I'll be frank: "Star Trek V: The Final Frontier" is not my favorite Star Trek movie; it's actually sandwiched between two favorites. The fifth film is a classic example of, for whatever reason, the execution not quite elevating itself to the original artistic vision. A noble failure, as it were.

That isn't to say that "Star Trek V" is without merit. It certainly is in its scope, its humor, the key character relationships and some real emotional honesty some of the other Star Trek films may lack. Which brings us to this particular DVD and the reasons you might want to own it for yourself. For starters, you could be curious to find out how the movie was made, who made it and perhaps gain some insight into why this one didn't measure up to previous efforts. The good news is that all your needs are well served, especially on disc two, where director William Shatner shines throughout in his enthusiasm for the film and his ultimate acceptance of the film's fate. It is interesting to note that, originally, the studio and the makers were very excited about the finished film and its place in the franchise. Reflecting on this initial buzz surrounding the film, a now resigned Shatner says, "and then it opened ..."

A plethora of features makes this two-disc set one of the best in the series of Paramount "Special Editions." As "Star Trek V" has some rather lofty concepts, namely the search for the ultimate answer in life (i.e., Is there a God?), the producers of this DVD have wisely included a documentary featuring several noted scientists and astronomers who offer their take on the history of god-like beings in Star Trek — like how they always seem to have a superior attitude and almost always get their comeuppance by way of human intervention — not to mention the endless search for the always unknowable.

The production end of the movie is also fascinating and the "making of" documentary is one of the best yet, touching on just about every aspect of the shoot. No stone remains unturned, including the infamous "Rockman" fiasco. To find out more, check out this DVD. An entertaining way to spend a few hours and a vital stitch in the fabric of the Star Trek tapestry.

 [Tim]