Variety Calls Trek X 'Unambitious'

Hollywood trade paper Variety yesterday published its review of 'Star Trek Nemesis,' criticising the film's lack of scope and vision.

"Despite the intriguing set-up, there's something unambitious and scaled-back about 'Star Trek Nemesis,' so that most of the time it feels like a slightly suped-up episode of the Next Generation TV series," wrote reviewer Scott Foundas. "Gone are the epic sense of quest and expansive casts of featured players that have informed the most memorable (and popular) 'Trek' pics. And the movie feels largely confined to a few recurring (if handsomely crafted) locations, with nary a visit to such stalwart Next Generation hangouts as the Holodeck and that intergalactic watering hole, Ten-Forward."

While Foundas said Tom Hardy (Shinzon) "shows charisma in a stock villain role," he singled out Patrick Stewart (Jean-Luc Picard) for particular praise. "It is the regal Stewart, onscreen in nearly every scene of 'Nemesis,' who elevates this project above run-of-the-mill - his thunderous, veddy British delivery imbuing every utterance, be it a choice quoting of Corinthians or a mouthful of techno-jargon, with inescapable weight."

With the Christmas season chock full of heavy-hitters such as 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets,' the James Bond flick 'Die Another Day,' and the upcoming 'The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers,' Foundas predicted low box office receipts for 'Nemesis' due to its niche market appeal.

"Opening a mere five days before 'The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers,' pic should meet with the healthy opening weekend typical of the series before a quick decline that could produce the lowest 'Trek' gross since 1989's 'The Final Frontier' (which garnered only $50 million domestically)."

The full review can be read by subscribers here at Variety's web site. Thanks to 'MvRojo' for this!

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