Star Trek Generations Review

I am in the unfortunate position of being the only Trekker amongst family and friends. When the Generations movie came to our local cinema in January 1996, I was desperate to see it, but I didn’t want to go alone. In desperation I turned to my son who was three at the time. He was the only family member who knew the difference between a holodeck and a transporter. This is due to the fact that he is a mommy’s boy, where I go he goes.

This was the first time I had been to the pictures in six years. I had forgotten how absorbing the big screen can be. I was as excited as my son when the opening credits rolled and the music began. I wanted to see the movie for two main reasons; it was the Next Generation cast debut, and they were finally going to kill off Captain James T Kirk. Thrill of Thrills. As a crossover it was good. It had to be made to finally, put to rest the old Star Trek Crew.

The TNG crew transferred well to the big screen, although I think Patrick Stewart’s make up was a bit dodgy. He looked very off colour in some shots. I was annoyed with the changes in Data’s character. The whole emotion chip story was taken too far. There was nervous laughter in the audience when Data said “Oh. Shit,” as the Enterprise was about to crash. The sentence sort of hung in the air. It was so out of character for Star Trek.

I know it was part of the plot line but, Data’s continued laughter grated on my nerves. I was glad when the chip went ga ga, and turned him in to a whimpering wreck. Although it was still out of character, at least it was quietly so. I realise Data was supposed to be the comic relief in this but, it was too much for me.

As a plot device to bring back James T Kirk, the Nexus was good. Malcolm McDowell was brilliant as Soran, what a dedicated nutter. Lursa and B’Etor were a welcome sight. I know they are evil, hard bitten ambitious women, but was it really necessary to kill them off.