(Not including the reboot trilogy as that's a different altogether topic)
I was recently in a mood to binge the first ten Star Trek films as I hadn't seen any of them in several years, and I notice that the TOS films are better than the TNG films. Which is weird because when it comes to the tv series, I far prefer TNG and its spin-offs over TOS but when it came to the films, it's the opposite. I love First Contact, and like Generations but Insurrection and Nemesis are pretty bad IMO, whereas the only TOS film I truly dislike is V. (My favorites are IV and VI) Was wondering what others here thought, I think this may be the standard opinion in fact.
As for why they're better, I think for whatever reason the TOS movies feel more cinematic, whereas the TNG films were mostly trying to capture the TNG feeling and not as much be cinematic?
I think while Insurrection and Nemesis are widely agreed as bad next gen movies I would argue they're better than the worst original movies.
If you can't acknowledge Motion Picture as bad I don't know that we can have the discussion on a solid base though.
STTMP theatrical release was gods-awful even in the 70s. The more recent directors cut actually salvages it. I rather like it these days.
I guess that's why I like it now, saw the Directors Cut.
The soundtrack is probably the best part. I saw it in the theater a few months ago, and it blew my socks off. I only ever heard it on VHS with a mono tv speaker. I bought the vinyl a couple of weeks ago.
The music and the visuals are awesome in the film, at least this new version available
I used to despise Star Trek 1 but recently saw the HD Directors Cut version and loved it.
I'll admit I haven't seen that but it would have to be some impressive magic.
My wife has never managed to stay awake past the opening sweep around the Enterprise but I can't say it really gets better.
Yeah, I agree, the films trying to copy the Wrath of Khan to this day is a bad thing. And I don't even think Wrath of Khan is that great to be honest. Star Trek I and IV have IMO the best Star Trek style plots in fact, which is why I appreciate and like them a lot more now, whereas as a kid I hated them both.
Search for Spock is okay as a movie, but it's more of a fantasy magic movie than sci fi and I don't like the plot so its kinda weak to me.
It's the even numbered movies that are good (2,4,6, First Contact, Nemesis). There's even a TVTrope about it.
Meh, 1 and 3 are pretty good too, Insurrection is like a pretty good double episode and Nemesis is the worst of them all. Well, maybe tied with V.
I thought Nemesis broke that? Since at least IMO, it wasn't very good
1 and 3 are both great, and I'll go against the grain and say that 4 is pretty mediocre.
Somewhat related, in another thread here, someone else and myself had the idea that All Good Things would have made a better premise for a TNG film and it might have been cool to swap generations and AGTs. Or at least have Q film. Might have felt more cinematic in the sense you’re thinking of.
All that being said, First Contact is my favourite Trek film and I’ve got soft spurs for both generations and insurrection (except for the kid, why does Hollywood think bratty boys are good ideas in movies).
I’m not sure I actually like any of the TOS films that much TBH. I like the vibe of TMP and I like the story Abe overall directing of TUC (prob my fav TOS film). But I’m not sure about the others.
Yeah I agree that All Good Things should have been a big feature film. It's my favorite TNG episode and probably favorite Trek episode of all time.
