As stated in the title to this evaluation, this movie is, first and foremost, a Christmas movie. It was released for the Holidays on November 17th 1994 and there is an explicit reference to Christmas in the plot. In short this movie is to Christmas what the TOS episode 'Catspaw' is to Halloween.
Having said that, there are various styles of Christmas stories, and the story behind this movie is quite dark. And the cinematography is also quite dark, just to underscore this.
Sure, there is plenty of action, but the center of gravity lies elsewhere. The movie is a meditation on time and on death (and thus, on life too). If you are ready for very serious stuff, star trek style, go for it, and you won't regret it. If you prefer 'pure' but intelligent action, go for the next ST movie, 'First Contact'.
I will end this review by pointing to another dark Christmas movie. I am thinking of 'On her Majesty's secret service', which was released on December 18th 1969, and which is the ultimate Bond Christmas story. Naturally, the ST and Bond universes are quite different, to say the least, but both movies are dealing with the same basic themes, albeit from different angles and in a different language.
I could argue on all the above points, but that would introduce spoilers, and I don't want to do that.
I hope review wets your appetite and makes you watch (again?) these very good movies!
Having said that, there are various styles of Christmas stories, and the story behind this movie is quite dark. And the cinematography is also quite dark, just to underscore this.
Sure, there is plenty of action, but the center of gravity lies elsewhere. The movie is a meditation on time and on death (and thus, on life too). If you are ready for very serious stuff, star trek style, go for it, and you won't regret it. If you prefer 'pure' but intelligent action, go for the next ST movie, 'First Contact'.
I will end this review by pointing to another dark Christmas movie. I am thinking of 'On her Majesty's secret service', which was released on December 18th 1969, and which is the ultimate Bond Christmas story. Naturally, the ST and Bond universes are quite different, to say the least, but both movies are dealing with the same basic themes, albeit from different angles and in a different language.
I could argue on all the above points, but that would introduce spoilers, and I don't want to do that.
I hope review wets your appetite and makes you watch (again?) these very good movies!