Movies - Star Trek: Nemesis

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	Movies - Star Trek: Nemesis

Star Trek: Nemesis (Paramount Pictures, 2002) is the tenth feature film based on the popular Star Trek science fiction television series. It was billed as "A generation's final journey begins" and is likely the last Star Trek film to feature the cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Cast

Plot summary

While the crew of the USS Enterprise prepares to bid farewell to first officer Commander William T. Riker and Counselor Deanna Troi, who have married each other in Alaska, they find the remnants of an android resembling Lt Cmdr Data on a planet close to the Romulan Neutral Zone called Kolarus III. When the android is reassembled, it reveals its name as B-4, a predecessor to Data.

The ship is then ordered by Admiral Kathryn Janeway to a diplomatic mission to Romulus, the homeworld of the Romulan Star Empire, which has undergone a military coup and is now controlled by a mysterious young Reman named Shinzon. The Romulan Praetor Shinzon proves to be a clone of Captain Jean-Luc Picard, who appears to want peace but has some nasty plans for both the Romulans and the Federation.

The Enterprise crew detects a break-in on the ship's computer systems, and Picard is captured by the Romulans because Shinzon needs him as his only matching supplier of genetic material, which he needs to repair his rapidly degenerating body as a result of the cloning process used to make him. The crew finds out that B-4 is a spy who helped transfer information from the Enterprise to Shinzon, and is able to replace him with Data to rescue Picard. Picard and the crew can escape only to find themselves battling Shinzon's completely cloaked Warbird, the Scimitar, which is Shinzon's custom-built weapon designed for one purpose: the complete destruction of Earth.

Themes

The film has two major story arcs: Picard meeting his opposite in Shinzon, and having to think his way out of his usual patterns to out-fight himself. As such, the experience of seeing Picard meet a younger, nastier version of himself (reminiscent of several original series episodes, most notably "The Enemy Within") doesn't amount to much more than a rousing space adventure with a grand battle at the end. Hardy was widely praised for his acting skills opposite Stewart, however.

The second arc involves Data meeting — after a fashion — his opposite in B4 (he has previously encountered another double of himself, Lore, who is genuinely evil; B4 is simply less advanced, a previous version of the android). Data eventually makes the ultimate sacrifice to demonstrate his humanity, and his emotional growth and maturity combined with his reactions to the events around him are the most touching moments of the film. This sub-plot is somewhat reminiscient of the Spock-McCoy story arc in Star Trek II & III. Spock "downloads" his memories (katra) into McCoy at the end of STII and then a "new" Spock, albeit with the same memories and a comparably aged body, is brought back in STIII.

Much of the film is devoted to the quest of a few of the protagonists to discover what it is to be human. After discovering his clone is quite different to what he is, Picard is left wondering what it is to be human. He doubts his ability to defeat Shinzon, given that they are technically the same person, despite the appearance that they are opposites. Picard eventually discovers, or at least concludes, that to be human is to try to improve on one's self. Throughout his time with Data, he realises that it was Data who understood this more than anyone else and this influences and inspires Picard to come to this conclusion. This is an epiphany for Picard, who, as if to frustrate himself even further, was not able to explain this to Data before his death.

Thematically, the plot of Nemesis is an example of power corrupting and the need for vengeance driving an individual over the edge to his doom, as best exemplified in the original series films by Khan Noonien Singh in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
and in literature in Moby Dick.

Deleted scenes

The film, as with Star Trek V: The Final Frontier
, was cut by about a third from a much longer running time. Much of the deleted scenes in the movie were "character moments," which served to further the characters' relationship with one another. Several deleted scenes make up about 17 minutes of this original footage and includes:

A private conversation between Picard and Data over a glass of wine in which they discuss the fact the crew of the Enterprise is starting to move on with their lives.
Early introduction of Shinzon in the film (right after the wedding reception). This is the scene that includes the dialogue from the theatrical trailers, "But in darkness there is strength..." (Viceroy) and "The time we have dreamed of is at hand... the mighty Federation will fall before us..." (Shinzon).
The second "mind-rape" scene of Counselor Troi in the Turbolift. It also includes Shinzon's line from the teaser, "Don't fear."
A scene of Picard walking with Troi down a corridor and Troi explaining to him that he and Shinzon are two different people. This scene includes the line from the trailer, "it was like a part of me had been stolen..." (Picard)
Sick-bay getting ready for battle, a short dialogue between Dr. Crusher and Picard is shown.
An extend version of the scene in which Crusher visits Picard in his quarters. In this extended version Crusher tells Picard that Shinzon is a different person, not the man she has known for over 30 years. Picard kisses Crusher on the cheek to thank her for her visit.
Worf warning Picard about the Romulans just before they leave for Romulus. This scene includes the dialogue from the trailer, "I recommend extreme caution..." (Worf)
Riker and Troi discussing their honeymoon plans with Worf.
An extended version of Picard's first meeting with Shinzon.
Original extended ending - A new First Officer (Commander Martin Madden), is introduced on board the Enterprise and two funny moments are shown afterward. This scene is where the Enterprise finally gets seat belts.

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for Star Trek: Nemesis ]

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