Review of Star Trek: First Contact (1996) by Charles H — 14 Jul 2009

As it turned out, this was the only great "Next Generation" movie, but they made it count. Using one of the best two-part episodes from the series as a basis for the plot was a good start. The Borg have always been my favorite Star Trek villains, and this movie gives them their due.

Picard's handicaps and advantages due to his past experience with them are explored marvelously. Probably the best thing about the movie is that, although watching the episodes I referred to would be helpful, the film takes the right amount of time to explain things so that it can stand alone.

This is done quickly, in bits and pieces, mostly with an opening nightmare scene, so the story doesn't slow down too much. The story itself is an ambitious one, employing everything Star Trek is known for.

To top it all off, there's plenty of action, with special effects that still look good. By turns exciting, terrifying, moving, and funny, this is another great entry into the good vs. evil battle.

In addition to the understandably comfortable original cast, we are treated to the great James Cromwell, as well as Alice Krige, playing arguably the creepiest, yet most compelling antagonist in the film series.