Star Trek V: The Final Frontier
Overview
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier is the fifth installment in the Star Trek film series, released in 1989. Directed by William Shatner, who also took on the role of Captain James T. Kirk, the movie follows the crew of the USS Enterprise-A as they confront a renegade Vulcan named Sybok, who is on a mission to find God at the center of the galaxy.
Plot
The story begins with the Enterprise crew enjoying shore leave after their shakedown cruise. Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock, and Dr. McCoy are camping at Yosemite National Park when they are called back to the ship to rescue a group of hostages on Nimbus III, a planet intended for intergalactic dialogue between the Federation, Klingon Empire, and Romulan Star Empire.
Upon arriving at Nimbus III, they discover that the hostages have been taken by Sybok, a renegade Vulcan who is revealed to be Spock’s previously unmentioned half-brother. Sybok’s goal is to use the Enterprise to travel to the mythical planet Sha Ka Ree, which lies beyond the Great Barrier, a powerful energy field at the center of the galaxy. He believes that God is located there and uses his ability to reveal and heal innermost pain through the Vulcan mind meld to gain the loyalty of most of the crew.
The Enterprise successfully breaches the Great Barrier, but they are unaware that they are being followed by Captain Klaa’s Klingon warship. Upon reaching Sha Ka Ree, they find an uninhabited planet, but after Sybok calls out, a glowing field appears, morphing through various religious forms before settling into the image of a bearded human face. This entity, claiming to be God, demands to use the Enterprise to spread its wisdom across the universe. A skeptical Kirk questions the entity’s need for a starship, leading to an attack on him and Spock.
Sybok realizes his earlier naivety and attempts to distract the entity with a mind-meld, allowing the others to escape. However, the entity is only weakened by this, and Kirk orders the Enterprise to fire photon torpedoes. While Sybok is killed, the entity is not destroyed. The Klingon Bird of Prey, led by Captain Klaa, unexpectedly attacks and damages the Enterprise, stranding Kirk on the planet with the weakened entity. The Klingon ship destroys the entity with disruptor fire, and Kirk is beamed aboard the Klingon ship where Spock is waiting.
Cast
William Shatner as Captain James T. Kirk
Leonard Nimoy as Mr. Spock
DeForest Kelley as Dr. Leonard Bones McCoy
James Doohan as Montgomery Scott (Scotty)
Walter Koenig as Pavel Chekov
Nichelle Nichols as Lieutenant Uhura
George Takei as Hikaru Sulu
Laurence Luckinbill as Sybok
Todd Bryant as Captain Klaa
Spice Williams-Crosby as Vixis
Crew
Director: William Shatner
Writers: David Loughery, Harve Bennett
Producers: Harve Bennett, Ralph Winter
Reception
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier received mixed reviews from critics. The movie was criticized for its disjointed storyline, poor special effects, and an absurd villain. The plot was described as meandering through some of the goofiest scenes in the series, including a camping trip scene where Kirk, Spock, and McCoy attempt to sing Row, Row, Row Your Boat and nearly sink the movie.
Despite these criticisms, the bond between the characters and Jerry Goldsmith’s classic score were noted as positives. The movie’s score and character dynamics helped to make it somewhat enjoyable, but overall, it was considered one of the weaker entries in the Star Trek film series.
Movie Poster
The movie poster for Star Trek V: The Final Frontier features a dramatic image of the USS Enterprise-A in space, with the iconic characters of Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock, and Dr. McCoy prominently displayed. The background includes elements of the Great Barrier and the mythical planet Sha Ka Ree, hinting at the central plot of the movie. The poster is designed to capture the essence of adventure and exploration that is characteristic of the Star Trek franchise.
For fans, this poster can be a great addition to their collection, available in various formats such as framed prints, canvas prints, or even as a digital download. These formats allow enthusiasts to showcase their love for the series in different ways, whether it’s hanging on a wall or displaying on a screen.
Trivia
During pre-production meetings, screenwriter David Loughery jokingly proposed that Commander Uhura appear as an erotic dancer to lure away the hostage takers. To everyone’s surprise, the producers approved of the idea, which was later removed from the final broadcast version of the movie.
The CBS broadcast premiere removed several scenes, including those featuring the dancing triple-breasted catwoman, the campfire scene where Kirk, Spock, and McCoy sing Row, Row, Row Your Boat, and a scene between Uhura and Scotty on the bridge.
Awards and Nominations
Despite its mixed reception, Star Trek V: The Final Frontier received five wins and five nominations. The awards included recognition for its score, costumes, and makeup.
Conclusion
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier is a film that, while it has its moments, is largely criticized for its disjointed storyline and poor execution. Despite this, the bond between the characters and the classic score by Jerry Goldsmith make it somewhat enjoyable. The movie poster captures the essence of the series, making it a great addition to any fan’s collection. Whether it’s a framed print, canvas print, or digital download, this poster is a must-have for anyone who loves the Star Trek franchise.
For those interested in exploring more about this film, there are numerous reviews and analyses available online. Jammer’s Reviews and Roger Ebert’s critique provide detailed insights into the movie’s strengths and weaknesses, offering a comprehensive understanding of why Star Trek V: The Final Frontier remains a polarizing entry in the Star Trek film series.
