Star Trek: First Contact
A film review by Joel B. Kirk
SYNOPSIS:
The Borg travel into Earth's past to prevent Zefram Cochrance from
inventing warp drive and making first contact with the Vulcans. This
was the eighth Star Trek theatrical movie and the second to feature
the characters from Star Trek: The Next Generation. This movie marked
the first appearance of the Sovereign-class U.S.S. Enterprise-E.
MY TAKE:
A definite improvement over the last film, showing the STAR TREK: THE
NEXT GENERATION cast can translate on the big screen if an interesting
story is given.
Each of the characters from the television series is given something
to do, without the story being convoluted. There is even cameos by
Robert Picardo (who portrays a holographic doctor on STAR TREK:
VOYAGER) and Ethan Phillips (who portrays the alien Neelix also on
STAR TREK: VOYAGER).
It ranks with the best of the films, which was STAR TREK II: THE WRATH
OF KHAN.
POSITIVE/NEGATIVE NITPICKS:
The switch back and forth between the planet bound story and what was
occurring with the Enterprise. First we're revving up for an action
scene and then we switch back into comedic moments.
Why did the Borg need to go back in time to stop First Contact? Why
couldn't they have gone to a time where Earth couldn't defend
themselves?
Moreover, I would have liked to have seen more romantic involvement
between Alfre Woodard's (DOWN IN THE DELTA) Lily and Patrick
Stewart's (STAR TREK: GENERATIONS X-MEN, X-2,) Captain Jean-Luc Picard.
It's hinted at, but you kind of wonder if the writers were a bit
hesitant or they just didn't know where to take it.
FINAL COMMENTS:
This is an improvement over the last picture. While not entirely a
perfect picture, it will satisfy even the viewer who is not a fan of
Star Trek. (Of course, this being a series might generate interest in
the franchise--in both the television incarnations and film series).
MY RATING:
***1/2 out of *****
DIRECTOR:
Jonathan Frakes
WRITER(S):
Rick Berman (story) and
Ronald D. Moore (story) &
Brannon Braga (story)
Ronald D. Moore (screenplay) and
Brannon Braga (screenplay)
CAST:
Patrick Stewart-Captain Jean-Luc Picard
Jonathan Frakes-Cmdr. William T. Riker
Brent Spiner-Lt. Commander Data
LeVar Burton-Lt. Commander Geordi LaForge
Michael Dorn-Lt. Commander Worf
Gate McFadden-Dr. Beverly Crusher
Marina Sirtis-Counselor Deanna Troi
Alfre Woodard-Lily
James Cromwell-Dr. Zefram Cochrane
Alice Krige-Borg Queen
Neal McDonough-Lt. Hawk
Robert Picardo-Holographic Doctor
Dwight Schultz-Lt. Barclay
Ethan Phillips- Maitre d' (uncredited)
GENRE:
Sci-fi/Action/Adventure
RUNNING TIME:
110 minutes
YEAR OF RELEASE:
1996 by Paramount Pictures
EMAIL:
joelkirk@sbcglobal.net
Copyright 2004 Joel B. Kirk
========== X-RAMR-ID: 37468 X-Language: en X-RT-ReviewID: 1268287 X-RT-TitleID: 1074426 X-RT-AuthorID: 9404 X-RT-RatingText: 3.5/5
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