Nearly three years ago, "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country" became the first film for which I would write a review as a columnist for this paper. At the time, I pointed out a curiosity concerning the "Star Trek" series of films which was this: the even-numbered films were generally superior the their odd-numbered counterparts, as evidenced by greater box office business and more flattering reviews. "Star Trek Generations", although it doesn't bear a number in its title, is the seventh silver screen outing for Paramount's cash cow and unfortunately keeps the pattern intact.
The story starts out in the 23rd century with Captain Kirk (William Shatner), Pavel Chekov (Walter Koenig), and Montgomery Scott (James Doohan) on-board a newly-commissioned starship to witness its first test run under the command of a rookie captain named Harriman (Alan Ruck). Not long after leaving spacedock the ship receives a distress signal from a pair of Federation freighters. It seems that a mysterious astronomical phenomenon called the Nexus, which appears as a travelling, shimmering ribbon, is draining the freighters' shields and holding them in place.
Captain Harriman responds, with a little help from his distinguished observers, and gets trapped itself while trying to save the freighters' crews. One of the people that is saved is a man by the name of Dr. Soran (Malcolm McDowell), who pleads to be allowed to go back. Another person saved from the Nexus is the wise alien Guinan (Whoopi Goldberg).
Captain Kirk volunteers to head down to deck 15 and perform some adjustments that will allow their ship to escape. Although he succeeds, the phenomenon proceeds to rip through the ship, rupturing the hull in several places, including deck 15. Kirk is nowhere to be found.
The story then jumps to the 24th century where Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) and his crew are enjoying themselves on a holodeck recreation of a sailing vessel. A distress signal from a small space station interrupts their fun. Although many of the station's crew have been killed, five life signs remain. One of these turns out to be Dr. Soran who quite desperately wants to return to the station shortly after being rescued from it.
Dr. Soran, it is eventually learned, is trying to return to the Nexus which itself returns every 39 years. Guinan says that while inside the Nexus, a person experiences perfect joy. The person can mentally establish any surroundings and experience what most makes them happy. A side benefit of dwelling in the Nexus is that a person can emerge from it at any point in time or space. This last option is put to good use by Captain Picard after he and Dr. Soran are whisked away by the Nexus.
This is as much of the story as I can safely relate without divulging any of the film's surprises. For those dozen or so people who haven't already heard what has been called the worst- kept secret in Hollywood, rest assured that I won't be giving it away here.
"Star Trek Generations" tested poorly among early audiences and underwent some minor revamping. What it really needed was a major overhaul. There are too many times during the film when one wishes the characters would just stop talking and get on with it. And this from an admitted fan of Star Trek in general and the Next Generation in particular.
Part of the problem may be that it is just too soon. The series left the air just six months ago and we haven't had the chance to miss it yet. Also, I think a lot of Next Generation fans are going to be crying "Foul!" at one particular liberty the film takes.
Don't get me wrong, there are things to like about the film. A 3-D galactic map scene is a knock-out and the special effects in general are top-notch. The occasional bit of banter between crew members usually hits the right note, though not always.
Instead of falling in love with "Star Trek Generations", I think Trekkers are more likely to exit the film consoling themselves with the phrase "It wasn't as bad as the fifth one". This is faint praise indeed for few movies are.