STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION

Cybersurfing: WGA List of Top 101 Shows declares Star Trek better than Next Generation

Posted on June 3, 2013 by Steve Biodrowski

Kevin Drum of Mother Jones points us to an interesting tidbit in the Writers Guild of America’s list of the 101 best-written television shows of all time:

33: Star Trek
79: Star Trek: The Next Generation

Drum takes this to be the nail in the coffin of any argument to the effect that STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION was better written than the original STAR TREK series, but I always find these lists somewhat dubious because of the difficulty of setting a standard for comparison. For example:

Are we talking about the sheer number of good episodes? That would favor longer-running shows like ST:TNG
Are we talking about average of quality, factoring the best and the worst? By that standard, an overall mediocre show might rank as highly as a great show that was marred by some bad episodes. This is especially important in the case of STAR TREK, because almost everyone agrees that its third and final season was a misfire. By this standard, I think STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION would edge out its predecessor: Episodes like “The Royale” were bad but not as bad as “Spock’s Brain.”
Are we just considering which show reached the highest level of achievement, even if in only a few episodes? By this standard, I think STAR TREK would handily win; there were a dozen or so great episodes that outdid anything STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION ever mentioned.

Regardless of this concern, Drum points out that STAR TREK gave the world more memorable catch-phrases, such as “Live long and prosper” and “I’m a doctor, not a brick-layer.” ST:TNG has nothing comparable.
Other horror, fantasy, and science fiction shows to make the list:

3: THE TWILIGHT ZONE
26: THE X-FILES
27: LOST
35: TWIN PEAKS
38: BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (2005)
49: BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER
63: SOUTH PARK
66: DEXTER
90: THE PRISONER
91: THE MUPPET SHOW

Of course, any list that omits THE OUTER LIMITS (the original 1960s version) should be regarded as highly suspect. Likewise, placing LOST and BUFFY THE VAMPIRE above THE PRISONER is indefensible. But at least the voters were smart enough to put THE TWILIGHT ZONE near the top.

STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE's Armin Shimerman: The CFQ Interview, Ep. 101

Posted on February 7, 2013 by Dan Persons

Armin Shimerman as STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE's Quark, and himself (inset).

It’s not often an actor gets to redeem an entire species, but that’s what Armin Shimerman did when he took on the role of Quark, the amenable but eminently self-interested Ferengi barkeep of STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE. Having been present for the Ferengi’s ignominious debut on STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION, when a race posited as being the next Klingons eventually devolved into cartoon irrelevancy, Shimerman took the character meant to be DS9’s comic relief and added enough credibility to his motives and depth to his personality that for the first time, a race centered purely on profit seemed not only possible, but actually appealing.
As a demonstration of the depth with which we intend to explore the worlds of science fiction, fantasy, and horror film and TV on our brand-new podcast,THE CFQ INTERVIEW, we probably couldn’t find a better guest than Shimerman. In the span of this extended interview, we discuss not only DS9, but also his work on BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, and, in a surprising, eye-opening sidetrack, his guest stint on SEINFELD, plus so much more. It’s an hour-plus of insightful talk — click on the player to get it started.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Armin Shimerman will be directing Arthur Miller’s
THE CRUCIBLE
this May at The Antaeus Company

[serialposts]

Updated 'Next Gen' HD Trailer

Posted on November 16, 2011 by Tom Powers

Now with examples of restored footage and FX, this updated trailer for CBS/Paramount’s THE NEXT LEVEL sampler is due for release January 31st, 2012 as part of STAR TREK” THE NEXT GENERATION’s 25th Anniversary.

Star Trek:TNG Official Blu-Ray—Teaser

Posted on September 29, 2011 by Tom Powers

StarTrek.com revealed further details about that STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION High Definition Blu-Ray “sampler” that’s been generating some buzz.
The release will be called STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION —THE NEXT LEVEL, which will indeed include the two-part pilot Encounter at Farpoint as a “feature-length version”. Third season episode The Sins of the Father and the fifth season The Inner Light will also be included on the single disc.

“Fans have been clamoring for a high-definition release of Star Trek: The Next Generation,” Ken Ross, Executive Vice President and General Manager of CBS Entertainment, said in a statement. “Transferring the series to high-definition presented difficult technical challenges, but our team has come up with a process to create true 1080p HD masters with true HD visual effects. We can’t wait to show fans how pristine the series looks and sounds with our upcoming Blu-ray releases.”
CBS is, in fact, returning to the original film negatives, a mother lode of material encompassing 25,000-plus reels of footage, and editing the episodes together precisely as they were when they originally aired between 1987 and 1994. Visual effects will not be upconverted from videotape, but instead will be recompositioned.

The freshly cut film will ultimately be transferred to high definition with 7.1 DTS Master Audio. And all of the work is being done in conjunction with respected, longtime Star Trek figures Denise and Michael Okuda, who are on board as consultants.”

THE NEXT LEVEL will be released by CBS Home Entertainment on January 31st, 2012 with a suggested retail price of $21.99.
The rest of the first season will be released at an as yet unspecified date in 2012, which happens to be Next Gen’s 25th Anniversary year. Current plans call for the entire series to be remastered, all 178 episodes.

'Star Trek: Next Gen' Re-mastered & More

Posted on September 13, 2011 by Tom Powers

There’s been fan speculation that CBS/Paramount was planning to remaster STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION in HD for Blue-Ray release. Now there’s some confirmation that a test of four episodes are being done.
LeVar Burton revealed on his twitter feed that he saw some of the work being done.

Stopped by to see how the TNG conversion to HD for Blue Ray was coming along… #mindblown

The Digital Bits reports that an un-named source told them them episodes being up-converted are the two-part premiere Encounter At Far Point Parts 1 & 2 , Sins of the Father, and The Inner Light.
The “Sampler Disc” will reportedly be rleased in Germany on December 17th, though no formal announcement has been made by CBS/Parmount.
THE NEXT GENERATION actually poses more of a problem in HD conversion than the original series did. High quality negative and prints of that series exist in Paramount vaults. While NEXT GEN was also shot primarily on 35mm film, the series was edited and much of the effects composited on standard denfinition 525-line video (actual resolution 720X486).
In the early years of the show, the equipment used was not much more advanced than a netwrok news edit room, sometimes with rather “soft”-looking film transfers, and FX elements occasionaly generated directly on video. It’s unclear how much of the original materials were stored, and what condition they might be in.
One might speculatethat the episodes would have to be re-edited nearly from scratch, a formidible proposition. A simple ‘up-conversion” through line doubling and similar methods would likely yield inferior results.
In other STAR TREK news JJ Abrams told NBC that he might consider the idea of bringing STAR TREK back to television.

“It’s never really come up, frankly, but depending on what that would sort of be and how it would be done I’d be open to the idea of it. Right now we’re just sort of focusing on making a movie that’s worth people’s time.”

And regarding the sequel to his hit STAR TREK cinematic reboot:

“I’m excited. We’re working hard. We’re very close and I hope to have something to talk about concretely soon. I do feel like if ‘Trek’ happens as we hope that it will, it will be a fun return to that group of people, because it’s an amazing group.”

Star Trek: TNG CD Score Collection

Posted on August 2, 2011 by Tom Powers

The folks at La-La Land Records tell us that they have a New Release available for order at www.lalalandrecords.com as of Tuesday, 1:00 pm (PST), August 2nd, 2011.
“STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION – COLLECTION VOLUME ONE: LIMITED EDITION (3-CD SET)” Music Composed and Conducted by Dennis McCarthy, Jay Chattaway, Fred Steiner, Don Davis and John Debney
Limited Edition of 3000 Units
RETAIL PRICE: $34.98
STARTS SHIPPING AUGUST 2nd

“Presenting STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION – COLLECTION VOLUME ONE: LIMITED EDITION, a 3-CD limited edition release featuring more than 3 full hours of previously unreleased music. STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION – COLLECTION VOLUME ONE showcases some of the most dynamic pieces of score ever composed for this beloved and acclaimed series. Renowned composers Dennis McCarthy, Jay Chattaway, Don Davis, John Debney and Fred Steiner are all represented on this limited edition set of 3000 Units, which complies many of the very best musical contributions to the most famous and celebrated sci-fi franchise in television history. Produced by Ford Thaxton, Mark Banning, James Nelson and Lukas Kendall, this release, mastered by James Nelson, includes a 32-Page Booklet featuring liner notes from film/TV music writer Jeff Bond.
Cover Art by Tobias Richter – The Light Works: www.thelightworks.com
TRACK LISTING:
DISC ONE: Dennis McCarthy
1. Star Trek: The Next Generation Main Title (3rd Season)
Narration: Patrick Stewart (1:49)
Music by Alexander Courage and Jerry Goldsmith, Arr. Dennis McCarthy
Recorded September 18, 1989, at 20th Century Fox Scoring Stage,
Los Angeles, California. • Debuted September 25, 1989.
Airdates varied in local markets, due to syndication.
HAVEN #105
2. Haven M11* / Harpies M12 / Gifts M13 (2:06)
3. Starship M14* / Lost Love M15 / Wyatt & Troi M16 /
Mom Arrives M17 (3:26)
4. In Practice M21 / Tradition M22 / Cuestosity M23 (Not Used) /
Mental Flame M24* / Leper Colony M25 (4:44)
5. Petty M37 (0:54)
6. Desert Panorama M41 / Proposal M42 / Tractor Beam M43 (2:51)
7. Ariana M51* / Plan to Die M52 / Preparation M53 / Alien Vessel M54 / Departure M55 / Next Adventure M56* (7:54)
*Contains “Theme From Star Trek (TV Series)” by Alexander Courage
Recorded October 1, 1987, at Paramount Pictures Scoring Stage M, Hollywood, California. • Original airdate: November 30, 1987
Hide and Q #111
8. Miracle Worker M51 / Lights Out M51A / Time Lapse M52* (5:24)
*Contains “Theme From Star Trek (TV Series)” by Alexander Courage
Recorded November 16, 1987, at Paramount Pictures Scoring Stage M, Hollywood, California. • Original airdate: November 23, 1987
The Big Goodbye #113
9. (You Came Along From) Out of Nowhere M53 / M12 (3:24)
Composed by John Green and Edward Heyman, Arr. Dennis McCarthy
Published by Sony/ATV Harmony (ASCAP).
Additional Orchestrations by James Hill.
Recorded December 10, 1987, at Paramount Pictures Scoring Stage M, Hollywood, California. • Original airdate: January 11, 1988
Conspiracy #125
10. Worf Down M51 / Invader M52 / Dinner Treats M53 / Retching Remmick M54* / Recovery M55 / Cliff Hanger M56 (7:44)
*Contains “Theme From Star Trek (TV Series)” by Alexander Courage
Recorded April 29, 1988, at Universal Studios Scoring Stage,
Universal City, California. • Original airdate: May 9, 1988
The Child #127
11. Rendezvous M11 / Liaison M12 (2:15)
12. Aucdet IX M21 / Containment Out M22 /
The Birth M23B / Growth Spurt M24 (5:11)
Recorded November 10, 1988, at Paramount Pictures Scoring Stage M, Hollywood, California. • Original airdate: November 21, 1988
Elementary, Dear Data #129
13. Stardate M11* / Holmes’s Pipe M12A / Holmes’s Pipe 2 M12 (0:54)
14. Denouement M14 / The Challenge M15 (0:57)
*Contains “Theme From Star Trek (TV Series)” by Alexander Courage
Recorded November 28, 1988, at Paramount Pictures Scoring Stage M, Hollywood, California. • Original airdate: December 5, 1988
Time Squared #139
15. P-2 Arises M51 / Hall Twins M52 /
P-2 Dies M53 / Escape M54 / No Repeat M55* (6:08)
*Contains “Theme From Star Trek (TV Series)” by Alexander Courage
Recorded March 22, 1989, at Paramount Pictures Scoring Stage M, Hollywood, California. • Original airdate: April 3, 1989
The Survivors #151
16. Music Boxer M16 (1:03)
17. Telepathic M41 / Kevin’s Waltz M42 / Unbridged M43 (4:36)
18. Music Box M42 (0:39)
Recorded September 29, 1989, at 20th Century Fox Scoring Stage,
Los Angeles, California. • Original airdate: October 9, 1989
Sarek #171
19. Logging M51 / Solution M52 / Mind Meld M53 / Angstosity M54 /
Back to Reality M55 / Goodbyes M56 (6:26)
Recorded May 4, 1990, at 20th Century Fox Scoring Stage,
Los Angeles, California. • Original airdate May 14, 1990
Conundrum #214
20. MacDuff Exposed M51A / Meeting the Girls M52 / Confused M53* (4:40)
*Contains “Theme From Star Trek (TV Series)” by Alexander Courage
Recorded January 24, 1992, at 20th Century Fox Scoring Stage,
Original airdate: February 17, 1992 Los Angeles, California. •
All Good Things… #277 / 278
21. Saved Again M103* (2:27)
22. I Have a Gun M104* (0:52)
*Contains “Theme From Star Trek (TV Series)” by Alexander Courage
Recorded May 10, 1994, at Paramount Pictures Scoring Stage M,
Hollywood, California. • Original airdate: May 23, 1994
23. Star Trek: The Next Generation
End Title (3rd Season, Long Version) (1:55)
Music by Jerry Goldsmith, Arr. Dennis McCarthy
Recorded September 18, 1989, at 20th Century Fox Scoring Stage,
Los Angeles, California.
Total Time – Disc One: 79:06
DISC TWO: Music By Jay Chattaway
1. Star Trek: The Next Generation Main Title (2nd Season) (1:39)
Music by Alexander Courage and Jerry Goldsmith, Arr. Dennis McCarthy
Recorded November 10, 1988, at Paramount Pictures Scoring Stage M, Hollywood, California. • Debuted November 21, 1988
Remember Me #179
2. Old Friend M11 / Return to Starbase M23 (1:06)
3. The Traveler M51 / Through the Bubble M52 (7:08)
Recorded October 10, 1990, at 20th Century Fox Scoring Stage,
Original airdate: October 22, 1990 Los Angeles, California. •
The Host #197
4. Sorry M11 / Jay M17 (3:34)
5. No Pain, No Gain M33 (2:04)
6. Can’t Be Apart M44 (2:18)
7. Surprised M54 / Last Waist Kiss M55 (1:12)
Recorded April 30, 1991, at 20th Century Fox Scoring Stage,
Los Angeles, California.• Original airdate: May 13, 1991
Darmok #202
8. Doo Doo Occurs M32 (3:04)
9. Telling a Story M43 / Gone Forever M43A (4:07)
10. Tired of Sitting Around M51A / What’s a Life Worth? M52 (4:55)
Recorded September 12, 1991, at 20th Century Fox Scoring Stage,
Los Angeles, California. • Original airdate: September 30, 1991
Silicon Avatar #204
11. Running for Cover M13 / Someone’s Comin’ M16 (3:25)
12. So, We Finally Meet M52 (3:51)
Recorded September 27, 1991, at 20th Century Fox Scoring Stage,
Los Angeles, California. • Original airdate: October 14, 1991
The Perfect Mate #221
13. Hard to Resist M34 (3:07)
14. I’ve Bonded With You M52 (1:19)
Recorded April 9, 1992, at 20th Century Fox Scoring Stage,
Los Angeles, California. • Original airdate: April 27, 1992
I Borg #223
15. The Borg Pick Up Hugh M53 (2:40)
Recorded May 4, 1992, at 20th Century Fox Scoring Stage,
Los Angeles, California. • Original airdate: May 11, 1992
The Inner Light #225
16. Lullaby #1 M31 (0:50)
17. Naming Dance #1 M32 Alt B (1:15)
18. The Answer to a Mystery M51 / Lullaby #1A M52 (4:20)
Recorded May 21, 1992, at 20th Century Fox Scoring Stage,
Los Angeles, California. • Original airdate: June 1, 1992
Relics #230
19. Scotty’s Bridge M32* (0:40)
20. Captain in Rank Only M51 / Scotty to the Rescue M52 /
Mister Good Hands M53 (4:43)
*Contains “Theme From Star Trek (TV Series)” by Alexander Courage
Recorded September 28, 1992, at 20th Century Fox Scoring Stage,
Los Angeles, California. • Original airdate: October 12, 1992
Starship Mine #244
21. Greedy Double Crosser M51 / Fight to the Death M52 (6:51)
Recorded March 15, 1993, at Paramount Pictures Scoring Stage M, Hollywood, California. • Original airdate: March 29, 1993
The Chase #246
22. Message Received M52 (2:50)
Recorded April 2, 1993, at Paramount Pictures Scoring Stage M,
Hollywood, California. • Original airdate: April 26, 1993
Journey’s End #272
23. War or Peace M52 / Wes Goes on His Way M54* (6:08)
*Contains “Theme From Star Trek (TV Series)” by Alexander Courage
Recorded March 21, 1994, at Paramount Pictures Scoring Stage M, Hollywood, California. • Original airdate: March 28, 1994
Bonus Tracks:
The Inner Light #225
24. Naming Ceremony, Alternate (Not Used) M32A (1:20)
25. Naming Dance, Up-Tempo Version (Not Used) M2 (1:08)
Recorded May 21, 1992, at 20th Century Fox Scoring Stage,
Los Angeles, California.
26. Star Trek: The Next Generation
End Title (3rd Season, Short Version–Alt. Take) (0:48)
Music by Jerry Goldsmith, Arr. Dennis McCarthy
Recorded September 18, 1989, at 20th Century Fox Scoring Stage,
Los Angeles, California.
Total Time – Disc Two: 77:17
DISC THREE: Guest Composers
1. Star Trek: The Next Generation
Main Title (3rd Season) (1:49)
Music by Alexander Courage and Jerry Goldsmith, Arr. Dennis McCarthy
Recorded September 18, 1989, at 20th Century Fox Scoring Stage,
Los Angeles, California.
Code of Honor #104
Music by Fred Steiner
2. Sky and Starship M11* / Meet Lutan M12 / Lutan Impressed M13 (2:43)
3. Bronze Horse M14 / To the Holodeck M15 / Snatch Tasha M16 (1:50)
4. Waiting M21 / Code of Honor II M22 (1:39)
5. Chez Lutan M31 / Lutan’s Honor M32 / The Centerpiece M33 / Yareena Upset M34 /
Combat Ready M35 / Hatching a Plan M36 / Code of Honor Again M37 (4:16)
6. Code of Honor M41 (Not Used) / Yareena’s Threat M42 / The Glavin M43 (2:12)
7. Officer’s Log M51 / Competition M52 / Deadly Blow M53 / She Lives M54 /
Poor Lutan M55 / Mission Accomplished M56B* (6:39)
*Contains “Theme From Star Trek (TV Series)” by Alexander Courage
Recorded September 11, 1987, at Paramount Pictures Scoring Stage M, Hollywood, California. • Original airdate: October 12, 1987
Face of the Enemy #240
Music by Don Davis
8. Troi Delirious M11 (1:35)
9. Ear Trauma M12 / Romulans in Romuland M13 /Troi Trouble M14 (1:29)
10. It’s Huge M21 / Riker Ridiculous M22 (Not Used) / Jean-Luc Benign M23 /
Romulan Dissident Mummies M24 / N’Vek Trek M25 (3:32)
11. Clash of the British Titans M31 / Placating Picard M32 / Untitled M33 /
Face of the Enemy (Act Out) M34 (3:27)
12. Toreth’s Revenge M41 / N’Vek Nervosa M42 (5:48)
13. Destructed Plan M51 / Another Cruel Hoax M52 /
Noble N’Vek Dies for Our Sins M53 (8:15)
Recorded January 29, 1993, at Paramount Pictures Scoring Stage M, Hollywood, California. • Original airdate: February 8, 1993
The Pegasus #264
Music by John Debney
14. New Orders M11 / Pegasus M12 (0:22)
15. On Impulse M13 /Romulans Appear M14 Alt A / Stand Down M15 /
Pressman Plots M16 (2:06)
16. Act In M21 / Scanning the Belt M22 Alt A (3:31)
17. Romulans Depart M31 / Duty Calls M32 /
Riker’s Dilemma M33 /Relieved of Command M34 (2:43)
18. The Discovery M41 / Trapped M42 (5:12)
19. Secret Weapon M51 /
Federation Cloak M52* /
Second Chance M53 (6:57)
Alternate Takes
20. New Orders M11 Alt A (0:22)
21. Romulans Appear M14 tk 2 (1:03)
22. Stand Down M15 Alt A tk 2 (0:38)
23. Scanning the Belt M22 tk 3 (3:17)
24. Secret Weapon M51 tk 5 (3:53)
*Contains “Theme From Star Trek (TV Series)” by Alexander Courage
Recorded December 17, 1993, at Paramount Pictures Scoring Stage M, Hollywood, California. • Original airdate: January 10, 1994
Bonus MATERIALS
25. Star Trek: The Next Generation
Bumper (1st Season) (0:06)
Music by Jerry Goldsmith, Arr. Dennis McCarthy
Recorded September 1, 1987, at
Paramount Pictures Scoring Stage M, Hollywood, California.
Debuted September 28, 1987.
26. Star Trek: The Next Generation Bumper (3rd Season) (0:08)
Music by Jerry Goldsmith, Arr. Dennis McCarthy
Recorded September 18, 1989, at 20th Century Fox Scoring Stage,
Debuted September 25, 1989. Los Angeles, California. •
27. Theme From Star Trek (TV Series) Polka Version (0:55)
28. Theme From Star Trek (TV Series) Torch Song Version (1:34)
Music by Alexander Courage and Gene Roddenberry, Arr. Dennis McCarthy
Recorded June 9, 1989, at Paramount Pictures Scoring Stage M,
Hollywood, California.
29. Star Trek: The Next Generation End Title (3rd Season, Short Version) (0:48)
Music by Jerry Goldsmith, Arr. Dennis McCarthy
Recorded September 18, 1989, at 20th Century Fox Scoring Stage,
Los Angeles, California. • Debuted September 25, 1989.
Total Time – Disc Three: 79:32
Total Time – All Discs: 3:55:55″

'Terra Nova' Loses Producer, Gains Actor?

Posted on September 14, 2010 by Tom Powers

According to The Hollywood Reporter, producer David Fury (24) has left the Fox Network’s time-travel dinosaur series TERRA NOVA.
Unnamed sources tell the site that Fury left due to “creative differences” while writing the pilot with Brannon Braga (STAR TREK: TNG, 24). Braga will remain as the ‘show-runner’ producer for the Steven Spielberg series.
It’s unclear if David Fury’s differences were with Brannon Braga, or higher up the chain of command.
Meanwhile, Deadline.com says that Steven Lang (AVATAR, CONAN) is in serious talks to play Frank Taylor, who they describe as “the charismatic and ruthless leader of the Terra Nova settlement.”
The article claims Lang was long favored for the the role, but unavailable due to feature commitments until recently.
UPDATE 9/17: Deadline.com is confiming that Steven Lang has signed for the role of Frank Taylor.

Star Trek: Nemesis (2002) – Retrospective Science Fiction Film Review

Posted on May 18, 2009 by Steve Biodrowski

The tenth STAR TREK feature film is not the worst of the bunch – in fact, with the exception of STAR TREK: FIRST CONTACT it is probably the best to deploy the cast of STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION – but there is a sense that, by this time, the anti-matter had been drained out of the dilithium crystals. The cast and crew strive honorably to recharge the batteries, but the effect is just enough to jump-start one final adventure before sending the Starship Enterprise back to dry dock. As usual for the franchise, STAR TREK: NEMESIS be judged only by other STAR TREK films: fans may or may not like it, depending on whether they feel it stays true to the series; either way, it has little life as a stand-alone feature film.
Actually, screenwriter John Logan (GLADIATOR) makes a decent effort at crafting a dramatic story with some interesting ideas, and director Stuart Baird strives to impose a threatening sense of intimidation, bordering on outright doom, into STAR TREK: NEMESIS. This is not a bright and shiny science fiction film but a dark and brooding drama, and the shift in tone is a welcome one.
Unfortunately, the plot is based on a premise that requires an extremely contrived back story, one so unlikely that viewers simply have to shake their heads and say, “It’s only a movie.” Not only does the android Data’s duplicate show up; Captain Picard meets a Romulan enemy, who turns out to be his “clone.” (How did the Romulans come by Picard’s genetic material? Don’t ask – please!)
If you forgive the frankly incredible set-up, STAR TREK: NEMESIS is not bad, and Baird manages to make it feel less like a made-for-television movie that the previous NEXT GENERATION features. Nevertheless, the film continues the unfortunate penchant for short-changing the cast in favor of focusing on Picard and Data. The female characters, as usual, are the worst victims. The best that the script can think of for Counselor Troi is to have her raped (psychically, not physically, but the implication is clear enough), setting up a last-reel retribution.
As ever THE NEXT GENERATION wears its inferiority complex to the original TAR TREK on its sleeve. In an attempt to create a thrilling, tear-jerking conclusion, STAR TREK: NEMESIS shamelessly cops the conclusion of STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN (the Enterprise is unable to outrun a catastrophic weapon until someone sacrifices himself), with Data standing in for Spock. If you overlook the plagiarism, the sequence is effective enough, but you wish the films could take us “where no one has gone before” instead of revisiting the same space quadrants over and over.
STAR TREK: NEMESIS was a box office disappointment that resulted in putting the film on hiatus until 2009’s revitalized STAR TREK, which saw the return of the classic cast of characters, played by new, younger actors.
STAR TREK: NEMESIS(2002). Directed by Stuart Baird. Screenplay by John Logan; story by Logan & Rick Berman & Brent Spiner. Cast: Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, Brent Spiner, LeVar Burton, Michael Dorn, marina Sirtis, Gates McFadden, Tom Hardy, Ron Perlman, Shannon Cochran, Dina Meyer, Jude Ciccolella, alan Dale, John Berg, Michael Owen, Kate Mulgrew, Will Wheaton, Majel Barrett.

Star Trek: Generations (1994) – Retrospective Science Fiction Film Review

Posted on May 15, 2009 by Steve Biodrowski

This is the first first time the cast of STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION stepped out of the television tube and into theatres; unfortunately, even more than the six STAR TREK films that preceded it, STAR TREK: GENERATIONS suffers from the feeling that it is only a bigger budgeted episode of the television show, one that fails to use the full potential of the cinematic medium. The result is in many ways the worst that STAR TREK has to offer: science fiction, speculation, and the all-important Sense of Wonder take a back seat to character drama of the most mediocre sort, creating something not too far removed from a feature film version of a soap opera.
Despite self-congratulatory claims that this would be a self-contained motion picture, STAR TREK: GENERATIONS is nothing more than a series two-parter, shot in Panavision and edited together (and not a very good one – “The Best of Both Worlds,” parts 1 and 2, are much better). There is even an obligatory and annoying B-story about Data’s emotion chip, which wastes screen time that should have been devoted to the under-developed main plot, which leaves much to be desired. The opening ten minutes arguable rank among the best big screen TREK – a mini-movie featuring three members of the old crew on the Enterprise B. But when we flash foward to the crew of THE NEXT GENERATION, the interest level plummets. Partly this is because their first scene is a ridiculous attempt at whimsy in the dreaded holodeck; more importantly, it’s because the new crew have not yet attained the level of mythic archetype that would make them capable of carrying a movie on their own shoulders.
STAR TREK: GENERATIONS is weak science fiction. Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) is worrying about the passage of time and contemplating his own mortality. In the great tradition of contrived plotting, he encounters a villain whose goal just happens to relate to Picard’s own personal problems. Rather like Sybok in STAR TREK 5: THE FINAL FRONTIER, who wanted to find Eden, the obsessed Dr. Soran (Malcolm McDowell, who deserves better) is searching for eternal life in heaven. This search is expressed in techo-babble terms such as “nexus” and “time continuum,” of course, but it all emerges as a MacGuffin of the worst sort, just a plot device to give the characters something to do.
The true point of the story is to pass the torch to the new crew and to get the two Starfleet captains together. Unfortunately, the meeting of Kirk and Picard sparks no chemistry, because their personalities are barely engaged by the dilemma at hand, whose stakes are never made palpable to the audience. (We’re told that Soran’s efforts will cost millions of lives, but we never see them at risk; instead the adventure merely helps Picard get over his midlife crisis.) Perhaps surprisingly, the hammy Shatner acts rings around the more subtle Stewart, whose low-key approach proves weak at filling the big screen.
On top of everything else, STAR TREK: GENERATIONS suffers from the none-too-subtly snide attitude that the makers of THE NEXT GENERATION evinced toward the original STAR TREK. In order to smooth over the transition from films based on the orignial STAR TREK series they are willing to cast James Doohan, Walter Koenig, and William Shatner, but the first two get only brief cameos, and Shatner’s featured roll as Captain Kirk remains subsidiary to Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) not only in screen time but also in the callous treatment of the character. Kirk is in the film because it was a good box office decision, but you get the feeling that producer Rick Berman and writers Ronald D. Moore and Brannon Braga enjoy killing him off so that their captain no longer has to live in Kirk’s shadow.
The few attempts to make STAR TREK: GENERATIONS feel like a real motion picture tend to backfire, such as the inexplicable appearance (courtesy of talented but miscast director of photography John Alonzo) of shadowson the Enterprise. (What – did engineer forget to replace some light bulbs on the ship?) In an even more desperate attempt to justify the feature-length treatment of this television-style script, STAR TREK: GENERATIONS crashes the Enterprise D – a truly spectacular special effects sequence that in technical terms almost justifies the price of admission. However, emotionally, how many times can you destroy the Enterprise and get any juice out of it? As if to underline this failing, the denouement has an under-used Riker expressing regret at never getting into the captain’s chair, to which Picrd responds, “I’m sure this wont’ be the last ship christened Enterprise.”
After the number of times the Enterrprise has been trashed (twice in this movie alone!), one might wonder whether someone at the Federation would start to think the jinxed name should be retired.
STAR TREK: GENERATIONS(1994). Directed by David Carson. Screenplay by Ronald D. Moore & Brannon Braga; story by Rick Berman, Ronald D. Moore & Brannon Braga. Cast: Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, Brent Spiner, LeVar Burton, Michael Dorn, Gate McFadden, Marina Sirtis, Malcolm McDowell, James Doohan, Walter Koenig, William Shatner, Alan Ruck, Jenette Goldstein, Whoopie Goldberg, Majel Barret (as Enterprise computer voice).

Star Trek: Insurrection (1998) – Retrospective Film Review

Posted on May 15, 2009 by Steve Biodrowski

By the time this film reached theatres in 1998, viewers knew better than to expect good science-fiction from STAR TREK features. The franchise had long since reached the level where the selling point was not to “go where no one has gone before” but to put familiar characters through familiar paces, preferably by reviving some villain or other concept from the small screen. So it was a mildly pleasant surprise to see STAR TREK: INSURRECTION – the ninth STAR TREK film and the third featuring the cast of STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION – make some small attempt to stand on its own as a self-contained movie. Sure, there were continuity references to STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE, but at least you did not have to be up-to-date on the latest episodes to follow the plot; in fact, you did not have to watch the series at all.
The basic premise of STAR TREK: INSURRECTION – a planet blessed with a fountain of youth – is not original; certainly, the classic STAR TREK visited its share of paradise planets, but thankfully there are no references to any of these episodes. Instead, the idea is used to launch a story in which Picard finds the ideals of the Federation being undermined from within. The result is a moderately engaging adventure that provides plenty of action without resorting to the HELLRAISER-type horror elements used to enliven the previous big-screen entry, STAR TREK: FIRST CONTACT.
Along the way, the cast is well served. One of the big problems of the films, particularly those based on STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION, has always been what to do with all the regular characters while still introducing some guest stars and new villains. Michael Piller deftly solves the problem by making the screen time count, in neat little scenes that tickle audience expectations (as when the youthfully rejuvenated Riker and Troi rekindle their long-dormant romance).
Frakes, meanwhile, does a competent job as director. STAR TREK: INSURRECTION has fewer opportunities than STAR TREK: FIRST CONTACT to show off spectacular visuals, so the result feels even more like a made-for-television film (a problem with most of the TREK features). Fortunately, Frakes keeps the story moving and even pulls off a few poignantly poetic moments, as when Picard’s love interest, Anij (Donna Murphy) teaches him to enjoy a perfect moment, wherein time seems to slow down, as evidence by the blurred wings of a hummingbird suddenly clearly visible in slow motion.
Unfortunately, this romance is one of the weak points in STAR TREK: INSURRECTION. (Others include the videogame joystick Riker uses to manually pilot the Enterprise, a holodeck supposedly large enough to surreptitiously transport an entire village that turns out to be exactly the size of a ship’s bridge.) Apparently, more was in the original cut to invest emotional substance in the love story, but it was trimmed down after test screenings. This may be an example of actually slowing the pace down by cutting, leaving the remaining footage without the necessary grounding to make it compelling.
Also altered is the film’s conclusion. No longer does Ru’afo undergo a youthful regression that takes him past childhood to an embryonic stage; instead, he blows up in a space ship – a fiery climax that is a tad too typical. Fortunately, F. Murray Abraham’s performance remains otherwise intact, and he is an effectively malevolent force, even under all the make-up. Even more important, he is in control of his deviousness so that one believes he could gain the cooperation of the Federation’s Admiral Dougherty (a fine performance from Anthony Zerbe, who avoids sinking into outright villainy while clearing portraying a man willing to make moral compromises). One exchange between them is priceless: Ru’afo, who wants to prevent the Enterprise from contacting Starfleet, says, “I could send a ship to… [long pause for the right euphemism] …escort them back.” The look in Dougherty’s eyes clearly shows he knows just what he is agreeing to.
Unlike the foolish STAR TREK: GENERATIONS, with its off-screen and unseen populations threatened by a kid’s science project rocket, STAR TREK: INSURRECTION establishes a sense of something worthwhile at risk that is worth defending. So when the shooting starts, it is not mere gratuitous violence but an expression of dramatic conflict. Frakes and production designer Herman Zimmerman’s vision of the bucolic Ba’ku village may straddle cliché, but the film brings this cliché to life in a way that makes us believe the Enterprise crew would risk everything to defend it. Thus, the film captures the idealism of STAR TREK that is often missing from the big screen.
For all of this, however, the conflict is registered in terms that seem rather mild, hardly rising to the level to justify the use of the word “Insurrection” in the title. This ninth feature film voyage of the Starship Enterprise seemed like reasonably good STAR TREK back in 1998, perhaps mostly because no one was expecting much. At a time when the legend stated that odd-numbered TREK films always sucked, it was not hard for INSURRECTION to exceed expectations, so being half-way decent was good enough.
Over a decade later, the film fades from memory – it’s like one of those not-quite-favorite episodes from the series that you might enjoy watching again if it happens to air during a STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATON marathon, but it comes nowhere near achieving the best that STAR TREK can do, either on the small screen or the big screen. Taken on its own terms, STAR TREK: INSURRECTION is a a minor success with enough appeal to satisfy undemanding fans, but it never rises above its genre, and it lacks the panache that enlivened even the less successful features starring the classic TREK cast.
The crew of STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION would make one more appearance in a feature film, 2002’s STAR TREK: NEMESIS, which tried to pump up the proceedings with a darker tone and an oh-so-serious storyline, but it was not until 2009’s STAR TREK that the franchise would once again yield a film that succeeded not only as a big-screen episode but also as a blockbuster big-screen entertainment.
STAR TREK: INSURRECTION (1998). Directed by Jonathan Frakes. Written by Rick Berman & Michale Piller, based on “Star Trek” created by Gene Roddenberry. Cast: Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, Brent Spiner, LeVar Burton, Michael Dorn, Gates mcFadden Marina Sirtis, F. Murray Abraham, Anthony Zerbe.