MovieChat Forums > Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989) Discussion > Okay, I'll bite. Why all the hate?

Okay, I'll bite. Why all the hate?

posted 9 years ago by flowerythethird
16 replies | jump to latest

I was totally surprised at how much I really, genuinely enjoyed Star Trek V. And 5.3 is an absolutely absymal rating for a film that almost perfectly represents the whole mood of the original series.

Sure, the trilogy of films before it were better, but TFF certainly feels closer to what TOS was all about. The exploring, the brilliant character conflict, the Tongue-in-cheek humor. And the overall plot? Come on. Almost 1/3 of TOS' episodes deal with some sort of all-powerful, God-like creature!

Now let's move onto some scenes that instantly stand-out. the opening scenes with the crew on Shore leave are The "Stand Back" morse code scene was silly yet great. Kirk's fear of dying alone was an interesting character development. Then we have the scene were Sybok heals Spock's and Bones' "pain".. Only for Kirk to refuse the treatment, citing his "pain makes him who he is". Well that just has to be one of the most beautiful, and relatable scenes ever in Star Trek.

Maybe it's just because I'm currently in love with all-things Star Trek, But I found this to be a great film worth watching again. I gladly consider it a solid Star Trek film. 

"Super Bowl XLVIII will be most evenly-matched Super Bowl in 32 years"- AH_Fan

[–] bastasch8647 9 years ago

Mostly because the script "cartoonized" beloved characters to the point they were radically out of character.

[–] DrWhen 9 years ago

Yea, the campfire sequence is especially painful.

[–] Cold_In_Space 9 years ago

Okay... Too much pointless humor, Sybok being Spock's half-brother came out of nowhere, unnecessary scenes with the Klingons and the ambassador, the God-like creature at the end was never explained and came off as a really rushed and generic character.

That said, the film did have some good scenes, like the one with McCoy and his father and some of Kirk's lines. I'd give it a 6.

Remember that the ratings on this site are actually a popularity contest and don't respresent the views of just Star Trek fans, otherwise there's no way ST:ID would have a 7.9

- Gothamite #4

You only live twice.

[–] LordDavid 9 years ago

You can blame all the problems plagued with production AND Shatner till the cows come home, but in reality it just lacked in storyline, substance and had many glaring plot holes and errors.

Check out my concept on what Star Trek V: The Final Frontier SHOULD have been, given a 28 million dollar budget (in 1989 dollars), it could have worked, despite all the problems which came about.

It's simply a film that could have been far better and laughed in the face of the problems which plagued its production.

[–] vicky_lc2001-1 9 years ago

I agree but I'm curious, what has made you recently love all things ST?

[–] bond_98 9 years ago

Its still better than the Jar Jar movies. At least this movie had some pretty strong character moments and at least one character had an arc. These are feature that are totally missing from Star Trek Into Crap. Also Nimoy Spock isn't a total whinny bitch and the plot doesn't resolve everything with Super Blood.

[–] Ashaod43 9 years ago

I liked it because it was more like an old episode of trek. I liked the relationship between the main characters that was explored. Sure the script needed to be better and the story seemed rushed the way it seemed to be either filmed or edited.

[–] !!!deleted!!! (12526472) 9 years ago

Aside from the ludicrous Uhura dancing scene, I was fine with all of this movie and enjoyed it a lot, but it was massively let down by the rushed and poorly-conceived final act. I just started a new thread about that subject.

[–] feenix219 9 years ago

That was because they slashed Shatner's budget, and they had to cobble together the end of the movie.

[–] !!!deleted!!! (12526472) 9 years ago

That's a great shame indeed!

[–] stevegrayston-75-221538 8 years ago

the Uhura dancing scene was stupid and there were a couple of more scense. But overal i liked it. And i actually thought the ending was quite good.

[–] coreycitn63 8 years ago

Seeing a middle aged Nichelle Nichols dance. That was the definition of cringeworthy.

[–] Monk_Drunk 8 years ago

I've actually warmed to the movie considerably over the years, and while it is still undeniably the worst of the TOS movies, it's entertaining in its own right for a whole ton of reasons, and absolutely superior to all the TNG films bar First Contact.