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| Star
Trek: Nemesis
Directed By: Stuart
Baird Plot
Summary - Review 1 - Review
2 - CURRENT REVIEWS
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| The
Federation is about to encounter its greatest challenge –
The Romulans want peace. Conceived in the regal senate halls of
Romulus and forged in the dilithium mines of Remus, comes a nemesis
bent on destroying Picard… and the entire Federation. “Star Trek: Nemesis” is the most inviting “Star Trek” installment in years. For all those who consider “Star Trek” a closed, unwelcoming universe, or for those who have lost track of the “Star Trek” mythology since it has shifted its focus away from the traditional Captain Kirk and crew, “Nemesis” may be just what the series needs not only to attract a new generation of fans, but to also win back some of the faithful they’ve lost. Much like the latest chapter in the James Bond franchise, “Die Another Day,” “Star Trek: Nemesis” is a distinctly modern update to a traditional franchise. For starters, “Nemesis” is rated PG-13 for a far darker, edgier approach than most fans will expect. Second, unlike most sophisticated “Star Trek” projects, “Nemesis” is surprisingly gruff and hard-nosed, featuring extended dogfights between spaceships, fist fights, hallway shootouts and the most graphic ending of any “Star Trek” film. And, appropriately given “Nemesis’” billing as a “generations’ final journey,” the film’s ending is packed full of shattering surprises. The story concerns peace, or more accurately, the elusive prospect of galactic peace. To bring those newcomers out there up to speed, in the future a few major races govern the universe. There is the Federation, governed by humans from Earth, the primal Klingons known for the bumps on their heads, and the Romulans, known for their shrewd and ruthless nature. In “Nemesis,” the crew of the starship Enterprise is invited to Romulus, the home planet of the Romulans, with news of a political shift and rumblings of peace. But when they arrive, nothing is as it appears. Rather than being greeted by Romulans, Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) and crew are greeted by the mysterious Praetor Shinzon (Tom Hardy), who, we soon learn, is a direct clone of Picard. And although Shinzon speaks of peace, and claims affection for Picard, his so-called brother, there is something beneath his surface that suggests otherwise. What I found so surprising and delightful in “Nemesis” was not its setup or back-story. In fact, I left a great deal out of my summary directly due to its confusing nature. No, what works here is the aura that is created around this distant future, the scope of the conflict that takes place, and the surprises that such an old series can still manage to create. At its best “Star Trek,” and for that matter all science fiction, provides a futuristic forum in which to address modern issues, explore human potential and add some sci-fi excitement to an otherwise ordinary story. I honestly believe that “Nemesis” succeeds in each of these regards. In exploring the relationship between Picard and Shinzon, between the original and the clone, “Nemesis” infuses some genuine tension into their confrontations. What are the ethics behind such a procedure? Furthermore, Shinzon believes he knows Picard’s every move, and Picard is somewhat disturbed by the prospect of destroying his younger “brother.” Additionally, there are issues of peace, as Picard must weigh the prospects of peace against his belief in Shinzon’s insincerity. There are issues of loyalty and devotion, as one crewmember must make an ultimate sacrifice to save the life of a friend. And, above all, there is the subtle message of camaraderie and teamwork; that this band of crewmembers can face any situation and always come out on top. Of course, this is all just the setup for a climax so brilliantly conceived and executed that it had me on the edge of my seat. It is a battle sequence between numerous spaceships, with genuine surprises in its volatility and its choreography, and it builds towards a moment when the future is literally uncertain. None of this is to say that “Nemesis” is perfect. In its earliest moments, it is too sentimental, too transparent and far too aware of the “Star Trek” formula. But speaking as a “Star Trek” fan who has been disgruntled in recent years, “Nemesis” is a rather thrilling ride for those who give it some patience. There is one moment when everything in “Nemesis” clicks. Within this final, epic dogfight, Picard finds himself in a truly hopeless position. He stares out at Shinzon, realizing he has been defeated, and then discovers within himself the one move he could make that his clone could never anticipate. And I experienced in this moment something that I rarely experience in “Star Trek” films: exhilaration. Whatever the weaknesses, “Nemesis” deserves some credit for its universality. It can be enjoyed by anyone, whether the biggest “Trek” nerd, or a newcomer to the series. It also finds that rarely achieved middle ground between a story of emotions and action. Maybe it comes down to this: The characters faced some real issues. There were some cool fights. Honestly, I had a lot of fun. 
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