Plot synopsis coming soon in the Star Trek: The Next Generation LogBook.

As the tenth installment in Star Trek movie franchise, Star Trek: Nemesis is entertaining science fiction, but like previous films featuring Picard and company, it plays too much like a big-budget TV episode. And in the worst tradition of The Next Generation TV series, it's far too talky and technical and is ultimately undone by its complete lack of originality.

Nemesis begins promisingly, with a dark, atypical title sequence and a neat death scene involving some Romulans that reminds you of the Ark opening at the end of Raiders of the Lost Ark. The movie segues into Riker and Troi's wedding in Alaska, where Picard is giving his best-man's speech. The scene is well-written and directed and at times hilarious, with cameos from Wil Wheaton and Whoopi Goldberg.

The problems with movie begin when the plot kicks in and the ship is ordered to Romulus to investigate an offer of peace made by its new praetor, Shinzon, played by Tom Hardy. Picard discovers the praetor is a younger clone of himself, whose real intent is to destroy the Federation. In the meantime, the crew have picked up on planet Kolarus III the remains of an android that looks like Data.

How much excitement can you expect from a fight between two versions of Picard - a man we know to prefer diplomacy over fisticuffs? The answer: not much. As hard as he tries to be sinister, Tom Hardy is down-right dull as Picard's...well...nemesis. Patrick Stewart sleeps his way through the movie and the supporting cast is, for the most part, nowhere to be found.

Despite some new creative talent behind the scenes, the movie is visually unremarkable and the script, by Trek fan John Logan, overflows with every Star Trek clichè known to man. I saw my share of evil twin episodes in the series. Surely, after four years, the producers could have come up with something more original and interesting for a new Star Trek movie. And if I see another Trek movie where the Enterprise is the closest ship to any galactic crisis again...

The movie does boast some great special effects (no surprise there) and a moody score by Jerry Goldsmith. A space battle featuring Shinzon's super warbird, some Romulan ships and the Enterprise is pulse-pounding but the scene quickly flatlines when interrupted by yet another unwelcome talk scene between Picard and Shinzon.

Although the movie ends with the death of an important character and a reassignment for another, the producers have left the door open for future Trek voyages, especially if the movie does well at the box office. After seeing this movie, perhaps it's time to keep the Enterprise E in space dock once and for all.

Credits coming soon in the Star Trek: The Next Generation LogBook.