Star Trek Generations Retrospective/Review - Star Trek Retrospective, Part 9

Star Trek Retrospective, Part 9: Star Trek The Next Generation had done what many assumed to be impossible and had become a new definitive incarnation of Star Trek. After seven seasons of a smash hit, Paramount decided the TNG crew were ready to make the leap to the big screen in Star Trek Generations.

Special thanks to all of my Patrons and Members :)

00:00 Intro
00:35 Development
08:07 Production
12:37 Star Trek: Generations
19:30 Release and Reception
20:17 Outro

#StarTrek #StarTrekRetrospective #RowanJColeman

[DJosAmmel]

This is honestly the only review series that reliably recaptures what it felt like to enjoy these shows and movies the first time.

[gregcampwriter]

The Data subplot fits the whole theme. Data finally gets something he's dreamed of for years and finds out that humanity isn't a list of boxes to mark off, but is instead the constant effort to push forward.

[metjetfan]

“The year before I was born.”

I’m old.

[KEVMAN]

"The clown can stay, but the Ferengi in the gorilla suit's gotta go."

[Phex]

The Amount of Things scrapped for "budget reasons" is insane. I get the Space Battles, but Uniforms? Come on, it was a big franchise at the time, spend some damn money to make a good movie.

[MAMoreno]

"You can go back to any time."

"Okay. Send me back 10 minutes."

"Don't you want to go back a week and save your family?"

"Nah. I'm over them."

[mpjedi]

Honestly, for me, the chemistry between Shatner and Stewart makes this whole film fly. Yeah, they don't spend much time together, but every second felt full, and they reacted to each other in ways that felt correct. I have a friend who consistently wishes there was more conflict, but...why? There's utterly no reason for these two men to have a prolonged conflict, and Kirk is a hero...The moment when he realizes he's living a lie inside the Nexus, his desire to "make a difference, " and act for the good of others, would automatically come into play.

And I'm with you on the cinematography....these are (relatively) cheap TV sets, and they look far, far more gorgeous that anyone could have expected.

[LetsTakeWalk]

18:37 "The only Star Trek Movie to feel like a Christmas movie". That's it. That is exactly how I felt about Generations. It really is a very good Christmas movie, set in Star Trek, without even hammering on the Christmas part of it even.

[haysgoodman]

How would that make you feel as an actor showing up for your costume fitting... “Yeah, so Paramount would’t spring for a new uniform for you. Here’s a borrowed one that sort of fits. Good luck, have a great shoot!”

[RoushFan]

This movie was my gateway into Star Trek. It was an in-flight movie that I saw at a fairly young age, and I’d never seen anything like it. From that point on, I was hooked to the franchise!

[alm]

Imagine the progression if each 7-year series cast went on to do movies. Kirk allies himself with Picard in VII to give his stamp of approval. Picard unexpectedly has to duke it out with Sisko in XIII. Sisko's the one to welcome Janeway home in XIX.

[girlwithglasses]

The idea of Kirk going down as captain of the Enterprise-D is so awesome and I literally have goosebumps just thinking about what that would’ve looked like.

[tonypoore]

I love the music in Generations, it brings out the emotion in every scene, as the watery eyes came more times than I want to admit. To me, this is what makes ST Generations a good movie, even though some fans didn't like it.

[Keurosaur]

I was so pleased to hear that you enjoy this film. It kinda feels like the OG equivalent of Star Trek Beyond to me: a bigger, better, more bombastic episode that just happens to be feature-length. The emotional beats, thematic storytelling and intended sentiment, alongside it's sense of fun and adventure is just so pleasing to watch.

Plus, Kirk's death is to me honestly kinda perfect. I've said before that I find the 'small' nature of his death so much more impactful than any bombastic over-the-top conclusion; he died doing what he always did, saving the day on a planet made up of vague desert landscapes and rocks. And as you say, Shatner really pulled out his best performance for those last few minutes. It makes me tear up every single time.

From an objective standpoint I would still argue that this is at the very least among the top 5, but personally it's probably my favourite of the bunch at the end of the day.

[JaelaOrdo]

Loving these retrospectives, I’ve learned so much I didn’t know before. Can’t wait for the next ones (DS9 especially)

[thesciguy]

Rewatching Generations as an Adult, after re-watching the entire TNG series through in-order. This movie instantly became one of my favorites. The emotional impact it had on me as an adult because of Picard's arc...and we lost a Character: The Enterprise-D. Something forgotten in JJ-Trek is that the SHIPS were characters themselves. Those long shots of the ships weren't just filler, they were there to make us know the ships...and they came to FEEL like home. Like characters themselves.

Watching the show all the way through you could FEEL the loss in that final scene: "I doubt this will be the last ship to carry the name Enterprise" hit me. I literally felt the emotion.

This is a perfect movie, and honestly is one of the best TNG movies. It's TNG at it's best.

[joemedley]

I’m part of the generation that grew up with one show, and I was 9 when the first movie came out. I didn’t have a problem with how Kirk died, because he died a hero, saving millions of lives. I had a problem with what happened afterwards. I wanted to see Starfleet’s greatest captain lying in state at Starfleet HQ. What I got was Data finding his cat and Kirk left under a pile of rocks like some gunslinger in an old western.

[TheCrazyHedgehogLady]

I’ve been extremely unwell and in and out of hospital - so much great stuff to catch up on! I’m loving these retrospectives. Thanks for awesome content. 👍🏻😍🦔

[Marsyas]

"... since it came out before I was born."

Oh my God, when did I get old?

[HoustonSoto]

I think I appreciate this film more with age — the scene where Picard breaks down over his brother and nephew just hits harder and harder as time goes by. Sir Patrick truly gives a beautiful performance and what I think is an underrated movie, flaws and all.