Review of Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989) by Brad R — 15 Oct 2012

Though not free of some now infamously rough elements, "Star Trek V: The Final Frontier" is far from the total catastrophe it's often made out to be. Star William Shatner gets his turn in the director's chair (following two critically and financially successful entrees helmed by actor Leonard Nimoy), delivering an ambitious, if admittedly shaky, addition to the series.

Shatner's direction is surprisingly strong behind the wheel and ripe with fresh camera angles, impressive lighting, innovative physical effects, and wise casting choices. The stars are all admirable in their parts, were it not for some of the banal dialogue they're forced to espouse, which unfortunately leads me to the film's main flaw.

.. The screenplay for "The Final Frontier" (penned by David Loughery, with story credit shared to Shatner and producer Harve Bennett) is at times nothing short of dreadful and in desperate need of retooling.

Subplots are developed yet never resolved, cast-regulars are given dialogue completely out of character, superbly talented actors are wasted in non-essential parts (David Warner as a drunk Federation ambassador?!), and the presence of an ambitious, war-hungry Klingon antagonist is nothing short of tiresome.

That aside, what we are left with are a thought-provoking main plot for divine knowledge with the talented Laurence Luckinbill as Sybok and another fine score by series-regular composer Jerry Goldsmith, following Leonard Rosenman's somewhat disappointing work for "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home".

The visual effects may be rough and the screenplay may verge upon horrendous at times, but "The Final Frontier" is still far more entertaining and provocative than most of the crap audiences are force-fed in theaters.

It's worthy of the "Star Trek" legacy.