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DVD : Star Trek - Insurrection (Two-Disc Special Collector's Edition) |
- An Underrated EffortThough often reviewed as a typical "odd numbered" Star Trek movie (for some reason, the even numbered movies in the series have performed much better than the even numbers), Star Trek: Insurrection is actually a rather strong forte into the Trek universe.
The conflict of this film works on two levels: First, there is the conflict between two races of people (a plot point as old as time but one that, if done right, can be quite effective). Second, there is the conflict between Captain Jean-Luc Picard (and thus his crew) against upper-ranking Federation officials, who want to violate the sacred Prime Directive of the universe. Both of those areas of conflict, acting simultaneously throughout the movie, are surprisingly effective and compelling.
Besides the effectiveness of the main plot, however, this film also (much like the previous First Contact film) contains some interesting and humorous character development. While trying to rescue a persecuted race of people, the crew of the Enterprise investigates a planet on which the effects of aging are reversed. Thus, while the android Data is unaffected, other characters are taken on an interesting hormonal journey: Worf begins acting like a typical (violent!) Klingon youth, Crusher and Troi notice certain, um, body parts firming up, and Geordi LaForge regains the use of his natural eyes.
To conclude, Star Trek: Insurrection, while generally regarded as a sub-par effort, actually breaks the "odd-bad, even-good" chain of Star Trek movies. If you are new to the Star Trek universe and are interested in this movie, I would recommend watching the previous film, First Contact, in order to get a better handle on the Next Generation characters before watching this film. If you thoroughly enjoyed First Contact, this movie (with its action/adventure combined with great human drama and humor) will not disappoint you.
Rating:
- Star Trek Insurrection Collector's EditionI bought this movie believing I had never seen it, but it turns out I had watched the end half of it when it was on television. Imagine my surprise when I started getting deja vu! The plot of this movie was interesting, but it would have made for a better TV episode. The love story between the Baku woman and Picard would have been better left out of the film. It was interesting that the two races wound up being the same, though. The story was decent, the movie itself followed Star Trek: TNG's usual stories, but just not a good plot choice for a feature length film. There wasn't really enough action for me. I'm not an expert movie critic, just my opinion.
Rating:
- Good Story, So-So ExecutionWhen I first watched this movie in the theater, I came out totally disappointed and disgusted and wanted my time and money back. Now, after watching it again on DVD, I have changed my opinion somewhat.
The story is actually pretty good with Picard rebelling against the Federation for what he thinks is right (Prime Directive) - his career be damned! And the Son'a, the exiled children of the Ba'ku, seeking revenge on their parents and using the Federation to help them is an interesting idea. The crew feels natural and you can sense a real chemistry between them in this movie. The acting is top-notch, especially by the main Son'a villain Ad'har Ru'afo. The relationship between Picard and the Ba'ku woman Anij is very intriguing as well.
The thing that bothers me about this one is the humor. I guess the intent was to go back to a light-hearted movie like "The Voyage Home," but the humor doesn't work well in this movie like it did in "Voyage." In "Voyage," the crew were on a past Earth with no imminent threat, so the humor fit in since they weren't under any real pressure. But with "Insurrection," the crew is under attack from the Son'a and the humor seems out of place and awkward in light of the urgency of their situation. Not to mention some of the jokes are very cheesy - Data is a personal flotation device?! Huh?
So, altogether a good story with great acting but some misplaced (and sometimes cheesy) humor really disrupts the flow of the story and the feeling of threat and urgency. Not the worst of the Star Trek movies ("The Final Frontier" still holds that distinction for me), but an average one.
Rating:
- Perfect Star Trek movieThis movie is, in a manner similar to IV, the perfect Star Trek movie - all that is so good about it. We see Data further explore humanity, and the good guys come to the rescue. There is humor, pathos, integrity. I cannot say enough about it. The only thing missing is the future. This story could be told in any time. The science fiction aspects of it are almost irrelevant. To all dedicated fans, you have to see this one.
Rating:
- A solid action story, featuring a morality tale, humor, and romance"Star Trek: Insurrection," the ninth Star Trek feature film and third film outing for the "Star Trek: The Next Generation" (ST:TNG) cast, is a solid action story, featuring a morality tale, humor, and for the first time in a while for a Trek film, romance. In addition, this movie features far more location shooting than any previous trek film, which gives the film a grand scale.
"Insurrection" opens as the captain of the Federation Starship Enterprise, Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart), learns that one of his officers, the android Data, has apparently gone berserk and taken a cultural survey team hostage on a planet populated by the mysterious Ba'ku people.
Picard and his crew arrive at the Ba'ku planet, where the Federation and another alien race, the Son'a (a nasty looking group) are conducting the cultural survey of this village of 600 people. The Ba'ku are very intelligent and highly developed, but have adopted a simple life on this planet.
The Ba'ku village - filmed in Sierra Nevada and stunningly beautiful - is the most interesting and gorgeous set ever constructed for a Trek film. As the opening credits roll, the camera shows children playing, and a breathtaking view of a rural community built along a sparkling lake, mountains in the background, livestock grazing and simple, happy people living a peaceful life.
But the Ba'ku planet holds an amazing secret: Its inhabitants are over three centuries old. Unusual rings surrounding the planet have created a "fountain of youth" effect. Anyone who goes to the planet will grow younger and live forever.
The Enterprise crew soon learn that the "cultural survey" is only a cover for a sinister plot to kidnap the Ba'ku, exile them from their world, and exploit the planet's fountain of youth properties for the Son'a, who we learn are an ancient, dying race. The Federation also wants to exploit this special planet, and considers the Ba'ku expendable, and obstacles in the way of progress. Why spare a mere 600 people for a planet that can grant eternal youth to millions? Or billions?
What makes this change of policy so compelling for Star Trek fans is that Starfleet would previously never have embraced such a plan. But we are reminded that the squeaky-clean Star Trek of the original series and ST:TNG have given way to a more gritty, more dangerous universe. For the latter half of the current Star Trek TV series "Deep Space Nine," Starfleet has been at war with several belligerent cultures - and is feeling the pressure. The glory days of the Federation are over, it seems.
Picard is furious: If an entire people can be forcibly removed, destroying their culture and way of life, when does it stop? How many people before the act is wrong? A thousand? Ten thousand?
"Who the hell are we to choose the next course of evolution for these people?" Picard asks.
For Picard, the principles that the Federation is founded on have to be upheld. The Prime Directive - which maintains that any civilization must be permitted to develop at its own pace -- must be preserved. Picard takes a stand, deciding he must put his career and loyalties on the line, and protect the Ba'ku homeworld. Naturally, his entire crew join him in the rebellion.
Making moral choices has always been part of the Star Trek tradition, and the stand-out episodes and movies have been those that stay true to the original premise of the show - entertain the viewers, and have a strong message underneath. Whether the topic is warfare, birth control, drugs, prejudice, or even saving the whales, these are the best treks.
This time around, a benevolent government is being manipulated into doing something evil for a "greater good." The comparison to many of history's forced moves of a group of people by one more powerful -- such as the American Indians - is obvious.
But there's also a second underlying message - living in the moment. Picard's love interest, Anij, asks Picard, "Have you ever experienced a perfect moment in time . . . when time seemed to stop . . . and you could almost lived in that moment?" The Ba'ku have discovered that a single moment in time can be "a universe in itself." It's a terrific commentary about the insane pace of modern life - whether it be in the 24th century of Star Trek, or right now in the 20th.
The crew reacts to the planet's "fountain of youth" properties in many ways; the most amusing is the normally stoic Picard, who forgoes his usual classical music for a rumba, and then begins dancing to the music. The scene is absolutely endearing. The cast's youthful reactions inject this film with a great deal of energy, and fun.
My one complaint about the film is a scene where Picard pursues Data in a shuttle-chase through the Ba'ku planet's atmosphere. Unable to reach through Data's temporary dementia, Picard recalls that Data had been rehearsing a scene from HMS Pinafore and breaks into song. This gets through to Data, who begins singing as well. It's an embarrassing moment, clearly played for laughs, and the film would be better without it.
Still, the movie will appeal to trekkers and non-trekkers alike. The story is compelling and also fun. With over fifty standing sets and far more location shooting than any previous Star Trek film, the movie feel bigger. The exodus of the Ba'ku at night is pure Cecil B. DeMille. There are space battles, computer generated pets (as in the Lost in Space film), armed conflict and lots of action, and of course, the Enterprise once again gets hammered by enemy fire. Picard has a real love interest, and all the regular ST:TNG supporting characters have interesting roles (including regulars Riker and Troi, who rekindle their previous romance). In fact, it's very obvious that the cast had a lot of fun making the film - they've so grown into their roles that they, for the first time, feel like "real people." It's unusual to see Star Trek characters acting so... well... so colorful and animated. The on-screen camaraderie, friendship and romance is very believable. It all makes for an exciting, interesting film.
Joining the cast this time are F. Murray Abraham as the sinister Son'a leader Ru'afo, who won an Oscar for Best Actor as Amadeus. Picard's love interest Anij is played by Donna Murphy, a Tony Award winner for her performances in The King and I and Passion. Anthony Zerbe, who plays Starfleet Admiral Dougherty, won an Emmy Award for his role on ABC-TV's Harry O, and has appeared memorably in such films as Cool Hand Luke, Papillon, and License to Kill.
Regular cast member Jonathan Frakes, who did a commendable job directing the previous Trek film, has also directed episodes of ST:TNG, Trek's "Deep Space Nine," and "Voyager," as well as Diagnosis: Murder and University Hospital.
Star Trek remains a profitable franchise for owner Paramount, with films, television shows, books and other merchandize grossing more than $1 billion worldwide. This film's predecessor, "Star Trek: First Contact," produced the biggest opening-weekend gross of any of the Star Trek films, and earned $92 million at the box office.
"Star Trek: Insurrection" does the franchise proud.
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