Spoiler ahead. If you prefer the suspense, click here.
I always wondered why Nemesis wasn't as big a hit as the other Star Trek movies. Of course, the leakage may have been contributory, but still, I think it is up there with the other Trek films. Its opening scene, that of the Romulan members of the senate being petrified by thelaron, is classic Star Trek, but it was the scene following that that really touched me---at last, Riker and Troi are tying the knot (once again, sappy me took over)! I was also delighted that (Former Captain) Admiral Janeway made a cameo; it made me wonder why Picard turned down the promotion (must have been explained in a paperback somewhere).
Tom Hardy playing Shinzon is a sight to behold. Although I have to note a few discrepancies where his being a clone of Picard is concerned (for one thing, he's totally bald, whereas Picard still has tufts of hair left; then again a plausible explanation must exist somewhere), his acting is impressive. He's goodlooking too (heh). I particularly like his caped costume, which my sister cynically described as resembling a dress (spoilsport).
Watching the crew of the Next Gen made me a touch nostalgic. I can actually see Geordi's eyeballs (I probably saw them already in Insurrection but still I was used to the VISOR he wears for most of his television appearances. Riker and Troi finally had the license to show how lovey-dovey they are (most of the time displays of their affection for each other are suppressed in the previous Next Gen films). Worf is still Worf, with his feigned dislike for Romulan ale (of course we know better). And Picard...now if they only included the wedding scene in Betazed so I can see how much of a workout the good captain has been doing (heh).
The only gripe that I have in this film is B-4, Data's predecessor and which Picard and crew conveniently discovered (thanks to Shinzon). Granted, the writers wanted to elevate this film to movie standard rather than just a television offering extended to two to three episodes. So they kill off Data. But B-4 served as a backup, you know, a failsafe device. It's as if Data has never been gone. I was half expecting Data to be killed off completely in the manner that Tasha Yar was killed in the television series. Then again, Data will always be an indispensable part of the crew (which begs the question: Is Tasha Yar not as indipensable?).
I like Nemesis. I really like it. I watched it several times, about four I think. So my score?
My rating: 8.5/10. The convenient appearance of B-4 and Data's convenient "death" to validate B-4's existence was just too cliche for me. Other than that, I like this film, how Picard once again saved the Enterprise, and the planet Earth, for the matter.
Memorable Scenes:
> Picard's toast toward the newly wedded Cmdr. Riker and Counselor Troi.
> Shinzon first appears in front of the Enterprise crew.
> Shinzon kidnaps Picard; when Picard demands why, Shinzon replies, "I was lonely." ^_^
> Data's rescue of the kidnapped Picard and their escape from Shinzon's Scimitar (a fantastic war bird, btw).
> Troi, with her Betazed telepathy, manages to fire a crippling shot toward the Scimitar that also dismantles its perfect cloaking shield.
> Picard and Shinzon's conversation in Picard's ready room.
> Romulan warbirds aid the Enterprise (gives new meaning to the saying "Keep your enemies closer".)
> The Scimitar fires a direct hit at the Enterprise, creating a hole in the bridge that sucks most of its crew into space.
> The Enterprise rams into the Scimitar; the Scimitar makes a full reverse out of the embedded Enterprise.
> Shinzon dies in front of Picard.
> Data attaches the prototype transporter device on Picard and destroys the thelaron generator, with the Scimitar shortly exploding in space.