Star Trek: Némésis

Well, it's quite sad to see so many people who have misunderstood so many of the movie's plot lines.

A few friends of mine (well respected SciFi gurus) had claimed that this film was one of the top Star Trek movies. I have to say I agreed. So what? The scriptwriters borrowed some scenes. God forbid any other "original" movie has done the same in the last decade.

Some fans need to rid themselves of the notion that a full length motion picture is made for their sole consumption, and respect that many people viewing may not have even heard of the series. However, the script writers also need to understand the strong following of fans, and include "in" sequences/jokes etc. Which I felt they did nicely enough.

The detail spent on the Romulan Star Empire could have been slightly more expansive, the political games being played in the Romulan Senate never were quite "fleshed out" which is a shame, because the Romulans are one of the races throughout the Star Trek saga who have been rarely visible.

The film took current events to add a current affairs style plot, which I admire. The smaller (as in, less spelled out) plotlines were excellent, and made the film something to follow rather than a Die Hard clone (yes, First Contact was a.k.a "Die Hard on the USS Enterprise").

I hope this really isn't the end for Picard and crew, it didn't feel like a goodbye picture. If it was, then the fine actors from the TNG series should take a well deserved bow, it's been a great series to follow, and as a retired trekkie (I retired when the TNG series wrapped up) I think the TNG series (and original series) will prove to stand the test of time over more recent efforts, kudos to the actors and other people involved.

I'm conflicted in my opinion of the final adventure of the Next Generation crew. I can see why a lot the fan community slam the film but I can't help but find some positive aspects in the movie. I agree that it's a good thing NEMESIS was the final film in the series, as the filmmakers appear to have given up recapturing the essence of the series years before and were more interested in putting out blockbuster hopefuls. The film opens with the marriage of Commander Riker (Jonathan Frakes) to Counselor Troi (Marina Sirtis), but the festivities are soon put on hold when the Enterprise-E locates a prototype android identical to Data scattered in pieces on a nearby planet. As the android (dubbed B-4) is reassembled, the Enterprise is dispatched to Romulus where the Remans have risen up against the Romulans and their leader apparently seeks to find peace with the Federation. The Remans are led by a clone of Captain Picard named Shinzon (Tom Hardy), originally bred as a weapon against Starfleet but eventually relegated to the dilithium mines of Remus. Picard struggles with the feeling that a portion of his identity was stolen as the Enterprise is discovers that Shinzon's intentions are not those of peace, but of destruction.

As has been the case with all of the Next Generation movies (with the exception of INSURRECTION), this film is visually beautiful. The CGI effects are at their peak and the production design of Herman Zimmerman continues to blow me away. I loved the design of the Remans: part Romulan, part vampire. It was some of the best makeup design in the series since the Borg were redesigned for FIRST CONTACT. The filmmakers have even learned from their mistakes of the last film and used a cinematographer who gave the film a wonderful cinematic feel, as opposed to the flat television lighting they'd regressed to before. Nothing about the film's visual style disappoints, but the same can't be said for the story. Most of the earlier films retained the depth of the series, but NEMESIS really is nothing more than a flashy action pic. For proof, you need to look no further than the entire last half of the film. There is some weak subtext to the story but the entire second hour is drawn out battle leading to the climactic confrontation between Picard and Shinzon about the enemy ship.

As seems to be the norm with all of the Next Generation movies, Picard and Data are the focal points here. The other crew members are usually given plenty of their own to do, but not here. A lot of the crew members are underused and I'm sure they weren't happy about being background players in their final feature film. Patrick Stewart is certainly the strongest member of the cast and carries most of the movie, and Brent Spiner is great as usual as Data (and B-4). I wish I had more positive things to say about Tom Hardy as Shinzon. He's a fantastic actor and has the skills to go face-to-face with Patrick Stewart (for those who doubt me, watch his screen test for the film). I just couldn't help but feel his character was too young and that really robbed me of any sense of danger from him. Had he been a bit more aged and worn, I might see him as a threat to Picard.

I suppose the film is a fun action flick, but it's just a weak STAR TREK film. It's shallow story can't be saved by it's impressive effects, but I wish the crew had been given one more chance to do it right before calling it quits. It's an entertaining two hours but aside from a bittersweet ending there's nothing entirely memorable about it. Fans of the franchise will be polarized in their views on the film and non-fans might be able to stomach it as an action-packed sci-fi romp. One thing's for certain: it's not the best time spent with the crew of the Enterprise.

The film talks about the Enterprise crew that after celebration of betrothal between Riker (Jonathan Frakes) and Troy (Marina Sirtis) getting homeland , but the discovery a dismantled prototype of android Data (Brent Spiner) originates news dangers and risks . Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) then acts as an ambassador in the conflict between the Romulans and the Federation , but he receives the Romulans's intention of dealing with an important peace treatise . The ruler of Romulans (Tom Hardy) has an absolutely likeness to a young Picard and seems his dark wishes aren't clears but treacherous and taking off comes out.

¨Star Trek¨ series remains a landmark in the story of science fiction cinema and television . In this ¨next generation's ¨ incarnation find the usual saga actors , the previously named , plus Worf (Michael Dorn) , Levar Burton (La Forge), Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden )and her son (Will Wheaton) . Besides , there appears a masked Ron Perlman with a good make-up and other original characters making a brief appearance as Woopi Goldberg and Kate Mulgrew who is starring in her proper ¨spin off¨, Star Trek's Voyager . The movie has more comedy and romance than customarily made in the ordinary development of the franchise . As always , for comic relief is in charge of android Data , well performed by Brent Spiner . Humor, idealism , species' protection , humanity, trademark effects are several features that abound these films and will please the enthusiasts as well as the initiated viewers . Excellent effects specials are magnificently realized , courtesy of Industrial Light and Magic , I.L.M. by George Lucas production . This thrilling picture has a climatic and exceptional ending . Jerry Goldsmith's soundtrack ( episodes' habitual musician ) is spectacular and atmospheric . The motion picture was correctly directed by Stuart Baird . The yarn will appeal to hard core trekkers.

This apparently final flick of the TNG crew went unnoticed in the theaters, and I don't think Paramount invested heavily in either the movie itself or its promotion. Despite the many scathing reviews I found some quality in the movie. Many of what have been interpreted as ripoffs of previous scripts were deliberate nods to the series' high points, and if it wasn't clear enough the many cameo appearances should have given the hypercritical some pause. Many of the sets and scenes were well done, and Tom Hardy and bad guys did good. The weakest part of the movie is that there should have been more sense of the crews' closeness, principally through better dialog. Even Data doesn't have many good lines. It just doesn't have much of an edge to it. Even if they didn't get a huge budget for it better character interaction could have made this a much more memorable movie. Certainly not the worst Star Trek, its too bad that it couldn't have been a better movie to end the series.

Now there has been great debate raging about this particular movie. It's hard to have perspective when there is no measure, so with that said I can say safely without a shadow of doubt in my mind that Star Trek II: Wrath of Kahn is the greatest of the Star Trek Movies ever made, period. There has never been a movie prior or post this movie that has engaged, excited or enthralled a Treker. If you want to know why exactly, read my review on it.

Now during this era of Star Trek movies they never muddled with the plot killer dimension, time, except one, Star Trek IV: Return Home. All of the other movies where, how would 'Q' put it, linear. Honestly, anything that has a plot where someone goes back into time and tries to change it or prevents its change, well lets say, it kills the plot by putting a plot hole the size of a…black hole.

I was never a real fan of the time travel as a script concept simply because if it was possible at all, everybody and anybody would eventually try to go back in time and change things to a more favorable outcome for themselves. Basically if you were able to go back in time, wouldn't you pick the winning lottery ticket numbers? So if you can do that why can't I? The next thing you know, you've got a million winning tickets. Star Trek: Nemesis, gets one gold star for having a plot that does not change time on a clock.

In fact it's pretty good. There are flaws and incongruities especially in regards to the Generations episodes and there is no justification for some of the oversights, but the movie shines where it should. A real attempt was made to develop the villains character Shinzon of Remus, Picard's clone. He isn't just a villain, he is a Picard, an alternate version.

So what's new? Picard embodies the perfect Starfleet officer. But take that uniform off and replace it with tattered clothes and remove that individual form his starship and place him in the deep recesses of a sunless world mined by slaves, tortured by Romulans and …you get the picture.

What I think people missed in this movie was the big question, are Picard and the clone so different. Shinzon even asks Picard that in the movie. Could Picard have changed or convinced the clone had he had more time? Could the original Picard in a similar situation become evil? Either way, it is the human element and conflict within each of the Picard's and is what will intrigue an audience and is what I especially liked about this movie.

The special effects are good and really enhance a situation not nearly explored enough in Star Trek, the tactics of starship combat. This and only a few other instances has there been such an emphasis on strategy and tactics in starship combat.

Jean-Luc Picard ( Patrick Stewart) and his clone Shinzon of Remus (Tom Hardy) are both at the top of their game and fluently exercise their Shakespearean acting talents. Especially Hardy, who convinces us that he is Picard's clone, and then convinces us he's nothing like Picard. The Enterprise crew is at their best and Stuart Baird's direction gave Nemesis a movie like feeling rather than TV mini-movie feeling.

In closing, who wants to be an ensign when you can be a captain? In the end Trekers have to realize that Star Trek and its stories are about its captain. It is the captain who gets to say those cool lines like: 'Energize', and 'Fire', 'Divert Warp Power' 'Meet me in my ready room' and Picard's trademark lines 'Make it so!'.

A must see for Sci-Fi buffs and open-minded Trekers.