SCREEN IT! PARENTAL REVIEW: STAR TREK: NEMESIS

"STAR TREK: NEMESIS"
(2002) (Patrick Stewart, Brent Spiner) (PG-13)

Alcohol/ Drugs	Blood/Gore	Disrespectful/ Bad Attitude	Frightening/ Tense Scenes	Guns/ Weapons
Mild	Moderate	Extreme	*Moderate	Extreme

Imitative Behavior	Jump Scenes	Music (Scary/Tense)	Music (Inappropriate)	Profanity
Minor	Minor	Heavy	None	Minor

Sex/ Nudity	Smoking	Tense Family Scenes	Topics To Talk About	Violence
Moderate	None	None	Mild	Extreme

QUICK TAKE:: Sci-fi: The crew of a federation starship tries to figure out whether an alien leader truly wants peace or is plotting something far more insidious.

PLOT:

After the marriage of crewmembers Commander William T. Riker (JONATHAN FRAKES) and Counselor Deanna Troi (MARINA SIRTIS), Captain Jean-Luc Picard (PATRICK STEWART) and his crew of the Starship Enterprise are sent on a possible diplomatic mission to meet with Praetor Shinzon (TOM HARDY) from the Romulan Empire.

Riker and Troi's trip to her homeland has already been disrupted when Chief Engineer Geordi La Forge (LEVAR BURTON) picked up unusual signals from a nearby planet. There, they found a dismantled android, B-4 (BRENT SPINER) that appears to be a prototype for the ship's resident android, Lt. Commander Data (BRENT SPINER).

With B-4 onboard, the crew - including Lt. Commander Worf (MICHAEL DORN) and Dr. Beverly Crusher (GATES McFADDEN) -- now heads off to meet Shinzon, unaware that he's recently killed much of the Romulan Senate. Once there, they're in for a bigger surprise when they see that the leader is not a native Romulan, but rather a human who was enslaved as a boy in the Reman mines.

Now with Reman Viceroy (RON PERLMAN) at his side and Romulan Commander Donatra (DINA MEYER) unsure of his motives, Shinzon is proposing peace between their people and their longtime enemy, the Federation. Yet, Picard isn't sure of Shinzon's sincerity, a point that's only exacerbated when he willingly lets them know that he's actually a clone of Picard who initially was genetically engineered to age rapidly and replace Picard one day.

As Picard gets to look into a mirror of his younger self and wonder if he might have turned out the same way under similar circumstances, he and the crew of the Enterprise try to discern Shinzon's real motives, including what he plans on doing with a massive weapon that could easily destroy them and even Earth.

WILL KIDS WANT TO SEE IT?: If they're fans of the "Star Trek" movies or TV shows, they probably will.

WHY THE MPAA RATED IT: PG-13: For sci-fi action violence and peril and a scene of sexual content.

CAST AS ROLE MODELS:: PATRICK STEWART plays the captain of the Enterprise who uses smarts, brawn and courage while dealing with Shinzon. He also briefly uses some minor profanity.
BRENT SPINER plays the android who always wants to better himself and shows courage in saving his captain.
TOM HARDY plays a Reman leader who's a clone of Picard with dastardly plans. He's responsible for various deaths and attacks the Enterprise.
DINA MEYER plays a Romulan leader who isn't convinced of Shinzon's sincerity or plan.
RON PERLMAN plays Shinzon's Reman second in command who assists him in various ways.
JONATHAN FRAKES plays Picard's second in command whose honeymoon with Troi has been delayed due to the new developments.
MARINA SIRTIS plays his new bride, the ship's counselor who has psychic-type abilities.
LEVAR BURTON and MICHAEL DORN play additional crewmembers who assist in helping Picard.; BRENT SPINER plays the android who always wants to better himself and shows courage in saving his captain.
TOM HARDY plays a Reman leader who's a clone of Picard with dastardly plans. He's responsible for various deaths and attacks the Enterprise.
DINA MEYER plays a Romulan leader who isn't convinced of Shinzon's sincerity or plan.
RON PERLMAN plays Shinzon's Reman second in command who assists him in various ways.
JONATHAN FRAKES plays Picard's second in command whose honeymoon with Troi has been delayed due to the new developments.
MARINA SIRTIS plays his new bride, the ship's counselor who has psychic-type abilities.
LEVAR BURTON and MICHAEL DORN play additional crewmembers who assist in helping Picard.; TOM HARDY plays a Reman leader who's a clone of Picard with dastardly plans. He's responsible for various deaths and attacks the Enterprise.
DINA MEYER plays a Romulan leader who isn't convinced of Shinzon's sincerity or plan.
RON PERLMAN plays Shinzon's Reman second in command who assists him in various ways.
JONATHAN FRAKES plays Picard's second in command whose honeymoon with Troi has been delayed due to the new developments.
MARINA SIRTIS plays his new bride, the ship's counselor who has psychic-type abilities.
LEVAR BURTON and MICHAEL DORN play additional crewmembers who assist in helping Picard.; DINA MEYER plays a Romulan leader who isn't convinced of Shinzon's sincerity or plan.
RON PERLMAN plays Shinzon's Reman second in command who assists him in various ways.
JONATHAN FRAKES plays Picard's second in command whose honeymoon with Troi has been delayed due to the new developments.
MARINA SIRTIS plays his new bride, the ship's counselor who has psychic-type abilities.
LEVAR BURTON and MICHAEL DORN play additional crewmembers who assist in helping Picard.; RON PERLMAN plays Shinzon's Reman second in command who assists him in various ways.
JONATHAN FRAKES plays Picard's second in command whose honeymoon with Troi has been delayed due to the new developments.
MARINA SIRTIS plays his new bride, the ship's counselor who has psychic-type abilities.
LEVAR BURTON and MICHAEL DORN play additional crewmembers who assist in helping Picard.; JONATHAN FRAKES plays Picard's second in command whose honeymoon with Troi has been delayed due to the new developments.
MARINA SIRTIS plays his new bride, the ship's counselor who has psychic-type abilities.
LEVAR BURTON and MICHAEL DORN play additional crewmembers who assist in helping Picard.; MARINA SIRTIS plays his new bride, the ship's counselor who has psychic-type abilities.
LEVAR BURTON and MICHAEL DORN play additional crewmembers who assist in helping Picard.; LEVAR BURTON and MICHAEL DORN play additional crewmembers who assist in helping Picard.

CAST, CREW, & TECHNICAL INFO

HOW OTHERS RATED THIS MOVIE

Curious if this title is entertaining, any good, and/or has any artistic merit?
Then read OUR TAKE of this film.

(Note: The "Our Take" review of this title examines the film's artistic merits and does not take into account any of the possibly objectionable material listed below).

OUR WORD TO PARENTS:

Here's a quick summary of the content found in this sci-fi film that's been rated PG-13. Violence consists of all sorts of characters or ships being hit by laser-type blasts and the like with injuries, deaths and property damage, but none of the first two is bloody.

Other deaths occur via various means (one does initially have a somewhat gory look), while attempts on others' lives occurs along with some fighting. Some of those scenes and others could be unsettling or suspenseful to younger viewers, although most of what occurs is portrayed in a sci-fi and action fashion rather than that of true suspense.

A newly married couple is seen in bed (with him on top of her with kissing), but she soon sees worrisome images of other men on top of her instead. Profanity consists of a handful of minor expletives, while various characters - mainly the villain and his crew - have varying degrees of bad attitudes. Beyond that, a few characters drink and one appears to be drunk (or at least suffering an adverse reaction to the ale he's consumed).

Should you still be concerned about the film's appropriateness for yourself or anyone else in your home, you may want to look more closely at our detailed listings for more specific information regarding the film's content.

ALCOHOL OR DRUG USE: Picard and others raise a champagne toast at Riker and Troi's marriage. Others have liquor at the reception where Worf appears to be drunk (or least suffering pain from the Romulan ale).
Picard tells Donatra that he owes her a drink after a battle and she mentions Romulan ale.
Various crewmembers have wine for a toast.

BLOOD/GORE: Shinzon has planted a device in the Romulan Senate that lets out some sort of radiation that kills everyone in the room (it causes their skin to appear to deteriorate - with pain - before turning them to stone).
Shinzon purposefully cuts his own hand (we see a tiny bit of blood there and on the knife) so that Picard's crew can take that knife and do a DNA analysis of the blood (where we see a drop of blood placed into a vial.
As Shinzon's condition worsens, we see various veins appearing on his face.

DISRESPECTFUL/BAD ATTITUDE: The Romulans look down on the Remans.
Those at a wedding reception have Romulan ale (that we hear is illegal).
Shinzon remotely kills members of the Romulan Senate and we then learn of his dastardly plan of killing everyone on Earth.

FRIGHTENING SCENES: Scenes listed under "Violence" might also be tense or suspenseful to some younger viewers, but most are played in a sci-fi and action fashion rather than true suspense.
The monstrous looking aliens seen in the film could be scary to very young kids.
Shinzon has planted a device in the Romulan Senate that lets out some sort of radiation that kills everyone in the room (it causes their skin to appear to deteriorate - with pain - before turning them to stone).
Following a chase, Picard drives an ATV style vehicle off a cliff, through the air and into the open cargo bay of a hovering spacecraft.
A Reman warship suddenly de-cloaks in front of the Enterprise and Picard doesn't raise their shields.
Troi, in a nightgown, tells Riker, her new husband, that he needs to get some sleep. We then see him get on top of her on the bed (a torso and up shot where he's shirtless). There's passionate kissing and she caresses his bare back. Suddenly, he turns into Shinzon who says, "He can never touch you like I can" and forces himself on her, kissing her neck, etc. Shinzon then turns into Viceroy, she screams, and Riker then tries to bring her back to reality. Those sensitive to rape-like scenes might find this one unsettling (although there's no indication of rape).
For those squeamish about needles, one is placed into Picard's neck, but nothing graphic is seen.
Data and Picard try to sneak their way through the Reman ship without being detected.
Riker slowly makes his way through part of the ship looking for Viceroy.

GUNS/WEAPONS: Phasers (hand held and ship mounted laser guns): Used to shoot and injure or kill people or to attack other space ships.
Machine guns: Fired by a "primitive" civilization on Picard, Data and Worf as they explore a planet.
Knives: Used to threaten and attempt to kill others.
Shinzon has planted a device in the Romulan Senate that lets out some sort of radiation that kills everyone in the room (it causes their skin to appear to deteriorate - with pain - before turning them to stone).

IMITATIVE BEHAVIOR: Phrases: "Shut up" and "I need to know where the hell he came from."

JUMP SCENES: A hand suddenly grabs Worf's leg from beneath the ground.

MUSIC (SCARY/TENSE): A heavy amount of dramatic and suspenseful music plays in the film.

MUSIC (INAPPROPRIATE): None.

PROFANITY: At least 2 damns and 1 hell are uttered.

SEX/NUDITY: Troi shows some cleavage in her wedding dress.
There's talk that Riker and Troi are having a second ceremony in some place where nudity apparently is the custom, and Picard says that the crew will go along with that, but none of it ever occurs.
Troi, in a nightgown, tells Riker, her new husband, that he needs to get some sleep. We then see him get on top of her on the bed (a torso and up shot where he's shirtless). There's passionate kissing and she caresses his bare back. Suddenly, he turns into Shinzon who says, "He can never touch you like I can" and forces himself on her, kissing her neck, etc. Shinzon then turns into Viceroy, she screams, and Riker then tries to bring her back to reality.

SMOKING: None.

TENSE FAMILY SCENES: None.

TOPICS TO TALK ABOUT: The nature vs. nurture argument that's occasionally brought up.
Attempted peace accords between warring or antagonistic countries.
Androids and whether they'll ever function as Data does here.
The original Romulus and Remus.

VIOLENCE: Shinzon has planted a device in the Romulan Senate that lets out some sort of radiation that kills everyone in the room (it causes their skin to appear to deteriorate - with pain - before turning them to stone). One character then falls over and shatters on the floor.
Members of a "primitive" civilization open fire with machine guns on Picard, Data and Worf and chase them through the countryside in ATVs. Worf and Data fire phaser blasts back at them, with Worf's shots occasionally causing the attackers' vehicles to crash and flip over.
Shinzon purposefully cuts his own hand (we see a tiny bit of blood there and on the knife) so that Picard's crew can take that knife and do a DNA analysis of the blood.
We see a flashback to a Romulan guard pushing a boy to the floor.
Viceroy shoots and kills one of his own men who failed at his job.
Data and Picard try to sneak their way through the Reman ship without being detected. Guards eventually spot and fire upon them, however, with Picard firing phaser shots back at them, injuring or killing many of them (with no blood). Once onboard a small ship, Picard and Data fire a blast that rips through a door and knocks down various guards. They then fly through the bigger ship's passageways where guards shoot at them and they blast through another wall before escaping.
Shinzon's spaceship fires many shots at the Enterprise, damaging her shields and causing some structural damage. The Enterprise fires back in all directions, trying to hit the invisible ship. Two Romulan ships then show up and join the battle, but Shinzon's ship damages both of them.
Shinzon's ship continues to fire upon and damage the Enterprise, which gets off a few damaging shots of its own.
Remans board the Enterprise and shoot some of its crew that also shoots most of them with phaser blasts. Riker then chases after Viceroy and then two end up in a fight after Viceroy jumps down on him. He apparently slices Riker with a knife. Moments later, Riker kicks him down and jumps on him and the two struggle but are knocked around when the Enterprise is rocked by more blasts.
A person is sucked out of a ship when it's damaged and a hole is torn into it.
A large ship purposefully rams another one, causing a great deal of structural damage to both.
Riker kicks a Reman in the face (who was hanging onto his legs) and the Reman falls down a shaft to his presumed death.
Picard shoots and wounds or kills several Remans (no blood).
Shinzon struggles with Picard who throws him over some equipment. He then comes back with a knife that he swings at Picard. The two struggle over the knife with Shinzon pushing Picard down toward some sharp objects. More struggling ensues, and Picard pushes Shinzon away. He comes back at Picard with another knife but Picard lowers some sort of metal rod that impales Shinzon through the body (no blood, although Shinzon pulls himself along the rod toward Picard where he grabs him by the throat).
A character sacrifices himself to destroy a weapon and the ship on which it's located.

Reviewed December 10, 2002 / Posted December 13, 2002

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