I don't think STV is that terrible

[Amasov]

I just recently got my hands on the expanded soundtrack for Star Trek V - the one that came out last year. As I was listening to the music, it made me want to go back and look at the movie again. I know it's regarded as one of the worst Star Trek movies, but to be quite honest, I don't think it's nearly as bad as its made out to be.

As a Star Trek film, I felt it did have some nice moments. Plus, I also thought it was good to see the Kirk, Spock, and McCoy friendship again - something that was sort of missing throughout most of the films. It may not have been Trek's finest film outing, but at the very least, it was a film that really tried to be about something and I enjoy it on that note.

Thoughts?

 

[CaptainMatt]

At last! Another STV fan. Thank you so much for your post. I grew up watching the original series feature films and this was the first one I saw on opening night back in 1989. It was glorious.

 

[Amasov]

I know there is some real HATE for this movie. I'll be honest, I don't genuinely dislike any of the Star Trek movies. There are some better than others, but none I downright despise. Star Trek V really gets too bad a rep by the fans.

This was my first theater-going Trek movie too! I was five the day it opened and I have such a vivid memory of it. Hey, what do you know, I was five when I saw Trek V.

 

[SeerSGB]

STV isn't bad bad, it's like a weak TOS episode--at worst. Not my favorite movie, but it's a fun movie with some great scenes with the big three. Probably the weakest thing in it for me is the SFX. The script is about late Season 2 / Season 3 TOS in quality.

 

[C.E. Evans]

I liked Star Trek V too. It really drove home the bonds between Kirk, Spock and McCoy. I also got a sense of how the rest of the TOS gang were a part of that family as well...

 

[CaptainMatt]

I agree with everyone herein. I must have been about 12 and a half when I saw Trek V. It stuck with me for quite a while and I enjoyed it as the then-last Trek movie with the original cast. It definitely to me is a lot more fun than Trek VI.

 

[Tina Lawton]

It was better than Star Trek The Motion Picture.

 

[RyuRoots]

It was better than Star Trek The Motion Picture.

It's certainly more entertaining by virtue of being less dull, but being funny when you're trying to be dramatic and being embarrassing when you're trying to be funny carries its own problems.

 

[F. King Daniel]

I really like STV. It's the only TOS movie to capture the feel and fun of the original show. I remember Gene Rodenberry saying the crew acted out-of-character by joining Sybok's crusade. They were brainwashed by Vulcan mind powers, FFS!

Some of the humour was lame, but that's equally as true of STIV.

 

[LOKAI of CHERON]

I don't think it's better than the magnificent TMP - umm, not even close. But nevertheless, I have a lot of love for the unfairly maligned and underrated TFF - which easily bests INS and NEM.

 

[Patrickivan]

I agree- not a horrible trek flick. The SFX is such a huge issue with me though. That alone could have made a big difference. I also like the cut scene of Kirk's space/sky dive. I thought that was really cool.

The only things I really didn't like, was how easy the ship was taken over- but that's just classic trek, and mostly the opening rock climbing scene with Spock flying in ski boots. Hell- they even looked like my ski boots.

OH wait- the turbolift scene... <sigh>- really, I may just edit that whole scene out of my copy...

 

[LOKAI of CHERON]

I also like the cut scene of Kirk's space/sky dive. I thought that was really cool.

This is a deleted scene from Generations I believe.

 

[Trek Survivor]

Trek V is one of my favourite Star Trek movies. I've posted many times around here as to why, but I do think the Kirk-Spock-McCoy friendship has never been written or played better. I like the concept of Sybok as well.

 

[Lowdarzz]

Unnecessary gag humor and bad effects aside, I enjoy the film a good deal. It's not the highest on my list but I watch it without any reservations. It's the only one of the films that makes use of the camaraderie between Kirk, Spock and McCoy that was present through much of the series and that is my favorite part of the film.

That said, I do wish that Paramount had given Shatner the money to redo the special effects and editing back when the special edition DVD came out. It would have been interesting to see what he came up with.

 

[sonak]

STV isn't bad bad, it's like a weak TOS episode--at worst. Not my favorite movie, but it's a fun movie with some great scenes with the big three. Probably the weakest thing in it for me is the SFX. The script is about late Season 2 / Season 3 TOS in quality.

"a weak TOS episode"-yeah that's a good description of it. Not the terrible movie it's made out to be, just a weak disappointment after the previous three good movies.

 

[Tina Lawton]

I don't think it's better than the magnificent TMP - umm, not even close.

Star Trek The Motionless Picture could have been done in a one hour television show. It was long agonizing momments of the audience staring at a screen watching actors stare at a screen. I don't care how good the effects were, eye candy can only carry a movie so far. Every now and then, something needs to happen on screen, and STV was at least paced to keep the plot moving.

 

[LOKAI of CHERON]

I don't think it's better than the magnificent TMP - umm, not even close.

Star Trek The Motionless Picture could have been done in a one hour television show. It was long agonizing momments of the audience staring at a screen watching actors stare at a screen. I don't care how good the effects were, eye candy can only carry a movie so far. Every now and then, something needs to happen on screen, and STV was at least paced to keep the plot moving.

For me, slow/medium pace does not a bad movie make. Where you see long "agonising" moments, I feel captivated and engrossed by the wonderful spectacle. Where you see nothing happening on screen, I see an incredible science fiction film unfolding in the most spectacular way.

 

[Amasov]

You also have to understand; there is no Star Trek movie that I HATE. There are some that I like more than others, but I'm always able to find something about them that I like.

I definitely agree that Star Trek V includes a lot more elements and character moments that are more in line with what made the original series so enjoyable. And Jerry Goldsmith came back to score the soundtrack. Always a plus in my book.

I really appreciate some of the humor in the film (minus Scotty's head bang), but I always get a good laugh when Kirk says, "I could use a shower," followed by Spock's, "Yes..."

 

[sonak]

I don't think it's better than the magnificent TMP - umm, not even close.

Star Trek The Motionless Picture could have been done in a one hour television show. It was long agonizing momments of the audience staring at a screen watching actors stare at a screen. I don't care how good the effects were, eye candy can only carry a movie so far. Every now and then, something needs to happen on screen, and STV was at least paced to keep the plot moving.

For me, slow/medium pace does not a bad movie make. Where you see long "agonising" moments, I feel captivated and engrossed by the wonderful spectacle. Where you see nothing happening on screen, I see an incredible science fiction film unfolding in the most spectacular way.

then why the need for characters? You could just watch special effects devoid of character or story, and listen to the great score.

Yes TMP had great effects, but those effects became the story in the second half of the film. It's a very padded movie.

 

[Unicron]

"a weak TOS episode"-yeah that's a good description of it. Not the terrible movie it's made out to be, just a weak disappointment after the previous three good movies.

Agreed as well. The novelization is better in many respects, as it gives a better context for Sybok's actions and explains how the Enterprise actually passed through the barrier.

Yes TMP had great effects, but those effects became the story in the second half of the film. It's a very padded movie.

Agreed here too. I like both movies, but I think TMP's biggest flaw was focusing too much on the SFX (which are quite sharp in most respects, no doubt) at the expense of the story and character elements.