For one, it fits the visuals very well (particularly the Klingon fight sequence) and also features interesting spotting - most composers would probably have scored the fight between Picard and Soran on the bridge, but the lack of music makes it much better.

And the music itself isn't bad, either, although the orchestration isn't too impressive (sounds like McCarthy wrote the music without much thoughts about orchestration and left the rest to his orchestrator(s)). But particularly the Klingon fight sequence ("Outgunned") and "Out of Control / The Crash" are interesting and actually have a quite Rosenman-ish sound.

Maybe the least good of the Trek scores, and certainly no masterpiece. But still a good score.

It also contains the burning bush theme

I think this is a serviceable score, and a worthy effort.

The highlight for me is the action music. From "Prisoner Exchange" to "Out of Control", it's quite smashing stuff. And though the former isn't strictly action, it feels like a nice buildup anyway.

I do, however, love Eidelman's ST VI. No complaints at all (even some nice liner notes).

-k

1) The melodies manage to be both memorable and cerebral at the same time.
2) The music fits the visuals perfectly, as previously mentioned.
3) The action cues are powerhouse pieces.
4) I really do enjoy the orchestration. It's nothing new, but very traditional and classic.

The music is not bad at all. In fact, to even label it as such could be considered a misnomer. Generations is styled (musically) in a very specific way. When you take it for surface value and compare it to McCarthy's past television efforts, it's just a beefed up ST:TNG episode. I don't mind this, as I'd always enjoyed McCarthy's contributions to the show (along with Chattaway's and Ron Jones'). I realize this bugs a lot of folks. But people, just get over it. There's more to the music if you'd just open your eyes and ears a bit wider. I really can't say enough about the themes. Thematically, it's a lush, beautiful score. The quieter moments are very peaceful and reflective - and when they aren't, they are unsettling and psychologically effective (if not turbulent). It is certainly not a bland score, as it's been labeled in the past. Just listen closer... "with eyes and ears unclouded."

Orchestrated by Mark McKenzie, Generations exhibits a bright and brassy performance that is fun and easy to listen to. The choral moments aren't huge, but of course, they weren't meant to be. They successfully and accurately relay in the music the innocence and wonder that the Nexus represents in the film. Some people complain about the recording. What the heck is wrong with it?! It's just fine!

McCarthy's "Overture" (and score, for that matter) remains as one of my own personal favorites. I'll say it again: hands down, it's simply just a great theme. It's big, it's heroic, and it's got a spirit to it that literally lifts you up and takes you along for the ride... if you let it. McCarthy has composed a score that blends effortlessly with Courage's original theme, which (by the way) is quoted in all the right places. The finale is emotionally touching and very beautiful, if not powerful and well stated. It's great film music, and that's what people should realize. If they don't, I can't help but feel sorry for them. They are missing out on some truly phenomenal music.

Jeron

And I have to defend Eidelman's Undiscovered Country, which once was my favourite Trek score for some time. While TMP definitely holds this place now, I still love Eidelman's score.

NP: Anton Bruckner: Helgoland (Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Daniel Barenboim)

The main titles, fashioned somewhat after Stravinsky's Firebird, are great, menacing. The end title is great fun, and an appropriate, light-hearted tribute to the old crew as they sign their autographs...good stuff maynard.

I think that the score Generations is much better than either of Horner's two effects. It still is a below Star Trek IV and Goldsmith's three top notch Star Trek works.

It's happened before that the producers of a score album decided to put the end credits track at the beginning. It even works well in the case of Generations, but did they really have to entitle it "Ouverture"? All the time between when I saw it in the theatre and when they finally showed it on TV, I was under the impression that THIS is the music playing during the opening titles. I still forget it everytime before I watch the film again.

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Originally posted by Widescreen:
I'm curious as to why you rank Generations above Star Trek III.... no single track on Generations could ever beat the suspense, majesty and amazing strings that open "Stealing The Enterprise" on Star Trek III- nor could it replace the fun of the extra track included on the disc, "The Search for Spock"...

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Well, I've heard many people praise "Stealing The Enterprise," so maybe I'm missing the boat. But to me, it just seems that KHAN's "Battle in the Mutara Nebula" and "Genesis Countdown" did the same things first and better. (Some people say that Alexander Nevsky did it firster and betterer.)

I feel too much like, the best parts of ST III are what I'm already beating to death with too many playings of ST II.

As for the 80's techno version of the theme, let's just say it's not for everyone. I do like one "techno" song, "What's On Your Mind" by Information Society. It has samples of Spock's voice in it, and it rocks. But this thing on the ST III CD isn't for me.

As for GENERATIONS, I'm a sucker for a good victory march, and the Overture track is a great one. It has a lofty, sweeping urgency and a multi-layered quality that excites me. Its interlude tempers the celebration with a portrait of awe and transcendental mystery. I'm always conjuring images when I hear this track. It's too vibrant to go "unscripted."

I watched GENERATIONS last night with my girlfriend, someone who does really like Trek (old and new) but never saw any of the TNG films. I decided to start her out on this one, even though it is quite lackluster. I was curious to get her response, especially after we've been watching the first 2 seasons of the series on DVD.

Well, she really thought it was terrible. She thought there were too many plot points shoe-horned into the film and none of them ever really connected. She thought some of the regulars were written wrong, very out of character, especially Data whom she felt was given childish lines. She thought his "Oh, **** !" line when the saucer section is crashing is the low point for the entire series.

She also hated the McCarthy's score. She felt he simply scored each scene without ever thinking of how to link them into an organic whole. "He's no Goldsmith," she remarked, and I secretly felt some pride that she could make this comment and mean it!
She also didn't like his main theme, which sounded hammy.

I, however, always had a soft spot for this film, since it opened the week after my father's death in 1994. He and I always enjoyed TNG and he would've also seen the film the day it opened. The themes in GENERATIONS of dealing with personal loss, grief, and cherishing the moment spoke volumes to me at that time, and still do. The scenes of Picard and his Nexus "family" still choke me up, thinking of my own father (and I like that cue as well). So I am forgiving of the some of the film's lowpoints.

However, I noticed many of the flaws in this film: the disjointed plot, the poor pacing, how the plot points and characters carried over from the series are confusing for new viewers, and the poor dialogue for the regular crew. The scenes on the Enterprise-B sound quite amatuerish at times (again due to the dialogue but also the actors). I think that writers Braga and Moore were too used to writing for TV and were unfamiliar with how to structure a feature film.

My girlfriend did think it interesting that Kirk didn't die in a blaze of glory, but more in an more awkward, unexpected manner.

Well, just thought I'd share my thougts today on a tpoic. I reassured my girlfriend that FIRST CONTACT is a major improvement over GENERATIONS and at least she has a kick-ass Goldsmith score to look forward to in that one!

Anyway, while I'm here, I might as well say I've always liked GENERATIONS, although it does have a couple flaws(I'm not enough of a Trek fan to say what). McCarthy's score has always been enjoyable to me, in fact I've never understood people's hatred of it. The Nexus cue is a lovely, long movement that recalls the Fortress of Solitude from Superman, the Crash scene is a great driving piece, other action cues are equally memorable.....it's just miles above what McCarthy has to write for the weekly show, which sounds totally lifeless, and seems to only work on a 'sound design' basis.

Maybe I heard something that no one else seems to, since I'm usually quick to get on the hate bandwagon for a lousy score, but this one has always sounded good to my ears

Of course Data is out of character. He's got his emotion chip. He's supposed to be out of character! (And I found many of his lines absolutely hilarious). And the dialogue on the Enterprise B is supposed to be amateurish as well - the crew is new, the captain is a major amateur.

Well said! I have to add I'd watch it again before ST V(even if that does have a great JG score)

All the other NG movies fail to meet this qaulity. It keeps going down hill like the each spin off. But Enterprise has made some efforts.

Falt out Generations score is excellant. Herei s a post i made ast FSM:

Give or take a few seconds on times. Unreleased track titles are made up by me.

1. Main Title 2:52 (Sound level needs to be brought up. On the GNP cd, even when i turn the volume up, it is still too low)
2. Over the Hills and Through the Atmosphere/Not Going (Un-used cue) ?:??
3. Welcome Aboard (Un-used cue) ?:??
4. Damora Sulu 1:14
5. Distress Call/Kirk Steps In/Lakul Rescue 4:14
6. The Enterprise B/Kirk Saves the Day 3:13
7. Deck 15 1:39
8. 78 Years Later 0:36
9. Message From Earth/Armagosa Survivors 4:25
10. Emotion Chip 0:51
11. Time is Running Out 1:06 (Film Version)
12. Time is Running Out 1:12
13. Geardi Stumbles apon the Inhibator/Emotional Overload/Please Don't Kill Me 2:26
14. Shock Wave Approaches/Soran Takes Geordi 2:40
15. Moments in Love- Guinan Recounts 2:40
16. This Won't Hurt Much (Un-used cue) ?:??
17. Picard Discovers Soran's Plan 1:38
18. Prisoner Exchange 3:31
19. Geordi the Unknowing Spy (Un-used cue) 0:??
20. Outgunned (Film Version) 3:22
21. Outgunned 3:20
22. Coolant Leak/Evacuation/Soran's Prepares 2:23
23. Picard Trys To Get In 0:38
24. Out Of Control/The Crash 2:05
25. Comming To Rest 0:57
26. Rocket Launch 0:32
27. The Nexus/A Chrismas Hug 7:07
28. Jumping The Ravine 1:37
29. Two Captains 1:32
30. Events Recap 0:33
31. The Final Fight (Film Version) 6:28
32. The Final Fight 6:15
33. Kirks Death 2:45
34. To Live Forever 2:40
35. End Credits (Overture) 4:13
36. End Credits (Alternate, un-used version) ?:??

This needs to happen- at least for me. I'll settle for a recording sessions bott, if someone has it.

And again, I know McCarthy might be a nice guy and everything, but his effort wasn't good enough. He still has this idea of TV scoring, it's like teaching an old dog new tricks, he's gonna stick with what he's done for a long time.

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Originally posted by Thor:
Speaking of GENERATIONS and underrated, isn't it sad how the career of an excellent actor like Malcolm McDowell suddenly jettisoned down the toilet after CLOCKWORK ORANGE?

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He should have thought twice before doing CALIGULA!

I myself loved Dennis McCarthy's Generations music. I was disappointed some cues were not on IE: the whole Amergosa Observatory scene etc...hmm and with the remastered score being on the 2-disc set for Generations that's coming out in September which is 2-days before my b-day, hopefully the very last of the rear channels won't have that many sfx or voice echoing to it and can rip the score. But gotta wait and see at that time.