Review of Star Trek: Insurrection (1998) by Brent M — 23 Jul 2008

I'm really stodgy when it comes to being consistent reviewing Star Trek movies.

This really is one of the weaker films. Again, it has the burden of being an odd number film, so it has no chance. (Although I can't wait for either Star Trek XI or I, depending how you look at it. Also, take that, Simon Pegg!) (Okay, don't take that. I think you are great.) Anyway, onto the actual movie. It really isn't terrible. It just doesn't have a lot going for it. I have to say, this really feels like an extended episode than it does a feature film. While the entire concept of the crew of the Enterprise exposing the Federation for conspiracy charges, it seems like the Federation is represented by one man rather than taking on the whole system. I mean, the concept should work, but because we're so far away from earth, this rebellion just has little practical effect.

More than the conspiracy failing, there's also a little bit of failure when it comes to making a character movie. Frankly, I get bored of all the 'splody stuff. I'd prefer a tight character drama, regardless of the genre. This movie really tries to get to that, but drops the ball with character development that we just don't care about. I mean, the crew of the Enterprise is just too good and too moral to have really character enriching stuff. First Contact touched a little bit on that with Picard's obessession with revenge. He did wrong and that movie wasn't really afraid fo doing wrong. This one, we see these potentially powerful moments. Geordi finally gets his sight back. There's this great moment where he sees a sunrise for the first time. But when he's asked to give that up, he instantly sees the greater good. Where's that moment of conflict that I am begging for? Really, this movie is the anti-theatre. We get a really external conflict of getting these people safe on this planet until help can arrive and we don't have anything we're fighting against.

Then there's Data trying to be a kid. Man, that is some Eddie Furlong sh*t. I honestly expected that kid to teach Data to say "Hasta la Vista, Baby." Honestly, over the seven seasons of Star Trek: The Next Generation, I think we covered Data and silly recreation. We don't need a kid telling him to do that. Not only that, we had a kid tell him how to be a child on the show many times. Data's practically adopted three or four children on the show because they taught him how to be a child. Really, we should have someone teach him how to be an adult because the kid thing he got down.

The reason I like these movies is because of the commroderie of these actors. It looks like they have a lot of fun on set and have a good time. I know that has little to do with the movie itself. I just am always depressed with the squabbling, negative, dark Hollywood that I love hearing stories of franchises continuing on because people love their job so much. I always hear these stories in the sci-fi camps rather than other genres. Maybe its because fanboys are so ruthless.

I wish I had something to say about F.Murray Abraham. There literally was nothing wrong with his performance. (Except, maybe, for the "yaaaa" into space.) But there really wasn't anything that blew my mind. You may say "that's because it's a Star Trek movie.) Well, I've seen some good stuff in this franchise, dammit, so back off! I just wish there was a little bit more going on here that could have gotten my vote early on. I don't know. This movie was kind of blah for me and that's a shame.