THROWBACK REVIEW: Star Trek: Generations

I hope you all enjoyed my reviews of the original six Star Trek movies, and my little Battlefield Earth intermission review, now let's keep going. We've crossed into the threshold of the movies of Star Trek which belong to that of the cast and crew of the hit TV series, Star Trek: The Next Generation. And these are the films I find that are highly criticized. And parts of me don't really understand why. I'm sure all the "hard-core" Trekkies could refer me all over the map as far as why certain films are terrible and whatnot, but for the most part, I enjoyed these films. And ironically, the Trekkies who dissect these films trying to make me understand why they're terrible...only make me like these films even more for what they are. Now I will admit that there are a lot of times where you will notice that the crew of Picard just doesn't seem to carry quite the same movie magic that Kirk's crew had in their films, but when they're on target, the results can just be fantastic. And the first film to tackle, in this area? The film known as Generations.

This is one of those films often called one of the bad films, and having watched it a few times now...I don't get it. Why is it hated so much? I mean sure it has flaws, but I still can't figure out a sure answer as to why it's so despised. In my eyes, it tells a competent story, it keeps my interest, and I will stand by this statement of it having one of the absolute best scenes in the filmdom of Trek. 

Well I guess one reason it's not liked by so many is the manner in which they put both Picard and Kirk on screen at the same time. The Nexus is an idea I remain open to, though perhaps it could have been fleshed out a bit more. The exact manner in which one enters or exits the phenomenon known as the Nexus is never really explained. Kirk enters it through a hull breach, Picard is kinda just...taken into it, and they both just...kinda leave it. How? I can't even explain it. Is the Nexus alive? Did it know that they both wanted to leave and go to the same place at the same time? It doesn't make sense. I mean we're told that it's this place of never-ending happiness and whatnot, but it's not explored much in the film, despite the fact that it's the focus of the main story of the film.

Another thing that I kinda found slightly annoying was the emotion chip of Data, which he had gotten from Lore in the series. What could have been a great way to develop Data's character further was instead overused in some rather...silly and annoying comedy that for the most part, fell flat. I wouldn't mind this comedy so much if it was maybe only one or two scenes, but in this movie, it seems that whenever Data is on screen, he's laughing hysterically, behaving like a child, or just being overall odd. I sincerely laughed at his first real taste of alcohol, and I absolutely loved how he delivered that "Yes!" line. but when he was playing with..."Mr. Tricorder", and singing "Tiny Little Life Forms", I kinda rubbed my head a bit.  Now I should say that there is development with Data and the emotion chip in the film, but the overall unneeded comedy far outweighs the serious development. I just wish it was handled better because after this film, the whole concept of emotion in Data is roughly never heard of again. It was potential that was just wasted.

And of course, we all know that William Shatner stars in this film, reprising his role of the iconic Captain Kirk, and his time on screen with Picard is a little silly, but I will say he has some very good moments. Despite what some might say, I actually like the discussion the two have while they make a delicious looking meal of eggs. And both Picard and Kirk do seem to work rather well together, despite having such different personalities; Kirk being the adventurous cowboy diplomat, and Picard being the more disciplined by the book man.  They are so different, but I can't help but feel that they blend rather well together.  Their fight scene with the film's antagonist, Tolian Soran (who is excellently played by Malcom McDowell) was much better than from what I remembered, and when we get that Kirk death scene, despite it getting SO MUCH negative rep, I can't help but say...you know, it's a fitting death scene. As Kirk predicted, he died alone (You can say that he died with Picard, but they didn't really know each other, so I'm willing to say that his prediction from Star Trek V came true in that sense). And to know that he helped save billions of lives in the system, I see as a fitting way to send off the legendary captain.  I've yet to hear a reasonable argument as to why this scene is bad, that doesn't include how Kirk deserved a much more dignified or glorious death.  

But my favorite scene has to be the destruction of the Enterprise....oh...spoiler alert....screw it, the film is over 20 years old. I've heard some people argue that the old Klingon Bird of Prey should not have been able to take down the Galaxy Class iconic starship, an argument that I will say does hold some ground, but the film explains it well enough for me.  The only thing that annoyed me about the scene was the obvious use of stock footage when destroying the Bird of Prey from Star Trek VI. But the following crash scene is just...so impressive. The practical effects used to show the saucer section crash landing on the planet below are so unbelievably incredible to watch, and they still hold up today.  I honestly will call it one of the absolute best scenes of any Star Trek movie. While the destruction of the Enterprise in Star Trek III may be a bit more of an emotional destruction, as far as effects and overall "epicness", this scene blows that one out of the water.  The saucer section plowing through trees, people getting thrown around left and right, it's not a glorified end of the Enterprise-D as some would have wanted it, but I could REALLY care less at that. It's a great scene. Not everything needs to end glorious.

When all is said and done, Generations is a flawed, but enjoyable film for me.  I have heard so much dirt about it, and watching it again, I can't understand why it's trashed as it is.  It's nowhere near the worst, and I won't even call it bad.  Am I wrong? I don't know.  As a critic, I live by the statement that there's no such thing as a wrong opinion.  So I will say, maybe I'm in the minority.  But you know what?  That's just fine by me. I don't at all mind being part of a small group of people who find some charm in this movie, despite its flaws. I'll call it a guilty pleasure.

Star Trek Generations earns a three star rating out of four for me. Yeah, it could have been done better, but the things that it did do that hit on target have such a great payoff that I find it impossible to hate this film.  It plays off maybe to some as what one might expect from a mediocre episode of the show, but to me, I could follow it from beginning to end. From the questionable scenes (such as Picard dealing with the news of the death of his brother and nephew), to the better scenes (that awesome crash), it's a movie I find enjoyment in, and before anyone questions, no, I will not say that I'm blinded by nostalgia, as I saw this film only once as a kid. And barely remembered it before watching it again (other than it had the cool opening scenes with my then favorite incarnation of the Enterprise-B).  All I know was that I liked it then, and today, I still like it.  And if the majority of Trekkies don't like it...well it just makes me like it even more.

Please feel free to request a movie you'd like for me to perhaps take a look at and review.  Leave a comment down below telling me your own thought and feelings of this film (I have a feeling a lot of you might disagree with what I've said about the film in question).  I'll see you next time on our Trek-a-thon, and as always, thanks for reading.

Final Verdict: 3/4

THROWBACK REVIEW: Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country

And so here we stand.  The final film of the original six Star Trek films, and halfway through my Star Trek filmdom marathon reviews.Firstly let me just apologize for the delay in this review...but Boncos.  Yeah, I had a great time on Sunday watching my team get their third Championship, which didn't leave much room for writing my thoughts on this awesome film, but here I am, let's dive right into the Undiscovered Country.

Despite having seen this before, watching it however many years later, I cannot believe how strong this film is.  Like it just completely blew my mind that I'd forgotten how incredible this film is.  Has it replaced Voyage Home as my favorite Star Trek film of the original six.  Heck has it replaced First Contact as my personal favorite film of all Star Trek?  I don't know, but from start to finish, this film holds up.  It starts with a small dedication to the late Gene Roddenberry who passed before the film released, before setting the entire stage of the movie right then and there with an explosion on the Klingon Moon, Praxis, and one of my favorite ships, the Excelsior (with a much better looking bridge than last time), witnessing the Shockwave.  

Now not only is the opening scene with the Excelsior very impressive to watch, even if certain aspects appear slightly dated, but it's important to note the parallels that Star Trek is so very good at doing. I can't believe it took my father to point thus it, but this movie is basically a science fiction take off the end of the Cold War. He straight up said that Praxis was Chernobyl. He's right. The tie in of Chernobyl was very clever here, and just strengthens why I've come to love this movie so much.

And from there on out, the movie only strengthens in story as the Federation attempts to make peace with the long time enemies of Star Trek. We get an in depth look at Kirk's inner hatred of the Klingons being responsible for the death of his son, we get tension amongst all crew members who are unsure of peace is even possible, and we get an event that only broadens the impressive range of this movie. When a couple assassins successfully kill the ambassadors of the Klingon Empire, Kirk and McCoy are the prime suspects in the murder. From here, this movie starts to take on a feel similar to that of Law and Order, and it is glorious. 

From a trial scene, which ironically stars Michael Dorn (who plays a Klingon named....Worf), to a full blown investigation aboard the Enterprise, the entire length that Kirk is imprisoned in the Klingon mines, and the mystery is being solved by the crew of the Enterprise successfully keeps you in your seat, even at the edge of your seat at times. And the payoff is absolutely phenomenal. Watching it all these years later, I will admit, it pulled an ending I fully did not expect.  I won't dare spoil it, but I will reference it when I talk about a later film in the Trek franchise.

The action in this movie, much like Wrath of Kahn is perfectly paced, but I dare say, it's probably even better as far as tension.  Introducing a Klingon Bird of Prey that can fire while under cloak only builds the suspense, and seeing it just deliver such a beating to both the Enterprise, and the Excelsior is one of the coolest Star Trek scenes I can think of.  And the acting during this scene is just as great, from a frustrated Kirk calling for a torpedo that could save his ship, to the Klingon general endlessly quoting Shakespeare.  It's a sequence that is just excellently put together. I dare say that the only thing I wish could have been done slightly different...was having the Excelsior having just a little bit more to do with the scene.  I mean once it comes in, the Enterprise doesn't even hail it.  I think they could have been just a tad bit more involved with each other there, but that's just a minor gripe.

Heck, sitting here, I really cannot find any major faults with this film.  Unlike Wrath of Kahn, the story of Undiscovered Country keeps your interest from beginning to end. It doesn't phase out in the middle like Wrath of Kahn did for me. It genuinely kept my interest throughout the film.  And I will go ahead and challenge Wrath of Kahn yet again, and say...that Undiscovered Country's ending is nearly just as strong as that of Wrath of Kahn (not the thing I refused to spoil up above). I mean, sure Spock doesn't die or anything, but it's just...such a fitting end to the original crew, that I couldn't help but smile as the credits began to roll, and even shed just a few tears perhaps.  After everything's solved, the Enterprise receives a transmission from Starfleet to return for the official decommissioning of the Enterprise-A.  This also is something the crew is kinda saddened by because this was their final mission before most of them will retire. So what do they do?  They take the Enterprise out for one last run, to...wherever.  We get that famous monologue which gives the verbal change, "Where no man...where no one has gone before." And the signatures of all original cast members are shown on screen one at a time. Now THAT'S how you give the original crew a send off!

Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country has quickly become one of my favorite entries of the franchise.  I may be in some small denial but for all I know, it very well may have replaced First Contact as my personal favorite Star Trek film.  As far as Star Trek, and science fiction in general is concerned, there's not much else to say about just how well a great story is executed, which is why I am pleased to award The Undiscovered Country, with the fullest possible rating I can give, a full on four stars out of four.  It's well told, well acted, and played out to the fullest possible extent that it could do.  It's a film I will not dare ever forget as I did as a kid.  If you've not seen this film, or are new to the franchise or whatnot...just do yourself a favor and watch this.  It's a great way to have told how the Klingons and Federation finally put aside their differences, and it's just an all around fantastic film.  I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

Please feel free to suggest any films I should review down below.  Leave a comment on how you feel about the film, and as always, thanks for reading.

Final Verdict: 4/4

We are officially halfway through this marathon of Star Trek films. Six down, six more to go before July hits!  But if you'll permit me...I'm gonna take a small intermission and write a review I've been dying to write for some time now.  Feel free to check it out as well (its on my profile).

THROWBACK REVIEW: Star Trek V: The Final Frontier

There's a line in an episode of Futurama called "Where No Fan Has Gone Before" which sums up this film rather nicely. For those unfamiliar with the episode (and if you aren't, do yourself a favor and watch it), it takes place on a desert planet, and guest stars all surviving members at that time of the original Star Trek cast, minus James Doohan (who straight up said "No way."). It centers on an energy being named Melllvar, who is a diehard fan of the show, and forces the cast to perform an atrocious script he wrote. During a point, Leonard Nimoy, in his Spock attire approaches the being, and says "Melllvar, you have to respect your actors. When I directed Star Trek IV, I got a magnificent performance out of Bill because I respected him so much." To this, William Shatner immediately replies, "And when I directed Star Trek V, I got a magnificent performance out of me, because I respected me so much!"

Yeah, the name of this film alone is enough to make most Star Trek fans cringe in absolute disgust. To put it simply, this is a bad movie,  unless your name is James T. Kirk, Spock, or Leonard McCoy. How could such a film arise after a string of good films? Well the answer is in the first paragraph. William Shatner. I don't know the full story, but after finding success with directing in the previous two films, Shatner had enough, and wanted a piece of the action (pun intended), and thus he wrote and directed the infamous Final Frontier, the film many fans will call the bottom of the barrel in Star Trek filmdom. It was a film my parents refused to show me as a child, because it was so bad. Well I've finally seen it. So what do I think?

Honestly, I think it's rather sad....as in sad it's this bad, because the film had a LOT of potential. To those of you thinking this film just crashes and burns in every way possible, it doesn't. The film actually starts off fairly strong. I was actually kinda surprised. It's more when the film reaches the middle, and end where the biggest problems begin to take shape, but when this film hits the target, it can be very well done. And the first and foremost element that this film succeeds in is character development. The fleshing out of Kirk, Spock, and McCoy is at times, absolutely phenomenal. That's not a joke either, they share some genuinely deep, and very convincing moments together whether Kirk is saying how he knows he's going to die alone, or Spock is witnessing his birth, or McCoy is witnessing the death of his father, the development can be absolutely incredible...for these three characters.  Remember how I said this movie is good if you're named Kirk, Spock, or McCoy? It's because of the crew, they are the most heavily focused on.  The others barely get any screen time, development, or are just an overall joke on screen (particularly Scotty).

But aside from character development...this film's bad side heavily outweighs the good.  While decent at telling a story...for the most part, the film is absolutely littered with awkward scenes (ranging from dancing three-breasted cat-women, to Uhura dancing naked on a sand-dune), forgettable characters, poor editing, comedy that falls completely flat, and absolutely terrible special effects, the problems this film can have are endless.  This film had some potential in perhaps fleshing out diplomatic relations as the movie tries to focus on ambassadors from both the Federation, the Klingon Empire, and Romulan Star Empire.  But they're nearly forgotten about as the film goes on, shelved with the rest of the Star Trek cast.  The film's Klingon villain is absolutely laughable at how forgetable he is.  All he does is shoot space garbage, and chase the Enterprise.  And when he tries to battle, he gets a slap on the wrist by the Klingon ambassador, and is given the bad child treatment pretty much.  The film's villain...or anti-hero...I still don't know what to call him, in Spock's half-brother, Sybok is actually decently played out, but the fact that he's never been mentioned again or even hinted at is kinda disappointing.  There was a lot about him that genuinely kept my interest.  How was he able to do what he could?  Why did he have emotions despite being a Vulcan? But...he just...fizzled out. Erased from the franchise...

The story of the literal search for God I will go on a limb and say...is interesting, but poorly executed. But despite how poor the execution in this story can be...Shatner can be a riot to watch.  You can tell he is putting his heart and soul into everything this movie has to offer, and the result can be...laughably entertaining. Don't get me wrong, he does have some very deep moment with his friends, further developing his character as I said above, but at the end of the movie, you can tell where it's going.  Shatner's ego gets in the way and all of a sudden the story transforms from the search for God, to Kirk saves the day.  I don't know how high Shatner's egotistical high-horse was in this film but my God was it big.

When all is said and done, Star Trek V: The Final Frontier gets a one and a half star rating out of four. Yeah, it's bad.  Not at all a high point of the Star Trek franchise.  But as far as being the absolute worst of the worst? I wouldn't call it that.  Unlike Star Trek: The Motion Picture, this genuinely kept my interest, whether it was because of the little good there was in the film, or the laughably entertaining bad moments it had.  I find it easier to forgive this film than pictures like Insurrection or the Motion Picture.  For what it is...it's a bearable film for me. Not good.  Bad.  But I can watch it bad.  Thankfully, this would be the first and only film Shatner would direct, and I will say that's a good thing.  As much as Kirk is a fun character, Shatner's egotistical moods can get in the way of what could have been a very promising movie.  As it stands...The Final Frontier will forever be Shatner's final frontier. In more ways than one.

Please feel free to suggest future movies for me to review and to look at.  Leave a comment down below telling me your thoughts about this film, and as always, thanks for reading.

Final Verdict: 1.5/4

THROWBACK REVIEW: Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home

The beginning of The Voyage Home begins with a very touching dedication to the seven lives lost aboard the Challenger.  We've just hit the 30th anniversary of that disaster, and thirty years later, this film remains one of my personal favorite Star Trek films.  The Voyage Home goes into new waters for Star Trek as a franchise, blending a clever science fiction story in with some very funny comedy and the finished product that director Leonard Nimoy gives us is more than satisfactory.  While some elements may not be as strong as others, the good far outweighs the bad in this film, and it gives a satisfactory ending to the dubbed "trilogy" of Star Trek films that began with Wrath of Kahn.

And I gotta say for as much praise as I will give this film, it's very ironic that this is one of the only Star Trek films that barely features the Enterprise.  Most of the story focuses on the crew aboard their captured Klingon Bird of Prey, which they name the HMS Bounty.  With the Enterprise being destroyed last film, we don't get a shot of the newly constructed Enterprise-A, until the very final shot of the film.  Yet this film is still awesome.  When you make a Star Trek film, and barely show the Enterprise at all, yet still come out on top, you know you've done good. So huge props to Nimoy there.  He certainly knew how to write this story, and make it entertaining.

Now that's not to say that the film is without problems.  I've heard many people complain about the environmental message which only seems forced.  And yeah...it does seem forced.  Nothing against the whales, being a lover of the ocean myself, there are many animals that I am concerned about when it comes to their status as endangered...but Humpbacks are not endangered.  The film ventures into fiction at that area, which is kinda weird.  Why not direct the attention towards a species that really is endangered?  Such as certain species of Orca, or as they mention in the film, the Blue Whale, which actually IS endangered? I guess a Blue Whale wouldn't fit on the Bird of Prey.  I'm just kinda nitpicking here, because the movie is so entertaining that it's easy to give a pass on the environmental message. It is cleverly done, even if a little forced.

I've also heard some people say they don't care for the comedy, and that's a point I just brush aside.  Star Trek may not be known as a comedy, but when they write good comedy, it shouldn't just be brushed aside.  And a story about a crew from the 23rd century, trapped in the late 20th century is just RIPE for comedy.  And the writers took advantage of it, because the results could be nothing short of phenomenal. From Kirk shouting at a Taxi driver who nearly ran him over "Double dumb-ass on you!" to Spock nerve pinching a punk rock fan unconscious on the bus, to Scotty talking to an old Apple computer, "Hello, computer1", to Dr. McCoy getting disgusted by 20th century medicine, which is honestly one of the funniest scenes in the movie.  It is absolutely hilarious when Kirk's crew is walking around in their red Starfleet uniforms in the heart of San Fransisco, past people wearing aviators, and other 80's apparel.  They stick out like a sore thumb, and the crew barely cares about it.  What is there not to love? You can try and bring up an argument with me on how that doesn't feel like Star Trek, but you know what? Comedy happens to everyone. If you're from the 23rd Century, and don't have a clue how life works in a time two hundred years before you, you're going to run into comedy.

For a while, this was one of my favorite Star Trek films, and it still is.  Watching it again, I can't really find much wrong with it aside from small little nit pickings. Why is Time Warp so simple?  Why was their return trip not as rough as their entry trip? Other smaller questions like that.  But for what it is, it's a strong film, and probably one of the better Nimoy films.  And it's a shame that his success with Star Trek III and Star Trek IV would become a little controversial to fellow actor William Shatner, who wanted a piece of the pie...but that's a whole different movie all together, and one we'll get to next time.

Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home earns a three and a half out of four stars with me.  It's storytelling is incredible, and it provides a most satisfying conclusion to the trilogy that started with Wrath of Kahn two movies ago.  The characters are the same lovable characters you've come to know and love, and the comedy is easily some of the best that Star Trek has ever done.  Honestly, I don't think there's a funnier Trek movie or episode out there, and I'm glad for it.  Whether you watch it in I sequence with the other movies, or as a standalone film, it is going to be enjoyable all around for the lovers of Star Trek and science fiction. If you think I'm kidding...well to quote Spock, "The hell I ain't."

Please feel free to suggest a film for me to review in the future.  Leave a comment down below on how you feel about this film, and as always, thanks for reading.

Final Verdict: 3.5/4