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Insurrection
Premiered: 1998
Producers: Rick Berman Director: Jonathan Frakes Writers: Rick Berman, Brannon Braga,
Ronald D. Moore Music: Jerry Goldsmith
The Cast:
Jean Luc Picard:
Patrick Stewart
William Riker:
Jonathan Frakes
Data: Brent Spiner
Geordi Laforge:
Levar Burton
Worf: Michael Dorn
Beverly Crusher:
Gates McFadden
Dianna Troi:
Marina Sirtis
This is the most difficult Star Trek film to write about. In the midst
of a hostile patch of space, sits an idyllic world. The inhabitants
live in a paradise of simple pleasures and clean living.
Unfortunately, a brutal race, called the Sona, threatens this
paradise. They want to take over this wonderful planet and with the
help of a corrupt Starfleet Admiral they might just succeed. When
Captain Jean-Luc Picard learns of the peril, he intercedes. Our
familiar band of Star Trek: The Next Generation heroes stands against
the Sona and the nasty Admiral Dougherty. Plenty of phaser fire and
space battles follow.
There is a popular belief that even numbered Star Trek films tend to
be good, while odd numbered films tend to be bad. Star Trek:
Insurrection is also Star Trek Nine, so is due to be a victim of this
mysterious curse. While it really isn’t bad, it does have enough
problems and painful moments to keep the curse alive. Painful? How
about Worf, Data and Picard singing? Do Trekkers like that sort of
thing? If they don’t, you can be sure no one does. In addition, there
are plot holes you could drive a starship through. Throw in an
unnecessary connection between the planet’s inhabitants and its
enemies. Once revealed, you’ll think, “Hey! That can’t work!” Sprinkle
this mix liberally with techno-babble and you have Star Trek:
Insurrection. Like all recipes with too much of this and too little of
that, this movie isn’t so much bad, as it’s just weak in places.
Insurrection Padd
The crew of the Enterprise has survived the transplant from the small
screen to the large screen and seeing them again is something of a
treat, if you’re a Next Generation fan. If you’re not familiar with
the television series, chunks of this movie will likely be lost on
you. Star Trek: Insurrection builds on a mountain of Star Trek lore
and it comes with the assumption that you’ve climbed that mountain
prior to setting eyes on this Star Trek installment.
If you’re a Trek fan—well, if you’re a fan you don't need a review to
tell you whether or not to see it. Seeing it again (as I did) is still
good fun. Compared to the general selection of films out there, Star
Trek: Insurrection is watchable. There's plenty of action and some
good special effects. There are moments of real tension contrasted
with light relief. Just don't expect anything special.