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STAR TREK: FIRST CONTACT
A film review by Steve Kong
Copyright 1996 Steve Kong
* * * * (on a four star rating systems)
Director: Jonathan Frakes Screenwriters: Ronald D. Moore and Brannon Braga Starring: Patrick Steward, Jonathan Frakes, Brent Spiner, LeVar Burton,
Michael Dorn, Gates McFadden, Marina Sirtis, Alice Krige, Alfre Woodard, James Cromwell. Rating: PG-13
Prepared to be assimilated? Yes! Knowing the old saying that all even numbered Star Trek movies are good, and all odd numbered movies are either mediocre or bad, I came into First Contact ready to see a good movie. Did I come out with a feeling that I saw a good movie? Yes.
For Star Trek movies there is one problem that follows them. You have to cater to two distinctly different audiences in order to make a large profit. The first audience is the die-hard Star Trek fans. The second is the more general audience, who either knows little or nothing about Star Trek. First Contact swings a lot towards the first audience. It is built around Captain Picards original encounter with the Borg.
The encounter gets a small flashback in the beginning of the film, and that is all that is really said about the encounter to help the general audience along. For those of us who are well versed in what happened between Picard and the Borg, we are drawn into the story and understand what is driving Picard to do what he is doing. For the rest of the general audience, they are left to catch up. And the director, Jonathan Frakes (also playing Riker), gives little time to catch up. From the explosive starship battle with the Borg cube beginning to the explosive ending, Frakes keeps the pace of the movie quick.
The story is about the Borg heading for Earth, readying to assimilate the human race. The new Enterprise E, with Picard at the helm is sent elsewhere by the Admiral. The Admiral believes that Picard is too emotionally involved with the Borg to be in this battle. Picard, obviously disregards the orders and goes into battle. The Borg in a last ditch effort goes back in time to try to assimilate the human race back then. And that is where the real meat of the story goes.
If you are a Trekker or are familiar with the Next Generation crew, you will love this film. If you are new to the Star Trek franchise, you might want to just review what happened between Picard and the Borg before going off to see this film. There is a great mix of humor and action in this film. And the pacing of the film will keep you at the edge of your seats in many tense situations.
But, in any case, resistance is futile. So go see this film!
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