I also find the visual effects to be top-notch. The 6-foot model of the Enterprise D absolutely shines in the widescreen format. When your last seasons gives you nothing but the 4-foot model to look at, I can see why someone would want a newer ship. But when they took the 6-foot model and filmed it for a movie, you definitely didn't need a new ship.
I found the visual effects in Generations to be superior to both FC, INS and even parts of Nemesis. They were excellent.