Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, November 19, 1994 TAG: 9411230040
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: B12 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: KATHERINE REED STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"Star Trek: Generations" brings together Capt. Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) and Capt. James T. Kirk (William Shatner) by means of a mysterious, astronomical phenomenon that, like the best Star Trek stories, lets the characters explore their darker sides and an issue of social significance.
In this case, the issue is, more or less, addiction as represented by a place or a state of being called The Nexus. It is to this place or state that the evil Dr. Soran (Malcolm McDowell) wants to return, even if it means consorting with the Klingons and blasting a few planets into oblivion. In The Nexus, time does not exist and one experiences complete contentment in a way that is totally unique for each individual - but utterly unreal.
Guinan (Whoopi Goldberg) explains to Picard just how dangerous and irresistible The Nexus is, and her speech to him sounds like a recovered addict's advice to the unadulterated.
But the story doesn't dwell for long on The Nexus. This Star Trek movie is light on its feet, which is fortunate: Stewart is too much of a stone-face to sustain interest in the supposed complexities of his character, particularly his sadness over his lack of an heir.
He is, however, an interesting contrast to Kirk, who Shatner plays with tremendous grace and humor. Kirk enters the story at its very start and sets a wry, almost playful tone for the movie.
And a subplot that has Data (Brent Spiner) finally deciding to install an "emotion chip" is great fun, particularly a scene in which he discovers loathing while doing shots of something foul in the Enterprise's bar with Geordi (LeVar Burton).
"Star Trek Generations" offers so much of everything that Trekkies love it makes one wish that somehow, the next one could find a way to bring the old and new Enterprises together again.
In space, almost anything is possible. Right?
Star Trek: Generations ***
A Paramount Pictures release, showing at Tanglewood Mall and Salem Valley 8. 106 minutes. Rated PG for some violence.
by CNB