SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:14 Min.
As heard over the closing credits of 1994’s Star Trek: Generations, this orchestral track by conductor Dennis McCarthy summarizes the film’s thematic content. In particular, this end title is meant to celebrate the adventurous spirit of Captains Kirk (William Shatner) and Picard (Patrick Stewart) joining forces within the time-warping Nexus to thwart Malcolm McDowell’s mad scientist, Soran.
REVIEW:
If anything, it’s the sole asset of composer/conductor Dennis McCarthy’s otherwise unremarkable score. Deliberately closer in spirit to Star Trek: The Original Series, this well-constructed overture desires the aura of an epic space Western. In that sense, McCarthy mostly succeeds, considering the film’s Kirk/Picard horseback riding sequence is hardly a coincidence.
This classy instrumental also nicely conveys the ethereal ‘Nexus’ sub-theme before returning to its heroic main thread. At the ideal moment, a familiar reprise of Alexander Courage’s signature Star Trek tune effectively completes tis track.
“Overture” isn’t in the same league as James Horner’s nautical-themed Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan score. Yet, in terms of its originality, the Generations instrumental is still a Top Five Trek film theme.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars
Notes: The best cover rendition can be found on 1996’s Symphonic Star Trek performed by Erich Kunzel & The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra. Another of McCarthy’s worthwhile sci-fi tracks to check out is his full-length V: The Series TV theme from 1984.
IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE
