STAR TREK V

US, 1989, 107 minutes, Colour.
William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForrest? Kelley, James Doohan, George Takei, Nichelle Nichols, Laurence Luckinbill, David Warner.
Directed by William Shatner.

Star Trek V comes over 20 years from the inception of the popular and famous series. The films began in 1979 and the five films show audience interest in the decade of the '80s.

The familiar characters (older and larger) are here. The ingredients are much the same. However, there is a tongue-in-cheek approach especially at the beginning and end on Earth - as well as a mildness and atmosphere of peace throughout the galaxies during the main action. There are various battles with Klingons - but rather slight in comparison with other films. There are echoes of the hotel in Star Wars, quests like those of Indiana Jones, a touch of mysticism and seeking God like Dune and 2001 (with a touch of the Wizard of Oz).

Fans will probably enjoy this episode. Devotees of the series may find it entertaining, but not according to the standard of so many other of the Star Trek films or of space adventures.

1. The impact of the film in itself? As part of the series? Exploration of space, adventures in the galaxies, atmosphere of mystery?

2. The old faces, their familiarity, audiences enjoying seeing them? The variation on their past experiences? Presuppositions for the film on the part of the audience, familiarity?

3. The opening on Earth, Yosemite and its beauty? Contrast with space? The dry planet Nimbus 3? The planets, the spaceship? Musical score?

4. The introduction of characters, Yosemite, Kirk scaling the mountain, McCoy? watching with anguish, Spock and the interview and rescuing him? The others lost in the forest? The emergency, the ship not functioning well, going on a mission understaffed?

5. The dry planet Nimbus, the digger, the encounter with Sybok? Getting followers, the taking of the cafe - and the picture of the Star Wars-like cafe with the mutant creatures? The representatives of the other galaxies? The siege, the strategy? The Enterprise going to the rescue? The Klingons pursuing?

6. The siege, the tactics for capture, Sybock capturing Kirk and the crew? The dangers with the shuttle, the Klingon pursuit, the danger of getting back onto the Enterprise, warp speed and the Klingons' pursuit?

7. Sybok as a Vulcan, his power to take people's pain, getting his followers, his quest, taking the hostages, Spock's story about his background, his half-brother? His being a revolutionary? Sybok and his prisoners, the plan to go through the barrier? His power over the crew and taking their pain? The story of McCoy's father, Spock's birth? Kirk's refusal to lose his pain? Going through the barrier, landing on the planet? The puzzle about its dryness, the arches, the voice, thinking it was God, the face of the god being Sybok's own? It having to destroy itself? Themes of the Vulcans and emotion and reason? His being a victim of his own arrogance?

8. Kirk and his rationality, the leader, the siege, imprisoned, the mission, the confrontation with God, asking questions, wanting his pain?

9. Spock as usual, the rescue on the mountain, the explanations, his understanding of Sybok, his loyalties, the images of his birth? The humour of his finally singing, `Row, Row, Row Your Boat'?

10. McCoy?, his friendship, anxiety at the mountain, the story of his father's death, his blaming himself, mercy killing, the cure found later? His loyalties?

11. Scotty and the rest of the crew, familiar figures, their functions on the starship? In the adventure?

12. The sketch of the representatives of the other planets, their presence on Nimbus 3, taken by Sybok, part of his plan, the happy ending?

13. The Klingon ex-chief, his being a representative, on the mission, the Klingon attack, the young Klingon wanting reputation by defeating Kirk? The older Klingon demanding an apology? The final cocktail party?

14. The theme of peace in the galaxies?

15. Down to earth - camping, relaxing, `Row, Row, Row Your Boat'?