Review of Star Trek: Insurrection (1998) by Paul M — 27 May 2010

Being a self-described geek, I was excited to find out that yesterday was international geek/nerd day, so naturally I celebrated. Having not seen (to any full extent anyway) any of the Star Trek: The Next Generation films, I decided to go out and rent the ninth film in the franchise, Star Trek: Insurrection,.

And after watching it, I'm really at a loss for words. The reason for.

This is that while there isn't anything particularly bad about this.

Film, there's nothing particularly good about it either.

The film opens with a Federation Expedition of a new Planet, home to the peaceful race of Ba'ku people. The Expedition goes awry however when Lt. Commander Data (Brent Spiner) loses control and reveals the.

Secret Federation presence on the Ba'ku home world. Contacted to.

Capture Data and halt the situation, Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick.

Stewart) and the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise-E (including.

The newly returned Worf played by Michael Dorn) land on the home world.

And are able to bring Data for repairs. After suspiciously urgent.

Orders from the Federation to leave the planet quickly however, Captain.

Picard begins an investigation of the Ba'ku home-world and its people,.

Who are revealed to be technologically capable but have largely.

Rejected the use of machines. Picard and the crew of the Enterprise.

Soon learn that the Ba'ku planet produces a natural rejuvenation effect.

That augments the physical body and even extends longevity considerably.

(many of the adults for example look like they are in their 40s and.

Have actually been alive for centuries). Discovering a Federation.

Conspiracy with the Son'a people (an enemy of the Ba'ku led by F.

Murray Abraham of Amadeus fame) to mine the planet's resources at the sacrifice of its population, Picard and the Enterprise take a stand to save the Ba'ku and prevent the destruction of their home world.

As typical of the Star Trek franchise, the best thing about it is the characters, which feature the entire crew of The Next Generations television series, who are entertaining to watch in a similar albeit different way to the crew of Captain Kirk's Enterprise. Patrick Stewart's Picard is a joy to watch because of his complexity, able to convey levels of sternness, humanism, and even a little humor.

Quite effectively. His relations with the other Enterprise members.

Are also a joy to watch, particularly second-in-command William Riker.

(Jonathan Frakes), Klingon officer Worf, and the android Data. All of.

These characters are brought to life with the same skill and competency.

That these actors all have executed in the past, keeping the.

Familiarity of the characters without making them stale.

Also worthy of note in the acting department is the performance of F. Murray Abraham as Adhar Ru'afo, the leader of the Son'a. Abraham channels his previous genius from Amadeus's Salieri and plays.

A vengeful but pitiful man, transformed into a monster through exile.

And desperation. All of Ru'afo's lines are delivered with a snaky,.

Sinister tone that makes your skin crawl and his scenes are always.

Interesting to watch (even if his dialogue can get somewhat redundant).

Paired with this character is the excellent make-up work that does a.

Great job of seamlessly deforming Abraham's face into the.

Hyper-stretched, deformed caricature of the Son'a and only adds to both.

The threat and the pity that radiates from the character.

The technical aspects of the film are competent, but never venture far from average standards. It is impressive to see that the film attempted to incorporate full CGI for their effects, but they don't.

Really work fully well, looking much more reminiscent of the Sci-fi.

Channel than of a big budget motion picture. The score is also worthy.

Of note in this regard in that it isn't terrible, but it is never.

Memorable, and the absence of the Star Trek theme (save from.

The very beginning and very ending of the film) is felt very deeply.

Indeed. These aspects however would be forgivable in any Star Trek film in the story was up to snuff, but the problem here is that it is not.

The story of Star Trek: Insurrection isn't bad per-say but it's not really all that good either. It is highly underwhelming and feels much more like a mediocre and dull two-part episode of the.

Television series rather than a feature-length film. Also, despite me.

Not having a problem with it, I'm sure many viewers of this movie will.

Raise the ethical implications concerning the sacrifice of the Ba'ku,.

Who number only at 600, for the sake of medically and scientifically.

Benefiting the known Universe, which numbers in the billions. Not.

Agreeing with the film's morality and instead look at it from a.

Utilitarian point of view will detract from the story even more and.

Will make Picard look much more like a jack-ass than a noble hero.

Overall, the film is very average and at least the effort that was put into it is somewhat evident. If you are a fan of the Star Trek franchise, check it out. Otherwise, you may want to skip this one for better science-fiction fare.