Reviews

This is like a low budget Citizen Kane. The story is very basic and novice, yet Kubrick is able to pull it off. Before CGI, this film is an example of what can be done.

For example, Davy looking inside the fish bowl is the highlight at the beginning before the boxing fight. Very well done!

Secondly, the shot of Davy in Gloria's room while she's asleep. He's looking in the mirror and with careful direction, we see her fast asleep in the mirror too!

Third, while Davy's talking to his uncle we see Gloria in the background on the window/mirror. Wonderfully done and an early trademark of Kubrick.

The movie itself was pretty much basic, but the visuals and presentation is engaging, even today! A little over an hour, the film is worth seeing.

I remember watching this film for the first time in '90 after purchasing it on VHS. And I loved it. I was a huge fan of the series even back then and thought it was a great entertaining movie.

The years have gone by and I have now watched all episodes of the original series and films. Of all the films, this one does contain the most interaction and involvement between ALL the cast members. True, some were for "laughs" (thanks to Paramount more than Shatner) but overall re-watching it again the one major thing lacking in the film is the BAD ENDING!! The story is not so bad until you watch it all the way to the end, and then it's like "ok, next!" Structure wise is one's the weakest! Please Keep these three things in mind (PERSONAL OPINION:) I think Gene was so upset with Paramount and the past when it came to Trek that he looked at TNG as a new beginning and ANYTHING that was made up to this point with the original cast (especially since Paramount booted him out of the films) would have been disapproved by him. Of course, if this film had made more $$$, then maybe he would have embraced it a little better with private reservations. Second, this film suffered the same fate as the later Batman films from the late 80's and 90's. The first two Batmans were good, but due to studio interference (Warner Bros.) the next two suffered! Some can be blamed on the director, some cannot! Lastly, the main characters of the original trek were always Kirk, Spock and McCoy. The others were always secondary..That is, to help move the stories along. Over time, however, these characters were loved and cherished also. So of course the film is going to focus more on the main rather than secondary characters.

The film reminds me of a season three episode re-done in the late 80's. Even though season 3 was not great, it did have some great moments and even the bad episodes can be watched ONLY from the performances and love of the characters/actors. That's what V is. A return to classic Trek. Not great, but fun. With no knowledge of Trek or love for it, of course this film was doomed to fail! At least II had a great villain and a death scene, III had a mystery of how to get spock back and the destruction of the beloved Enterprise and IV was just a fun time travel escapism. After this, Paramount pitted Shatner (who was to direct under contract) with greed and insistence that more humor than a dark or serious story be included. It was the success of IV that led to the downfall of V. Paramount wanted another action/comedy film based on the results of IV. However, in Voyage Home it worked. In a story like V, it did not! It was meant to be more of a darker, philosophical Trek than what was produced because of studio interference. Don't believe me? Check out some parts of the film which were very dramatic..

* The teaser before the credits really gets you in the mood. A laughing vulcan? very interesting.. * the Nimbus III meeting of the three races is pretty decent and a great opening. All three major aliens to that point (terrans, klingon, romulan!) are actually together and talking things out. Makes sense since the kligons and romulans were trading and the terrans (earth) were in peace negotiations with both. * Most of the campfire scenes with McCoy's statement of being on shore leave and spending time together with Shatner's "Other people have families, not us" is just so deep. I will say that DeForrest's performance through this picture is just great. * the wonderful meeting of Sybok trying to "seduce" the trilogy is the highlight with the young father of Spock, Sarek, declaring "So Human" and Shatner's "I need my pain!" speech topped by McCoy (DeForrest) wonderful scene with his father. The film was worth watching just for this..the best dramatic character driven scene of the original series. It shows the three characters have definitely aged and not just "making a movie." They have matured and stays cannon with the rest of the films. * Kirk's hatred for klingons is still apparent, but kept to a minimum. This is probably due more to Paramount than Shatner as he at least tried to emphasize it in a few scenes. * All the cast at least have something serious to do in this film as opposed to all the others! If this was all on Shatner, why did he even waste his time with even directing everybody else? Very considerate of others from my point of view. The scene with Chekov as Captain of the USS Enterprise trying to negotiate with Sybok was great!

Even though disappointing after the success of II-IV, not bad. Those were hard to top. Blame Paramount more than Shatner! He had the Trek idea in hand. VI was only made and successful because of the 25th Anniversary and the studio wanted the original to go out with a bang instead of a flop that THEY had made and knew it. Why Shatner was denied making a director's cut is beyond me! They'd rather put it all on him rather than themselves. Decent movie, just relax and enjoy.