Well, for a 'failed' show nearly 40 years old, it's not doing too badly is it? Spawning 4 spin-off series, one of the largest franchises in entertainment history and now the tenth motion picture, this machine just keeps on going! I was reading many UK newspaper reviews from the so-called experts yesterday, and I was slightly miffed to see that they were all more or less identical, ripping apart the movie, using the well-known Trek phrases as bad puns and frankly not showing any reason at all for their views. Quite frankly I dont think they saw the movie at all. I went to see it, despite being a fan, with an open mind, and this is my honest, critical opinion.
Nemesis finally shows what a Trek movie should all be about, staying true to its creator's (the late Gene Roddenberry) vision of pioneers aboard a vast starship, a utopian view of what we would all like the future to hold, and the motives of people who would want to disrupt that, conveying a moral that affects society as a whole. Okay, that sounds like I'm reading into this a little too deep, but on the surface you have a wonderful space adventure that has it all, romance, humour, thrills and action, and to be honest, stuff to make you jump!
Picard and his intrepid crew are on the way to a second wedding ceremony, things going routinely until that dreaded urgent message pops up from Starfleet Command ordering them to make a detour to the old enemy, the Romulans, who now want peace, and from a new ruler with a suspiciously bald head. Things soon turn from okay to bloody terrible as all hell breaks loose, and one hell of a game of interstellar cat and mouse begins. The story takes various twists and turns, but I dont want to go into any more detail as it will contain major spoilers!
The movie is very emotionally charged, balancing plot and action nicely. Its engaging story (penned from the genius who wrote Gladiator, John Logan) constantly surprises you, with the last half hour keeping you on the edge of your seat I guarantee. Yes, I am talking about a Star Trek movie, a damn good one at that because for the first time in ages there is a real threat to the crew and you will be wondering who is going to survive this. The soundtrack and special effects really shine without detracting from the story.
Patrick Stewart as usual gives a fantastic performance, clearly relishing the role and playing off Tom Hardy's evil Shinzon, who gives us the best Trek villain since Ricardo Montalban in The Wrath of Khan. The rest of the crew look comfortable in their roles, with some nicely beefed up screen time for Brent Spiner (Data) Jonathan Frakes (Riker) and Marina Sirtis (finally given a chance to shine on the big screen as Troi). Look out for many cameos including Whoopi Goldberg and Wil Wheaton, Dina Meyer, Star Trek: Voyager's Kate Mulgrew, X-Men director Bryan Singer, and look out for the Romulan Leader at the opening as it is none other than Aussie-soap Neighbours legend Alan Dale (Matt Falcus... I mean, Jim Robinson)!
I came out of the movie along with two of my friends who are big Lord of the Rings fans, and we were all literally shaking with adrenalin. It sounds silly I know, but there was a unanimous decision between us that this movie kicked The Two Towers ass! |
