It’s considered the least of the TOS-era Star Trek films (and deservedly so) but I can easily defend Star Trek V: The Final Frontier. When Leonard Nimoy was given the chance to direct Star Treks III and IV, William Shatner exercised the “favored nations” clause they had in their contracts to demand he get a shot in the director’s chair.
Needless to say, the announcement did not inspire confidence, especially among Shatner’s co-stars, most of whom openly despised him. When details of the plot leaked, I must confess I didn’t feel confident either. When I heard snippets of the Star Trek IV plot I was horrified, so I didn’t necessarily lose hope. The crew of the Enterprise was going to meet God, a story idea that had been bandied about since the original series, and been implemented in various forms. Why it was such a popular concept I’ll never understand.
Star Trek V was released on June 9, 1989. I was a freshman in college and by this time, a dyed in the wool Trekkie. Seeing it opening day was a no-brainer, but by this time it was obvious this film would not hold the same mainstream appeal as its predecessor (which was the highest grossing Trek film to date).
As always, let’s begin with what’s wrong with Star Trek V, and there is much. As I noted earlier, the concept behind the film was bound to disappoint. I don’t mind the existential elements of Star Trek: The Motion Picture (or of prior episodes) but you simply can’t dramatize the Supreme Being effectively. Actually, that’s not what happens here. The climax is more of a cop out than anything else.
As befits his personality, Shatner keeps the action going at a brisk pace, and in his defense he faced a number of obstacles that limited his vision. ILM was too busy to do the effects and they inexplicably chose an outfit out of Hoboken, NJ, to render the effects, and it shows. The story Shatner envisioned was simply too expensive for a Trek film and he was forced to make a number of compromises that further weaken it. The visuals for Shakaree look like the “spilled paint” effect Roger Corman used during dream sequences in the Poe films.
The primary antagonist is Sybok, a Vulcan mystic who spouts feel good platitudes and possesses a hackneyed power to “free us from our pain,” which is a form of mind control. I must confess I enjoy Laurence Luckinbill’s performance but it’s hard to view him as a threat in the light of antagonists like Khan and Kruge. While Star Trek has proven it doesn’t need a “villain” per se, to tell a good story, Sybok comes off like a Vulcan hippie who wouldn’t hurt a fly (although Kirk has a brief tussle with him).
The Klingons are severely underutilized here and their captain in no way does honor to his predecessors. He’s an impulsive child who just wants to mount Kirk’s head on the wall, and takes it upon himself to take him out without authorization. It’s a ridiculous conceit, as is the notion that Starfleet, the Klingons and the Romulans would establish a peaceful colony together in the midst their well-documented ongoing hostilities.
Some other nagging tidbits – the suggestion that Scotty and Uhura are romantically involved – a notion never mentioned before or since. The fact that for the umpteenth time only the Enterprise can handle this crisis, despite the fact the ship is in terrible condition and has only a skeleton crew (making it that much easier to be taken over by, like 10 guys).
OK so what’s good about it? The best part of Star Trek V is the emphasis on the “holy trinity” of Kirk, Spock and McCoy, which never received this much attention in the films. Sure, there were glimpses and glimmers here or there, but Trek V features some of their finest interaction, and further proof that time had not dulled the wonderful dynamic between these three actors. For my money, the campfire scene is one of the best in all of Trek.
I liked the continued use of humor in the series and never felt it was overdone – I know there are some cheap gags, not the least of which is Jimmy Doohan smacking his head on the bulkhead, but who doesn’t chuckle at that? I know he hated doing it, but it works. Again, there are some great exchanges between De Kelley and Leonard Nimoy.
As a director Shatner kept things moving along at a vigorous pace. He composed his shots competently and staged the action well. Obviously this film was a Kirkapalooza, featuring numerous displays of physical prowess and machismo, but I enjoyed his performance. He actually plumbed some new depths for me. He really poured his heart and soul into the project and I actually felt bad for him that the film was crushed under the weight of blockbusters like Batman, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and Ghostbusters II.
I’ve said this many times. I will watch Star Trek V every day and twice on Sunday instead of the J.J. Abrams flarefest. In its own clunky way it captures the heart and soul of Trek, despite its numerous shortcomings.
Star Trek V had a good heart and great soundtrack! I agree with Steve in reference to the Abrams Trek. And who doesn't like a dancing cat girl...!
Posted by: James T. | 07/31/2011 at 01:39 PM