Customer Reviews

Star Trek - Nemesis [VHS]

5 star:		(186)
4 star:		(179)
3 star:		(114)
2 star:		(95)
1 star:		(96)

 

 

It was just a couple of years ago that Star Trek Nemesis, featuring the final journey of the next generation crew was released on DVD. Featuring the music of the late veteran composer Jerry Goldsmith, it tells the story of how the Enterprise-E, led by Captain Picard is invited by the Romulans to commence final peace negotiations. Unfortunately it is all a ploy by a younger clone of Captain Picard to not only cripple the Federation but exterminate Earth altogether using their new weapon. The weapon is stored aboard Shinzon's ultra-predator-battleship that carries enough photon torpedoes to take out entire fleets of starships, and a perfect cloaking device making it possible to fire in perfect invisibility- unlike the klingon ship from Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country that had a flaw. Complicating circumstances is the discovery of a prototype android of the Enterprise's Lt Commander Data.

There is definitely a sense of goodbye with this film, and although Star Trek Nemesis may not be the final Star Trek movie, it is most likely the final next generation movie. Partings in this film, as well as the loss of a beloved member of our senior crew, include Dr Beverly Crusher who is transferring to Starfleet Medical (as she did in Season 2 of Star Trek The Next Generation), Riker who at last has accepted his promotion to Captain and is taking command of another starship, and Counselor Deanna Troi who is going with him as his wife. In this final next generation movie we also get to see Lt Commander Worf who though leaving to be an ambassador at the end of Star Trek Deep Space Nine has returned to the Enterprise crew. Other minor appearances include Janeway who was promoted to Admiral after leading the crew from Star Trek Voyager home, Guinan who was last seen in Star Trek Generations and Wesley Crusher who we haven't seen since the final season of Star Trek The Next Generation.

As for my summary of the whole movie itself- I like it. Quite a few fans have berated it but I like it very much. Despite not being the most original story (just one ship battle really), the dark atmosphere (the darkest for a Star Trek movie to date) really takes our characters into genuine unknown territory. I'm also glad that some of the cheap jokes aimed at the very oldest of Star Trek fans is kept to a minimum here. A negative and a positive about Star Trek Nemesis is the realization of how old our crew have been getting, and indeed how Star Trek itself is. I think the biggest mistake was when the villain of Star Trek Insurrection referred to the Federation as being old. Star Trek is the Federation, and that reference makes Star Trek seem tired. I think that whole thought has connected with viewers, and quite possibly affected the success of Star Trek Nemesis, as well as the final season of Star Trek Deep Space Nine, the last three seasons of Star Trek Voyager, and most definitely the whole of Star Trek Enterprise. I hope that one day the producers of Star Trek move even further along in the Star Trek timeline to an all-new more positive future.

So now we have the new 2 Disc collectors edition of Star Trek Nemesis. New special features exclusive to this edition include the movie in more impactful DTS sound, an audio commentary by the man who has continued Star Trek within the 24th Century- Producer Rick Berman and a text commentary- regular to the collectors edition DVDs. New Production featurettes include Nemesis Revisited, Storyboarding the action, Build and rebuild, Four-Wheeling in the Final Frontier, Shinzon screen test. There are new Star Trek Universe featurettes including A Bold Vision of the Final Frontier, and The Enterprise-E. We also have featurettes studying the Romulan Empire including Romulan Lore, Shinzon & the Viceroy, Romulan Design, The Romulan Senate, The Scimitar. Other special features include new deleted scenes and trailers.

Special features from the first Star Trek Nemesis DVD are also included.

In conclusion, this is a fitting end for the next generation crew. Some may love this movie, some may not, but either way, it's time to end the journey of the next generation and this is indeed, the end.

As for NEMESIS, I am going out on a limb here and going to state that even though the film is highly derivative from previous Trek films, it is by far the most rousing, kinetic and engrossing of all the TNG movies to date (hand to hand combat, phaser firing in corridors, space battles). It is miles ahead of FIRST CONTACT.

From the opening of film, with the reversed "Star Trek" title on the screen to the climactic 4 ship battle, this film delivered the goods. It is the most action-packed of all the Trek films, including the TOS films and the special effects, mostly, are quite impressive. For once, the film LOOKS like it was made for the big screen, although more use of exterior, non-ship locales would have added another dimension.

The film listed at 116 minutes, the film moved quite briskly, and I had a great time watching it, relishing every minute, every snippet of dialogue, every bit of throwaway humor (which thankfully this time, is not forced). I was sorry to see it end.

All the regulars especially Patrick Stewart, this time giving a more emotional, more layered performance, is wonderful. The chemistry between Jonathan Frakes and Marina Sirtis is great, and, contrary to what you may have heard, Worf is not reduced to a "drunken reservation Indian" (as referred to by prominent an online reviewer). He has a brief drunk, but quiet scene at the wedding, and his bad lines in the original script ("Well Romulan ale should be more illegal") are nowhere to be seen in the film.

I am not going to focus on the smashing biological-like attack on the Senate, the THREE KINGS-like desert chase, Data's rescue of Picard from "The Scorpion," Troi's 'remember me' scene and the final, beautifully shot, edited and scored battle involving four ships. I love those scenes but there are other very enjoyable albeit more subtle ones in NEMESIS.

There are some gems prevalent in NEMESIS, including an introductory sequence with Shinzon and his henchman the Viceroy coming down those steps, in the dimly lit room, was very atmospheric. Shinzon walks down quietly, like a hungry predator, examining the crew, notably especially Troi and Picard, while a stern Ryker looks on uncomfortably. I loved the darkness of that scene, both in image and in subtext.

Another effective scenes features Picard's dinner with Shinzon, in a room off the Senate (a room which looks suspiciously medieval somehow) the sequences with the child are introduced but they are shot in hazy, blue monochrome (aided by a nice f/x shot of a pan into the mines). It is an effective scene but Stuart Baird does not wallow in it, so as not to give too unnecessary sympathy to Shinzon.

For fans, like myself in the past, who always complained about the Picard-Data focus in the movies, Data has quite a lesser role in this film, as opposed to the previous ones. A memorable sequence features Data attempting to explain to B-4 (an android) why he has to turn him off (after the former downloads the ship's classified data banks). Brent Spiner - in ineffective yellow pancake makeup amplified by the large-screen - is annoyed at B-4 but not angry; he takes on the role of the older sibling who disapproves of the actions of the younger one, but just when you think you see an element of anger in Data, he calls B-4 "brother." The term "brother" coming from Data means he has come full circle. In a way he is looking at himself from "Encounter at Farpoint" and is now acting like the human he is not. I am not a fan of Data in general but loved the endearing, warm quality to that scene.

For the first time in a TNG movie we also get an effective, ready room sequence where the Captain and his crew discuss Shinzon, and reunite again in it for a farewell toast to dead colleague.

I loved the dark orange look of the interior of the space ship (the dark red doors, the panels etc) as well as the background graphics on the monitors and various screens across the ship. Indeed. Mathew Leonetti's (MISSION IMPOSSIBLE 2, TOP GUN) cinematography is excellent, especially considering the confines of the ship.

The Jerry Goldsmith score, somehow was much more effective onscreen with the action, than I remember it being when I heard it on the CD. Ultimately, it is one of his better TNG scores, and his ST: TMP fanfare at space dock, in the end, almost brought tears to my eyes - it's like all the ST movies had come full circle, beginning and ending in space dock.

I love this film.

The plot of "Star Trek: Nemesis" comes down to three situations. First, and most importantly, Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) discovers that he not only has a clone (Tom Hardy) who was created by the Romulans by raised by the Remuseans, but that the enterprising Shinzon has become Praetor of the Romulan Empire, which has a weapon that can destroy all life on Earth. Second, in an obvious parallel, Data (Brent Spiner) discovers yet another of Dr. Soong's prototype androids, named B-4 (also Spiner). Third, and finally in more ways than one, Commander Riker (Jonathan Frakes) and Counselor Troi (Marina Sirtis) are finally getting married. This 10th Star Trek film, and four in the STNG part of the series, has its moments but is ultimately less than satisfying.

Part of the problem is that even before the film's climatic death scene we are already aware that we have another Star Trek death that is not really death scene. Yes, this is certainly more plausible than the first one in "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan"/"Star Trek III: The Search for Spock," but that it is at the expense of the shock and emotional impact the first time around. Consequently, the big payoff rings hollow, which is never a good sing for a major theatrical release.

Another part of the problem is that the cast is so large that few of them have much of value to do. Geordi LaForge (LeVar Burton) has been standing by for several films mainly to ask Data what he is doing so the android can explain, Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden) waits for casualties to show up in sick bay, and Worf (Michael Dorn) is at least good for a few laughs with the comments he makes in his cups while everyone is toasting Riker and Troi. As far as the movies go, STNG has boiled down to Picard and Data, and the rest are along for the ride, posing stiffly and formly in the background. That being said, "Nemesis" finally gives Counselor Troi the main supporting role and a couple of scenes when she proves she can give as well as receive. But overall there are two many cast members sitting around with little or nothing to do; compare this with the series finale "All Good Things..."

Finally, there are just too many significant gaps in the thinking of the main characters. Picard and his clone think they understand each other as if in the future the nature versus nurture issue has gone the way of safety belts being required on alll chairs on spaceships. Yes, having a clone is creeping. Yes, having your clone serving in a Romulan slave pit is disturbing. But the idea that the result is a younger version of itself was never legitimated by novels/films like "The Boys From Brazil." This is supposed to be the future, but the "science" here is about on par with a 1950s film. If I, who know virtually nothing about science in general or cloning in particular can see the holes in this logic, than Picard's Starfleet Academy training should serve him in much better stead.

Now that we are apparently here at the end of the road for "Star Trek: The Next Generation" it might be appropriate to conduct a post mortem and consider the question of why the theatrical films were never as good as any of the two-part episodes of the television series. The short explanation is they went for bigger (e.g., the Borg rewrite human history) rather than better. What is so puzzling is why a creative staff that came up with several solid story lines almost every season for many years could not cut it when it was required to come up with one very good idea every few years. "Star Trek - Nemesis" has the characters of STNG but neither the style nor the substance; what does Picard driving a intergalactic dune buggy have to do with why we loved this television show? Plus, the lighting makes Data's skin look really weird. At least we have the original STNG out on DVD now.

The problem with a franchise like Star Trek is that it has a very committed and opinionated fan base, and so these fans will tend to be overly-critical and aggressive about their feelings regarding anything new in the franchise. Star Trek has the benefit of being based in a very broad and immersive universe that is made up of a dynamic and diverse cast of characters. This is both a blessing and a curse: a blessing because in each new motion picture installment there is a lot to build from; a curse because it can be difficult to stay true to the characters and the spirit behind the universe.

When making a film from the Next Generation television series, one would be confronted with two problems: the first being that the series was at times uneven and muddled; the second being that there is a different expectation in a film than in a television show. That being said, it is the characters that made the series great, and the thing that made First Contact (Trek film #8) such a resounding success is that even though it had action, it was primarily character-based and the plot had all the things that make Trek fans salivate: time travel, tough decisions and a great villain(s). I mean, really, does it get better than the Borg?

My girlfriend (who is a die-hard fan) and I went to see this with high hopes, and left with mixed feelings. Overall, it was a pretty decent film. It was well-paced and the action was decent. The starship battle at the end was as good as the one in Wrath of Kahn (the best of the Trek films), and the special effects were top notch. Plus, to her delight, we got to see Riker and Troi get married.

However, there were some acute problems, the most glaring being the overuse of Captain Picard. The director, Stuart Baird, does not treat this like the ensemble cast-driven film that it should be. Furthermore, the carefree and loose attitude that Picard seems to have developed (a dune-buggy?) is not consistent with the character that the fans grew to know and love over the television series' seven years on the air. This isn't helped by the fact that his storyline feels contrived. The motivation that the Romulans have for building a Picard-clone (his "nemesis" in the film) is flimsy and almost laughable (kind of like America's own Missile Defense Shield). Furthermore, I felt cheated by the back-story of the planet Remus (they must really dig on Roman mythology).

Data's storyline is old-hat, and is merely a satellite to Picard's - and everyone else is just a peripheral. I found myself wishing that Picard would just die, just so we could see some more of the other characters. The wedding scene was ok, but too short. The romantic relationship that Troi and Warf began to develop in the series goes unmentioned (again!), and a chance for some great dramatic tension between him and Riker was completely missed.

Nitpicking aside however, it was a decent film and clearly better than the pile of you-know-what that was Star Trek V (as one reviewer asserted) or than its muddled predecessor, Insurrection. It was entertaining, and the plot holes, even if annoying, were forgivable. The drama on Romulus was interesting, and Shinzon's ship (can't remember the name) was threatening and scary. Despite my complaints about Picard, Patrick Stewart is still a great actor and the tension that develops between him and Shinzon is engrossing (could you kill a clone of yourself?). There are some great philosophical quandaries that are raised, even if they aren't explored much, and it was suspenseful. It was Trek film that was made with its eye on the passing fan and the general public rather than the die-hard fan - which brings me back to the point that I raised earlier about the expectations for making a film being different than for a television series. In order for a studio to green-light a big-budget film like this one, it has to have broad appeal. If the film were to depend too much on obscure references and be ensemble-cast centered, it would not be nearly as appealing to Johnny Public - even if it would make a better film.

What I would ask for is a longer cut: I would watch 2 ½ hours of this film if it meant that I could see more of everyone else (not another dune-buggy chase). The rumored deleted scenes sound as if they would make a killer director's cut. In future Trek films I would ask for more Brent Spiner (he is a great actor, probably the best in the bunch), for Geordi to get his cool visor back, for Picard to be treated like the Captain of a crew rather than an action star, and lastly, for a plot that involves more of the rich Trek universe, thank you.

This could have been an amazing movie. It had wonderful action sequences and the cinematography was very nice. However, whoever wrote the story just isn't a Star Trek fan. When I first saw Wesly Crusher in a starfleet uniform in the beginning of the movie I thought "ok, big flaw, but most ppl don't know about Wesly becoming a traveler, which is almost a demi-god like being. It was a rare episode that isn't well known where that happened". I started to realize I was in trouble when the crew arrives on a planet and finds the remains of a robot that "looks just like DATA!" um, wouldn't that be LORE? one of the most beloved bad guys on the series? nope, no one on the crew has ever heard of a Lore. I saw this in the theater and I heard the word "Lore" come from about 20 different directions, along with "cool!" but how disappointing that Lore isn't even mentioned. This one big problem is just the beginning of things that annoyed me. The whole movie just didn't seem to be anything like a Star Trek movie. I was so disappointed with the effort of this movie. It's really a shame if this is the final voyage for this crew. Hollywood really missed a golden opportunity.

In the tenth installment of the Star Trek movie saga, Star Trek: Nemesis tries too hard to atone for the lack of space conflict in the ninth film, Insurrection, and tries too hard to be what Star Trek is not, nor ever has been, about.

This film, focusing on the plot of an angry young Picard clone, presented an interesting villain, but an unrealistic concept backing said villain. While genetically identical to the real Picard, Shinzon and Picard are virtually nothing alike, due to the differences in their upbringing. The whole idea that they would be connected in terms of thought processes is preposterous, to say the least. What's more, the plot focuses so much on Picard, that none but the second most interesting Enterprise crew member, Data, truly get any screen time. For all intents and purposes, this film should have been called "Star Trek: Picard and Data Have an Adventure with a bunch of other unimportant people." Each and every other character is wasted, with Riker and Deanna's wedding being virtually the only scene to feature the two in any kind of prominent role, Dr. Crusher and Geordi seeming to disappear completely, and Worf reduced to a drunk who doesn't like to hear singing androids. In addition, with the film's mood being so dark, none of these characters could even get in any characteristic Trek humor. The plot parallels between Picard and Data, in terms of Picard's clone and Data's prototype, is interesting, but beyond simply occuring at the same time, share no other connections.

The film tries exceptionally hard to make itself out to be an action movie of sorts, with nearly half the film filled with space battles, dune-buggy phaser fighting, and Picard and Data fighting the crew of the Scimitar, Picard's clone's ship, which possesses a bizarre, over-animated "super-weapon." Star Trek was always about exploration, strange new life, and life's great journey- not about all the alien butts to be kicked at the end of that journey.

Seeing how the Enterprise, as a character in the previous film, was wasted, featured only in a few shots orbiting the planet and running like a scared dog with its warp nacelles between its legs, in Nemesis, the Enterprise is given a half-hour battle with a vessel of Picard's clone. Not only is it overdone, but it's unnecessary for the sake of the plot- the real action takes place aboard the vessels.

Despite all of these weaknesses, the climax of the movie, and essentially the film's end, brought me to tears. Data has always been my favorite Trek character, and this scene showed him at his best. The ending nearly redeemed the film for me, but not quite.

If only for the spectacular ending, I gave Star Trek: Nemesis a single star. See it once for the express purpose of the ending- and then never, ever see this horrid piece of Star Trek history again.

Having followed the TNG cast since day 1, I think Star Trek fans will find Nemesis as a very satisfying ending to what was by all accounts a wonderful series. That being said, I doubt non-Trek fans will find this installment of Trek very appealing.

Producer Rick Berman was in charge of all four TNG movies (Generations, First Contact, Insurrection and Nemesis) and as a fan I would rank this movie somewhere in between First Contact and Generations, with Insurrection being the worst of the four.
Berman and the Star Trek franchise got the formula right with First Contact. It offered a solid story line with spectacular action, character development on all ends of the spectrum and an enemy that even non-Trek fans could appreciate in the Borg.

With Nemesis, there is somewhat of an appeal similar to that in First Contact, but it falls slightly short. The B4/Data development should have had more time in this movie and the Picard/Shinzon conflict never materialized in a particularly realistic fashion. Still, Trek fans will appreciate the action sequences towards the beginning of this movie as well as the battle between starships towards the end. Fans will also appreciate the chemistry between Riker and Troi as they take a big step in their life.

I walked out of this movie depressed about the ending and I won't say why but you'll understand when you see the movie. Overall, I would recommend that Trek fans purchase the DVD for its value as an action flick and the fact that its loaded with tons of extras. As for me, while I will buy the DVD and I'm really hoping they use the actions scenes from the movie and turn it into something even more fun, a Playstation 2 game.

I really wanted to like this film. I really did. That's why it hurts so much to have to write this. But I must warn others. Do not see this film. I remember the excitement I felt when I discovered this film was going to be released. Alas.

There are possible spoilers below, so beware.

The film starts pleasantly enough, with Riker's wedding to Troi after showing trouble in the midst of the Romulan government. Wesley Crusher is finally given his due screen appearance. He is as gorgeous as always. I know that they cut out an entire 45 minute segment featuring him, which I was unhappy to hear.

Next, the Trek crew finds scans indicating posotronic activity on a planet, so they go to investigate, finding parts to an android almost identical to Data. They land on a desert planet and Picard acts completely unlike his character. The reserved French captain is now a high testosterone mini-dimensional fun lovin' bad cop kind of guy roving through the desert in a Jeep/Hummer-esque vehichle. I can't quite grasp how Data could locate this new android if only the brain is posotronic, which has been hammered into our heads since the series began. But forget all the rules made so far. To quote the Fantasticks, this movie "defies logic and achieves ignorance!" In the desert the crew meets nasty creatures that look like copies of Max Shreck's 1922 Nosferatu. Of course the vehichles are equipped with laser cannons and such and much F/X money was spent making loud booms.

After this lame adventure, the new android is put together. It is Data's mentally disabled brother. Blah blah blah. We already did this. It would have been much more interesting to do exploration with the Lor character. Hmm.. imagine doing battle with Lor. At least THAT would be a match for the Trek crew. Anyway, the new android is called B4. How tacky. A very uninteresting subplot altogether.

The "story" continues, if you can call it that. We learn the Romulan senate has a new praetor, Shinzon. Jean Luc gets an awesome cameo from Janeway. Next, the Enterprise-E visits Romulus, and of course war breaks out, blah blah blah.

**end of obvious spoilers you already figured out from the preview**

The villain, Shinzon is underdeveloped. The story is too. It felt like echoes of Wrath of Khan were bubbling here. This is the first Star Trek I've seen that was simply a lame battle scenario. Half of the movie was spent at war. It felt felt the Matrix Revolutions to me. Pointless one dimensional buildup and buildup, huge battles, but absolutely no pleasure or satifaction in any of it.

Star Trek has been great because each episode/movie dealt with a moral dilemma choice, well built characters and intriguing situations. This movie has none of that. It's just a big battle. If you like explosions and loud sound effects, this movie is for you. If not, beware. Characters are altered for no reason whatsoever. There is no real emotional buildup, just constant fighting, so the climax is boring and uninteresting. It feels like this is the end of Trek, which truly saddens me. It feels like Star Trek is trying to reinvent itself. It was fine before, people! That's why there is still a fan base! Even the music felt similar to the hokey music from the first season of TNG - even with those crappy 80s synth sounds. I cannot say enough: avoid this movie.

1/5

It seems oddly appropriate on the day of James Doohan's passing to say that "Star Trek: Nemesis" is a bad movie. Just awful. As much as the recently cancelled "Star Trek: Enterprise", "Nemesis" is a symbol of just how far this once great franchise has fallen. It also dispels the notion that even numbered Star Trek movies do not stink.

It is obvious that the producers where attempting to make "Nemesis" the Next Gen's "Wrath of Khan". Not only did they fail miserably but it is almost insulting the extent to which they ripped-off almost every major plot thread from "Wrath of Khan".

This movie is cold, emotionless and lacks the passion and excitement of "Wrath of Khan". Tom Hardy as Shinzon is supposed to be Khan to Picard's Kirk. However, Hardy is no Ricardo Montalban and Patrick Stewart, while a better actor than William Shatner, could not summon the requisite emotion to make this movie work. The rest of the cast is no better. Clearly tired of playing these roles the cast merely mailed in their performances.

The movies special effects and action sequences are merely OK but do not come close to clearing the bar set by George Lucas and ILM. Even if they did they would ultimately fall flat because the rest of the movie is so utterly horrendous.

The movies sole bright spot is the performance of Brent Spiner in a dual role as both Data and his Rainman like "brother" B4. Spiner is so talented he simply never disappoints. As a matter of fact the only scene in "Nemesis" that conveys any real emotion is Data's Irish wake at the end of the film.

Leave it to a movie this bad to leave an excellent scene on the cutting room floor. One of the deleted scenes is an alternate ending where we would have been introduced to the Enterprise's new first office Commander Martin Madden, to have been played by first rate character actor Steven Culp ("Desperate Housewives", "JAG", "The West Wing", "Star Trek: Enterprise"). This light hearted scene which showed Riker leaving the Enterprise for the last time and ended with the Enterprise warping to where "No Man has Gone Before" was shelved. In its place the movie ends with the Enterprise in an orbital dry dock undergoing repairs. An unworthy ending to end what was once a first rate franchise known as Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Star Trek is in desperate need of fresh blood and a new perspective. Rick Berman has run this franchise into the ground. He should step aside but sadly I do not see this happening.

Star Trek is cursed with a critical fanbase. Enjoy the movie for what it is and make your own judgement call. If you enjoy action, thought-provoking dialog, and the 'Finest Crew in the Fleet'...then there is absolutely no reason why you wouldn't enjoy this movie.