STAR TREK: GENERATIONS
A film review by Lewis Butler
Copyright 1994 Lewis Butler
REVIEW IN SHORT: An acceptable sequel. Not the best of the
seven films, but noticeably more memorable than the last two
films of the series. On Mark's scale (-4 to +4) a +0.5.
The seventh film in the "Star Trek" series is the first to introduce the cast of the wildly successful "Next Generation" series to the silver screen. As a transitional film between the original series' cast (TOS) and the new (TNG) it does it job adequately, but not spectacularly. The scenes with Captain Kirk (William Shatner) feel forced and unnecessary, as if they were a late addition to the script to give Bill another paycheck. The inclusion of Kirk coupled with the absence of Spock (Leonard Nimoy) makes these portions of the movie feel even more out of place.
Other than Kirk, the plot is good, jumping from one climax to another in a dizzying spiral, before crashing back to earth with a long interlude featuring Kirk and Picard (Patrick Stewart). The resolution is predictable, but not childish.
The effects work is outstanding, especially a long sequence showing a starship crash-landing on a planets surface. I saw the film in a DTS equipped theater and the total effect was nothing short of stunning.
There are numerous references to TNG episodes, including a rather humorous resolution to Data's "emotion chip" and an appearance by two Klingon villains.
The movie is no STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN or STAR TREK IV: THE VOYAGE HOME but it will satisfy most "Star Trek" fans while establishing a credible baseline for future films featuring only the "Next Generation" cast.
-- | kreme@netcom.com | [303/722-2009] Vox | [303/777-2911] Data
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