Star Trek - Generations (Two-Disc Special Collector's Edition)
by David Carson
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Brent Spiner, Jonathan Frakes, Malcolm McDowell, Patrick Stewart, William ShatnerDirector: David Carson
Brand: Paramount
Producer: Bernard Williams
Producer: Peter Lauritson
Producer: Rick Berman
Writer: Rick Berman
Writer: Brannon Braga
Writer: Gene Roddenberry
Writer: Ronald D. Moore
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround; French (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled
Picture Format: 2.35:1
Running Time: 118 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2004-09-28
Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Paramount
Movie Reviews of Star Trek - Generations (Two-Disc Special Collector's Edition)
Movie Review: Ambitious and High-Concept Sci-Fi (for Grown-Ups only)
Summary: 5 Stars
THE PLOT: In the 23rd century Kirk is presumed dead but is actually thrust into the "Nexus," a mysterious dimension of perpetual bliss where time has no meaning. In the 24th century Captain Picard also enters the Nexus. He meets and convinces Kirk that they must leave their unreal paradise and go back to the 24th century to prevent Soran, a man bent on returning to the Nexus at all costs, from destroying an entire solar system and millions of lives.
ANALYSIS: Before seeing this film I heard highly contrasting reports: Some claimed it was one of the best Star Trek films while others, like Trek-spert Mark Altman, lambasted it as an incredible soporific dud. I've also heard it referred to as "merely passable." Well, I've seen the film about four times now and my respect grows with each viewing. I can certainly see WHY some don't like it or don't 'get' it: "Generations" has some (apparent) 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 just plain convuluted.
Regardless, I feel "Generations" is ambitious, high-concept sci-fi of the highest order; it leaves the viewer with many interestng questions to ponder long afterwards. Although the Nexus has beeen 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.
Besides this, there are an incredible number of highlights: The usual Trek humor, Data's amusing experiences with the emotion chip, Malcolm McDowell's outstanding performance as the mad Soran, Soran's 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 (disregarding the lame "Oh my"). 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 III about A MINUTE before Soran launches his rocket? Why not go back to when Soran was a guest on the Enterprise-D and apprehend him then and there? Writer Ronald D. Moore defended Picard's decision on the grounds that he didn't want to risk the dangerous and unexpected consequences that can occur when tampering with the timeline; hence, his journey back in time from the Nexus is only a matter of a minute or so. Hmmm, it's a good explanation and I accept it.
SECOND BIGGEST PLOT HOLE: If Soran's rocket-probe is powerful enough to effect a quantum implosion of the Veridian Star, would it not cause quite a bit more damage on Veridian III when it explodes? Surely both Picard (who merely hides behind a rock outcropping) and Kirk would have been utterly obliterated along with the entire immediate surroundings of the planet?
EXPLANATION: Some have criticized the fact that Guinan is simultaneously present in the real world and in the Nexus. How could this be? It's simple: It is repeatedly established that the reality experienced in the Nexus is not real; one experiences what they desire in the Nexus, not what is real. For instance, Picard has no children in the real world, but because he DESIRED to have them he was able to experience them in the Nexus. Hence, the 'Guinan' portrayed in the Nexus may walk, talk and act precisely like Guinan, but she's not real. She's only there because Picard desires her to be there for the purpose of explaining the nature of the Nexus. Capeesh?
COMMENTARY ON THE NEXUS: Although the Nexus should simply be taken at face value as a strange space phenomenon, one can also regard it as an analogy. At first glance one might get the impression that the Nexus is a type of heaven, but this can't be so since it is repeatedly emphasized in the film that the people and events experiened in the Nexus are NOT real. 'Heaven,' a term theologians and ministers traditionally use to refer to the eternal abode of the redeemed (technically referred to as "the new heavens and new earth" in the bible ~ 2 Peter 3:13), is -- by contrast -- always depicted as real in the bible, not an illusory paradise. If the Nexus is not analgous of heaven, what could it be a type of? The Nexus corresponds to any addiction a person "tastes" and embraces to escape reality (e.g. drugs, alcohol, computer games, TV, porn, fishing, shopping, golf, etc.) Some, like Soran, are unable to flee its clutches and waste their lives and talents OBSESSED by it. Others, like Picard and Kirk, are able to see the truth and escape; they therefore "make a difference" in real life.
BOTTOM LINE: This "passing-of-the-torch" installment requires an attention span and an appreciation for high-concept sci-fi; it will bore to tears those for whom Star Trek only means neato spacecrafts and superficial space dogfights (don't get me wrong, they each have their place in Star Trek). "Generations" has the courage to make bold changes -- killing off a major iconic character, and fairly prominent support characters as well, not to mention destroying the Enterprise-D.
"Generations" is science-fiction for grown-ups and youth with advanced cerebral development. All others should stick with Star Wars and "Zathura" (giggle).
Summary of Star Trek - Generations (Two-Disc Special Collector's Edition)
The torch of adventure isabout to be passed.ProductInformationIn Star Trek: Generations it's the 23rd century and retired Starfleetofficers James T. Kirk (William Shatner) Montgomery Scott (JamesDoohan) and Pavel Chekov (Walter Koenig) are guests of honor aboard thenewly christened Enterprise-B. During a perilous rescueattempt Kirk is swept out into space. Seven decades laterCaptain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) and the crew of theEnterprise-D rescue an El Aurian physicist named Soran (MalcolmMcDowell) who harbors a deadly plan that includes the destruction ofthe Enterprise and millions of lives. Now Picard's only hopefor a future rests within the Nexus...and a legendary captain from thepast. The Special Collector's Edition includes commentariesdeleted scenes and more in a two-disc set.Product Features Audio Commentary by Brannon Braga and Ron Moore Text Commentary by Michael Okuda and Denise Okuda Motion Menus Scene SelectionThe Star Trek Universe: A Tribute to Matt Jeffries The Enterprise Lineage Captain Picard's Family Album Creating 24th Century WeaponsProduction: Uniting Two Legends Stellar Cartography: Creating the Illusion Strange New Worlds: The Valley of FireVisual Effects: Inside ILM: Models and Miniatures Crashing the EnterpriseScene Deconstruction: Main Title Sequence The Nexus Ribbon Saucer Crash SequenceDeleted Scenes: Orbital Skydiving Walking the Plank Christmas with the Picards Alternate EndingArchives: Storyboards Production GallerySpecifications Stars: Patrick StewartJonathan Frakes Brent Spiner Format: Color DVDWidescreen NTSC Languages: English French Subtitles: English Rating: PG Number of Discs: 2 Run Time: 117 minutes Directed By: David CarsonSimilar DVD Movies
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