Star Trek Generations MPAA Rating: PG Entertainment: +4 Content: +2 1/2

An honored guest at the christening of a new starship Enterprise, Captain Kirk (William Shatner) has the opportunity to try to rescue two spaceships caught in a cosmic ribbon shaped energy field called the Nexus. In this adventure, Kirk apparently dies in a room which is struck by an energy blast. Eighty years later, Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) aboard the Enterprise learns that his brother's family, including a beloved nephew, has died in a fire. Grief must wait, however, as the Enterprise is thrust into a battle with evil Klingons. Later, Picard travels to a deserted planet to stop the hideous plans of Dr. Soran (Malcolm McDowell). Having experienced the Nexus himself, Soran is obsessed with the complete joy found there. To manipulate gravity and to bring the Nexus ribbon to him, he plans the destruction of entire solar systems. Arriving too late to stop one of Soran's missiles, Picard suddenly finds himself sharing Christmas with his wife and children. But he has never been married, and he must break free of this Nexus dream world and try to save millions of lives. This movie is beautiful in its drama, stunningly spectacular in its special effects, and a joy to watch.

Bringing the casts of the old STAR TREK series and movies together with the cast of TV's "Star Trek: The Next Generation," the producers have made a movie better than its predecessors. Positive messages abound. Android Data teaches us that the full spectrum of human emotion is worth experiencing and self-control is crucial. By breaking away from Nexus's beautiful dream world, Picard says illusions, no matter how joyous, are not to be embraced. Throughout, human life is valued and, more than anything, Captain Kirk wants to "make a difference" in the world. A few mild crudities slightly detract from the fun. The only obscenity, an s-word, is spoken by Data to indicate his newly acquired "humanness." Explosions and some fist fights may shake up younger viewers a bit, and Captain Kirk's demise may be disturbing to youthful Trekies. With very limited foul language, a little bloodshed, no sex or gore, STAR TREK GENERATIONS is appropriate for families with children older than six.

Preview Reviewer: Bob Liparulo
Distributor: Paramount Communications Inc., 15 Columbus Circle, NY, NY 10023-7780