Review of Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989) by Thomas B — 20 Jul 2016

Okay it's definitely the worst of the Kirk era films. That being said it does have its moments much like very first film. The difference here is where The Motion Picture was bogged down with special effects this one suffers from lack of budget, rushed production, and a lackluster script. I'll try my best not to tear into every little individual thing (like Vulcan royalty, what the heck? Creations myths being that universal, etc.).

The Enterprise NCC-1701 A has had its shakedown and did not do too well. Everyone except Scotty goes on shore leave while repairs are made. Shore leave is cancelled due to a hostage situation on "the Planet of Galactic Peace" and the Enterprise is once again the only ship in the quadrant. Seriously? Uhura is like "have you seen how much of a mess we are?" and Starfleet is like "yeah whatever". Bothersome.

Our villain of the film is a passionate Vulcan called Sybok, who in a strange plot twist turns out to be Spock's half brother. Now the books try to explain that once Sybok was banished Spock was not allowed to speak of him by Vulcan practice/custom so that accounts for the subject never having come up. Yeah, don't buy it. Just a way to throw a bit more conflict between Kirk and Spock - as if it wouldn't kill them to have things be normal after the whole resurrection thing,.

Aside from Sybok there is also a group of random Klingons who decide to just go after Kirk for kicks. Have fun when you get back to Kronos and High Command smites you. That was just laughable. That and the whole 'finding God' thing. Not that I'm against sci fi and religious themes or even Trek and religious themes but this just seemed dumb. Or if not dumb just poorly executed and thought out. Sybok gets visions and hears voices and everyone just takes him at his word? This supposed 'brain washing' though pain sharing is also questionable since it seems to affect everyone but Spock and McCoy. Spock I can buy but if McCoy can step back so easily why is it so hard for everyone else?

So with all of this in mind how does it have three stars, you ask? Nostalgia. I loved this movie as a kid and I do get a kick out of what moments there are between them. The campfire scene is hokey but I love it, The Big Three moments, what little comedy they managed to get in there that doesn't feel like caricature, and Kirk's little moments with Spock on the Klingon ship and in the observation room. The only thing I'll point out about that is that Kirk has lost an actual blood brother (Sam Kirk? Operation: Annihilate anyone?).

It's hokey, it's a mess, but it's a mess I still somehow get a kick out of.