'Genesis II' is a 1973 TV movie and it shows. Every set and scene could well be an extended episode of the original 'Star Trek' series, just removing the familiar cast. This is hardly surprising, given that it was written by 'Star Trek' creator Gene Roddenberry. Its tone, themes, and aesthetic make it easy to imagine this as a lost story from the 'Star Trek' universe, albeit one focused on Earth’s future rather than the final frontier.
The film follows a familiar science fiction trope: Dylan Hunt, a scientist, is cryogenically frozen in the 20th century and wakes up in a distant future. This setup could have easily been generic, but 'Genesis II' delivers enough twists and turns to keep the audience engaged. As the protagonist navigates this unfamiliar world and its various warring factions, the story delivers a few unexpected surprises that make the journey worthwhile.
While its TV movie budget is evident in the somewhat dated effects and modest production design, the writing is actually quite fun. Roddenberry's knack for weaving social commentary into his sci-fi is present here, exploring themes of progress, control, and human nature. The performances are solid, though they lack the charisma of the 'Star Trek' ensemble, plus the pacing sometimes feels a bit sluggish at times.
Ultimately, 'Genesis II' is an intriguing 'what-if' scenario for fans of Roddenberry's work. While it doesn’t fully escape the limitations of being a TV movie, its twists make it worth a watch for science fiction enthusiasts.
7/10
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