As a popcorn science fiction, Star Trek: Nemesis is watchable, and, at times, enjoyable. But it doesn't feel like Star Trek, despite the presence of so many familiar faces. There's no real sense of character in any of the protagonists. Sure, they look like they always have, but, with the exceptions of isolated moments here and there, this could be a generic group instead of the beloved crew of the enterprise. The storyline is uninspired and predicatable, with little to get fans or non-fans especially excited. 30 minutes of great space battles and action scenes and not sufficient to provide salvation for a movie over two hours in length.
The screenplay for Star Trek: Nemesis is borderline lame. The movie begins with an uprising in the Romulan Senate. A human by the name of Shinzon (Tom Hardy) usurps the reins of power and pretends he wants to make peace with the Federation. The starship Enterprise under the command of Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stweart) is dispatched to the planet Romulus on a diplomatic mission. On board is the usual crew - the just married first officer Will Riker (Jonathan Franks) and his bride Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis); Dr. Beverly Crusher (Gates McFaden); Security Officer Worf (Michael Dorn); Chief Engineer LaForge (LeVar Burton); and the resident android, Commander Data (Brent Spiner). Actually there are two androids. Before going to Romulus, the Enterprise investigates an energy reading and discovers Data long -lost "older brother", called B4. (He was created "before" Data).
Upon reaching Romulus, Picard discovers that all is not as it seems to be. Shinzon's identity surprises the crew, and the telepathic abilities of his viceroy (Ron Perlman) allow the Romulan Praetor to invade Troi's mind. It soon becomes clear that peace is the last thing on his mind. He intends to use his invincible warship, the Scimitar, to dispatch the Enterprise, then move to bigger targets and rule the Galaxy. Eventually, a massive space battle gets underway, and, as always, the Enterprise's shields are collasping and the warp drive is out. Where's Scotty when you need him?
The returning regulars are a solid lot, even if they are sleepwalking through their parts. 15 years of familarity have allowed them to go in and out of character with ease. Their alter-egos are like old, comfortable clothes that can be donned at any time. They may be frayed at the edges, but they still fit. The newcomers are less promising. Tom Hardy's Shinzon is a Khan wannabe, but Hardy lacks the machismo and charisma of Ricardo Montalban. The result is a hum-drum villain. Dina Meyer is wooden as the Romulan Commander, Donatra. The only one who shows any energy is Ron Perlman, as the Reman viceroy.
For the most part Star Trek has always been about issues, not action. Even the least successful Star Trek movies have kept this in mind. In Nemesis, the balance has shifted. This is a decisively action-oriented movie - a misguided attempt to challenge James Bond and Star Wars on their own turf. Issues and the human element - the two things that set Star Trek apart from other science fiction efforts - are left stranded in the background this time around. So we get multi-ship battles, a few hand-to-hand fights, lots of phaser fire, and even (believe it or not) a car chase! In fact, most of the action sequences are competently done (if too short on tension), but the one-hour build up is dull. Star Trek movies always take a while to get going; this one is the worst offender.
The special effects are first rate. Everything from the Romulan capitol to the ships in combat look flawless. One might argue that nothing less could be expected from a big-budget science fiction movie. But Star Trek has not always been known for top flight visuals. This is one area - perhaps the only one - in which Star Trek: Nemesis has an advantage over its predecessors.
There was a time when I would have been sad to see the Star Trek series end. With Star Trek: Nemesis, however, it has become apparent that the franchise's best years are long past. The trailers and TV spots tout this movie as "a generation's last journey," and that may be an accurate statement. Idea-based storylines, which have always been Star Trek's forte, no longer seem to be relevant. And mutating the series into a kind of action-oriented endeavor evidenced here is a disservice to Star Trek and its fans. Star Trek: Nemesis will not send the Enterprise crew out on a high note, but at least they'll be spared the ignominy of becoming redundant, which could happen if Paramount decides to make a Star Trek XI.
Porculus.