Star Trek V: The Final Frontier Reviews

The weakest to date of the STAR TREK feature films. Despite a $32 million budget that was recouped within its first month, STAR TREK V isn't much more than an expanded TV episode, and not a particularly memorable one at that. Yet, even with its many shortcomings, including less-than-exciting action scenes and cartoonlike special effects, this sequel's popularity reaffirms the enduring appeal of the king of TV reruns. Star William Shatner, in an undistinguished directorial debut, is hampered by a largely uneventful plot that deals with such metaphysical pursuits as the search for God and the mysteries of the cosmos, both allegedly to be found on the legendary planet Shakaree. There, Adm. James T. Kirk (Shatner) must match wits with Vulcan antagonist Sybok (Laurence Luckinbill). En route to the final frontier, there's a subplot involving a Klingon starship captain, Klaa (Todd Bryant), who, to prove his prowess, intends to kill the admiral. Although the film's ontological approach may be intriguing, this rather dull entry fails to generate the kind of thoughtful, exciting adventure that made the Gene Roddenberry TV series so compelling.