tar Trek: Insurrection is the ninth motion picture in the Star Trek franchise and the third to feature the crew from the TV series Star Trek: The Next Generation. In many ways this film represents a return to Next Generation's roots, with a meaty, philosophical story that involves all the members of the sizable ensemble cast. There are no gimmicks this time out, no larger-than-life action sequences, no darkness and angst--all of which were key components of 1996's action-oriented Star Trek: First Contact. Instead,
screenwriter Michael Piller's story puts Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Stewart) squarely in
the midst of a conspiracy that challenges the fundamental tenets of the Federation's Prime Directive.
When Data (Spiner) begins exhibiting hostile behavior while on a mission to observe
the Ba'ku people, Picard diverts the Enterprise to investigate--in spite of
Admiral Dougherty's (Anthony Zerbe) protestations that everything is under
control. Upon further investigation planetside, Picard, Data and a local leader named
Anij (Donna Murphy) discover a holographic Federation ship out by a lake.
Putting the pieces of the puzzle together, Picard realizes that Dougherty and a race called the So'na--who are apparently Federation allies--intend to forcibly relocate the Ba'ku people and literally claim the planet as their own.
It seems the idyllic planet's metaphasic rings have unusual regenerative powers, making it something of a Fountain of Youth. Picard decides he must take
a stand, and he refuses to allow Dougherty to sacrifice the Ba'ku in the name of the
Federation's self-interest--and his loyal crew willingly opts to join him on
his crusade.
Next Generation family values
There's a lot to like about this story. It's more thought-provoking than
either Star Trek: Generations or First Contact (the two previous films that featured the Next Generation crew), and it challenges viewers to consider moral issues without being too preachy. And that, of course, is what Gene Roddenberry's Star Trek has always
done best. And this time around, the guest stars--F. Murray Abraham (as So'na leader
Ru'afo), Murphy, and Zerbe--serve to further the story rather than to simply provide marquee names (which is what Alfre Woodard's presence in First Contact often felt like).
Next Generation fans will particularly appreciate that this is an ensemble
effort. Piller's script is dotted with light-hearted and humorous moments, and while there were concerns that the humor would come off as forced or inappropriate, the talented Next Generation cast--capitalizing on the easy familiarity born of more than a decade of working together-- pulls it off without a hitch. Even the cast regulars who contribute little to the story--Gates McFadden's Dr. Crusher has maybe five lines of dialogue in the entire
film--have more of a presence than they've had in previous Next Gen outings.
However, Insurrection's return to the basics that made the
TV series such a success can also be construed as the film's biggest failing.
The sweeping landscapes and computer-generated space battles surpass what
could be done on television, but at the same time, there's a feeling that
Insurrection would have made a great episode had the series still been on the
air. And had Insurrection been a TV episode, the frustrating gaps in
the story--including further exploration of Geordi's (LeVar Burton) new-found
vision, and a more lucid explanation of the origins and motives of the So'na
race--would have had a forum.
While Insurrection will obviously appeal foremost to dedicated Trek fans, and in particular to those who followed Next Gen on television, most moviegoers will probably enjoy this one for its inherent heart and humor.
