It's a well known precept among Star Trek fans that the odd-numbered entries are the weakest. As Mr. Spock would say, "I would accept that as an axiom." For whatever reason, the filmmakers never seemed to hit two home runs in a row. Having said that, I do feel like the odd-numbered Treks get a bad rap, even if they aren't of the caliber of their even-numbered counterparts (this theory falls apart around Star Trek Nemesis and don't even talk to me about the J.J. reboots – I will never defend those).
The even-numbered films – Wrath of Khan, The Voyage Home, The Undiscovered Country and First Contact are all home runs (TUC suffers from some lazy writing and plot contrivances but they are generally forgiven in light of its warm nostalgia as the last film to feature the original crew).
The odd-numbered films — The Motion Picture, The Search for Spock, The Final Frontier, Generations and Insurrection — have their deficiencies, but each and every one is a quality entry (some more than others). Each of them also has vocal detractors. Of all of them, my favorite is The Search for Spock, and I'll address why when we get to that one. I can honestly say I enjoy each of them, and would probably rate them like this:
- The Search for Spock
- The Motion Picture
- Generations
- The Final Frontier
- Insurrection
I discussed The Final Frontier at length in a previous defense a few years back, so I won't spill as much ink on that one and refer readers to the prior piece (click here). I think the phenomena itself is a result of mere happenstance. Most would agree that The Motion Picture did not deliver on the promise of the Original Series. They went back to the drawing board and crafted a story that did – The Wrath of Khan, and they nailed it.
The Search for Spock just couldn't top Wrath of Khan, but for my money, it's a stellar entry that (much like The Final Frontier and The Undiscovered Country) beautifully emphasizes the nature of this "family" of characters, and their willingness to give their lives for each other.
With The Voyage Home, Leonard Nimoy had matured into a confident, assured director. They shifted gears, emphasized humor beautifully, and told a heartwarming story that never borders on schmaltz. All concerned crafted a film possessing crossover appeal, and it was the most successful Trek film to that point.
There was nowhere to go but down with The Final Frontier, as Paramount (grudgingly) handed Bill Shatner the reigns, thanks to the "favored nations" clause in their contracts that he and Nimoy possessed. Bill fashioned a film that (not wholly his fault) was a hot mess. It was beset with issues, both creative and financial, and despite the best of intentions, Bill delivered a misfire that nearly sank the TOS franchise.
Thankfully, Star Trek's 25th anniversary necessitated a commemoration of some kind, and after striking down Producer Harve Bennett's idea of a Starfleet Academy film, the original crew reunited for "one last adventure," as wonderfully intoned in the teaser narration by Christopher Plummer.
The Undiscovered Country is filled with plot holes and contrivances you can drive a Mack truck through, but it was all there — the banter, the loyalty, the dastardly villain, the shrewd use of science fiction to comment on current affairs — and it overflowed with nostalgia for our beloved original cast. They went out on top, despite whatever shortcomings were present.
Generations was the movie that could have been, but wasn't. Pure and simple. It had the chance to be epic and grandiose, and it failed. The mandate to not use time travel handcuffed the writers into devising a contrived MacGuffin that allowed Kirk and Picard to share an adventure. However, it contains moments that really bring a tear to my eye.
Freed from the constraints of a "team-up" movie, First Contact fires on all cylinders. If I had one complaint, it would be the lack of a set-up. The film just dives right in. I always felt that the producers could've used Deep Space Nine as a launching point or prologue for the events in FC, but that didn't happen. The film is a showcase for Patrick Stewart and Brent Spiner, who give standout performances.
Insurrection plays like a two-part episode and lacks the gravitas necessary for a feature film, and for my money, is the weakest odd-numbered film. Nemesis is the only even-numbered misfire that while watchable, seems like TNG's attempt to have its own Wrath of Khan. As I said, I won't even discuss the J.J. Treks. To me, they're indefensible.
So, next time we'll have an in-depth discussion of The Motion Picture and The Search for Spock!
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