Star Trek: Generations

What’s the Story?

STAR TREK: GENERATIONS came to theaters as a bridge between the Star Trek movies starring the classic TV cast and a set of new movie blockbusters continuing with the (younger) Next Generation cast. In the 23rd century, the retired Capt. James T. Kirk (William Shatner) is a guest at the ceremonial first voyage of a new starship Enterprise when a dangerous deep-space energy field shears off part of the hull, taking Kirk with it. Seven decades later the crew of a later Enterprise encounters an alien mad scientist (Malcolm McDowell) conspiring with renegade Klingons and blowing up whole star systems in a personal mission to conjure up that same energy field, which serves as a gateway to a timeless, dream-state of existence where wishes and yearnings can come true. Consequently, stalwart 24th-century Enterprise Capt. Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) comes face to face with the legendary, long-lost Kirk.

Is It Any Good?

Trying to imagine a movie/TV nut without no Star Trek knowledge is so improbable it borders on sheer science fiction. If you are such a Trek-illiterate, you'll be lost here. If you're a follower you'll be delighted with the dense Treklore and references to TV-episode minutiae (two Klingon sisters as recurring villains, holodecks, Picard's brother). Yes, the plotline doesn't bear close scrutiny -- it's mainly a gimmicky time-warp deal to bring series icon William Shatner on board for a fond farewell.

But that's a minor complaint thanks to the good pacing, splendid special effects, and most of all the way the script cleverly applies generations of backstory and character-development to play with viewer expectations like a flute. It's clever and fun for devotees, young and old, who have invested in this saga so far.