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

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Faneditor Name:
Original Movie Title:
Franchise:
Fanedit Type:
Original Release Date:
1989
Original Running Time:
106
Fanedit Release Date:
Fanedit Running Time:
92
Time Cut:
16
Time Added:
1
Subtitles Available?
Available in HD?
Brief 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

User reviews

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Overall rating
 
9.6
Audio/Video Quality
 
9.6(11)
Audio Editing
 
9.6(11)
Visual Editing
 
9.6(11)
Narrative
 
9.5(11)
Enjoyment
 
9.6(11)
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Overall rating
 
9.6
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

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Yes
Format Watched?
Digital
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Overall rating
 
9.4
Audio/Video Quality
 
10.0
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10.0
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10.0
Narrative
 
9.0
Enjoyment
 
8.0
As always, BionicBob delivers. Unfortunately, I think that this time, he cut too much. Maybe there was no way to salvage some scenes, but I'd like to see if there was some way to salvage some of the ones he cut. Otherwise, an excellent edit of one of the more underrated Star Trek movies.

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Yes
Format Watched?
Digital
A
1 reviews
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Overall rating
 
9.2
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

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Yes
Format Watched?
Digital
P
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Overall rating
 
9.0
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9.0
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9.0
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9.0
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9.0
Enjoyment
 
9.0
First i've seen of a star trek edit, was not even aware of this movies production issues till looking into this edit. I enjoyed watching your version. Some of the cgi scenes are good and some are a bit jarring. That rock monster at the end had me cracking up, i guess that was the original intention, but i never knew about that till now. Grew up on the original and will probably keep watching the original, i like the character budling scenes that were cut, they never did bother me. But over all a cool experience.

User Review

Do you recommend this edit?
Yes
Format Watched?
Digital
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Overall rating
 
9.8
Audio/Video Quality
 
10.0
Audio Editing
 
9.0
Visual Editing
 
10.0
Narrative
 
10.0
Enjoyment
 
10.0
I've thought for years that The Final Frontier was ripe for reappraisal. Dodgy FX and goofy moments aside, there is a lot to love about the movie. Not least that it feels the closest to a real TOS episode out of all six movies.

This edit basically confirms that Shatner was onto something all along. With the improved FX and those infamous moments removed you're left with a genuinely heart-warming and fun movie. Highly recommended for all Trek fans.
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