Star Trek: Generations

Ambitious and High-Concept Sci-Fi (for Grown-Ups only)

I can see WHY some don't like "Generations" (1994) or don't 'get' it: This seventh Star Trek film has some (false) plot holes and some things aren't spelled-out or explained very well (So what? Doesn't mystery intrinsically come with the territory of space adventure?); plus the story is a bit convoluted, particularly for those not familiar with Star Trek up to this point, both generations.

Regardless, "Generations" is ambitious, high-concept sci-fi of the highest order; it leaves the viewer with many interesting questions to ponder long afterwards. Although the Nexus has been criticized as a mere gimmick to get Kirk and Picard together, I find the concept utterly fascinating: No matter how much we want it, an illusory paradise is just that, an illusion. As far as I'm concerned, the concept of the Nexus and its implementation into the storyline is nothing short of brilliant. Who created the Nexus? Why, who else but the Talosians, the 'antagonists' of Trek's very first episode, "The Cage"! Think about it.

Besides this, there are multiple highlights (some SPOILERS follow): The usual Trek humor, Data's amusing experiences with the emotion chip, Malcolm McDowell's outstanding performance as the Soran, his believable obsession and justifications, B'Etor & Lursa and their "wild bunch" Klingons, the startling obliteration of them and their vessel, the thrilling crash-landing of the Enterprise-D, the meeting of Kirk and Picard in the Nexus, the final showdown with Soran and Kirk's death. Needless to say, "Generations" does far more than offer mere juvenile space battles.

BIGGEST PLOT HOLE (OR MAYBE NOT): Picard's purpose in leaving the Nexus is to stop Soran from annihilating the Enerprise-D crew and the entire Veridian solar system, including the 230 million people that live on Veridian IV. Since Picard can leave the Nexus and "go anywhere any time," as Guinan pointed out earlier, why go to Veridian II...

I'll be honest, I really hated Star Trek The Motion Picture. I mean, I REALLY hated it and I am a Star Trek fan...

... so it's sort of fitting that I hate Generations as well.

I mean, it doesn't do the first generation or the Next Generation justice at all does it? Kirk shouldn't have been in it. The OG Enterprise crew shouldn't have been in it.

It felt like it robbed TNG of their first outing on the big screen while insulting the original crew of the Enterprise.

I've seen this one a few times over the years and while not great and the plot was something akin to a two-part episode of TNG, I still was mildly entertained even if Malcolm McDowell's role was underdeveloped with us being told of his motivations with the death of his family versus being shown it via flashbacks. But the selling point was seeing the two iconic Captains together, even if only for 25-minutes. 3.0/5

A pretty lame attempt to synthesise the old and the new as “Capt. Kirk” (William Shatner) and “Mr. Scott” (James Doohan) are invited to the maiden voyage of the latest USS Enterprise. Needless to say, it all goes wrong as they encounter an enormous energy ribbon that strikes the ship and mayhem ensues. Jump forward several years and “Capt. Picard” (Patrick Stewart) is now in charge of the ship and the TNG crew have to deal with Roddy McDowell, the mad scientist determined to recreate that sequence of events so he can reunite with his lost wife. “Picard” is reunited with “Kirk” in a sort of parallel timeline as they combine to try to defeat their foe. Sadly, we have now entered into the realms of "Star Trek" with "holodecks", "prime directives" and Gilbert & Sullivan - the fun, tongue-in-cheek elements are gone and it starts to take itself far too seriously. McDowell always did manage to carry off the "slightly deranged" roles well, but otherwise this runs out of steam for me after 15 minutes...