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Star Trek - Nemesis (Widescreen Edition)

Star Trek - Nemesis (Widescreen Edition)

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Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Ugh. Even-odd rule is now broken.
Review: The ST "even-odd" rule, if you haven't heard of it, says the odd movies really stink and the even ones are good (and sometime have been really good--remember Wrath of Kahn, IV, and First Contact?). Anyway, as an even one, I had high hopes for Nemesis, but (sigh)....

I'm a big STNG fan, but I had issues w/ this film... Roger Ebert expresses it really really well, so I won't do you the disservice by fumbling with something already well put.

--- snip ---

There might have been a time when the command deck of Starship Enterprise looked exciting and futuristic, but these days it looks like a communications center for security guards. Starships rocket at light speeds halfway across the universe, but when they get into battles the effect is roughly the same as on board a World War II bomber. Fearsome death rays strike the Enterprise, and what happens? Sparks fly out from the ceiling and the crew gets bounced around in their seats like passengers on the No. 36 bus. This far in the future they wouldn't have sparks because they wouldn't have electricity, because in a world where you can beam matter--beam it, mind you--from here to there, power obviously no longer lives in the wall and travels through wires.

...

I tried to focus on the actors. Patrick Stewart, as Capt. Picard, is a wonderful actor. I know because I have seen him elsewhere. It is always said of Stewart that his strength as an actor is his ability to deliver bad dialogue with utter conviction. I say it is time to stop encouraging him. Here's an idea: Instead of giving him bad dialogue, why not give him good dialogue, and see what he can do with that? Here is a man who has played Shakespeare.
...

There is a scene in the movie in which one starship rams another one. You would think this would destroy them both, and there are a lot of sparks and everybody has to hold onto their seats, but the "Star Trek" world involves physical laws which reflect only the needs of the plot. If one ship rammed another and they were both destroyed and everyone died, and the movie ended with a lot of junk floating around in space, imagine the faces of the people in the audience.

I think it is time for "Star Trek" to make a mighty leap forward another 1,000 years into the future, to a time when starships do not look like rides in a 1970s amusement arcade, when aliens do not look like humans with funny foreheads, and when wonder, astonishment and literacy are permitted back into the series. Star Trek was kind of terrific once, but now it is a copy of a copy of a copy.

--- snip ---

I encourage you to check out other reviews Ebert's authored... They're typically really brilliant and add to the entire film experience.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A Worthy Star Trek Mission With A Cast Of Old Friends
Review: First, I have actually seen this movie in theatrical release. This review is not based on film clips from trailers or on speculation or fantasy. Second, I am a huge Star Trek: The Next Generation fan, both the TV series and the movies. Third, I am a great fan of Patrick Stewart. As my rating indicates, this is a very good movie (although I don't think that it is the equal of some of the best episodes in the TV series). And just as importantly, it encompasses the sense of adventure concerning the unknown, the unconquerable optimism of humanity, and the examination of human nature itself that has made the Star Trek franchise so durable.

The cast includes all the major characters from the long running series: Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart), William Riker (Jonathan Frakes), Data (Brent Spiner, who also plays Data's "brother"), Geordi La Forge (LeVar Burton), Worf (Michael Dorn), Deanna Troi ( Marina Sirtis), Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden), and introduces Shinzon (Tom Hardy) and his Reman Viceroy (Ron Perlman).

During preparation for the wedding of Riker and Counselor Troi (yes, at long last), the Enterprise is diverted from its journey to Betazed by unidentified signals from the planet Kolarus III. They discover that these are emanating from parts of an android including a severed head which is identical in appearance to Data. After a wonderful chase and escape scene they are requested by now Admiral Janeway (Kate Mulgrew in a cameo appearance) to divert their course to Romulus and act as federation ambassadors to the new government. The head of the government is Shinzon, who is a younger clone of Picard. The Romulans had initially planned to secretly attempt to replace Picard with Shinzon in order to subvert the Federation from within; when the plan was abandoned he was exiled to Remus and saved from death by his Viceroy.

Shinzon claims that due to his human heritage but Reman upbringing, as the leader of Romulus he can be the link to broker a peace between the Federation and its enemies. Soon, however an intricate plot is discovered involving Shinzon's attempt to renew his failing health while planning the complete annihilation of earth. While the details are very elaborate, the basic story line becomes the continual struggle of good versus evil. And, of course, the interest is heightened because both Picard and Data engage in detailed introspection and self analysis in order to decide what makes them uniquely who they are and how they should deal with "their other selves". As you may guess, while the conclusion is ultimately uplifting as the human spirit and the ingenuity of Picard triumph and the earth and humankind are saved, it is not without considerable cost, including the willing sacrifice and complete annihilation of one of our old friends .

The final battle scene is very long and more in keeping with the action adventure nature and special effects of the movies than of the TV series, but does have some spectacular sequences during the final moments. I enjoyed the movie a great deal, and believe that it compares favorably with most of the other movies in the series. If the current intentions of Paramount to make this the final episode in The Next Generation serires are not altered, this is certainly a fitting way to remember these old friends, but they will be missed.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: boring formulatic
Review: I was disappointed in the predictable plot - twists and turns were a yawn. Special effects were routine. Characters boring.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: "Even Numbered" Nemesis does not Disappoint
Review: It has been four years since the last Star Trek movie so fans (myself included) have been eagerly awaiting the release of Nemesis. I'm happy to say the film does not disappoint. As most fans know, the basic plot involves the Romulan's overture of peace to the Federation. The Enterprise is dispatched to Romulus at the request of the requisite bad guy Shinzon, played nicely by Tom Hardy. Suffice it to say Shinzon is not actually Romulan, but has engineered an usurping of the Romulan government as a means to an end for his grand plans. The premise for his actions is sometimes hard to believe, but Hardy is convincing in the role. My only complaint about the film is that sometimes the story felt a bit hurried. At a running time just north of two hours, I guess there was no choice. The action level of the film has been kicked up a couple of notches. At times it plays like a Star Wars movie. While it works for this movie, I would hate to see the future films go down the action road at the expense of plot development. The epic space battles are nothing short of excellent. Some fans have criticized the film as being too much like Wrath of Kahn. Indeed the similarities are there, but is that such a bad thing? I submit that in this case it is not. The entire TNG cast is present along with a few cameo appearances, but the spotlight falls on Patrick Stuart and Brent Spiner. You don't have to be a "trekkie" to like Nemesis, but it helps with the nuances of the film. Still, there is enough action and story development to please even casual Trek fans. Highly recommended for Star Trek and science fiction fans alike. Worth the full price of admission.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Nemesis Delivers but Not Flawless
Review: As an avid Trek fan, of course I had to make the movie! Nemesis is probably the darkest Trek of them all but it could have been better. There were too many holes to allow me to give a full five stars such as: why put Wesley Crusher and Guinan in the wedding scene to never show them again (very brief cameo)? The story lines didn't always transition smoothly; the development of Picard's clone could have been done more effectively; etc.

However, the movie was entertaining, particularly for Trekkies. A few friends went with me that are not Trekkies and they thought it was "okay" but nothing earth-shattering.

Go see the movie or get it when it comes out on DVD - I'll certainly add it to my collection.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: A trend that's ending?
Review: STAR TREK NEMESIS is the big 1-0 for the Trek movie francise. Past history would show that the even numbered films are the better of the bunch. This one is better then the other odd number films of the bunch, but not by much (Hence the title of this review). The cast wanted some time off so that they could pursue other interests. Time away hasn't diminshed the casts appeal but something in the movies was lost in the absence as this movie doesn't feel so much of a Star Trek movie but more of some snazzed up sci fi action blast.

The story does focus on the Romulans, who short of a few appearances in the movies, never got their just due as the villians in a film. Thats different here. The Romulans are itching for a conquest of Federation space and a mysterious new Leader has made the promise of an assault under a guise of peace talks with the Federation. Picard and the Enterprise are sent to Romulus to talk, but it's all a trap. The crew learns that the leader, Shinzon has constructed a radiaiton weapon which is capable of encompasing any area he wishes, even a planet. While Picard races home to join the fleet, Shinzon follows to stop him. What follows is a space battle to beat just about any seen in a Trek show or Feature (Yes it even beats the one seen in movie VI). Sacrifices are made, The Enterprise takes a tremendous beating, new friends will arive, and some move on. This will definitly have a change on the course of the Next Generation crew in the future.

Hey, I made it sound good didn't I? So why not a better rating then the three stars? Well it's all about style. Take for instance when Picard lands on a planet in the ARGO, a nifty Starfleet jeep (First time anything with wheels ever shown in Trek), after finding the pieces of a puzzle, the crew is attacked and chased by other jeeps in what is something that could be seen in almost any other action film. Also, if you saw FIRST CONTACT, you saw that the ship has an armory for the weapons, here the phasers are revealed from rotating panals in a wall, it reminded me of Batman. Another minor nuonce is the naming schemes of the enemy vehicles. A Scorpion Fighter and the Scimatar cruiser aren't very Romulan sounding are they? Maybe for the Federation they would be. Finally, the psychic attack that Troi recieves, is more silly then scary, sorry but it was.

This movie didn't make me challenge my taste for my favorite trek movie like others have. Maybe if Frakes were put back in charge of directing things will be better in the future (if theres another film, Patrick Stewart has allueded in many interviews that it might not be the last one). The director here wasn't bad, but Frakes having been a member of the whole francize has a better grasp on the material. Like I said before, it's not bad, but it certainly didn't measure up to previous Trek movies. If your a big fan, of course go and see it, a more casual fan should consider waiting for a second run theater or the rental market.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: One of the best
Review: The long-awaited tenth film in the Star Trek movie series combines some of the best elements of the previous movies, along with elements of the Star Trek: The Next Generation TV series. If it seems a little too familiar at times, that's really okay with me, because director Stuart Baird offers such a complete vision of everything great Star Trek can provide its viewers.

Reportedly, the studio asked Baird to trim the movie to keep it short enough for multiple showings on each screen. That would explain the extremely brief appearances by some supporting characters. Their roles still work fine, but I hope the DVD will include a restored director's cut. Further, I hope Paramount won't repeat the past gimmick of releasing this Star Trek movie on DVD, then releasing a "special edition" or whatever edition after Trek fans already bought or rented the first one. I absolutely hate that, but the other studios practice the same marketing technique.

Back to the movie itself. The actors all give perfect performances, with some of the regular characters showing new sides, or sides they rarely revealed before. The special effects, though frequent, never look like special effects. Everything looks completely real. The action scenes alternate nicely with the emotional ones, keeping the movie from becoming either boring or mindless. In fact, I would call this one of the most emotional and exciting films in the series. I would also call it one of the best.

Now, can Paramount please make a movie or mini-series of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine?

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Wow!... the BEST ever!
Review: I thought that "Nemesis" was perhaps the best Star Trek ever made; the story line was well done, the acting was strong, and the graphics were very good. I walked away very pleased with having seen this newest episode, and expect at least one more with all/most of the same members of the cast. I did see some ideas in this story that originated in other SciFi films, so I was a bit disappointed that it wasn't completely new and original, but I was entertained beyond my expectation. This is a must-see... and one that I think will be viewed many times by me, as Star Trek endures in the hearts of SciFi fans everywhere.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Not bad.. not bad at all
Review: Nemesis has been getting mixed reviews by critics. I read some reviews just before going to see the film with two friends. All three of us are avid TNG fans. Let me first get the one or two downsides to the film out of the way so I can get to the good stuff; all that's right about it.

People who are simply movie-goers and not fans of the TV show will not enjoy this movie quite like fans will. The emotional elements and inside jokes of the Star Trek films have always been a treat for fans.

There is a beloved character death in the film, and certain members of the crew say goodbye. Many of us are so attached to the characters that we will detest the idea of change. And it is possible that Nemesis will be the last film of the series, thought not definite. So please be warned; if you are a die-hard fan of the show who hates to see things changed forever in the lives of the characters, Nemesis asks you to swallow a lot.

Now on to the good stuff! Nemesis is in many ways the best Trek film since Wrath of Khan. The storytelling is fresher than even First Contact. Each character is given their moment to shine in the film (Troi has an especially pivotal scene in locating an enemy ship). And as always, Picard and Data are the primary focus of the film.Tom Hardy delivers a very impressive villian in his first acting venture. Shinzon is just as ruthless and totally evil as Khan, and just as much an idealist, but also just as twisted as Khan, though in a way unique to Shinzon.

When you go see the film, try to review ST II first and watch for similarities between that film and Nemesis. One immediate similarity is the battle of wits between two formidable rivals, but watch for others. I won't describe them here because it would give away too much of the plot.

Finally, the character that dies in this film goes out in a heroic fasion equal to that of Spock. The death occurs near the end of the film after immediate danger is done away with, leaving the characters with time to reflect on the memory of their lost friend.

If you are not a Star Trek fan, maybe try to get to know the characters by renting First Contact and/or a couple episodes of the TV series. If you are a Star Trek fan, chances are I don't have to tell you that you should not miss this one. :-)

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Undeniably the BEST Trek since Wrath of Khan!!!
Review: It's about friggin' time! After 20 years and 7 mediocre films in the series, Trek FINALLY delivers the goods! Undeniably the best of the Next Generation era films and arguable the best one since Khan, Screenwriter John Logan and Director Stuart Baird are unequivocally the best thing to happen to Trek since Nicholas Meyer was brought into the fold. The result is an entertaining installment that finally elevates the cast of TNG from the television series and solidifies their position to feature film status. My biggest complaint of the post-classic Trek films is that they have always come off as 2 hour long episodes of the television series, and not even the best episodes of the show at that. There have been much better episodes of the series that should have been made into theatrical films like "All Good Things" or "The Best of Both Worlds". Until "Nemesis" came along, the Berman-era films have failed to distinguish themselves as theatrical contenders.

Although the plot of Nemesis may seem a bit like a "clone" of Wrath of Khan, it definitely has the chemistry to make it an enjoyable and entertaining [copy]. For instance, the scene where a crippled Enterprise backs away from the Scimitar to escape the "Doomsday" weapon (see Genesis Device), you can practically hear the sinister Shinzon uttering "No Picard, you can't get away!" The references to Khan are unmistakable, but scribe John Logan knows his audience and he knows exactly what they want to see and he knows these characters and injects the franchise with the right dosage of action and humor to resuscitate life into the dying franchise and keep the crew of the good ship Enterprise trekkin' a bit longer.

As always, Patrick Stewart delivers a first class performance with Shakespearean benediction no matter how bland the script or dialogue may be. Here, Picard has truly met his match in the form of a clone of himself. This clone is younger and more agressive and mirrors his younger self in every flawed detail. The whole time I kept thinking of the brilliant episode "Tapestry" where Q sends Jean-Luc back to change the mistakes of his past and we meet that arrogant and brash younger version. Here, Shinzon is literally an example of Youth versus Wisdom and the themes are remakably explored between these two diametrical characters. Khan he is not, but Tom Hardy delivers a diabolical performance as the calculating villain. I still would like to have seen Shinzon complete the blood transfusion and jump 30 years in age in which we would have seen Patrick Stewart playing opposing roles against himself but perhaps that would have been too much like the classic Trek episode "The Enemy Within."

The supporting cast are all present and (somewhat) accounted for. Gates McFadden is basically "On Call" as Dr. Beverly Crusher making the house calls as needed. As usual, Marina Sirtis as Deanna Troi serves basically one function, that of a psychic Ouija Board, but her engagement scene to William Riker was befitting. Levar Burton once again holds the ship together as Chief Engineer Geordi LaForge delivering all of the technobabble and suffering from Scotty Syndrome. As for the loveable Klingon warrior, Mr. Worf, it seems Michael Dorn is unfairly given the smallest part to play in this film. During the film's climax, he seems to disappear from sight while Jonathan Frakes' Potsy-looking (see Anson Williams from Happy Days) Riker is manhandling the Reman Viceroy (Ron Pearlman) down a laundry chute while Jean-Luc Picard is fighting with (himself) and the Enterprise is taking a pummeling. One must assume that either Worf is still too hung over from the Romulan Ale served at Riker and Troi's reception, or that he must be curled up in Ten Forward lounge with a bottle of Saurian Brandy getting drunk with Guinan. I find it amusing that he only shows up again at the end for the free booze in the Captain's Ready Room during the toast to "absent friends." I'm surprised that they didn't cut back to Worf during the corridor firefight with the Reman thugs. I would love to have seen him break out the Bat'Leh and take them out in honorable Klingon fashion as it would have provided another element of suspense.

Brent Spiner reprises his role as the charming android Data and once again explores his humanity through the presence of a doppleganger brother in the form of the childlike B4. This could have been the perfect opportunity to bring back his evil brother Lore had they not written him out on the show. Perhaps B4 was designed with the intention of giving Spiner an oportunity to explore new facets of his character having reached a redundant impasse with the development of his role Data.

It is a shame that it took them 4 films with this exceptional cast before everything finally clicked on what may be the last film to feature the TNG crew although the door has been left open for possibly another voyage. If they can continue with this level of dramatic intensity then by all means "Make It So." And if they do decide to make another, I would love to see them bring back John DeLancie as Q.


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