Star Trek V: The Final Frontier - The Great Experiment Workprint

Updated
 
9.0
 
9.5 (14)
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Faneditor Name:
Original Movie/Show Title:
Franchise:
Fanedit Type:
Original Release Date:
1989
Original Running Time:
106 minutes
Fanedit Release Date:
Fanedit Running Time:
92 minutes
Time Cut:
16 minutes
Time Added:
1 minutes
Subtitles Available:
Available in HD:
Synopsis:
A renegade Vulcan steals the USS Enterprise to find God at the center of the galaxy.
Is he a Madman? What strange power does he hold over Spock and Kirk's crew?
Can Kirk stop him? Or is this the Final Adventure for Captain James T. Kirk?

The reality is, Final Frontier is essentially an unfinished film due to a last minute slashed budget and a writers strike. Thus, there are plot holes that can not be filled and narratives that can not expanded upon. But hopefully, with fan created CGI shots and some creative editing, I can create something closer to Shatner's original vision in a workprint style format.
Intention:
Despite all the criticisms and shortcomings of Shatner's THE FINAL FRONTIER, I genuinely adore this movie.
It is the only Classic Cast movie that feels like a TOS episode.
'Madman steals the Enterprise to find God.' That sounds like Star Trek to me. "The Apple" and "The Way to Eden" instantly jump to mind.

I have edited this movie quite a few times over the years, both publicly (THIS OTHER EDEN) and privately. And I never tire of it. It continues to call to me as I seek to create a definitive cut for myself.
Other Sources:
Axanar
Mother!
Contact
Noah
Beyond the Barrier
The Enhanced Edit
Star Trek 2 and 3
Star Trek TOS
The Expanded Soundtrack
Special Thanks:
A SPECIAL THANK YOU to all the Final Frontier Fan Editors that came before!
Hike Animation, Phineasbg (The Enhanced Edit), Delimited Productions (Beyond the Barrier), JTVFX, Nick Acosta, BL Creative and Dave Kerin.

Also a big thanks to MusicEd, Fran Garcia and Wraith.

This Fan Edit would not exist with out you.
Release Information:
Digital
Special Features:
Coming Attractions
Cuts and Additions:
--Replaced all original FX shots (except for one) with fan created CGI
--Replaced all original Location Title Cards and added additional ones
--Replaced 80s Paramount logo with modern one
--ADDED a Nimbus III Planet establishing shot
--ADDED "Nimbus III" music track
--ADDED "Mind Meld" music track
--ADDED Show J'onn's Pain
--Replaced original credits with all new Opening Titles, travel through the Galaxy to Earth
--ADDED footage of El Capitan at dawn
--Recreated Yosemite title cards
--CUT Kirk's fall
--ADDED "Paradise Saloon" music track
--CUT alien cat tail gag
--CUT/Edited fire side chat, removing references to mountain fall
--Rewrote all Klingon subtitle dialogue
--CUT Scotty & Uhura bridge scene
--CUT Chekov & Sulu lost
--CUT malfunctioning Enterprise subplot
--CUT Admiral Harve Bennet scene
--CUT Uhura's fan dance
--CUT Horse jokes
--CUT Kirk's cat fight
--ADDED Mind Meld music cue to Sulu, Uhura and Chekov scenes
--Trimmed Kirk's fight with Sybok
--CUT Turbo Lift Shaft scene
--ADDED Mind Meld music cue and Heart Beats to McCoy and Spock's Pain scenes
--ADDED Show Kirk's Pain
--ADDED Breaching the Barrier is longer, more difficult
--ADDED Show the God-Thing's Pain
--Cut God-Thing floating energy head incarnation
--ADDED God-Thing Rock Monster incarnation
--ADDED shots of Bird of Prey rescuing Kirk
--CUT Sulu & Chekov wonderful muscles
--CUT Klaa saluting Kirk
Trailer

Faneditor Name:
Original Movie/Show Title:
Franchise:
Fanedit Type:
Original Release Date:
1989
Original Running Time:
106 minutes
Fanedit Release Date:
Fanedit Running Time:
92 minutes
Time Cut:
16 minutes
Time Added:
1 minutes
Subtitles Available:
Available in HD:
Synopsis:
A renegade Vulcan steals the USS Enterprise to find God at the center of the galaxy.
Is he a Madman? What strange power does he hold over Spock and Kirk's crew?
Can Kirk stop him? Or is this the Final Adventure for Captain James T. Kirk?

The reality is, Final Frontier is essentially an unfinished film due to a last minute slashed budget and a writers strike. Thus, there are plot holes that can not be filled and narratives that can not expanded upon. But hopefully, with fan created CGI shots and some creative editing, I can create something closer to Shatner's original vision in a workprint style format.
Intention:
Despite all the criticisms and shortcomings of Shatner's THE FINAL FRONTIER, I genuinely adore this movie.
It is the only Classic Cast movie that feels like a TOS episode.
'Madman steals the Enterprise to find God.' That sounds like Star Trek to me. "The Apple" and "The Way to Eden" instantly jump to mind.

I have edited this movie quite a few times over the years, both publicly (THIS OTHER EDEN) and privately. And I never tire of it. It continues to call to me as I seek to create a definitive cut for myself.
Other Sources:
Axanar
Mother!
Contact
Noah
Beyond the Barrier
The Enhanced Edit
Star Trek 2 and 3
Star Trek TOS
The Expanded Soundtrack
Special Thanks:
A SPECIAL THANK YOU to all the Final Frontier Fan Editors that came before!
Hike Animation, Phineasbg (The Enhanced Edit), Delimited Productions (Beyond the Barrier), JTVFX, Nick Acosta, BL Creative and Dave Kerin.

Also a big thanks to MusicEd, Fran Garcia and Wraith.

This Fan Edit would not exist with out you.
Release Information:
Digital
Special Features:
Coming Attractions
Cuts and Additions:
--Replaced all original FX shots (except for one) with fan created CGI
--Replaced all original Location Title Cards and added additional ones
--Replaced 80s Paramount logo with modern one
--ADDED a Nimbus III Planet establishing shot
--ADDED "Nimbus III" music track
--ADDED "Mind Meld" music track
--ADDED Show J'onn's Pain
--Replaced original credits with all new Opening Titles, travel through the Galaxy to Earth
--ADDED footage of El Capitan at dawn
--Recreated Yosemite title cards
--CUT Kirk's fall
--ADDED "Paradise Saloon" music track
--CUT alien cat tail gag
--CUT/Edited fire side chat, removing references to mountain fall
--Rewrote all Klingon subtitle dialogue
--CUT Scotty & Uhura bridge scene
--CUT Chekov & Sulu lost
--CUT malfunctioning Enterprise subplot
--CUT Admiral Harve Bennet scene
--CUT Uhura's fan dance
--CUT Horse jokes
--CUT Kirk's cat fight
--ADDED Mind Meld music cue to Sulu, Uhura and Chekov scenes
--Trimmed Kirk's fight with Sybok
--CUT Turbo Lift Shaft scene
--ADDED Mind Meld music cue and Heart Beats to McCoy and Spock's Pain scenes
--ADDED Show Kirk's Pain
--ADDED Breaching the Barrier is longer, more difficult
--ADDED Show the God-Thing's Pain
--Cut God-Thing floating energy head incarnation
--ADDED God-Thing Rock Monster incarnation
--ADDED shots of Bird of Prey rescuing Kirk
--CUT Sulu & Chekov wonderful muscles
--CUT Klaa saluting Kirk
Trailer

Trusted Reviewer review

1 review
Overall rating
 
9.0
Audio/Video Quality
 
10.0
Audio Editing
 
9.0
Visual Editing
 
9.0
Narrative
 
8.0
Enjoyment
 
10.0
Have avoided the original for a long time, only really seen bits and pieces that highlighted it's reputation as one of the series' weakest entries, so it's wonderful to end up feeling quite emotional after watching the edit. Going from ST IV to ST VI always somewhat irked me, the crew getting a new ship for more adventures then suddenly being on the cusp of retirement, that's no longer an issue!

One can sense that there are bits missing, but maybe that is partly due to the disclaimer at the start drawing one's attention towards the fact since it's hard to put one's finger on anything concrete, nothing in the plot is nonsensical but maybe there could have been more backstory.

From what I do remember none of this is Bob's fault, and the additions made really made really help as well. The integration of the rock monsters (wonder if Galaxy Quest used the idea in reference to this production) as the beings behind the malevolent force worked really well, as does the extended journey through the Great Barrier which felt massively anti-climactic before.

There are only a few points that I think prefer done differently. As amazing as the new effects shots (testaments to the dedication of fan artists) are they do stand out a bit from an obviously much older production, so would echo earlier comments in wondering if they could be tweaked (adjusting grading, adding grain etc) to blend in better. I would also prefer having more "normally" style and size of Klingon subtitles (don't think there's a need to have them located near the speaker) and am not sure about having the large location cards in the centre of the screen.

Overall though this was a joy to watch, along with "In Search of Spock" I can finally enjoy sitting down with six good films with the original crew.

User Review

Do you recommend this edit?
Yes
Format Watched
Digital
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User reviews

14 reviews
 
93%
 
7%
5-7 stars
 
0%
3-5 stars
 
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1-3 stars
 
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Overall rating
 
9.5
Audio/Video Quality
 
9.7(14)
Audio Editing
 
9.6(14)
Visual Editing
 
9.6(14)
Narrative
 
9.4(14)
Enjoyment
 
9.7(14)
View all user reviews View most helpful
Overall rating
 
10.0
Audio/Video Quality
 
10.0
Audio Editing
 
10.0
Visual Editing
 
10.0
Narrative
 
10.0
Enjoyment
 
10.0
This was awesome! The Final Frontier always considered the worse Trek film is much improved with this edit. I wish I had seen this version instead of what we got when first released. Great edit hand down!!

User Review

Do you recommend this edit?
Yes
Format Watched
Digital
Report this review Comments (0) | Was this review helpful? 1 0
Overall rating
 
9.8
Audio/Video Quality
 
10.0
Audio Editing
 
10.0
Visual Editing
 
10.0
Narrative
 
9.0
Enjoyment
 
10.0
I've always wanted to love this movie but never really could... Until now !

Nothing that has been cut is missed.

Every new idea and the addition of the cgi special effects + some really beautiful Yosemite shots to start the movie + that incredible opening in space make for such a fresh experience, and finally a great one.

I hadn't seen the movie in quite a while and though I knew wich parts were missing, I didn't feel it at all. I didn't even think about it as the story is so much tighter and flows quite well. The only thing I felt outside of the enjoyment of the watch, was the love, passion & dedication from the editor.

This is absolutely gonna be my definitive rewatch version from now-on and I'm not even sure the original one exists anymore in my realm !

Thank you very much BionicBob, you delivered the goods and you make trekkies very happy !

User Review

Do you recommend this edit?
Yes
Format Watched
Digital
Report this review Comments (0) | Was this review helpful? 0 0
Overall rating
 
8.8
Audio/Video Quality
 
9.0
Audio Editing
 
9.0
Visual Editing
 
9.0
Narrative
 
8.0
Enjoyment
 
10.0
Excellent!!

Saw this theatrically and like most fans felt quite the let down. The over-indulgence in 'cast moments' (weird given Shatner's supposed reputation for not letting the supporting cast shine) and the shoddy sub-ILM effects were hard to see past. The heavy-handed attempt to build in more of the old series camaraderie mostly fell comically flat.

I've since read the book Shatner wrote in which he outlined some of the behind the scenes difficulties and can sympathise when issues beyond a director's control get in the way. But it was hard not to fault some of his own choices, too.

HOWEVER...all that is history now with this marvellous edit. I loved it and was finally able to get into and enjoy the story in which our fabled heroes voyage beyond the great barrier to meet GOD!

What's clear is that with a bit of polish and some judicious cuts Shatner's directorial chops were perfectly sound and there are many, many moments here that now work great because a lot of his excesses have been reined in. We all know Shatner is a good actor with a legendary weakness for over-acting and, directing himself, those over-telegraphed moments are way too many. That remains my chief, frustrating problem with the movie. Kelley, too, could have done with some notes from his director to tone things down just a tad here and there. That being said, the interplay between Trek's greatest triumvirate is now largely enjoyable and entertaining and the dramatic stuff much more effective.

The FX upgrades are a major enhancement to the overall production value and the whole effort now makes The Final Frontier into a worthy entry in the original movie franchise. With Bionic Bob's edit, Star Trek V now becomes IMO THE film that most closely reflects the tone and fun of an original series episode. Great stuff.

User Review

Format Watched
DVD
Report this review Comments (0) | Was this review helpful? 0 0
(Updated: May 19, 2024)
Overall rating
 
9.0
Audio/Video Quality
 
10.0
Audio Editing
 
9.0
Visual Editing
 
9.0
Narrative
 
8.0
Enjoyment
 
9.0
The restoration of the original rock monsters concept was genius. However, while the new effects are impressive, they stand out against the older footage and could benefit from tweaks for better integration. Adjustments like color correction, grain, and added fuzziness could go a long way in achieving a seamless blend.

The title design doesn't quite match the film's aesthetic. The typeface Horizon isn't used in the original series films, the Next Generation series, or the Next Generation films - we don't see it again till the 2009 reboot. Using Galaxy with Microgramma Pro Bold Extended would fit much better, along with a more minimalistic approach to the main title. But I digress; my designer snobbiness is showing.

Overall, this is a FANTASTIC edit that will become my go-to for Final Frontier rewatches.

User Review

Format Watched
Digital
Report this review Comments (0) | Was this review helpful? 1 0
Overall rating
 
9.5
Audio/Video Quality
 
9.0
Audio Editing
 
9.0
Visual Editing
 
10.0
Narrative
 
10.0
Enjoyment
 
10.0
Bionic Bob deserves the reverence from every Star Trek TOS fan for the accomplishment of making Star Trek V enjoyable and satisfying!

As a Star Trek fan you may make this version the one you keep on you shelf between IV and VI.

The only complaint you can have about this version has to do with the CGI from the shuttle scenes.

The self serving tone of the original is masterfully removed and we are left with a fun TOS movie that discovers God does not live on another planet. Without giving anything away I would love to see a tie in with the rock creature from the TOS episode!

User Review

Do you recommend this edit?
Yes
Format Watched
Digital
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View all user reviews