Why you need to own the Star Trek: Next Generation films on 4K UHD

Star Trek is one of, if not the greatest science-fiction (sci-fi) franchises of all time. Yes, you heard me right, Star Wars fans, of ALL TIME. I have always loved the way the show and the films for the most part have balanced heady themes, delving into political and social commentary that is all still relevant to this day. Whether it’s the original series, the original film series, Next Generation or the Next Gen films, there’s something in this show for all fans. This month, all four of the Next Generation films have made their way to 4K Ultra HD (UHD) for the very first time. Generations, First Contact, Insurrection and Nemesis have all been given the glorious 4K UHD upgrade, looking top-notch. To celebrate the re-release of these four films on 4K UHD, I will be breaking down why you need to pick these flicks up or upgrade your copies. So, without further ado, let’s go!

Star Trek: Generations (1994) –

“What we leave behind is not as important as how we lived” – Captain Picard.

Star Trek: Generations was the first Star Trek feature film in over a decade, combining both the crew of the Enterprise from the original series and the next generation series. The real highlight of bringing the two crews together was of course the interplay between Patrick Stewart's Jean Luc-Picard and of course William Shatner’s Captain James T. Kirk. The two are great on-screen together and a big part of why this film is still a favourite among Star Trek fans. Whilst the film doesn’t have any memorable action sequences or larger set-pieces at all for that matter, it serves its purpose of ushering in a new slate of Star Trek films. In a way, Generations was ahead of its time. Mixing the old with the new has become a staple of the Hollywood soft reboot and was not something we saw a lot of before the 2010s. The film never feels like a gimmick either, which is something that’s very hard to do. The 4K transfer here is great as well, gone is the grit and grain from the 2K transfer. It's crisp and looks and sounds spectacular.

Star Trek: First Contact (1996) –

“Reports of my assimilation have been greatly exaggerated” – Captain Picard.

Often regarded as the best of the next gen films, Star Trek: First Contact focuses on the Star trek Enterprise as they come up against their biggest foe in the Next Gen timeline, ‘The Borg’. The Next gen crew are at their best when they are working together. Their dynamic is so much fun and each character has their own distinct personalities. The film is fun, exciting and begs to ask a lot of philosophical questions, which has always been where the Star Trek franchise really shines. The Borg and The Borg Queen are the main villains of this film and man are they threatening. The Borg have always been one of the stronger villains of the Next Generation series, and their transition to the big screen did not disappoint. The plot is fun, energetic and works well in the context of the broader Star Trek universe. This new 4K UHD transfer is also fantastic, giving new life to the film, making it feel crisp and new. The picture quality is improved, the sound is increased, and the overall presentation is a notch above the previous 2K Blu-Ray remaster.

Star Trek: Insurrection (1998) –

“Most of my people who live that fast life, would sell their souls to slow it down” – Captain Picard.

Often regarded as the weakest entry in the Star Trek Next Gen films, Star Trek: Insurrection doesn’t offer the thought-provoking narrative and quality of its predecessor, however, the things that work well here are what people remember of the Next Gen crew and more frequent action sequences that are more in-line with the current kelvin timeline films and tv shows. The plot this time around follows the crew of the enterprise as they rebel against the federation as they wish to disrupt the existence of the immortal Ba’Ku (played by McKenzie Westmore) and his people. The looming threat adds some tension and urgency that a lot of the films haven’t really had up until this point. Whilst it may not have worked for everyone. It definitely worked for me. The 4K transfer of Insurrection is also fantastic and a big reason why you should check it out.

Star Trek: Nemesis (2002) –

“If your issues are with me, then deal with me” – Captain Picard.

Whilst Star Trek: Nemesis may not be among the greatest Star Trek films to grace the silver screen; I have always had a soft spot for this entry. The real highlight here for me in this film is the film's main villain Shinzon, played by a young Tom Hardy. The film's special effects still hold up today and its darker, bruting tone also lends itself for a more memorable entry in the franchise. The darker tone is something many fans of the franchise weren’t expecting but were definitely hopeful for. It’s a welcome shake-up to the tide and true formula of the Star Trek films and episodic television series up until this point. As mentioned, Nemesis is far more effects driven then previous instalments in the franchise. This lends for a welcome 4K UHD transfer of the film. I think it looks and sounds wonderful, showcasing the full power of 4K Ultra High Definition.

The Star Trek Next Gen films are all unique, interesting, and entertaining in their own way. If nothing else, you will always get something thought-provoking and interesting. The characters are all beloved for a reason. We really get a sense of camaraderie and friendship between them all. It's all very well done. It was an absolute blast re-visiting these films, as a 90s kid, there was heaps of nostalgia. Be sure to secure your copies today on 4K UHD from Sanity here.

Christopher Pattison from Oz Movie Geek wrote this blog post for Sanity. See more from Chris here