Star Trek - The Next Generation Movie Collection (1996)

Star Trek: Generations
There were only two ways for "classic Trek" cast members to appear in a movie with the cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation: either Capt. Kirk and his contemporaries would have to be very, very old, or there would be some time travel involved in the plot. Since geriatric heroes aren't very exciting, Star Trek: Generations unites Capt. Kirk (William Shatner) and Capt. Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) in a time-jumping race. When the just-retired Kirk is happily trapped in the timeless purgatory of the Nexus, Picard must convince him to leave this artificial comfort zone and confront Dr. Soran (Malcolm McDowell), the madman who will threaten billions of lives. Passing the torch to the Next Generation with dignity and entertaining adventure, the movie isn't going to please everyone with its somewhat hokey plot, but it still ranks as a worthy big-screen launch for Picard and his stalwart crew.

Star Trek: First Contact
Even-numbered Star Trek movies tend to be better, and this one (number eight in the popular movie series) is no exception--an intelligently handled plot involving the galaxy-conquering Borg and their attempt to invade Earth's past, alter history, and "assimilate" the entire human race. Time travel, a dazzling new Enterprise, and capable direction by Next Generation alumnus Jonathan Frakes makes this one rank with the best of the bunch. Capt. Picard (Patrick Stewart) and his able crew travel back in time to Earth in the year 2063, where they hope to ensure that the inventor of warp drive (played by James Cromwell) will successfully carry out his pioneering flight and precipitate Earth's "first contact" with an alien race. Sharply conceived to fit snugly into the burgeoning Star Trek chronology, First Contact leads to a surprise revelation that marks an important historical chapter in the ongoing mission "to boldly go where no one has gone before."

Star Trek: Insurrection
Star Trek fans were decidedly mixed in their reactions to this, the ninth big-screen feature in Paramount's lucrative Trek franchise, but die-hard loyalists will appreciate the way this Next Generation adventure rekindles the spirit of the original Trek TV series while combining a tolerable dose of New-Agey philosophy with a light-hearted plot. This time out, Picard (Patrick Stewart) and his executive crew must transport to a Shangri-la-like planet to see why their android crewmate Data (Brent Spiner) has run amuck in a village full of peaceful Ba'ku artisans who--thanks to their planet's "metaphasic radiation"--haven't aged in 309 years. Many humorous asides make this film as entertaining as it is slightly disappointing. Without the laughs, this is a pretty routine entry in the franchise, with no real surprises, a number of plot holes, and the overall appearance of a big-budget TV episode. --Jeff Shannon Amazon.com

There is one more Next Gen film -Nemesis

These are the first 3 "Next Gen" films, but there is a 4th: "Nemesis". I thought I would point this out since it cost me $20.00 on a bet as I couldn't remember what the 4th movie was. $20.00 later, I know. That's the problem with online searches, they're not always 100% correct. I guess I should've gone to StarTrek.com to make certain.

As I recall, Generations was the best of these because you had the 2 "generations" of captains playing off of each other which made for some great Trek moments, plus you got to see Bones one last time before his passing.

First Contact, being the first Trek film without Kirk, pretty much felt like an elongated TV episode to me. Way too much story, nowhere near enough action and special effects considering what some of the other films of the time were doing (Matrix, etc...).

Insurrection, again, an elongated TV episode which is part of why the Star Trek movies and TV series have suffered. I don't believe it's saturation as much as it's repetitiveness. After awhile, all the shows and episodes feel the same because of the Trek pattern: open with problem, fix problem (but come close to failing) and end with poignant epitaphs, mix in some story-telling and basic effects, and voila' -a Star Trek episode/movie.

You know what I think Star Trek needs? A John Woo or Peter Jackson infusion. And if Quentin Tarantino could do a movie that wasn't spattered with blood, he might make an interesting film too. December 31, 2005

TNG's Big Screen TV Movies

After The Classic Crew final bow in Star Trek VI The Undiscovered Country,the torch would be passed to The Next Generation crew to pick up the movie franchise.Unfortunately, after four installments,the TNG era films has yet to capture the big screen experience like the classic Trek films.
ST Generations (1994)passed the torch between the classic crew and the Next Generation.The historical meeting of Captains Kirk & Picard is what Trekkers longed for.Unfortunately,the result is a convuluted extended TV episode,a very irksome Data,an impressive yet unnessesary destruction of Enterprise D ,and a very shoddy death of our beloved Capt Kirk.Impressive at first ,but repeated veiwings makes it's flaws all the more obvious.
This special edition DVD gets points for featuring scenes cut from the original film(Kirk's orbital skydive), as well as tons of extras not featured on the first edition. The commentary is interesting as Brannon Braga and Ron D. Moore, the film's writers confess that they tried too hard too please and now can't help but cringe at certain scenes.
Of the four films,ST:First Contact(1996) is the best ,even ranking with The Wrath Of Khan,The Voyage Home,and The Undiscovered Country.Unlike the other TNG films,this is the closest to a real movie as it is fast paced,action packed and has agree of warmth and humor.
Patrick Stewart is always a commanding presence as Capt.Picard(Kirk may be the best Captain,but Stewart is the best actor to sit in the chair),and his quest for vengence against the Borg (stemming from being assimilated by the collective in TNG's Best Of Both Worlds episodes) is captivating as well as terrifying.And the rest of his crew(with the exception of Brent Spiner's Data)is not overlooked as they were in Generations.
A great battle scene with the Borg(which includes DS9's Defiant)is followed by scenes alternating between 2063 earth(which show's the first earth warp flight with Zephram Cocherane,later followed up in ST Enterprise) and a war zone with the Borg on the new Enterprise-E.Sometimes the audience feels like they're watching two different movies,and the last scene with the Borg Queen seems like an all too convienient TV ending.
Aside from these minor flaws ST:FC is a movie to be enjoyed by fans and non-fans alike.
After successful movies(which are usually even numbered)there is usually the problem of the filmakers second guessing fan expectation, injecting a bigger budget into the following movie and hoping to capture the previous film's magic.For ST Insurrection (1998), the budget was more than the average box office take of the other films.A better movie than most of the Oddies(except III),it had some very funny moments,and Patrick Stewart seems to be having fun as Picard as he turns his back on Starfleet to protect a paradise planet that the Federation wants to harvest for it's resources.The story would've been better suited for TV,and considering the great quality of episodes on the spin off series Star Trek Deep Space Nine (The Dominion War),you also feel the writers should've strived for more on the big screen.
Unfortunately the Box office tally was lower than expected,despite being a very entertaining film.But it wouldn't be a box office disaster like the next movie. ST Nemesis (2002) (Which bears the burden of a knuckle-headed decision being released between a Harry Potter movie and LOTR The Two Towers)is both the most praised and harshly criticized of the ten films. The biggest problem(aside from the whole Trek franchise being at an all time low)was the story using ST II The Wrath of Khan as a template.The Next Gereration's final mission as they are led into a trap by the new leader of Romulus who has a deep connection with Capt Jean Luc Picard.The sub plot of finding yet another Soong android didn't make things any better, as well as a cheat on the fate of Data.
The belief that Romulus would be controlled by not only their sub race,The Remans,but also make the Praetor,a human clone of Capt. Picard,as well as having an agenda to destroy the Federation(A repetitive,yet empty plot device).Nemesis has many great moments as well as the most exciting ship battle scenes ever seen in a ST movie.But as much as the TNG movies try,they are still big screen TV episodes.
Despite the many gapping plot holes as well as hearing fans rip this movie to shreds(It ranks above Search for Spock and Generations),Nemesis is still an entertaining movie(How could you top the collision scene!!!).
November 13, 2005

Good, Better, and Best.

Generations is what I would consider the good movie in this set. Insurrection is a little better. The best by far is First Contact. Everything about the Borg is creepy - I love them!

If you are looking for a COMPLETE Star Trek movie boxset - I don't recommend this set. However if you simply want to just own the first 3 TNG movies - than this will do the trick. I do think all 3 movies are very well done, which is the reason for 5 stars. February 27, 2004

if and only if you are a Trekkie!

If you are a Trekkie and don't have these three movies yet, it would be a good idea to get this pack. fans of the original star trek series and the first 6 star trek movies (who probably don't like the next generation much anyway) might discourage you from buying the pack. however as a fan of the next generation series and the occasional reader of the books, I found these movie to be very well done and worth owning on DVD. Generations: is the perfect transition between the original Star Trek and The Next Generation. First Contact is my favorite, it has satisfied my curiosity about the Borg! Insurrection: on the outside it's about preserving a small settlement of humans on a planet that everyone have their eyes on! but if you look deeper, it's like any other episode of the TV series, it has a moral point summerised by Picard's question: who the hell are we to decide the next course of evolution for these poeple?
eventually, the choice is yours: to miss out on a great adventure or to go where no man or borg has gone before! June 30, 2003

Wow

Classic film making, and the Star Trek Next Generation movies are a perfect example of it. Star trek Generations, a great movie to bring in a crew with, I love it. Star trek First Contact, one word, rocks. This film blows away any of the new Star Wars movies(1 and 2). Star Trek Insurrection, it may have gotten bad reviews(go figure) but I loved it. These 3 movies never get old, I watch them over and over again. But before I stop, I would like to say that one of the reviewers said if you had all ready bought the DvDs don't get this...If someone is smart enough to like Star Trek, I don't think there so stupid that they would buy the trilogy again when they had alreay owned it. May 11, 2003

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