--- title: "Star Trek V: The Final Frontier: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/star-trek-v-the-final-frontier/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/star-trek-v-the-final-frontier" critics_score: 41 critics_reviews: 12 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989): what the critics said Critics' score 41 from 12 reviews: 2 positive, 2 mixed, 8 negative. Most critics do not like it, and several call it the weakest film in the series. What praise there is clusters around the cast rather than anything Shatner does behind the camera: the affection between Kirk, Spock and McCoy, the campfire scene, the quieter character moments that come from a crew visibly in middle age. A few reviews also find something to admire in the score and the location shooting, and several concede the film is more sincere than its reputation allows. The reservations are far more consistent. Shatner’s direction is the usual first complaint, followed by a muddled story built around a quest for God, forced humour and special effects that more than one review calls dreadful. The spread is wide, from a warm notice to outright ridicule. The Los Angeles Times is the dissenter, reading the film as a mellow spiritual odyssey that gains from its ageing crew, while Slant argues its virtues outweigh its failings. ## Los Angeles Times — Kevin Thomas Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 9 June 1989. The film is a mellow spiritual odyssey as much as a space adventure, richer for embracing the crew's middle age and perspective on life. Shatner effectively uses the cast's maturity for resonance, humor, and wisdom alongside adventure and effects. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-star-trek-final-frontier-19890609-snap-story.html) ## Slant Magazine — Tony Dayoub Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 10 June 2014. The critic argues that despite its failings the film has many virtues, including its score, location shooting, and fulfillment of the franchise's exploratory ethos. He singles out the emphasis on the core characters' camaraderie and bravery for praise while noting production compromises and tough competition at release. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/summer-of-89-star-trek-v-the-final-frontier/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Phil Pirrello Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 9 June 2019. The critic views the film as an underwhelming messy execution of good intentions that nearly killed the franchise but is not the disaster pop culture makes it out to be. He singles out the strong focus on the central trio's relationships and emotional introspection for praise, alongside some ambitious action sequences. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/star-trek-v-killed-franchise-30-years-1216680/) ## The New York Times — Caryn James Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 9 June 1989. The baroque plot borrows from too many sources and tries too hard for grandeur, diluting the series' familiar charm. The actors remain tireless and sincere, providing some appealing moments amid the unwieldy story. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/1989/06/09/movies/review-film-the-fifth-star-trek-with-old-new-and-evil.html) ## The AV Club — Zack Handlen Rating D+. 12 March 2010. The critic admits to enjoying the film despite its many flaws, calling it a not very good movie with a clumsy story, corny jokes, and simplistic themes. He singles out its personal, energetically awful sincerity and handful of decent ideas for note, while criticizing the bad humor and inconsistent characters. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/star-trek-star-trek-v-the-final-frontier-star-trek-1798164559) ## Empire — William Thomas Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. The critic deems the film the biggest disappointment in the series, faulting Shatner's direction and the story's quest for God as poorly executed with bad jokes and tonal issues. Some positives are noted in the scenery and Spock retaining dignity amid the buffoonery. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/star-trek-v-final-frontier-review/) ## RogerEbert.com — Roger Ebert Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 9 June 1989. The film is a mess with no clear narrative line, little danger or suspense, and too many pointless scenes and loose ends. It is the worst entry in the Star Trek series, though one brief moment near the Great Barrier briefly promises awe. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/star-trek-v-the-final-frontier-1989) ## Variety — Variety Staff Rating **. 31 December 1988. Even diehard fans may be disappointed by Shatner's inauspicious directorial debut after the strong previous film. The story's focus on a non-crew character questing for meaning is a major flaw, though one dramatic sequence re-experiencing traumas stands out as moving. [Read the review](https://variety.com/1988/film/reviews/star-trek-v-the-final-frontier-1200427831/) ## Time Out — MK Fi1m's normalised score 20/100 (inferred from the text). 22 August 2013. The critic mocks the film's absurd plot about a quest for the Ultimate Answer and its silly execution, singling out the encounter with a self-proclaimed God and Kirk's unimpressed reaction as particularly ridiculous. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/star-trek-v-the-final-frontier) ## Den of Geek — Adam Sloman Rating 2/5. 13 May 2009. The critic finds it not as bad as its reputation suggests, praising character moments like the campfire scene and McCoy's scenes, but criticizes the dreadful special effects, muddled story, and forced humor. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/star-trek-v-the-final-frontier-retrospective-review/) ## Collider — Collier Jennings Fi1m's normalised score 25/100 (inferred from the text). 18 June 2024. The piece examines Shatner's directorial debut and its ambitious but poorly executed premise of the crew confronting a being claiming to be God. It highlights the rocky production, clashes with Roddenberry, and concludes the film remains one of the weakest in the series due to uneven tone and unfulfilled potential. [Read the review](https://collider.com/star-trek-5-the-final-frontier-god/) ## Paste — Michael Burgin Fi1m's normalised score 15/100 (inferred from the text). 11 December 2022. In a ranking of all Star Trek films, this entry places Star Trek V last, calling it the worst due to Shatner's direction, a muddled plot, and lackluster special effects that failed to advance the franchise. It deems the film immediately forgettable and emblematic of the 'odd-numbered films are bad' theory. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/star-trek/ranking-star-trek-movies-worst-best) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/star-trek-v-the-final-frontier.md