Star Trek: Insurrection
A film review by Joel B. Kirk
SYNOPSIS:
Picard and the crew of the Enterprise-E defy the Federation by
preventing a peace-loving people from being forcibly relocated from a
planet that possesses remarkable rejuvenating properties.
MY TAKE:
The ninth Star Trek movie, second directed by Jonathan Frakes, the
second adventure aboard the Enterprise-E, and the third with the Star
Trek: The Next Generation cast.
Was it worth it?
The producers of this new 'Star Trek' franchise seem to still believe
they are writing for television. Even though it served them on the
small screen, you have to grab the attention of your audience from the
get go. 'Star Trek' has a certain curse where the even movies are
successful and the odd films are mediocre. This film somewhat follows
that history.
The 'action' is not involving, as we know Jean-Luc Picard(Patrick
Stewart of X-MEN and X-MEN 2) and company will save the day. Who is
the villain? F. Murray Abraham's (AMADEUS) alien Ru'afo or Anthony
Zerbe's (LICENCE TO KILL, MATRIX RELOADED, MATRIX REVOLUTIONS)
Federation Admiral Dougherty?
POSITIVE/NEGATIVE NITPICKS:
Brent Spiner's Data (ID4) becomes erratic for some apparent reason,
and that is never explained later on in the film.
Moreover, towards the end, when the obligatory space battle takes
place, a very un-'Star Trek' moment arrives when Jonathan Frakes'
Commander William Riker controls the huge Enterprise by a bridge
joystick.
Come on, now. Even for a science fiction film, it seems a bit
over-the-top.
Who are the Baku, other than a group of people who need saving? Why do
we care for them? As aforementioned, is Admiral Dougherty really the
villain? It seems like he would like the use of the youth giving
facilities of the planet for other (another alternative would be to
ask the people of the planet, but the writers apparently didn't think
of that aspect).
Donna Murphy as Anij, seems to hold no other purpose than to look
beautiful for the camera as Picard's temporary love interest for the
film.
FINAL COMMENTS:
Remember when 'Star Trek' used to make one think and be entertaining
at the same time?
MY RATING:
**1/2 out of *****
DIRECTOR:
Jonathan Frakes
WRITER(S):
Michael Piller (Screenplay and Story)
Rick Berman(Story)
CAST:
Patrick Stewart-Jean-Luc Picard
Jonathan Frakes-William T. Riker
Brent Spiner-Data
Levar Burton-Geordi LaForge
Michael Dorn-Worf
Gates McFadden –Beverly Crusher
Marina Sirtis-Deanna Troi
F. Murray Abraham-Ru'afo
Donna Murphy-Anij
Anthony Zerbe-Admiral Matthew Dougherty
Stephanie Niznik-Kell Perim
Daniel Hugh Kelley-Sojef
Michael Welch-Artim
GENRE:
Sci-fi/Action/Adventure
RUNNING TIME:
103 minutes
YEAR OF RELEASE:
1998 by Paramount Pictures
EMAIL:
joelkirk@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
38078
X-Language: en
X-RT-ReviewID: 1291204
X-RT-TitleID: 1085305
X-RT-AuthorID: 9404
X-RT-RatingText: 2.5/5
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