Star Trek: Nemesis (2002)

Touches You

Sadly Over-hyped

Good concept, poorly executed.

Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

Movie Review: "Star Trek: Nemesis" (2002)A supreme screenplay by writer John Logan gets unfortunately violated by hopelessly overthrown talented-editor-turns-director for the third-time in an unless successful-career retrieving Stuart Baird, known for editing "Lethal Weapon" (1987) and "007: Casino Royale" (2006) to perfection, to then become somehow a second-choice-felt executive decision at Hollywood major Paramount Pictures for misopportunities in a ready-to-go "Star Trek" universe, which becomes unforgivenly fatal in case of "Nemesis", produced overly-long in season 2001/2002, which had been so carefully prepared by leading actor Patrick Stewart as Captain Picard, who needs to confront a stolen-DNA resurrected nemesis of his own flesh & blood, initiated by Romulan slave-race Uprising, led by playing-his-young-heart Tom Hardy at age 24, letting seemingly as underdwellingly guess of the potential, the young actor, turning-star by 2010, had been in store with a peaking full-frontal starship metal-splintering confrontation booked for in this case sadly missed movie magic moments for the ages between the match-making characters of Picard versus Shinzon from a still uncharted nocturnal, wannabe intergalactic tribe of leeching "Remans".Nevertheless "Star Trek: Nemesis" in its at least twenty minutes of nostalgica-ruling farewells after 15 years of on-screen-service with seven seasons and four motion pictures of mixed receptions, when "First Contact" (1996) must prevail as "Star Trek" Next Generation's landmark alongside with highly-addictive television seasons 3 and 4 (broadcast between 1988 and 1990) to a great crew of "Enterprise NCC 1701-E" surrounding here still-awake as professionally interacting performers with all-up front Brent Spiner as the character of "Data", who finally exceeds its uniquely-received "Artificial Intelligence" to build a look-a-like brother "B-4", when Jonathan Frakes as Commander Riker, who sacrificed the best years of his life in service of "Star Trek" qualities in picture and sound bound by all-through-the 1990s "Star Trek" television continuity assuring producer Rick Berman, who just got entangled in times of substantial change with a massive 60-Million-Dollar production budget for "Star Trek: Nemesis" and the newly-underdeveloped 22nd-century disappointment of a television show plainly called "Star Trek: Enterprise" (2001-2005).© 2018 Felix Alexander Dausend (Cinemajesty Entertainments LLC)

'Star Trek: The Next Generation' may not be quite as influential or as ground-breaking as the original 'Star Trek' series (though it certainly has those elements), but quality-wise it is every bit as good with a few improvements.Of the four films based off 'The Next Generation', the only outstanding one is 'First Contact', which was also one of the best 'Star Trek' films, along with 'The Wrath of Khan', 'The Voyage Home' and 'The Undiscovered Country' (of the previous films) and a great film in general. 'Nemesis' is a long way from a terrible film, none of the 'Star Trek' films are even the often panned 'The Motion Picture' and 'The Final Frontier', but to me it is one of the weaker 'Star Trek' films overall along with 'The Final Frontier' and 'Insurrection', 'The Motion Picture' and 'Generations' are also frustratingly uneven efforts.There are certainly strengths here. Despite the sets being somewhat more basic compared to the other 'Next Generation' films and 'The Next Generation' series, though they don't look cheap just not as detailed or as elaborate, the cinematography is intimate, colourful, brooding and immersive in equal measure and the striking special effects will leave one in awe.Having Jerry Goldsmith on board for composer always promises much, seeing as Goldsmith was a personal favourite film composer of mine and some of the best 'Star Trek' music was penned by him, and the man doesn't disappoint, with a lot of rousing, foreboding and melancholic themes, varied textures and clever use of instrumentation. The action sequences are well choreographed and shot and among the more exciting of the 'Next Generation' films, especially the thrilling final battle.Most of the cast are good. Patrick Stewart has the lion's share of the material, and he is effortlessly commanding and brings much dignified gravitas, integrity, wry stoicism, a sense of fun, heart and a conflicted edge. Brent Spiner enjoys himself with neither his acting or material overdone as with the disastrous emotion-chip subplot in 'Generations', though some of his material doesn't add much at all and felt a little on the self indulgent side. Ron Perlman is suitably menacing, while Tom Hardy throws himself into his role of Shinzon and clearly did a lot to prepare himself for it.On the other, 'Nemesis' is badly let down by the script and story not being up to par. The script is one of the most stilted of all the 'Star Trek' films put together, and not only is it far too talky with some confusing gobbledegook techno-babble but it is rather poorly balanced and not particularly well focused, with some clumsy humour that often jarred.'Nemesis's' story very rarely compels outside of the action. Pacing is often pedestrian, especially in the first half which also had a very corny opening, and the whole film feels very tired and like, like 'Insurrection', a padded out two-parter of the series. There is nothing new or surprising, and there are parts that are pointless, could have gone into more detail or convoluted. The direction is uninspired.While the rest of the supporting do their best, their screen time is limited and uninteresting. In the previous two 'Next Generations' films it was understandable in the case of Jonathan Frakes as he was also director for those films, but here there was no excuse and it's the same for the rest of the cast. There definitely could have been more of the rest of the regular 'Next Generation' crew and the film could have been less villain-centric, Jonathan Frakes apparently thought this and am in complete agreement with him.In conclusion, not awful but 'The Next Generation' at its most flawed. 5/10 Bethany Cox

Star Trek: Nemesis is the final film in the Star Trek film series to feature the Next Generation crew and due to it underperforming at the box office and with critics led to the JJ Abrams rebooted series.The Romulan Empire suffers political turmoil after a mysterious man called Shinzon (Tom Hardy) leads a coup and kills the Imperial Senate. This political turmoil leads to the Romulans to open negations with The Federation and The Enterprise is sent to meet the new leader. However this is all an elaborate plan by Shinzon to get Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) into Romulan space and enact his revenge plan.Compared to other Star Trek films 'Nemesis' was a more troubled production - Nicholas Meyer, the director of 'Wrath of Khan' and 'The Undiscovered Country' was offered the directing gig but turned it down because could not have final say on the screenplay and Stuart Baird, editor of action films like the Lethal Weapon series, Superman and Demolition Man lobbied for the directing gig despite not being a Star Trek fan. LeVar Burton, Michael Dorn and Jonathan Frakes have all been critical about how the film turned out. As an end to the Next Generation run 'Nemesis' disappoints: it's certain like a fitting end like 'The Undiscovered Country' was.On its own terms as a standalone picture 'Nemesis' is a serviceable, if unremarkable sci-fi film. It starts out with promise after the political and there is an attempt to introduce ideas involving nature vs. nurture. The character of Shinzon is a dark reflection of Picard, a clone who was meant to replace Picard in a Romulan plot but ended up being raised in darkness and slavery, just like Bane in The Dark Knight Rises. One of the best scenes in the film was when Shinzon and Picard dine together and he tells about his childhood. Hardy was one of the best additions to the film and 'Nemesis' was meant to be big break - however it did not pan out that way.'Nemesis' mostly had a dark, grim look and tone, there are violent deaths like what happened to the Romulan Senate and Shinzon's childhood. However this was ruined by the films attempts at comedy when at the wedding and involving a prototype of Data, B4 (Brett Spiner). It did not match the tone that Baird set up. There was also a scene when one of the female characters has an horrific image in her head - a scene that was too dark for a Star Trek film.The action scenes were solid when on screen, there are strong shootouts and fights. The special effects were also strong particularly the final space battle between the Enterprise and Shinzon's ship.'Nemesis' is often despised by fans of Star Trek considering it one of the worst in the series and it is certainly in the lower half of the Star Trek films. But as someone who has a more causal view to the Star Trek franchise it's not that bad, just an unoriginal entry in the franchise. The Motion Picture and The Final Frontier are far worst.

Star Trek: Nemesis (2002): Dir: Stuart Baird / Cast: Patrick Stewart, Brent Spiner, Jonathan Frakes, Michael Dorn, LeVar Burton: Tenth film in the franchise and quite successful. "Nemesis" is symbolic of conflict against oneself. It begins at the wedding reception of Commander Riker and Deanna Troi. This is fun but it is not capitalized upon enough. It is as if these subplots were tacked on just to give the characters something to do. Central action involves Romulans claiming to be initiating a peace offering when in fact they are plotting an attack against earth. Very clever with many plot twists and blazing action. Director Stuart Baird creates an entertaining film but it lacks character development. He previously made the mediocre action misfire Executive Decision. Patrick Stewart still holds dignity as Captain Piccard. Brent Spiner as Data demonstrates loyalty and sacrifice. Other roles are flat including Jonathan Frakes and Michael Dorn. Frakes gets hitched but from there that is pretty much his highlight. Dorn as Worf discovers that he has a zit but this is hardly an interesting development for a character of this nature. LeVar Burton plays Geordi La Forge whose identity has him wearing a special device for his sight. This is labeled as the final film in the franchise although we have been fooled with this sort of marketing before. Exquisite effects that celebrates another era in the franchise. Score: 8 / 10