Review of Star Trek: First Contact (1996) by Harry W — 02 Apr 2014

With relatively low standards for the quality of the Star Trek film series as I had enjoyed 3 of the films so far and disliked 4, I went into Star Trek VIII: First Contact with small expectations for what to experience.

Riding the cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation and not the original series, Star Trek VIII: First Contact does not go for cheesy fun. It goes for serious dramatic science fiction thrills, and it does not cease to entertain in doing that. Star Trek VIII: First Contact focuses more on its science fiction elements than on characterisation, but it allows the actors to prove themselves in the film. It's well scripted, and it proves to boast a strong script which brings out the best of the cast as well as allowing the dialogue to reinforce the originality of the Star Trek universe.

Frankly, riding the directional skill of Jonathan Frakes, Star Trek VIII: First Contact proves to be the best of the series so far, surpassing even the quality of Star Trek III: The Search for Spock. As the best film director for the series since Leonard Nimoy, Jonathan Frakes is one of the key assets in Star Trek VIII: First Contact's success as a film, and he tells his interesting story with glee while skimping on none of the entertainer value.

Star Trek VIII: First Contact is a massive step up from the quality of its predecessor from a visual perspective. While visual effects have had mixed quality in the Star Trek film series up until now, the visual effects in Star Trek VIII: First Contact are absolutely excellent. Nothing looks like a model and nothing looks like it's made if cheap CG. The visual effects create an excellent backdrop for the universe of the film and depict the USS Enterprise-E with such immaculate detail. The visual effects in Star Trek VIII: First Contact are incredible without the film putting excessive reliance on them, and they are used to establish the film as an awesome visual treat for science fiction fans. The visual effects are absolutely incredible, and they reach a standard completely unmatched by any of the preceding seven Star Trek films, and they surely deserved an Academy Award nomination. Plus they combine with excellent film editing as well as powerful sound effects which tie into the visual aspects well.

While some of its visual elements are a bit reminiscent of Star Wars, it's isn't enough for viewers to be likely to find themselves bothered by it, because it's certainly not that derivative. The universe is built on exceptional art direction which gives some excellent sets for the film, all the while the costumes pinned to the actors are excellent for its science fiction theme and the makeup manages to hit a quality unsurpassed by any other Star Trek film thus far. They establish the alien figures such as the Borg as being flawlessly convincing creatures which have admirable physical aspects which are impressive. The makeup in Star Trek VIII: First Contact is just great.

The cinematography is also top notch because it tends to capture both the emotional expressions of its characters and the grand scale of the spectacle. The cinematography in Star Trek VIII: First Contact is excellent and reinforces the feeling of being out in space while also capitalising on the intensity in the moods of the characters, allowing both agoraphobia and claustrophobia to play their parts in depicting the battle between good and evil. The cinematography ties into the atmosphere of Star Trek VIII: First Contact well, and it allows viewers to capture all the appealing visual aspects of the film in their sights.

The musical score is also great because of how it makes the atmosphere able to reach viewers through their ears without failure.

And the cast of Star Trek VIII: First Contact are the finest cast of any of the films in the Star Trek series that has reached 7 movies and finally landed on some great actors to work with who are serious about what they do without being deluded by their talents or limitations.

For the first time in the series, a Star Trek film puts the majority of its focus on a strong lead character who can fully be taken seriously which in this case is Captain Jean-Luc Picard, a superior captain to Captain James T. Kirk. Star Trek VIII: First Contact makes the story a complicated exploration of this character which compares him to Ahab from Moby Dick and gets into his mind as to bring out the grudge he holds against the Borg and use it as a key story element. And thanks to the performance of Patrick Stewart, it all works greatly. Patrick Stewart is the best lead in the film series so far, because he is a serious actor. He doesn't go all over the top and Elizabethan on the film like William Shatner did, but rather keeps his mind tied in to the intense state of thinking that the captain of the USS Enterprise-E faces. Patrick Stewart is an intense and powerful lead in Star Trek VIII: First Contact who has all the emotional drama and sharp line delivery necessary for the part. His intense and meaningful look into the character brings out his skills as a leader, he value of his comrades and his deeper and dark underlying anger reminiscent of John Rambo in one scene. There is a lot of depth to Captain Jean-Luc Picard, and without missing a beat Patrick Stewart is able to seek it out. Patrick Stewart is spot on as the lead in Star Trek VIII: First Contact, and he guides the heroism of the story through its adventure.

Brent Spiner's role as Data is a massive step up from his previous effort in the same role in Star Trek VII: Generations. He puts a lot of humanity into the character and has a perfect robotic physicality. It's incredible how quickly he moves his fingers across a keyboard. He has an edge to him which is just refreshing, and his performance has him embodying the role with his best talents. Brett Spiner is an excellent cast member in Star Trek VIII: First Contact, and he makes it all the more appealing.

Jonathan Frakes manages to do his part as a member of the cast, and directs himself to a strong supporting performance with ease. It isn't always easy to direct and act at the same time, but Jonathan Frakes proves to not have a problem with it. His supporting performance is a fairly effective one.

LeVar Burton gives another good effort in Star Trek VIII: First Contact, as do newcomers James Cromwell and Alfre Woodard.

So while it has some of the minor issues that stem from every Star Trek film, Star Trek VIII: First Contact is the best in the series so far thanks to the excellent direction of Jonathan Frakes which guides the film through amazing visual effects and strong acting enough to leave my passion for the film series more invigorated than ever.