CAST AND CREDITS: STARRING: Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, Brent Spiner, LeVar Burton, Majel Barrett, Marina Sirtis, Michael Dorn, Steven Culp, Gates McFadden, Tom Hardy, Ron Perlman, Whoopi Goldberg, Kate Mulgrew & Dina Meyer DIRECTED BY: Stuart Baird WRITTEN BY: John Logan PRODUCED BY: Rick Berman DISTRIBUTED BY: Paramount Pictures RATING USA... Rated PG-13 for sci-fi action violence and peril also a scene of sexual content. RATING CANADA... Rated PG for violence.

Science Fiction A Generation's Final Journey... Begins.

"Duty. A starship captain's life is full of solemn duty." As a long time Star Trek fan all I can say is, damn, I hope this is not the last STAR TREK GENERATIONS movie. The advance promos make it sound like it may be. After you see the movie STAR TREK: NEMESIS, you will realize that this does not have to be the case. Unfortunately we can be sure that the crew will never be the same again, in many ways. For many of us out there, STAR TREK has been with us ince the 1960's. It has been part of our life all this time, to the point that many actually try to live the fantasy at conventions and elsewhere in everyday life. Next to the James Bond franchise this is probably one of the longest running film series. For we die hard fans, even the worst of the Star Trek movies was still great, and we wait with bated breath for the next one which is always to far away. Paramount Pictures has a franchise that if handled correctly will be around for my grandchildren (if I ever get any) to enjoy the science fiction adventures of the Federation crews.

"I hope you forgive the darkness. We are not comfortable in the light." The Romulan Imperial Senate is the scene of an excrucatingly grisly coup d'etat that leaves all the senate members dead. At the same time, Enterprise is the scene of a joyous occassion. Finally, after all these years Commander William T. Riker (Jonathan Frakes) and Counselor Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis) have tied the knot. Ryker has also been assigned the captain's chair on the USS Titan. Everyone attends the function. Even Whoopi Goldberg as Guinan is there with a non speaking Wesley Crusher. Lots of good laughs for the audience courtesy of a drunken Michael Dorn as Worf (someone gave him lots of illegal Romulan ale) and Data (Brent Spiner) singing Irving Berlin's BLUE SKIES. A particularly funny bit centers around the fact the crew has to go to Betazoid for the the formal wedding. Now most of you out there can figure out what I am going to say next. Correct, Betazoid weddings are conducted in the nude and over Worfs adamant protestations, Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) orders them all to attend. But have no fear you will not have to stare at a naked Worf as the Enterprise receives an urgent assignment of extreme importance. "You have the bridge Mr. Troi." It seems that the Federation wants them to head off on a mission to a pre-warp civilization on Kolarius III which borders the Romulan Neutral Zone. A positronic signal has been intercepted coming from the planets surface. The crew gets to use the new shuttle craft ARGO to head to the surface where Jean-Luc gets to make like a dune buggy riding maniac. The trip garners the crew danger and an unexpected surprise that will lead them into a danger that will change their lives forever. Nope I'm not going to tell you what they find. "Whatever he's after, it isn't peace." Courtesy of a brief cameo appearance from Admiral Kathryn Janeway (Voyager's Kate Mulgrew) they learn of their next part of the mission. The Enterprise and especially Picard have been invited to Romulus to explore the possiblities of a long sought treaty witht the Romulans. Tom Hardy plays the new leader, Praetor Shinzon who comes from Romulus' sister planet, the dark and sinister Remus. Praetor Shinzon is a half-Reman with a secret that comes from the dark side of Remus. Remans live their entire lives on the dark side as half the planet is always in blinding sunlight while the other half is in total darkness. Remus is riddled with dilithium mines and nasty looking Remans who are now in charge of the government. "Imzadi." The meeting between Jean-Luc Picard and Praetor Shinzon finally meet face to face as they discuss the possibility of peace. I do not think I would be giving away anything if I said that this guy has sinister plans for our gallant captain. Shinzon's plan of course will have dire consequences for Picard, his crew and the entire federation. Shinzon will prove to be his most dangerous adversary and personal nemesis. Picard has been around the galaxy for sometime now so getting something over on him will not be easy for Shinzon. "All hands brace fopr impact." The Remans have an agenda that convinced most of the Romulan military leaders to back their play for power as long as they do away with the Federation. What they don't know is that Shinzon plans the total destruction of the planet Earth. Some the Romulan military leaders have a problem with this and they take steps to prevent this disaster. The plan does involve some very impress Romulan starships that's for sure. Model shops should make a few dollars on the sale of these new ships. STAR TREK: NEMESIS pulls out all the stops when it comes to the final battles that involve all this starships. I have to tell you it is the most amazing space battle special effects that you will have seen in the Star Trek franchise. I would really like to say more about it but the least you know about this the more you will enjoy it. "You are not a woman. You are a Romulan." Two other major players are involved in all the schemes. The Reman Viceroy who pulls Shinzon's strings is played by Ron Perlman. He has mental abilities that he uses to allow Shinzon to invade Deanna Troi's mind. Commander Donatra is played by Dina Meyer who stars as Barbara Gordon in the new television series BIRDS OF PREY. Donatra leads a group of Romulan commanders who finally come to the realization that Shinzon is insane and is only interested in some type of demented self serving revenge. Will the Romulans be able to help Picard save their home planet? "Some ideals are worth dying for my dear Jean-Luc." While the script is nice and tight and well written it isn't one with a great deal of substance. The intrigues are not as involved as they were in STAR TREK VI: THE UNDISCOVERED COUNTRY. Even though the battle scenes are unmatched the plotting and intrigues are not as substantive. We really do not get to see to much of the Romulans. We never see any shots of the Romulan population and the effect the Reman take over had on them. The script tends to make the Romulans a shadow of their former selfs. This was the most annoying part of the movie and I do not believe it will sit well with most of the audience. It is a shame really as the Romulans have always been formidable enemies to the Federation, that could rival the Klingons. Two the writers service is the fact that they do maintain the honour that Romulans have been known for in the past. "I must deactivate you." "For how long?" "Indefinitely." "How long is th...." "A long time brother." Have you noticed yet that I have said little about Data. Well, I want to keep most of his story line fairly secretative so as to leave you intrigued and surprised. Data of course plays an important part in the plotlines since Brent Spiner is one of the writers of STAR TREK: NEMESIS. His part has always been one of self discovery and loyality to his friends. Through him we have always seen the world as a newborn child sees it. Over ten years Brent Spiner has brought magic to the character and in this film he continues to do so. Even though not everyone is going to walk away happy with this film, I think everyone is going to be proud of Data this time around. "You're too slow old man." STAR TREK: NEMESIS has a good tight plot and plenty of action to appease all the Trek fans out there as well as the regular moviegoer. I don't think it will displease; unfortunately it will only maintain it's first place position, once it is released, for the first week. After seeing THE LORD OF THE RINGS THE TWO TOWERS which is scheduled to be released a week after STAR TREK NEMESIS, I can honestly say TWO TOWERS, which is a far superiour film, will push NEMESIS out of the number one position on it's opening week. Actually the film will bulldoze anything in it's path, it is that good. If Paramount had released it a week earlier it would easily have held it's number one position two weeks running. "Computer, prepare auto destruct...omega." So as you can see I thoroughly enjoyed STAR TREK: NEMESIS and I believe you will as well. Some of you will not be happy with the ending and that will be understandable. Action and thrills are plentiful to say the least. So grab the popcorn and drink sit back and get ready for a great journey into the world of STAR TREK which I am sure will be around for quite some time. Live long and prosper, dudes. "To absent friends. To family."

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