Star Trek: Nemesis

The more observant will no doubt note that in recent weeks this space has been given over to the discussion, examination, and criticism of that which would be 'science fiction', in the form and manner cinematic.

That is, movies and films pretentious enough to be 'science fiction', but which, are, in fact, 'sci-fi'.

The more observant of the observant will no doubt note that this consideration has not only been about sci-fi posing as legitimate science fiction, in the form of cinema, but it has been, more specifically, about the re-do. The recycled. The rehashed. The remake.

The twice-chewed meal.

For whatever it may be worth, to do with what you will: I did not plan this. I do plan my reviews to some degree and measure, but I did not plan this. The fact that the focus of this column of late has been on the twice-chewed meal can be explained simply: The Hollywood Machine has not an original thought, and so whatever I set my sights on to write about within this space is, unfortunately, more often than not, about the twice-chewed meal.

Understand: I have nothing in the manner of prejudice or bigotry against the sequel or remake. My problem, my concern, my issue is that these productions, often at costs exceeding tens of millions of dollars, are often done not to bring about something new and exciting, using the previous or original as foundation, but merely as an ego trip of the obscene kind for a director or actor, who will no doubt say on such intelligent programs as "Entertainment Tonight": 'I remember seeing this when I was a kid and it so inspired me I decided then and there this is what I wanted to do when I grew up.'

'This', it turns out, was the twice-chewed meal.

In other words, said director or actor has spent years living a certain fantasy based in flicking light and shadows, and the only way to gain sufficient resolution to this fantasy is to remake it with them as the center of attention.

Shades of Norma Desmond and "Sunset Boulevard".

All of this, incidentially, is prelude to the topic at hand: "Star Trek: Nemesis".

While watching "Star Trek: Nemesis" I realized something. Something very important: I have not honestly enjoyed "Star Trek" or any of its incarnations since, well, William Shatner donned his first galactic hairpiece in the role of Captain James T. Kirk.

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