In 1991, the iconic original crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise bid farewell with the critically acclaimed “Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country,” setting the stage for a new era in the Star Trek universe. With “Star Trek – The Next Generation” concluding its successful seven-season run, the time had come to pass the baton to the new crew for their big-screen franchise debut. However, the challenge was to create a movie that transcended the feel of an extended TV episode and delivered a cinematic experience worthy of the beloved characters.
To bring “The Next Generation” to the big screen, Paramount Pictures entrusted the production to Next Generation producer Rick Berman, who enlisted the talented writers Ronald D. Moore and Brannon Braga to develop the screenplay. David Carson, known for directing one of TNG’s standout episodes, “Yesterday’s Enterprise,” was chosen as the film’s director. Despite their lack of feature film experience, the TV team’s remarkable track record of crafting near-feature-quality episodes earned them the opportunity to create their own movie with a modest budget of $25 million.
To elevate the Next Generation crew to the level of a cinematic ensemble, acclaimed cinematographer John A Alonzo, known for his work on “Chinatown” and “Scarface,” was brought on board. The Enterprise-D sets and models were given a makeover, and Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) provided the visual effects, including some impressive CGI. Although there were plans to revamp the uniforms for a more polished look, it was ultimately abandoned, with a few uniforms from “Deep Space Nine” making their way to the big screen. Jonathan Frakes and Levar Burton borrowed uniforms from Avery Brooks and Colm Meany due to their similar builds.
The inclusion of William Shatner’s James T. Kirk was a significant surprise to the audience. Originally, Spock and McCoy were also intended to be part of the movie, but Leonard Nimoy declined the minor role, and DeForest Kelly’s declining health prevented him from being insured for the film. Consequently, Chekov (Walter Koenig) took over sickbay, a role originally intended for McCoy. Scott and Chekov were initially given more screen time, including an opening sequence featuring Kirk’s daredevil skydive, which was later cut from the final version.
The film’s story revolves around Kirk’s heroic death while attempting to save the Enterprise-B, captained by John Harriman (Alan Ruck). The villain, Soran (Malcolm McDowell), seeks to enter the Nexus, an energy ribbon that grants an idyllic paradise where dreams come true, even at the cost of millions of lives. This puts him on a collision course with Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart), who is coping with personal tragedy after losing his brother and nephew in a fire. The Nexus leads to a poignant reunion between Picard and Kirk, culminating in a joint effort to stop Soran, with Kirk ultimately sacrificing himself.
Despite receiving criticism for feeling like a two-part episode and the unimpressive Kirk-Picard match-up, “Star Trek Generations” proved to be a financial success, grossing $75 million domestically and more internationally. The film’s accomplishments encouraged Paramount to invest more resources in “Star Trek: First Contact,” and the Next Generation crew’s cinematic journey continued, albeit with mixed results in subsequent films.
While “Star Trek Generations” may not have been flawless, it succeeded in launching “The Next Generation” on the big screen and delivering an engaging and heartfelt adventure for the beloved crew. As a pivotal moment in the Star Trek saga, the film deserves recognition for bridging the gap between the original and Next Generation eras, setting the stage for exciting cinematic voyages in the future.
