and kevin murphy (mst3k) from rifftrax.com to properly view this surreal trek.
4 stars with the commentary!
What Can I Say 2008-02-17
This movie is horrible. I simply cannot understand viewers who give it more than the lowest rating of one star. This movie was bad in every conceivable way. At least STTMP was trying to be operatic, without understanding that most people (I am not one of them) find opera too long and boring, so it became all that it was trying not to be. I loved #2 with Khan, really liked #3 because it was a transitional film to explain Nimoy being back as Spock, I loved #4 with the Whales because of it's message and its role in Spock fully realizing himself. This however was dreck so bad that I prayed that William Shatner stay in front of the camera (a major miracle given that even though I loved the series, I think Shatner's acting blows chunks). Luckily the studio allowed them to do #6, which was excellent -- Christopher Plummer still rocks, and set the stage for the Klingons' new position as friend.
See this movie only if you must see all of the Star Trek films. DO NOT HOWEVER BUY THIS AS YOUR MONEY WILL BE BETTER SPENT ELSEWHERE!
