When Star Trek fans get together, whether it’s at conventions or in Discord chats, one thing you can count on is discussions and debates regarding the first 6 movies that feature the original crew of Enterprise. There’s always plenty of discourse—are the even-numbered films superior? Was Leonard Nimoy a talented director? Who the heck dressed Chekov that way in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock?
One of the most common discussions when it comes to these films is the worst or weakest of the 6, and usually, Star Trek V: The Final Frontier gets the booby prize, and for good reason. This film is full of problems, but the main reason why it’s so weak is its overall uneven feel.
The film does not have a solid identity
When we look at other Star Trek films that feature the original cast, the tone of each is easy to identify. The Motion Picture is pure sci-fi, The Wrath of Khan is a drama, The Search for Spock is an adventure, and so on. But trying to label The Final Frontier is like that campfire scene in Stand By Me when the boys are trying to figure out Goofy.
The film begins with a dramatic build when we meet Sybok, and it’s obvious he has some serious plans. Then, without warning, we get a whole lot of humor, and the mood changes. This flip-flop continues throughout the film, from humor to drama and then back again, and it’s truly difficult to know where to put your emotions.
The uneven tone impacts the storyline
It’s difficult to say whether Shatner’s directing is partly responsible for The Final Frontier’s lack of identity. Whether it was inexperience or ego, the uneven tone often pulls you away from the narrative during a viewing. It’s possible that Shatner wanted to include moments of comedy (which the original series excelled at), but it’s at such an uneven keel that it feels like these moments don’t really belong.
One example I always go back to is Scotty hitting his head in a full-on 3 Stooges moment after he frees Kirk, McCoy, and Spock from the brig. This is something the writers of the original series’ era could’ve gotten away with and kept with the tone (like Scotty drinking Tomar under the table in “By Any Other Name” only to pass out himself a moment later (S02E22) but here, Scotty’s clumsiness is out of character and very much apropos of nothing.
Do you think Star Trek V: The Final Frontier is the worst movie of the original 6? How come? Visit our Facebook and X page and let us know your thoughts—we’d enjoy hearing from you!