Cheap Star Trek - Insurrection (DVD) (Jonathan Frakes, Patrick Stewart, Brent Spiner, LeVar Burton, Michael Dorn, Gates McFadden, Marina Sirtis) (Jonathan Frakes) Price

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Customer Reviews of Star Trek - Insurrection

There are a lot of good elements in "Insurrection," but the film is severely hampered by a weak script, among other flaws. The plot is basically a collage of elements "ripped off" from past episodes of the "Next Generation" TV series (most notably, "Homeward," a later episode guest-starring Paul Sorvino). The plot is also filled with too many weak contrivances and unexplained elements; it just doesn't make sense in retrospect.

The Sona and Baku are probably the two most poorly conceived alien races in the entire history of the "Trek" mythos. The Sona seem to primarily be a bunch of beauty parlor addicts (ooh! There's a frightening motivation!). The Baku, about whose fate we are supposed to care, come across as an arrogant bunch of technophobes who like to spout New Age-y platitudes.

A central element of "Insurrection" is a romantic attraction between Picard (played by Patrick Stewart, who also shares associate producer credit) and Anij (Donna Murphy), a Baku woman. But I find this attraction totally unconvincing. This relationship is quite a disappointment after seeing the dynamic chemistry between Stewart and Alfre Woodard in the previous "Trek" film ("Star Trek: First Contact").

Despite the film's shortcomings, "Insurrection" does contain elements that make it worth seeing. There are some superb action sequences (most notably the opening sequence, which blends some great science fiction elements with more conventional hand-to-hand combat). The make-up designs of two minor races, the Sarlac and the Ellora, are quite striking (although underutilized by the camera). The "Next Generation" cast is as great as ever, and have wonderful chemistry in their scenes together. If you're a loyal "Trek" fan, give it a try.

Needed Addition Considering Nemesis's Dark Tone
This movie broke the odd numbered curse in my opinion. I was always disappointed in the first one. The third one was ok except for the supporting actor's C-List acting. The fifth one ... and they really should have waited till the strike was over to film it. And the seventh one was the best uptil now except for Kirk's death which was not fitting in my opinion. Star Trek Insurrection is where the curse ends for me. This is a needed addition for the genre. The scene where Data, Worf, and Picard are singing is hilarious and a classic moment in all the films. I don't blame Worf for not wanting to sing!

Also the struggle with upkeeping the morals of the Federation's Prime Directive was intriguing too. The deeper meaning which was found in most of the episodes of the series is found here in a major way. This movie is also big after Nemesis because it shows Data still wondering about being human and helps build the climax for the next movie where he makes the ultimate sacrifice. And Picard 2.0, a term I made up for his new found action hero inside him, has a love story and is sort of like Moses leading all those people. All in all, a great addition for the Star Trek fan who wants to see more about the characters and less gore. I'm not one of them! Even so a great addition to the genre and I still give it 5 stars. Oh and go see Nemesis for the love of Roddenberry if you haven't by now!

STAR TREK Lightens Things Up A Bit, To Mixed Results...
For STAR TREK: INSURRECTION (1998), unfortunately famous for Data saying the ultimate cheesy one-liner, "Lock & Load" (*cringe*), Jonathan "Two-Takes" Frakes, back in the director's chair, makes the atmosphere decidedly lighter. That's a good thing; however, after all is said and done in this, the ninth installment in the legendary STAR TREK film saga (and the third one featuring the "Next Generation" cast of characters), there is really not much meat on the bone. In this episode, which begins jarringly with a sudden murderous rampage by a malfunctioning android Lt. Commander Data (Brent Spiner, in not one of his finer moments as an actor here), the crew of the Enterprise "E" have beamed down to Planet Ba'ku and rather quickly become familiar with the peaceful residents of this planet. This planet is nicknamed "Paradise," correctly so because it has magical regenerative powers which prevent its people from aging and dying. These people, numbering only 600, are peaceful and seem to have a kind of neo-religious quality to their personalities, as they live in total harmony with nature and openly reject any kind of technology. (This leads to what is probably the best scene in the entire movie, as the Enterprise is revealed to be camouflaged to blend in with the lush surroundings!)

Anyway, as Capt. Jean-Luc Picard (the always-wonderful Patrick Stewart) begins to get friendly with one of the eligible female Ba'ku residents, and Commander Will Riker (Frakes) and Counselor Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis) get friendlier with each other (leading to a surprisingly sensual hot-tub scene), there is trouble brewing in Paradise: an incredibly ugly band of aliens known as the So'na, led by the especially monstrous Ru'afo (F. Murray Abraham), who intends to displace the peace-loving Ba'ku residents and take over the planet for themselves, so as to de-uglify themselves (I'm not making this up). Not only that, but they are given full authority to do so by a suspicious Federation admiral (Anthony Zerbe, in his final film role). Because this order clearly violates the Prime Directive (which forbids the interfering of any sovereign planetary civilization), this puts Capt. Picard & crew into a conundrum: do they follow orders like good little Starfleet soldiers or do they uphold the Prime Directive to protect these peacemongers? Put it to you this way: Based on the title alone, plus what you know about the Next Generation characters, what do you THINK they will do??? Duh...Lock & Load!!!

Jonathan Frakes had an obviously daunting task: following up the incredible STAR TREK: FIRST CONTACT (1996), one of the very best in the entire STAR TREK film saga. STAR TREK: INSURRECTION looks really nice (the visuals are, once again, truly amazing), but alas, there is not really much to care about here. F. Murray Abraham is one of the finest actors of our time, but he must have really needed the money in order to agree to fill a role in which he's not only unrecognizable, but also the recipient of the worst movie makeover in recent big-screen history. STAR TREK: INSURRECTION is certainly not the worst STAR TREK film ever made (that honor would unquestioningly go to the William Shatner-directed misfire STAR TREK V: THE FINAL FRONTIER), but it's definitely not among the best. See it if you're a fan.

MODERATELY RECOMMENDED; AGES 10 & UP