Star Trek V - The Final Frontier (4K UHD Blu-ray) review

[David Vaughn]

Studio: Paramount
Release Date: September 6, 2022
Rating: PG
Film: 1.5/5

Plot
The crew of the Federation starship Enterprise is summoned to Nimbus III to negotiate a kidnapping from a renegade Vulcan, who turns out to be a relative of Spock. Soon, they’re set on a course for the center of the galaxy, exploring his obsessive search for a mysterious planet that could quite possibly be the source of all life.

My Thoughts
I hadn’t sat down to watch this movie in over 10 years and for very good reasons. It’s just not very good. Directed by William Shatner, the film just didn’t do anything for me. Sure, there’s a spiritual aspect that may resonate with some, but the overall story is bland and boring and the humor that makes the original cast so endearing is completely absent. Not to say that there aren’t funny moments in the film, but they feel forced and at times, uncomfortable.

Video 8.5/10

Audio 9/10 (Dolby True HD 5.1)

Special Features:
Ultra HD Bonus Features

• Audio Commentary by William Shatner and Liz Shatner
• Audio Commentary by Michael & Denise Okuda, Judith & Garfiled Eeves-Stevens, and Darn Dochterman

Blu-ray Disc Bonus Features

• Library Computer
• Production featurettes (6)
• The Star Trek Universe featurettes ( 8 )
• Deleted Scenes (4)
• Production Gallery
• Storyboards
• Theatrical Trailers
• TV Spots
• Gag Reel
• Digital Copy

Conclusion
There are so many words to describe this film, and none of them are very flattering. While this film will sit in my collection along with the other Trek films, but it will gather dust for many years until I forget how much I don’t like it and pop it in for old times sake, but to this day it surprises me that it didn’t completely kill the Star Trek franchise. Fortunately, the next film redeems the franchise and sets things up for The Next Generation to take over.

Reference Review System:
JVC DLA-RS2000 4K Ultra High-Definition Front Projector
(Calibrated with Portrait Displays CalMAN color calibration software & C6-HDR Meter from Portrait Displays)
Stewart Filmscreen - Firehawk 88” 16x9 Fixed Screen
Trinnov Altitude 16 Audio/Video Processor
ATI AT527NC Powering Bed Channels
ATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
System Controller: URC MX-990
M&K S-150 THX Ultra (R-C-L Speakers)
M&K SS-150 x4 (Surround Speakers)
Atlantic Technology IC6-OBA x 4 Overhead Speakers
SVS PC-Ultra Cylinder Subwoofer
HSU VTF-15H MK2 Subwoofer
M&K Sound X15+ Subwoofer
Dual JL Audio F-110 (stacked and treated as one sub)
Mini DSP HD controlling all subwoofers
Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner

[Ralph P.]

Greetings,

Totally agree. Not a fan...


Regards,

[David Vaughn]

Thanks for chiming in Ralph!

[Barry]

Although it was not completely Shatner's fault, this was a bad film.  In Shatner's autobiography he actually explains what the films was supposed to be, before the studio and financial people took over. Everytime Star Trek looks for god, they fail!!

Shatner had a contract with Paramount that he and Leonard Nimoy both get exactly the same...money, billing etc.  This, in Hollywood, is called "The Most Favored Nation" clause. Because Nimoy got to direct Star Trek III and IV, Shatner insisted that he get to direct also.  Interestingly, George Takei (Sulu) has said that Shatner was not a nice person and as an actor tried to steal every scene.  But he said that Shatner was a good director and treated him well!

[David Vaughn]

Although it was not completely Shatner's fault, this was a bad film.  In Shatner's autobiography he actually explains what the films was supposed to be, before the studio and financial people took over. Everytime Star Trek looks for god, they fail!!

Shatner had a contract with Paramount that he and Leonard Nimoy both get exactly the same...money, billing etc.  This, in Hollywood, is called "The Most Favored Nation" clause. Because Nimoy got to direct Star Trek III and IV, Shatner insisted that he get to direct also.  Interestingly, George Takei (Sulu) has said that Shatner was not a nice person and as an actor tried to steal every scene.  But he said that Shatner was a good director and treated him well!

Thanks for sharing Barry. I'm sure the studios have screwed up a lot of movies over the years!

[AVSCraig]

Love the rock climbing scene on El Cap though! 

[bmoney]

Agreed. Worst of the franchise