Review of Star Trek: Nemesis (2002) by Phillip M — 30 Oct 2012

I would have to say that I am rather disappointed with the amount of negative reviews for this movie. This movie actually deserves a lot more credit than its been given. I have a couple points I want to make that I believe were the core of what made this film good.

Because it was far more good, than bad. First, I want to talk about Data. Throughout the TNG series, Data's character seemed more like a mascot than an actual character. But in this movie, the writers finally decided to have Data act more like a human and less like an android.

This is what I call real character growth. The overall concept of improving oneself, and humanity's role in Star Trek. In the scene between Picard and Data in stellar cartography, we learn that Data finally knows what it is to be human.

In that scene, we see that it is Data who counsels Picard on what it is to be human. Throughout the series, the roles were reversed for Data just about every other time. But now, we see that Data finally gets it, and its really good to know that Data finally achieved his lifelong goal of becoming human, especially prior to his death.

But the biggest jaw drop for me was the villain. I was SO sick of the pointless and unmenacing villains in the last 3 films, that I was relieved they finally made a villain that made even me shake in my boots.

This especially applies to First Contact, you could remove the Borg Queen from the film entirely, and it would still be the same exact film. But Shinzon was angry, confused, and afflicted, but also charming, witty, and curious.

In other words, a person, not just a vessel to look good and die at the end. Shinzon was the answer to all of my prayers. In a lot of ways, First Contact was basically TNG's version of Wrath of Khan, but I think this one resembles it even more so, and was more inspired by that movie than any of the other TNG films.

The writers actually decided to look at that movie as their prime example of what any good Star Trek movie should be. While I liked the other TNG films, First Contact being my favorite, this one was made for a FILM audience, not for the fans, and that seems to be the biggest reason it wasn't as well received.

The fans didn't like it as much. This movie was better than what most people say. For those who haven't seen it, don't be afraid to watch it, it's actually a good movie. Fan or not, give it a watch.