Memorable, crazy movie

Beautiful, moving film.

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

The Enterprise is in Romulan space where it encounters Shinzon, a clone of Jean-Luc Picard with destruction of the Federation on his mind.In what is the last, to date, cinematic outing of the TNG cast, some interesting ideas are put forward about brotherhood and family, leading to what is effectively a farewell to this iteration of Star Trek. And it's a suitable farewell as far as Picard, Ryker, Troi and Data are concerned: Worf, Crusher and LaForge get shorter shrift.Star Trek's science has never been in tune with, like, actual science, but there is a woeful slip-up here when one spaceship, having entangled with another in a nose-to-nose collision, reverses out of the entanglement. No, sorry chaps, zero gravity doesn't work like that: both ships would have to reverse, otherwise they stay entangled.It's interesting to see Tom Hardy in a major role before his star was properly in the ascendant. He's certainly a commanding on-screen presence, although I'm not sure the conflicted Shinzon comes across as sympathetically as was intended. And I'm not sure the part is ideally suited to Hardy's strengths as an actor, either.But the Star Trek movies have always been a mixed bag, and this is no exception.

Nemesis isn't as bad as many people seem to think. Tom Hardy is crazy fun, there's some Star Trek philosophizing going on, the action is fast-paced. Still, with its forgettable plotting, it's a mildly disappointing send-off for the Next-Gen crew.

It's difficult for a particular franchise of films to live on for an extended period of time, let alone a long TV series and 4 feature films. With uninspired direction and a gradually silly film, It seems that after 15 years, this iteration of the Enterprise crew just ran out of gas. Though 'Insurrection' did well at further developing the crew of the Enterprise, 'Nemesis' puts a heavy focus on its villain. This time played by newcomer (at the time) Tom Hardy. Hardy plays Shinzon, a mysterious character hell-bent on completing his Romulan mission with a background linked to Captain Picard himself. Although the dialogue isn't always the best, Hardy shows just how good of an actor he would become, especially up against someone as revered as Patrick Stewart.Director Stuart Baird supposedly had never seen an episode of The Next Generation, and the way he handled the direction and tone of this film definitely showed that lack of knowledge. I think his attempt at creating a story that felt very different from what came before is admirable, but too much liberties taken and you may have some upset fans.This also comes into play when you think about the strange inclusion of a brother to Data, and Shinzon being a clone of Picard. I didn't find either of those two story lines compelling, nor did it really bring anything new to that approach of storytelling. It's only when I watched the actors bring much more out of the dialogue that I realized there could have been something great here.If for anything else, Shinzon is an extremely active villain and Hardy doesn't waste the extra screen time, though I was a bit turned off by a unique communication device he uses early on in the film, seriously it's just uncomfortable (and not Star Trek at all) for the wrong reasons. With diminished screen time for the Enterprise crew, they barely leave the bridge, except for one out of place Mad Max style desert sequence. Nemesis is just one of those Star Trek films I can't seem to figure out. I can tell the franchise fatigue seemed to set in, but there's still plenty of good with the performances of the crew and the newcomer Tom Hardy.+Hardy showed promise+Picard and Data's performances-But their strange subplots were unnecessary-Director/writers uncomfortable plot choices5.4/10

Star Trek: Nemesis (2002): Dir: Stuart Baird / Cast: Patrick Stewart, Brent Spiner, Jonathan Frakes, Michael Dorn, LeVar Burton: Tenth film in the franchise and quite successful. "Nemesis" is symbolic of conflict against oneself. It begins at the wedding reception of Commander Riker and Deanna Troi. This is fun but it is not capitalized upon enough. It is as if these subplots were tacked on just to give the characters something to do. Central action involves Romulans claiming to be initiating a peace offering when in fact they are plotting an attack against earth. Very clever with many plot twists and blazing action. Director Stuart Baird creates an entertaining film but it lacks character development. He previously made the mediocre action misfire Executive Decision. Patrick Stewart still holds dignity as Captain Piccard. Brent Spiner as Data demonstrates loyalty and sacrifice. Other roles are flat including Jonathan Frakes and Michael Dorn. Frakes gets hitched but from there that is pretty much his highlight. Dorn as Worf discovers that he has a zit but this is hardly an interesting development for a character of this nature. LeVar Burton plays Geordi La Forge whose identity has him wearing a special device for his sight. This is labeled as the final film in the franchise although we have been fooled with this sort of marketing before. Exquisite effects that celebrates another era in the franchise. Score: 8 / 10