I grew up loving Star Trek: The Next Generation, but I also appreciated the original series, especially the movies based on it. However, Star Trek Generations would be the first Star Trek movie that I saw in the theatre, and this one actually felt like it was MY Star Trek movie, if that makes sense.
How to Download Star Trek Generations
Star Trek Generations was released on November 18, 1994. You can download or stream the film from a digital platform. Click on the Download button at the end of this review and make your choice. If you like this one, check out also the original series:
- Star Trek: The Motion Picture
- Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
- Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
- Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
- Star Trek V: The Final Frontier
- Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
The Movie Review
This was like a changing of the guard. even though Star Trek: The Next Generation was already well established, this would be the movie that would see the Jean-Luc Picard led Enterprise take over the movies from Kirk and co. There was a ton of hype around this movie, and I remember being so excited to go and see it. The thought of these two iconic captains having to work together was so awesome.
Epic Opening: Captain Kirk’s Heroic Moment
We get a fantastic opening where Captain Kirk basically sacrifices himself to save the day, being the noble badass hero that he is. I think that the movie does a wonderful job of showing what a heroic character Captain Kirk is for those who had grown up with The Next Generation and who perhaps were not as familiar with the original series or even the movies.
Enter Captain Picard and the New Crew
Fast forwarding into the future with the now new Enterprise crew that is led by Captain Picard and things are not going so well. Our main villain in the movie is Malcolm McDowell’s, Tolian Soran. Soran is looking to make his way back to a place called The Nexus, which is kind of like a different dimension, a paradise where all of your wishes come true. The thing is, he is causing mass destruction, including the death of an entire planetary system, to achieve his selfish goal.
The Enterprise’s Mission to Save the Day
This is where our Enterprise crew has to step in to try and save the day. You have a couple of other plot points, too, but the entire point of this movie is seeing Kirk and Picard having to team up in order to save the day. The first scene where we see these two iconic characters together is fantastic, and there is no way that you do not have a smile on your face if you are a Star Trek fan when you see this scene.
Nostalgia and First Impressions
At the time I saw this, I really enjoyed it, but a huge part of that enjoyment was the melding of these two Star Trek universes. I got this on VHS pretty much as soon as it was released. I remember this because a store near me was giving away a poster with the VHS “while stocks last,” so I made sure to be there as soon as it came out to get it. The thing for me about Star Trek Generations is that this is just an “ok” kind of movie.
Critical Look at Star Trek Generations
It feels like an extra long episode of the show and while it is far from the worst Star Trek movie, it is also not one of the better ones once you take out the epic Picard and Kirk team up. Soran is not all that interesting of a main villain and apart from our two captains teaming up, it lacks a wow factor. Another issue this movie has is the movie that follows it, Star Trek: First Contact is by far my favorite Star Trek movie!
