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Star Trek: Nemesis
2002 - PG-13 - 116 Mins.
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| Director: Stuart Baird | | Producer: Rick Berman | | Written By: John Logan | | Starring: Patrick Stuart, Jonathan Frakes, Brent Spiner, LeVar Burton, Michael Dorn, Gates McFadden, Marina Sirtis, Tom Hardy, Ron Perlman, Dina Meyer, Whoopi Goldberg |
| Review by: Carl Langley |
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When will the madness end? How many times will we have to boldly go where no man has gone before? Star Trek: Nemesis is the tenth installment in the series and should be the last, unless the creators can scrounge up a resourcefully written script. Nemesis is entertaining for about fifteen minutes total, until you realize that you are stuck in the same scenarios previous Star Trek films have presented. After the Klingons, Borg, and Romulans, who is left to overthrow?
Jonathan Frakes, who plays Commander Will Riker, directed the previous two films in the science fiction series. With Nemesis, he handed over the director’s chair to Stuart Baird, who is most famously known for Executive Decision, another travesty labeled as an action thriller. And much like his previous mistake, Baird spent too much time concentrating on the action and less time on the credibility the story puts forth.
Baird is not the only one at fault for this disastrous sequel. John Logan, who helmed Gladiator, was mainly in charge of taking the overplayed series and turning in another adventure. Brent Spiner, who portrays the non-emotional Data, chipped in to add flavor for his first writing credit. This might explain why Nemesis was filled with nothing but flaws, lame visual effects, and simple, muddled dialogue.
The film begins with the marriage of Riker and Counselor Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis), which ostensibly was thrown in for Trekkies. The Enterprise is destined to drop off the newlyweds on their honeymoon when they are sent to a neutral zone in Romulan territory. After finding an android twin of Data, the crew immediately head to Romulus on the request of Shinzon (Tom Hardy). Shinzon, who is a half-Reman clone of Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart), proposes peace between the two races. Picard rightfully suspects ulterior, darker motives and is captured. After scrutinizing Shinzon, the Enterprise uncover his master plan (hold on to your hats ladies and gentlemen) – to destroy earth!
Not only does Star Trek: Nemesis lack plot consistency, it defies the laws of physics on numerous occasions, which adds to the film’s sappiness and irresponsibility. I am no physicist, but when two ships collide, both vessels will crumble due to impact. When was the last time two cars smashed into each other head on and one automobile survived the wreck with no damage? Data is involved in another ludicrous action sequence that seems too convienent and reminisced James Bond stunts (going into full detail about this scene could give spoilers, but you’ll know what scene I am talking about).
The only worthy asset about watching Nemesis (especially if you are a fan), is the reuniting of the cast. The television show was enlightening and creative. The cast, who endured through all eight seasons, played a major part in the show’s success. An actor reoccurring the same role for sequels is always pleasant, especially if they dominate their roles. Patrick Stewart will never lose his touch as the captain fighting for his crew’s safety. Brent Spiner adds light humor as Data, even though he is sparingly aggravating.
Lieutenant Worf (Michael Dorn), Doctor Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden), Commander Geordi LaForge (Levar Burton), Guinan (an uncredited Whoopi Goldberg), and Wesley Crusher (Wil Wheaton in a small useless role) all come back for another slice of Trek.
Watching Star Trek with my father was a ritual and amiable experience for me growing up as a kid, including the original series with William Shatner. Now waiting impatiently for the credits to role as each film warps its way into theaters, feels like a chore. Heaven forbid they release an eleventh film because Paramount would lose more money than they currently have with Nemesis. It is time for Star Trek to hand in their photon phasers because the series has developed into a redundant calamity.
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