Star Trek Nemesis MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +3 Content: -1

Star Trek Nemesis, a classic good-versus-evil action adventure, has the typical science-fiction plot used in previous Trek films with Earth under threat, Starship Enterprise comes to the rescue. Shakespearean actor Patrick Steward delivers a fine performance as Captain Jean-Luc Picard. The screenplay by John Logan, writer of Gladiator, is intriguing and offers some freshness. The film opens with a gathering of the original cast members to witness the wedding of Officer Riker (Jonathan Frakes) to Counselor Troi (Mariana Sartis). But soon the reunion is interrupted by a deadly threat; new Federation enemy Shinzon (Tom Hardy), a near clone of Picard, has a personal vendetta against Captain Picard. He plots to kidnap him and plans to annihilate Earth with a devastating radiation device. With the planet endangered, the crew of the Starship Enterprise must fight overwhelming odds to save mankind.

Star Trek Nemesis continues the Trekkie theme of self-sacrifice to save others. In more than one scene, the characters argue for the right to lay down their lives for their friends. Captain Picard even thinks of the crew as his family. The film exalts the idea that every person is responsible for his or her own actions; moral decisions are not predetermined by our genes. It asks, What does it mean to be human? and answers, The drive to better ourselves. The film presents interesting ideas about cloning humans and medical ethics. The protagonists show sympathy for enemies, and all of the aliens agree that killing without reason is morally wrong. Racial harmony is valued. The film is loaded with battle scenes and also contains other forms of violence and fighting. There is an implied wedding-night sexual encounter, and an unusual telepathy sex scene has the look of demon possession. Hollywood continues to show us that a very real Nemesis, sin, is still at work.

Preview Reviewer: Blaine Butcher
Distributor: Paramount Pictures