Star Trek Generations

Rating:
Summary: The 2nd best Next Generation film to date.
Review: Star Trek: Generations is a fairly solid entry in this long-running; it works both as an intriguing sci-fi/drama with original ideas and as an exciting adventure packed with energetic action sequences. Given that the previous movie, The Undiscovered Country, was the final outing for the original crew one of this film's primary purposes is to "pass the torch" to the crew of The Next Generation (which I very slightly prefer over the original crew, though no one can match the trio of Kirk, Spock, and McCoy) and for their first adventure, it's mostly a success.

Generations begins with the maiden voyage of the Enterprise-B, with a retired Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) set to look over the proceedings. But the simple run turns into a rescue mission when two ships are caught in an energy ribbon. Kirk saves the day, but presumably at the cost of his life, as the deck he was on is left in utter ruins by the ribbon.

Skip 78 years later, where the crew of the Enterprise-D, led by Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart), rescues a scientist from a destroyed space station. The scientist, named Soran (Malcolm Mcdowell), was in the middle of an experiment, and seems determined to complete it. Going renegade, he kidnaps Geordi and boards a Klingon vessel. Slowly, his plans are uncovered and it's discovered what he has in mind will lead to the deaths of hundreds of millions.

Trek fans are obviously familiar with the "odd number curse", the belief that the odd-numbered entries are weaker compared to the even-numbered installments. There's some truth to that, but Generations is still a pretty good movie, and as far as I'm concerned, superior to the Next Generation's most recent film, Nemesis, and it's sure as hell far better than the gag-inducing Insurrection. It doesn't rank with First Contact in terms of either plot ingenuity or sheer visceral excitement, but it sometimes comes very close.

As far as flaws go, Generations most apparent problem is that, if you've never seen an episode of the TV series, it's hard to familiarize yourself with this new crew. Thus, a lot of the in-jokes and jargon will be completely incomprehensible, and Data's bizarre behavior thanks to his Data chip will probably baffle most viewers. Even I, as a Trek fan, didn't find his newfound emotions all that compelling, in spite of Brent Spiner's best efforts, who delivers an always excellent performance as the likeable android.

The movie does take a while to get going (about a good half-hour), but once it does, it's a mostly gripping adventure, and there's quite a bit of genuinely thrilling action midway, featuring a space battle between the Enterprise and the Klingon bird-of-prey, finally culminating to an absolutely spectacular crash sequence that's easily one of the most exciting scenes of any of the Star Trek films, period.

It's the scenes directly after that, when Picard first enters the Nexus, that tend to drag a bit. Thankfully, it picks up once Picard meets Kirk. How they meet I won't give away, though it'll be fairly obvious as the film moves along. What they have to say to one another is wryly amusing, especially when Kirk states he feels "the galaxy owes him one" for all the heroic deeds he's accomplished, and even rather touching when we see Kirk discuss his past regrets. For some reason, I used to think this segment was boring, but seeing it again, I've come to the conclusion it's the movie's highlight.

The last ten or so minutes are rather hectic, climaxing with a highly energetic action scene, and finally finishing things with a poignant end for a beloved character. This death scene probably isn't quite as touching as it could have been, but it's effective and emotional enough, given how connected we've been to this guy over the many, many years.

Effects-wise, Generations is first-rate. Sure, the sets aren't really much different than what we saw on the TV series but the space battles are visually captivating and the energy ribbon, entitled the Nexus, is a beautiful sight worth beholding. Dennis McCarthy's score probably goes a little overkill near the end, but it nicely backs up each scene appropriately. Generations is, in the end, an adventure worth watching on its own, but the fact it represents the end of one generation's journey and the beginning of another makes it a must see of sorts.
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Rating:
Summary: My "Generations" Review
Review: The film could have (and should have) been better. Especially since it was written by Ron Moore and Brannon Bragga who wrote the far-superior follow-up "First Contact" 2 years later.

The films good points: excellent special effects, fine acting, and an engaging musical score (especially for Dennis McCarthy, a television composer). I especially enjoyed seeing the Enterprise crashing into the planet's surface-something I have always wanted to see in a "Star Trek" film (I was also pleased to see that cruise ship trashed). I also enjoyed Picard's speech at the end concering our own mortality.

The negative points: as was the case with "The Next Generation" TV show (and now with "Voyager" and "Insurrection") this film utilized a great deal of techno-babble. The subplot involving Data's emotion chip was pointless but I was strongly amused with his profane reaction to the Enterprise being in danger.

Regarding Kirk, I can't help but feel as if the film would have been more dramatic if Kirk's idealized life in the Nexus had involved a life with his son David whom he never really knew until shortly before his untimely death in "ST3". Imagine Picard trying to pull Kirk away from that.

I was also disappointed with the fact that Kirk didn't interact with other "Next Generation" members other than Picard. Finally Kirk's death (no surprise-everyone knew about it long before the scene was even filmed) just wasn't dramatic enough. Despite all of the films flaws, the film was enjoyable-heck, it was still better than "Final Frontier" and "Motion Picture".

Rating:
Summary: to badly go where one man has gone before
Review: the original series, despite the low budget fx, had moments of naive brilliance. the fact that top writers like harlan ellison contributed no doubt added to the originality of the series. but, by mid second season the series had already lost it's steam. there were a few notable exceptions, like a surreal take off on the gunfight at the ok corale, but otherwise it quickly became monotonous.
the first six movies further proved this point as the movie series really didn't have a single good entry.
oh, it came close in moments of the second, fourth, and to a lesser degree, the sixth, but the bad outweighed the good.
the next generation television series had a few decent entries, but it too proved just how tiresome the whole idea had become.
this movie amazingly combines the worst of both series.
the TNG movies spawned a total of three progressively worse tv series and (to date) three cinematic sequals which give excerable a new meaning.
let's face it, shatner is an absolutely terrible actor, stewart is at times a decent actor, but he will do do just about anything, and rodenberry was a one idea producer and that idea was stretched very very thin indeed.

Rating:
Summary: Kirk & Picard join forces? Excellent!!!
Review: And that was the feeling I had when I went to go see the movie in late 1994. It was indeed a historic moment to have gung-ho Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner the man) teamed with the very strict and strong Captain Jean-Luc Picard(Patrick Stewart, a marvelous Shakespearian actor). When the diabolical Dr. Soran (Malcom McDowell from "The Clockwork Orange") plans a scheme that will bring closer to an energy ribbon known as the Nexus that will include the destruction of the Enterprise, and millions of lives, Picard's only hope is to join forces with Kirk to save the day. A very appealing movie that was a huge milestone for "The Next Generation" cast, and Brent Spiner (the android Data) who steals the movie as his character is given an emotion chip to allow him to be more human! I'm very sure Gene Roddenberry(the creator of Star Trek) would have been very emotional to see both his greatest creations grace the screen so well. I know I was.

Rating:
Summary: Appealing for Star Trek Fans, Probably Boring for Others
Review: This is the seventh entry in the "Star Trek" series and probably the last featuring members of the original cast. It draws on what has gone before, and also heads off into the future, as the torch is passed from captain to captain, from one generation to another.

The story begins with the maiden voyage of the Starship Enterprise B. Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) is aboard as a visiting dignitary, while an inexperienced Captain takes command. Their brief media tour is interrupted, though, when the ship receives an emergency distress call. They respond to the location of a huge ribbon of electromagnetic energy-a rift in the space-time continuum-and rescue the survivors from their doomed ship. Among them are the crazed Dr. Soran (Malcolm McDowell) and the mysterious Guinan (Whoopi Goldberg).

The action resumes seventy-five years later where the Enterprise D, under the command of Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart), is also responding to a distress call, this time on a research station. The Enterprise's crew rescues the few aboard who are left alive. Not coincidentally, one of the survivors is again Dr. Soran.

As Guinan explains to Capt. Picard, Soran is a resident of the Nexus-that mysterious floating ribbon of energy. Within the Nexus is contained the essence of pure joy and contentment, a veritable nirvana where space and time are one. Soran will do anything to get back there, even if it means killing millions of innocent people.

The bulk of the plot deals with the crew's attempts to stop Dr. Soran. Contained within that framework, though, are a few quieter, more personal stories that really make this film worth watching. One involves Picard and a crisis in his family. Another concerns Data (Brent Spiner) and his attempt to become more human. Best of all, though, is the segment featuring Kirk, his feelings about his life, and his desire to pass on the mantle of Captain to Picard.

Although the acting and technical aspects in "Generations" are both top notch, the writing and directing both leave something to be desired. The filmmakers responsible for the movie are veterans of the television show and it shows, sometimes painfully.

This is a movie that will appeal most to "Star Trek" fans. Those unfamiliar with the series may still enjoy it, but they might have a little trouble at times understanding some of what is going on. Still, "Star Trek Generations" is fun to watch and an excellent continuation of the series.

Rating:
Summary: He didn't HAVE to die!
Review: "Star Trek Generations" is the passing of the torch film that Trek fans had been salivating for since The Next Generation series began. It is a well produced and entertaining film but it is not a great "Star Trek" film. It begins in the 23rd century as Kirk, Scotty and Chekov are giving an inspection of a new Enterprise vessel with a young and inexperienced crew. An emergency arises as the ship is caught in an energy ribbon and the old crew jump to action.

After rescuing several refugees from a Borg attack, the crew of the Enterprise discovers that Kirk has been caught in a temporal anomaly and is presumed dead. Still there? Good. The story then jumps 70 years to the "Next Generation" era of the 24th century where Picard, Data, and the Enterprise crew are giving the Klingon Worf a bizarre promotion.

The rest of the story involves an obsessed scientist who was one of the alien refugees rescued by the Enterprise B in the 23rd century. He is bent on "steering" the energy ribbon toward a desolate planet in the far reaches of space by imploding several stars and changing the gravitational flow of space. This results in the destruction of planets and anyone who may live on them. Picard discovers that the scientist is trying to reach a temporal "Nexus" which resides in the energy ribbon. The Nexus is blissful place where your most wonderful dreams come true.

While the Enterprise trys to stop the scientist, Picard himself is thrown into the Nexus and finds James T. Kirk alive and well and chopping wood. What results is an interesting display of character between Picard and Kirk as Picard trys to convice Kirk to leave this temporal Nexus and join him in stopping an evil scientist and saving millions of lives.

Kirk and Picard have suprising chemistry and it would have been a better film if Kirk had been present more than just the book-ends of the film. But what is unforgivable is what happens to Kirk in his adventure with Picard. Everyone knows by know that Kirk dies at the end of the film. I don't have a problem with that, what I do have a problem with is the way he perished. In Star Trek II, Spock makes a decision to sacrifice himself for the good of the crew. In "Generations" Kirk, the most heroic Star Trek character of them all, dies as the result of an accident. Not at the hands of the evil scientist or a noble effort on Kirk's part, but a big stupid clumsy mistake. Kirk's character should have been treated with more respect by the Next Gerneration writing staff than this. His death was there only for the purpose of letting the Next Gen crew have it's own spotlight in the upcoming sequels, I guess I can't really argue there.

"Generations" is the most confusing Trek entry, but not the worst classic Trek or Next Gen outing. Like "The Motion Picture" years before it serves as an adequate first film for a great TV series.

Rating:
Summary: Talkin' 'bout my GENERATIONS
Review: It is interesting to me to read the diversity of opinion on this movie (and the other Star Trek movies and TV shows out on DVD). Die-hard fans of 'Classic' Trek or 'SNG', who have memorized the many minutiae of Trek lore, will, I suppose, endlessly argue over whether Kirk would look better bald and Picard better with a hairpiece, etc. I, however, am not a 'Trekkie' in the 'classic' (pardon the pun) sense. Taking any of it seriously is ludicrous. It's just good clean fun - especially if you've inhaled some spores from that planet whatchyamacallit! With that said, I thoroughly enjoyed this installment in the movie series (my other fave is 'Wrath of Khan'). Nobody mentioned the awesome Malcolm McDowell, who gives a totally cool and wonderful performance as the mad scientist, Dr. Tolian Soran. The Nexus is also one of the neatest amusement parks since Disneyland. Data is far and away the best character in SNG and the inclusion of his story about the emotion chip fits very nicely into the whole package. Besides, there's Gates McFadden (who can make me turn my head and cough any ol' time!) and Marina Sirtis (love that cosmic babe!). Geez, the production values are terrific, the music is great, there's a couple of Klingon dominatrixes, Malcolm McDowell ropin' the Nexus and the Enterprise augering into a planet! I mean, whaddaya want? This is loads of fun - enjoy!

Rating:
Summary: GENERATIONS DISAPPOINTS
Review: For years, Trekkies wanted to see Captains James Kirk and Jean-Luc Picard finally team up and unite the two major generations of the Starship Enterprise in what would, doubtless, be an adventure to remember. As is so often the case, the realization of that dream leaves a lot to be desired, and the final result is all too forgettable.

What went wrong? For one thing, Kirk's character is handled very poorly. The adventurous, 23rd-century Odysseus has devolved into a whipped milksop who wants to leave galaxy-saving to Picard so he can go back to fixing eggs. Moreover the film is choppy and slow. There's not much action, despite a brief confrontation between the Enterprise and some rogue Klingons. There's a lot of really silly "humor" courtesy of Data and some new emotions, which makes a mockery of the ordinarily poignant portrayal of the android's ongoing quest to become more human. And Soran, despite behing essayed by an excellent actor in Malcom McDowell, is a terribly weak antagonist who fails to bring any genuine menace to the lackluster plot. Worst of all, the infamous death scene (and if you've ever even heard of this movie before you know what I'm talking about) is a total embarrassment and a sorry way to send off one of the greatest sci-fi heroes in TV and cinema history.

I suppose there are a couple of plusses, though they are relatively weak ones. The early scenes with a few of the original Trek crew members are effective, and Captain Picard's familial subplot is genuinely touching. As one would expect of a big-budget Star Trek film, the production values are excellent all-around and everything looks terrific. But there should have been a lot more to brag about, and there's just not.

This could have easily been a milestone in the Star Trek canon. Instead, it's possibly the series' low point (though I admit it has some competition for that dubious honor from "The Final Frontier"). The story needed a stronger script, better characterization for Captain Kirk, a more powerful villain, and more action. This is one film that might have actually benefitted from being half an hour longer. Trekkie loyalists and completists may still enjoy it, but it's not a movie I can recommend to the general fan. Save your time and watch "First Contact" or "The Voyage Home" instead.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Bridge Between The Old & The New...
Review: STAR TREK GENERATIONS (1994) took on a monumentally difficult task---namely, the passing of the legendary STAR TREK torch from the original cast to the "Next Generation" cast---and does it almost seamlessly. Despite what many self-professed "Star Trek experts" may say, there was no perfect way to accomplish this. Having recently viewed this film for approximately the 10th time, I am as impressed as ever at the job that director David Carson and screenwriter Rick Berman (who took over as head of the STAR TREK franchise after creator Gene Roddenberry died in 1991) did. I can honestly say that I couldn't have done as good a job at bridging the two generations---and neither could have any of these "experts" who choose to pick apart at it.

If you're reading this review and others, you undoubtedly know what this film's about, so I'm not going into a rundown of plot here. I will, however, put in my two-cents worth of opinion about this film: it is a well-paced, fully realized cinematic vision, with great special effects, a compelling main plot, a humorous subplot and some excellent acting on the part of Patrick Stewart, Brent Spiner and Malcolm McDowell. Even William Shatner is pretty good here---his acting *has* improved with age and experience! As Dr. Tolian Soren, Malcolm McDowell creates a villain for whom we can actually care; although we don't agree with what he does, we can certainly relate to the reasons why he does what he does. However, this does not make it any less compelling for Capts. Kirk and Picard to stop him from carrying out his destructive methods, leading to the extremely suspenseful---and, ultimately, sad---scene which is as inevitable as it is fateful.

I really love STAR TREK GENERATIONS. It has a winning combination of intelligent storyline mixed in with action, suspense and---surprisingly---humor, and plays fair with the rules of the game and the legacy of the series. I really can't imagine any true STAR TREK fan not loving it. It may require some patience on first viewing, perhaps, but the rewards are great for sticking with it. Plus, it only gets better on repeated viewings. I can vouch for that!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Rating:
Summary: "Human females are so repulsive!"
Review: Six months following the airing of the final two-part series finale of the TV series "Star Trek: The Next Generation" in May 1994, Paramount Pictures released the first feature-length "Star Trek" film that starred the "The Next Generation" cast. The film was entitled "Star Trek: Generations", was the seventh "Star Trek" film to be released to date and featured three original "Star Trek" regulars, who had starred in the first six feature films, as well as the original "Star Trek" TV series that aired between 1966 and 1969.

Directed by David Carson (who directed several "Star Trek" TV series episodes for both the "The Next Generation" and "Deep Space 9" series), "Star Trek: Generations" attempted to bridge the approximate 85-year gap that spanned the time between when the original "Star Trek" and "The Next Generation" TV series were supposed to take place (respectively, about 300 and 400 years in the future). The film begins with the christening of the Federation of Planets newest starship, the Enterprise-B, with the retired Capt. James T. Kirk (William Shatner), Cmdr. Pavel Chekov (Walter Koenig) and Capt. Montgomery 'Scotty' Scott (James Doohan) in attendance. Under the command of the inept Capt. John Harriman (Alan Ruck), the Enterprise-B on its maiden voyage is forced to answer distress calls from two refugee ships caught in a bizarre spatial phenomenon. Some of the refugees are rescued, including Guinan (Whoopi Goldberg) and Dr. Tolian Soran (Malcolm McDowell); but Capt. Kirk vanishes and is presumed dead. The story then moves forward to a promotion ceremony for Lt. Cmdr. Worf (Michael Dorn) aboard the Enterprise-D, during which, Capt. Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) receives some very troubling news, then the Enterprise-D receives a distress call from a scientific research station. The Enterprise-D answers the distress call and finds Dr. Torian Soran among the survivors. From that point on, some very unusual events begin to unfold as the preoccupied Capt. Picard is forced to set aside personal grief to deal with what could be an extremely perilous situation. A subplot to the main story is the decision by the android Lt. Cmdr. Data (Brent Spiner) to install an emotion chip with the assistance of Lt. Cmdr. Geordi La Forge (LeVar Burton). This subplot is woven back into the main story when the Klingon sisters Lursa (Barbara March) and B'Etor (Gwynyth Walsh) appear.

Though many "Star Trek" fans panned "Star Trek: Generations" after it was released to theaters in November, 1994, the film's story is engaging, effectively blends classic "Star Trek" humor with action and is, as far this reviewer is concerned, one of the better "Star Trek" films. That said, the film also has some flaws, including William Shatner's less-than-inspiring acting; but the film's positives definitely out-weigh its negatives as the audience becomes engrossed within the imminent destruction of millions of lives, and the mystery of the "nexus". Other memorable characters in the film include Cmdr. William T. Riker (Jonathan Frakes), Dr. Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden), Counselor Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis), Ensign Demora Sulu (Jacqueline Kim) and Lieutenant Tuvok (Tim Russ, who would also play this character in the TV series "Star Trek: Voyager"). Memorable scenes include the arrival on the bridge of the Enterprise-B, the rescue of the refugees, Worf's ceremony, Picard with Troi, Data testing emotions in "10-Forward", the exploding star, Lursa and B'Etor, the crash and the nexus. Overall, I rate "Star Trek: Generations" with 4 out of 5 stars. Not everyone who watches the film will enjoy it, but it is likely that those who enjoy it outnumber those that don't.