Star Trek V The Final Frontier 1989 is it a bad movie ?? - Retrospective Review

[@moshomaniac1]

Honestly, I always found this film ok in my book. Flawed, yes, but it always featured some very interesting moments in it. People scoff at Sybok’s character, both his ability to feel and release pain, and the(seemingly) phoned in decision to make him Spock’s half brother, but I found the moments where he shared both McCoy’s and Spock’s pain very philosophical and eye-opening. McCoy’s revelation that he had helped his father commit assisted suicide, for example, really flushed out his character. He never was able to forgive himself for doing that, and his grief was compounded by the fact that a few years later a cure was found. It’s a heartbreaking scene that’s really deep. Also, the realization that deep down Spock was troubled by the fact that his father was disappointed in him for being so human-like, which lead to their distant relationship was very deep. The idea that someone can take away your deepest pain is something everybody would want at first glance, but Kirk refused saying that those experiences are part of what make us who we are and if we lose them we lose ourselves was something I never thought of before. Heavy stuff.

[@MatsMovieReviews]

Absolutely agree probably the best character moments in the series. Thanks for watching and for commenting 👍🙏

[@clauderain4888]

Ive always loved 5, i think at the core there are some really good ideas. The ‘ i need my pain’ scene is my favorite Kirk moment in all the films

[@MatsMovieReviews]

I couldn’t agree more ! It’s a quote I often use in my own life! 👍😎 thanks for watching and the comments 🙏

[@markmcauleymcauley9287]

I love 5 everything bar the sfx which let them down but everything is excellent in my opinion

[@Darilack]

Great Video! I just watched Star Trek V for the first time and it was... amazing. I went in with the lowest of expectations because people always say the worst things about this movie (like the whole Odd-Number nonsense), but I was pleasantly surprised. Along with IV, this one felt the most like an episode of TOS. The character interactions were definitely the highlight of the movie. The villain's motives where pretty compelling. He didn't murder a single person, he was actually quite sad when Kirk planned an attack. He treated every crewmember with kindness in a way that didn't felt mind-controlly (even though we were supposed to think that), to the point that when he reached his destination he allowed Kirk on the bridge without questioning, because he knew his discoveries were enough to satisfy Kirk's desires of knowledge (and even Klingons and Romulans alike). When he gets to the truth, he feels truly saddened to have led his (now) friends to a fake God, and sacrifices himself without thinking twice. The scene where Kirk plans to take a Phaser with him to confront God and Sybok just nods negatively, "Ok, we'll do it your way" is very powerful IMO. Trekkies tend to blow things out of proportion. Calling V the worst TOS movie shouldn't be a complaint at all, seen as I now think all 6 movies are great.

[@MatsMovieReviews]

thanks for the kind comment and for watching ! certainly agree on your point that are perfectly observed . i think like the movie with a certain level of maturity you can definitely enjoy V Stronger points and can out way the movies problems . :)

[@graemewilson7975]

I always thought ST5 not a bad movie nor a great one. Shatners direction is like the script flawed. Slashing the budget and troubles on location worked against shatners version, as did his own conceit which does allow him to balance the cast fairly. That's the iffy. The cast all work hard against script shortfalls and silly ideas. Lawrence luckinbill was great in it and his name for god has a different meaning now that Connery is dead(ST couldn't or wouldn't pay him his going rate or he wasn't interested). Many of the elements really do work-philosophical ideas, if I'd gone left instead of right? And if you a god why do you need my starship. A flawed gem with some intelligence and outstanding moments. Great review thanks

[@twinkytwinklier4047]

I genuinely liked The Final Frontier... It kindy feels trekky... I was surprised people didn’t liked this one.

[@MatsMovieReviews]

It’s certainly a debated topic among hardened fans and the casual viewer ! I think it’s got a lot of good merits. Thanks for watching and the comments 👍

[@mandingonz7653]

Hey Mat. Another great review thank you. A much maligned Trek movie but for my wife and myself a very enjoyable episode in the original franchise. We would take it any day over Insurrection and Nemesis. It genuinely feels like an original Trek episode. The sets and locations are actually very well done (including the redressed Ent D battle bridge). Originally an adapted earlier Star Trek movie storyline, I think it stands up and is possibly better to this day. The classic Kirk/McCoy/Spock triumverate reigns supreme in this movie. Scenes that stand out for me would be the campfire and when Sybok makes our heroes "face their pain". Even though pre-internet vitriol, it's funny how a sudden intro to Spock's half brother never caused as much consternation as is his adopted sister currently!!! OK the majority of the special effects were not great and clearly unfinished but I've seen worse - given that it's 1989 and large scale computer animation in movies is a way off so the classic video mixing art mixed with computer generation has to be given some leeway in my diplomatic (Starfleet-orientated) mind. Yes some of the CG rendering could have been finished properly but my personal belief is that Bran Ferren and his team didn't really understand how the starships moved in space in Trek and this ultimately related poorly on screen in some scenes, especially in the majority of the starships space scenes. The rest of the effects we're not too bad and produced a very traditional feeling Star Trek (I am very forgiving when it comes to Star Trek - except the JJ abominations I am afraid - to some degree). The script had some faults too ("marshmellons' and ..."until green in the face") but generally felt like traditional Trek and worked well with actors truly taking on Klingon dialect - I thought that was cool. We must also remember that that the Goldsmith score is possibly the best Goldsmith Trek score of all the Treks. I am sure a lot of fans will not agree with me but that's fine - we are all entitled to our opinions 😀. I love your stuff. Keep it coming. All the best, Paul 😀

[@MatsMovieReviews]

Thanks Paul 🙏 I’m so glad you enjoyed it and appreciate your input and very much enjoy your contribution on the comments! You are a true movie fan and thanks for being part of my community ! Best Mat

[@mandingonz7653]

@@MatsMovieReviews Love being part of your review community and this one inspired me watch it again and like a fine wine it had improved again slightly more....forgiveness is key to veiwing this classic and underrated Trek movie! Happy New Year old boy. Just watched the Abyss again (both endings). Maybe an idea for a review? Just a thought (no pressure 😀). A great Cameron underwater CE3K derivitive (with the usual positives and negatives) - with a fantastic ethereal Silvestri score. All the best Paul😎

[@MatsMovieReviews]

That’s perfect! If it inspired you to rewatch then I’ve done my job 😊 a sound suggestion and one I’ll definitely add to my growing list 👍 as you can guess I get a few requests 🙏 my aim this year is to be less adhoc and have a clear guideline for my content 👍😎 so watch this space !!!

[@mandingonz7653]

@@MatsMovieReviews Thanks Mat It's nice to get a nudge to remind us of stuff every now and then 😊. An easily skipped-over movie in light of all that's out there. No pressure with my Abyss review request. I totally understand how the demand of like minded fellows can add up. Anything you put out there I look forward to viewing and commenting - if appropriate 😊 (and I also totally understand how long it takes to put your stuff together in your own time). Be well. Look forward to your next output. Kind regards Paul

[@sgu02nsc66]

I always thought Marshmellon was fine, purely because it’s 300 years in the future and perhaps the word evolved over that time, like many words do.

[@MindFiend]

For me, this was probably the most disappointing of the original cast movies. You pointed out one of the reasons - the costumes seemed ill fitting and very unflattering for men of their ages, which I think led to the cast seeming to feel their ages in this movie more so than in others. The other reason was that I felt cheated by the story. We'd had the story of aliens pretending to be gods before in the TV series, so this felt quite recycled to me. Couple that with the trope of "a family member who's never been mentiond before" cliche and it gave me the overall impression that the franchise just wasn't fresh any more, wasn't trying at all. It definitely has good things in there but sadly not enough of them.

[@MatsMovieReviews]

Some great reasons there ! Definitely the point of this was to raise debate 👍 I appreciate you feedback and comments 👍😎

[@ByronLina]

Haven't seen it for a few years, but my recollection matches your rewatch. Some nice moments, not a total disaster, but ... at the end of the day ... not one I'm keen to rewatch in the near future!

[@MatsMovieReviews]

Thanks the comments Byron 👍 much appreciated! 😎

[@MatsMovieReviews]

Thanks the comments Byron 👍 much appreciated! 😎

[@magnusprime962]

The biggest issue for me is that there’s just no ignoring the fact that this story was made as a monument to Shatner’s ego. He wanted a story where Kirk was alone, betrayed by his crew of their own free will, and had to defeat a god. Both concepts are ludicrous, and thrown together they show a fundamental misunderstanding of what made the last three Star Trek movies great. Kirk was a great character, but he wasn’t infallible nor was he a lone wolf. And that crew was more than just coworkers, they were family . They would never willingly betray Kirk. But that didn’t matter because it made Kirk look cool. It was such an egotistical premise and there just wasn’t a way it would ever have made a good story.

[@harrypothead42024]

Most of the time, not The Motion Picture, problems with star trek productions, is due to the absolute cheapness of the IP owner.

[@MatsMovieReviews]

It true to say that producer harve bennet was responsible for bringing the sequels budget very much on the cheaper side ! Thanks for the comment and for watching and welcome 🙏

[@harrypothead42024]

@@MatsMovieReviews I dont blame Harv at all he did very well with what they gave him. I do think the kneecapped Shatner on V but Bennett seemed to be the most senior employee with any real faith in the franchise. If CBS would have put anything on par with NCIS money into a trek series or movie, it would have been awesome. Even JAG money would be welcomed. 🤣😂 I never watched those shows, but CBS seemed to love them.

[@MatsMovieReviews]

So true ! Harve”s background was television and even he was burned by he time V went into production. Agreed. There was always.... possibilities 👍

[@dpfabie]

STV had (as you rightly pointed out) some wonderful character moments. The campfire scene, and McCoy's flash back to this father was incredibly powerful and an emotional tour de force by Deforest Kelly. Yet sadly the rest of the film is an abysmal mess. The rest of the supporting cast is utterly wasted. The effects were laughable they were so bad. The story is a convoluted mangled hodge podge of plot lines that never connect to anything resembling a cohesive narrative. The ending is just ...well,.. bad. Yet Goldsmith's score is wonderful, albeit, largely a reworking of themes from his previous Trek work. All that being said , Shatner's direction is really not bad. but clearly you can see that his directorial experience was based in Television. STV feels like it was made for TV. Shatner's direction lacks cinematic scope. The real blame should rest with Harve Bennett and Paramount . Paramount has never really understood Trek and the fact the studio was willing to just phone this one in makes that all too clear. I agree with you that STV has not gotten worse with age, and the character moments shine through more so with time. Still, it is hard to not still refer to this period as "Star Trek V - The Mistake" and "Star Trek V - The Apology". Great video though!

[@MatsMovieReviews]

Thank you 🙏 really appreciate that and love interactions from true fans ! Like yourself. Thank you

[@jermainewilliams7108]

Matt you are a true Trekkie nice 👍 one ☝️ buddy 🪐🌌🥋🥷🏽🦸🏾‍♀️😎🎉🖖

[@MatsMovieReviews]

I am indeed 👍😎 live long and prosper 🖖

[@WonderLure42]

I’ve always considered 3 to be the worst of the original cast films. 5 is watchable but fairly inconsequential. You could easily watch 4 and go straight to 6 as if there was no middle film and it wouldn’t make a lick of difference.

[@MatsMovieReviews]

Interested point view ! Thanks so much for sharing and thanks for watching 🙏

[@clapattack7235]

I love the ideas in this movie, but it feels shallow and lacking a strong directing voice.

[@MatsMovieReviews]

+Brandon Clapper definitely a challenge for Shatner’s limited experience! Thank you for your support 👍😎

[@clapattack7235]

Mat's Movie Reviews You're very welcome my good sir.

[@harrypothead42024]

Star Trek 5 sucks because, like always Paramount played the cheapskate. William Shatner was a director for the first time and just wasn't gifted at dealing with the miserly attitude The board of directors at Paramount. Leonard Nimoy was amazing at dealing with the financial realities of making a Star Trek movie, William Shatner just wasn't.

[@MatsMovieReviews]

Your on the money 👍 thanks for watching and the concise comments very interesting. thanks 🙏

[@chrisperrien7055]

At the time, And even now, I have to ask if the film was not an intended smear against Jesus and the Christian religion, particularly ones of the "born again" sect. It is a serious question , and surely not-PC to bring up or discus now.

[@MatsMovieReviews]

Thanks for the comment 👌 that’s interesting never looked at it that way ! And agreed 🙏

[@gsr4535]

Terrible F/X, just terrible. Some forced corny humor I can do without. But not a horrible movie. I wish missing minutes could be restored. They would add detail and depth.

[@MatsMovieReviews]

Thanks for sharing and for watching !