Do you believe in the curse of the âÂÂStar Trekâ movies?

The common perception is that all even-numbered Trek films are good and all odd-numbered are stinky. Luckily, âÂÂStar Trek: Nemesisâ is flick number 10. And though it falls comfortably into this pattern of relative quality, it doesnâÂÂt exactly knock one out of the solar system on an artistic level.

âÂÂNemesisâ lacks the imminent drama of âÂÂThe Wrath of Khanâ or the brooding menace of âÂÂFirst Contactâ (episodes 2 and 8), yet it is more engaging than either the sterile âÂÂGenerationsâ or forgettable âÂÂInsurrectionâ (7 and 9).

What ultimately redeems it is a great villain (played by English newcomer Tom Hardy) and a strong central performance from Patrick Stewart as Capt. Picard, an actor who makes his craft seem so easy that itâÂÂs tempting to overlook how crucial he is to the fabric of the Trek universe.

This 10th installment finds the crew of the Enterprise sent to the home planets of the Romulans in order to listen to a peace proposal made by the raceâÂÂs new leader, Shinzon (Hardy). When the Federation away-team comes face to face with the Romulan ruler, they discover he has a peculiar genetic connection to Picard.

They also begin to deduce his motivations for amity are part of a ploy to launch a terrible new weapon against his enemies. Or as Shinzon cryptically states, he desires âÂÂthe victory of the echo over the voice.âÂÂ

Individual episodes of the âÂÂNext Generationâ TV series (1987-1994) were always clever at addressing social issues, even if they were cloaked in the hardware of futurism. Yet the movies have routinely devolved into one-dimensional battles of good vs. evil, with little of the philosophy that made creator Gene RoddenberryâÂÂs original vision so enduring.

At least âÂÂNemesisâ attempts to bring some depth to the story. A notion of dualism is present in most of the key relationship of this tale: the planets Romulus and Remus, Picard and Shinzon, the android Data (Brent Spiner) and his prototypic twin. But even with this thematic quality, the film eventually becomes a showdown between two captains commanding rival ships, much in the vein of âÂÂWrath of Khan.âÂÂ

âÂÂGladiatorâ scribe John Logan does establish an intriguing setup; the origin and motivation of the main villain are unusually clever. And the action sequences, while somewhat formulaic are at least absorbing. Where the film seems most clunky is during its lighter moments. Sometimes these stabs at levity breeze by unnoticed and other times they clank like a âÂÂFacts of Lifeâ episode.

ItâÂÂs painful watching the group try to ham it up during speeches following the wedding between Riker (Jonathan Frakes) and counselor Troi (Marina Sirtis). (Although Data does deliver the great opening line, âÂÂLadies and gentlemen and invited transgender species.âÂÂ)

IâÂÂve always felt the âÂÂNext Generationâ cast had the superior actors but the original 1960s bunch were the better comedians.

âÂÂNemesisâ is particularly negligent about spreading around âÂÂthe good linesâ for its troupe. Regulars like Worf (Michael Dorn) and La Forge (Levar Burton) are relegated to firing phasers and falling down when the ship is hit. ItâÂÂs pretty much the Picard and Data show, and the rest of the gang is only there for compulsory reasons.

Perhaps that describes the last few âÂÂStar Trekâ sequels in general: They continue to make appearances even when theyâÂÂre not necessarily needed.