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A funny thing happened to me on the way to writing this review of "Star Trek: Insurrection"--I discovered that several of the key filmmakers disagree with the film's plot premise. Maybe that's why this ninth " Star Trek " saga seems inert and unconvincing.

Here's the premise: In a region of space known as the Briar Patch, an idyllic planet is home to a race known as the Ba'ku. They are members of a placid agricultural commune, tilling the neat rows of their fields, and then returning to a city whose neo-Greco-Roman architecture looks uncannily like the shopping mall at Caesar's Palace. The Ba'ku are a blissful people, and no wonder: They have the secret of immortality. The "metaphasic radiation" generated by the planet's rings acts like a fountain of youth on their planet.

The planet and the Ba'ku are currently the subject of a cultural survey team, which looks down on them from something like a stadium press box, but remains invisible. Then Data ( Brent Spiner ), the android, goes berserk and makes hostages of the survey team. The Enterprise speeds to the scene, so that Capt. Picard ( Patrick Stewart ) can deal with the crisis. The plot thickens when it is revealed that the Son'a race, which is also part of the Federation, was once allied with the Ba'ku. But the Son'a choose a different path and are now dying out--most visibly in the scrofulous countenance of their leader Ru'afo (F. Murray Abraham).

The Son'a want the Ba'ku kidnapped and forcibly ejected from their planet. There are, after all, only 600 of them. Why should their little nature preserve be more important than the health and longevity of the Son'a and billions of other Federation citizens? Picard counters with the Federation's Prime Directive, which instructs that the natural development of any civilization must not be interfered with.

The plot of "Star Trek: Insurrection" deals with the conflict between the desperate Son'a and the blissful Ba'ku and is further complicated when Picard falls in love with the beautiful Ba'ku woman Anij ( Donna Murphy ). "You explore the universe," she tells him, "but have you ever explored a single moment in time?" (Picard is so lovestruck he forgets that his answer would be "yes!") Further complications result when the metaphasic radiation leaks into the Enterprise and inspires Riker and Troi to start acting like horny teenagers.

As the best minds in the Federation wrestled with the ethical questions involved, I was also asking questions. Such as, aren't the Ba'ku basically just living in a gated community? Since this Eden-like planet has only 600 inhabitants, why couldn't they use the planet as a spa, circling inside those metaphasic rings and bathing in the radiation, which is probably faster-acting in space than down on the surface? After all, we're not talking magic here, are we? Above these practical questions looms a larger philosophical one. Wouldn't it be right to sacrifice the lifestyles of 600 Ba'ku in order to save billions? "I think maybe I would," said Jonathan Frakes , the film's director and co-star, when I asked him that question after the movie's press screening.

"You've got to be flexible," Stewart said. "If it had been left in the hands of Picard, some solution could have been found." "Absolutely!" Spiner said. "I think I raised that question more than once." "I had to be very narrowminded to serve the character," Murphy confessed.

I agree. Our own civilization routinely kills legions of people in wars large and small, for reasons of ideology, territory, religion or geography. Would we contemplate removing 600 people from their native environment to grant immortality to everyone alive? In a flash. It would be difficult, indeed, to fashion a philosophical objection to such a move, which would result in the greatest good for the greatest number of people.

But what about the rights of the Ba'ku? Shouldn't they volunteer to help us all out? Especially since they need not die themselves? The plot of "Star Trek: Insurrection" grinds through the usual conversations and crises, as the evil Ru'afo and his men carry forward their insidious plans, and Picard discovers that the Federation itself may be willing to play fast and loose with the Prime Directive. That's not exactly new; in the previous eight movies, there have in fact been many shots fired in anger at members of races who perhaps should have been left alone to "develop naturally"--presumably even if such development involves aggression and hostility. The overriding principle, let's face it, has been the Federation's own survival and best interests. So why not allow the Son'a the same ethnocentric behavior? The movie is a work of fantasy and these questions are not important unless they influence the film's entertainment value. Unfortunately, they do.

There is a certain lackluster feeling to the way the key characters debate the issues, and perhaps that reflects the suspicion of the filmmakers that they have hitched their wagon to the wrong cause. The movie is shorter than the usual "Star Trek" saga, at 103 minutes, as if the central issue could not bear scrutiny at the usual length. Think how much more interesting it would have been if the Ba'ku had joined an interracial experiment to share immortality. What would happen if everyone in the Federation could live forever? Think how many more sequels there'd be.

Roger Ebert

Roger Ebert was the film critic of the Chicago Sun-Times from 1967 until his death in 2013. In 1975, he won the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished criticism.

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Star Trek: Insurrection (1998)

Rated PG For Sci-Fi Action Violence, Mild Language and Sensuality

103 minutes

Jonathan Frakes as Riker

F. Murray Abraham as Ru'Afo

Patrick Stewart as Picard

Brent Spiner as Data

Marina Sirtis as Troi

Anthony Zerbe as Adm. Dougherty

Donna Murphy as Anij

Gates McFadden as Crusher

LeVar Burton as Laforge

Michael Dorn as Worf

• Rich Berman
• Michael Piller

Directed by

• Jonathan Frakes

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Star Trek: Insurrection

Review by brian eggert september 16, 2009.

Most criticisms of Star Trek: Insurrection object that it too closely resembles just another good episode of the television show, suggesting this quality somehow makes it inferior to the franchise’s other films. Wasn’t the excellence of Star Trek: The Next Generation   (1987-1994) precisely what inspired this series of Star Trek films in the first place? Isn’t the success of that show greatly responsible for reinvigorating interest in Gene Roddenberry’s campy 1960s invention through a modern approach? So, if the film would make one helluva episode, but boasts Hollywood-quality special effects and presentation, why do fans reject the product as a feature? After all, Insurrection contains several hilarious moments between this beloved cast, as well as disturbing real-world parallels that bring added weight to the material. Whereas other Star Trek features feel less connected to the series’ legacy for their cinematic ambitions, Insurrection feels more Star Trek than any other Star Trek film, in the best way possible.

Critics such as David Luty of Film Journal International called it “another extended episode” and argued it should have taken on a broader, pointedly cinematic scope. However, most of The Next Generation ’s extended episodes already boasted a cinematic scope. Two-parters like “Chain of Command,” “Time’s Arrow,” and “The Best of Both Worlds” often involved elaborate spy missions, time travel, or monumental space battles. And so, we must wonder, how much one-upmanship can an audience expect before a series becomes too bloated? Expectations for Insurrection were understandably high after  First Contact , enough so that no matter what Paramount released for their third film starring The Next Generation cast, fans would ultimately compare the outcome to its predecessor and be disappointed. Others attribute their disappointment with Insurrection to the absurd notion that even-numbered Star Trek films are always better than the odd-numbered, a superstition with several exceptions.

The story opens when android crewmember Data (Brent Spiner) malfunctions while observing the quiet, seemingly pre-industrial Ba’ku people on their home planet. The survey team led by the Federation and Son’a, an alien species that maintain their dying bodies through skin grafts and excessive plastic surgery, hide all around the Ba’Ku, searching for scientific answers to the planet’s natural wonder: a de-aging and healing property. Their world is surrounded by rings that make everyone on the planet subject to constant “metaphasic radiation,” which slows their aging, allowing them eternal youth and mastery of their chosen crafts. In essence, they’re living in a Fountain of Youth. Their surveillance party is exposed when Data, somehow damaged, goes haywire, breaking the Federation’s Prime Directive of non-interference or making their presence known to underdeveloped worlds.

Far away on the Enterprise , the usual starship hustle and bustle busies the crew, until Admiral Dougherty (Anthony Zerbe) orders Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) and company to recover their android, and then negotiate the release of Federation scientists held prisoner by the Ba’Ku. When the Enterprise arrives inside a nebula-encased system dubbed the Briar Patch, they find the Ba’Ku to be farmers and artisans, yet fully capable and knowledgeable of advanced technologies. They’ve simply decided to live in harmony with Nature. Village leader Anij (Donna Murphy) tells Picard, “Where can warp drive take us, except away from here?” The “hostages” are not prisoners at all, but rather welcomed guests. Soon it becomes apparent that both the Federation and Son’a have plans for the Briar Patch—especially after Admiral Dougherty and his seedy Son’a cohort Adhar Ru’afo (F. Murray Abraham) prompt Picard to leave. They want to create a medical colony and use the healing radiation to cure various maladies throughout the galaxy. Regardless, Picard decides to stay, believing there’s a plot to relocate the Ba’Ku forcibly.

Meanwhile, the  Enterprise  begins to experience the healing radiation’s effect, and they can appreciate why the Federation wants the planet: Picard feels young again and explores a romance with Anij—whose years have left her with an ability to slow time and live in the moment. Cmdr. Riker (Frakes) and Counselor Troi (Marina Sirtis) chase after each other like horny teenagers; Number One even shaves his long-present beard during a couple’s bubble bath. The blind engineer LaForge (Levar Burton) gets his sight back. And moody Lt. Cmdr. Worf (Michael Dorn) goes through Klingon puberty. These character-based asides come and go with a blithe airiness that reminds us why we love The Next Generation . At the same time, the Enterprise crew realizes Admiral Dougherty and Ru’afo will resort to violence to clear out the Ba’Ku, leaving Picard no choice but to rebel against his commanding officer. So he rushes the locals into nearby caves to hide them from the Federation and the Son’a, while Riker takes over the  Enterprise  for some clever starship dogfights against Son’a forces.

In his review, Roger Ebert suggested the Federation and Son’a should prevail in this situation: “Wouldn’t it be right to sacrifice the lifestyles of 600 Ba’ku in order to save billions?” He argued that, when he questioned the film’s cast and crew at the 1998 premiere, even they could see both sides of the argument, how the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. But we’re dealing with Gene Roddenberry’s world here, which is comparatively idealistic compared to our own—a future without currency or food shortages, with considerable medical advancements, and enough planets in the galaxy to avoid overpopulation. Furthermore, the film suggests the Son’a are an aggressive race that once lived on the Ba’Ku planet long ago, but they were forced out because of their violent tendencies, and want to move the Ba’Ku primarily out of revenge. To counter Mr. Ebert’s argument, isn’t it the Son’a’s own damn fault for leaving? Should any weaker race automatically submit to a stronger one? Does a stronger power have the right to wipe out a weaker country or an entire planet’s population just because they need something? In many ways, the actions of the Federation and Son’a reflect U.S. foreign policy to a disturbing degree. Ebert seems to defend it. But as Picard questions, “How many people does it take before it becomes wrong?”

These are themes and questions frequently explored in The Next Generation , a show that delved into the logical loopholes in idealism as an ongoing focus. Perhaps this is why  Insurrection ’s associations with the show remain so constant among critics and fans because its narrative seems to augment the show’s formula and give its recurrent themes cinematic life. Consider Leonetti’s camerawork, how he shoots with a temperance required by the story rather than blatantly cinematic movements. Consider how the picture spends the majority of its running time on a single planet, whereas other films jump about the galaxy on their “Star Trek”. Consider how the story feels like—as Insurrection ’s detractors are quick to note—“just another mission,” whereas the other Star Trek films employ a scope reaching beyond that of the show. This is not so much a criticism of the film, but an acknowledgment of how it resolves to tell its story without needing to artificially proclaim itself as cinema to meet commercial demands.

While recognizing that these similarities to the show’s structure exist, it must also be stated how entertaining and well-crafted this film proves to be. Earning a small profit from its $70 million box-office take, Insurrection  may be the most undervalued of all  Star Trek  films, for what seems an unjust criticism that the film’s story feels like an episode of the show. Scenes such as when Picard sings Data down from his malfunctioned state by reciting a segment of Gilbert and Sullivan’s  H.M.S. Pinafore , or Data’s simplistic conversations about how children play with the Ba’Ku boy, capture the essence of their respective characters. And yet, here’s a story that challenges viewers with a question of morals and logic, resolving that in an ideal world, specifically the one Roddenberry created, the circumstances do not warrant the genocide of one group to save another.

Ultimately, Star Trek: Insurrection underscores an injustice common in our imperfect world, and questions why our civilization continues to let such things happen. Has history taught us nothing? If the film’s critics consider these un-cinematic themes, and more appropriate for a two-part episode, so be it. But any one of  TNG ’s many two-part episodes, if aired on the big screen, would make a fine motion picture (in recent years, several theater chains have hosted two-part episodes of The Next Generation for theatrical exhibitions). These criticisms ultimately point out how well the show proved to achieve a cinematic scope and blur the lines between the two mediums.  Star Trek   films will always seem episodic in nature; after all, the trekking continues despite the events in any single film, with ongoing sequels comparable to next week’s episode. What remains significant is how well  Insurrection ’s story is told, how it touches on all these beloved characters, and how it tackles the series’ archetypal themes.

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35 Facts About The Movie Star Trek: Insurrection

Written by Farrah Pirtle

Modified & Updated: 05 Mar 2024

Reviewed by Jessica Corbett

Star Trek: Insurrection, released in 1998, is the ninth installment in the iconic Star Trek film franchise. Directed by Jonathan Frakes, who also stars as Commander William Riker in the film, it takes viewers on an exhilarating journey into the depths of space and the moral complexities of the Star Trek universe.

In this article, we will delve into 35 fascinating facts about Star Trek: Insurrection, shedding light on the behind-the-scenes stories, the cast and crew, and the impact this installment had on the franchise and its dedicated fan base. From the high-stakes plot to the stunning visual effects and the memorable performances, Star Trek: Insurrection offers a captivating cinematic experience for both long-time Trekkies and casual moviegoers.

So, prepare to beam up as we explore the untold secrets and intriguing tidbits about the making of Star Trek: Insurrection!

Key Takeaways:

• Star Trek: Insurrection is a thrilling sci-fi film with a diverse cast, exploring themes of loyalty, ethics, and the pursuit of eternal youth. It’s a must-watch for Star Trek fans and sci-fi enthusiasts alike.
• The movie showcases stunning visuals, intense starship battles, and hidden Easter eggs for dedicated fans. With a mix of action, humor, and reflection, it’s a timeless addition to the Star Trek franchise.

The Star Trek series:

Star Trek is a popular science fiction franchise that began with the original television series in It has since expanded to include movies, spin-off TV shows, books, and merchandise. Star Trek: Insurrection is the ninth film in the series.

Release Date:

The movie Star Trek: Insurrection was released on December 11, 1998.

Directed by:

The film was directed by Jonathan Frakes, who also portrayed Commander William Riker in the Star Trek TV series.

The storyline revolves around the crew of the USS Enterprise as they rebel against orders to forcibly relocate a peaceful and long-lived species from their home planet.

Main Characters:

The film features the main cast from the Star Trek: The Next Generation TV series, including Captain Jean-Luc Picard ( Patrick Stewart ), Commander William Riker (Jonathan Frakes), and Lt. Commander Data ( Brent Spiner ).

Filming Locations:

The movie was primarily filmed in California, including locations such as Simi Valley, Los Angeles, and Lone Pine.

The budget for Star Trek: Insurrection was estimated to be around $58 million.

Box Office Performance:

The film grossed over $112 million worldwide, making it a financial success.

Soundtrack:

The musical score for the movie was composed by Jerry Goldsmith and received critical acclaim.

Rotten Tomatoes Rating:

Star Trek: Insurrection received mixed reviews from critics and has a 55% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Time Period:

The events in Star Trek: Insurrection take place in the 24th century, continuing the timeline established in the TV series.

Species at Risk:

The Ba’ku are the species at the center of the conflict in the movie. They possess a natural fountain of youth, which makes them a target for other races seeking to harness their power.

Moral Dilemmas:

The movie explores themes of ethics and the lengths individuals will go to protect the innocent and preserve their way of life.

Special Effects:

Star Trek: Insurrection features a variety of practical and computer-generated effects to bring the alien worlds and space battles to life.

Action Sequences:

The film includes thrilling action sequences, such as a high-speed chase through a jungle and a daring rescue mission.

The Ra’kholh:

The Ra’kholh is a unique ceremonial dance showcased in the film, performed by the Ba’ku to symbolize unity and connection to nature.

Romulan Interference:

The Romulans play a significant role in the movie, attempting to manipulate the situation to their advantage.

Klingon Alliance:

A temporary alliance is formed between the Klingons and the Federation to aid in the mission to protect the Ba’ku.

The Son’a:

The Son’a are the primary antagonists in the film, seeking to exploit the rejuvenating properties of the Ba’ku for their own benefit.

Funny Moments:

The film includes several lighthearted and comedic moments, providing a balance to the more serious themes.

Key Quotes:

One memorable quote from the movie is “The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few or the one,” spoken by Captain Picard.

Makeup and Prosthetics:

Extensive makeup and prosthetics were used to transform the actors into various alien species throughout the film.

Themes of Aging:

The movie explores the concept of aging and the desire for eternal youth, contrasting the Ba’ku’s natural rejuvenation with artificial methods pursued by the Son’a.

Moments of Reflection:

There are poignant and reflective moments in the movie where the characters contemplate the consequences of their actions and the value of preserving innocence.

Technological Advancements:

The film showcases advanced technology such as holographic displays, powerful starship weaponry, and advanced medical devices.

Loyalty and Betrayal:

The movie explores the complex dynamics of loyalty and betrayal within both Starfleet and the Son’a ranks.

Special Guest Appearance:

Actor F. Murray Abraham makes a guest appearance as the primary antagonist, Ru’afo, the leader of the Son’a.

Costume Design:

The costumes in Star Trek: Insurrection feature a mix of Starfleet uniforms and unique outfits for the Ba’ku and Son’a characters.

The Star Trek franchise has always embraced diversity, and this movie is no exception, featuring a multicultural and multi-species cast.

Character Development:

The film allows for further exploration of the main characters’ backstories and personal growth.

Starship Battles:

Star Trek: Insurrection includes intense battles between starships, showcasing the impressive firepower and tactical skills of the crews.

Easter Eggs:

Like many Star Trek films, Star Trek: Insurrection includes hidden references and nods to past episodes and movies, delighting dedicated fans.

Cinematography:

The movie features stunning visuals and cinematography, capturing the beauty of alien landscapes and the grandeur of interstellar travel.

Cultural Impact:

Star Trek: Insurrection, like other Star Trek films, has had a lasting cultural impact and remains a beloved installment in the franchise.

Star Trek: Insurrection is a testament to the enduring popularity of the Star Trek franchise and its ability to captivate audiences across multiple generations.

In conclusion, Star Trek: Insurrection is a movie that captivated audiences with its thrilling action, compelling storyline, and memorable characters. With its impressive visual effects and thought-provoking themes, it stands as a beloved installment in the Star Trek franchise.

From the stunning locations to the engaging performances, Star Trek: Insurrection continues to be a favorite among fans. Whether you’re a die-hard Trekkie or a casual moviegoer, this film offers something for everyone.

So, if you’re looking for an exciting sci-fi adventure that explores the complexities of morality and the ethical dilemmas of advanced societies, Star Trek: Insurrection is a must-watch film that will transport you to a new world.

1. Who directed Star Trek: Insurrection?

Star Trek: Insurrection was directed by Jonathan Frakes , who also portrayed the character Commander William T. Riker in the Star Trek television series.

2. When was Star Trek: Insurrection released?

Star Trek: Insurrection was released on December 11, 1998.

3. Is Star Trek: Insurrection a standalone movie or part of a series?

Star Trek: Insurrection is the ninth film in the Star Trek franchise and is a direct sequel to Star Trek: First Contact.

4. Where was Star Trek: Insurrection filmed?

The majority of Star Trek: Insurrection was filmed in Los Angeles, California and various locations in California. Some scenes were also shot on a soundstage at the Paramount Studios.

5. What is the runtime of Star Trek: Insurrection?

Star Trek: Insurrection has a runtime of approximately 103 minutes.

6. Did Star Trek: Insurrection receive any awards or nominations?

Star Trek: Insurrection was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Makeup.

7. Can I watch Star Trek: Insurrection without prior knowledge of the Star Trek franchise?

While having some prior knowledge of the Star Trek franchise may enhance the viewing experience, Star Trek: Insurrection can be enjoyed as a standalone movie.

8. Is Star Trek: Insurrection available to stream online?

Yes, Star Trek: Insurrection is available for streaming on various platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and Netflix, depending on your region and subscription.

9. Are there any Easter eggs or hidden references in Star Trek: Insurrection?

Yes, like many movies in the Star Trek franchise, Star Trek: Insurrection features several Easter eggs and hidden references that pay homage to previous episodes and movies. Keep an eye out for them while watching!

10. What are some other movies in the Star Trek franchise that fans of Star Trek: Insurrection might enjoy?

Fans of Star Trek: Insurrection might also enjoy movies such as Star Trek: First Contact, Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan , and Star Trek (2009), among others.

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Metacritic reviews

Star trek: insurrection.

• 88 San Francisco Examiner San Francisco Examiner The maturity of the Star Trek saga and its remarkable fan base have combined to produce a polished film that shines like a crown jewel in the Star Trek firmament.
• 80 Chicago Reader Lisa Alspector Chicago Reader Lisa Alspector The extravagant makeup and special effects are actually unobtrusive because they're demanded by the pleasantly formulaic story, whose conflicts -- and broad, innocuous political allegory -- justify the heartwarming resolution.
• 75 San Francisco Chronicle Peter Stack San Francisco Chronicle Peter Stack Star Trek: Insurrection is out there where the imagination collides with roaring spaceships, exotic planets, wonderfully nutty costumes, a few choice jokes and some fascinating ideas.
• 70 The A.V. Club Keith Phipps The A.V. Club Keith Phipps In just about every way, Insurrection seems as if everyone involved is still stuck in the weekly grind of turning out the series, but the results don't disappoint too terribly.
• 70 Los Angeles Times Kenneth Turan Los Angeles Times Kenneth Turan Star Trek: Insurrection lacks the adrenalized oomph of its predecessor, but no adventure of the Starship Enterprise is without its gee-whiz affability.
• 63 The Globe and Mail (Toronto) Liam Lacey The Globe and Mail (Toronto) Liam Lacey Rather than build on the new momentum, this one's a bit more of a cruise-control effort.
• 60 Variety Joe Leydon Variety Joe Leydon Even though Frakes is back, Star Trek: Insurrection plays less like a stand-alone sci-fi adventure than like an expanded episode of "Star Trek: The Next Generation."
• 50 Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert There is a certain lackluster feeling to the way the key characters debate the issues, and perhaps that reflects the suspicion of the filmmakers that they have hitched their wagon to the wrong cause.
• 50 L.A. Weekly L.A. Weekly With its young-vs.-old plot conflicts, its vid-game-reminiscent setups and its prominent positioning of a 12-year-old in the cast, the ninth Star Trek movie explicitly stalks kids, and probably snares neither them nor their parents.
• 50 Entertainment Weekly Lisa Schwarzbaum Entertainment Weekly Lisa Schwarzbaum That's the moral nut of this highly unexceptional episode, a midlife production in which each Enterprise crew member does his or her vaudeville act.
• See all 19 reviews on Metacritic.com
• See all external reviews for Star Trek: Insurrection

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Star trek: insurrection, common sense media reviewers.

Like a long episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Starfleet is notably racially, gender, and species

Captain Picard stands up for a peaceful alien soci

Spaceship explosions, ray-gun fire, hand-to-hand c

Mostly flirty talk, as two longtime series charact

"Hell," "bastard," and "boobs."

Star Trek itself is a space armada of products, to

Drinking between an amorous couple. Brief mention

Parents need to know that Star Trek: Insurrection has two longtime characters from the Next Generation cast plunge into a playful sexual relationship under the aphrodisiac influence of an alien environment, and they cuddle in a hot tub with alcoholic beverages (by the next movie, Star Trek: Nemesis

Positive Messages

Starfleet is notably racially, gender, and species-integrated (with the addition of Mr. Data, even machine-integrated), and there is a strong sense of friendship and loyalty. Customary themes of military-style unfailing duty to Starfleet are replaced with the Enterprise crew rebelling when they sense injustice being committed.

Positive Role Models

Captain Picard stands up for a peaceful alien society against unjust, immortal attempts by Starfleet to take advantage of their resources. Picard and crew work together to rescue Data and fight injustice.

Violence & Scariness

Spaceship explosions, ray-gun fire, hand-to-hand combat. Somewhat gruesome plastic-surgery procedures. One character killed in some sort of face-distorting machine.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

Mostly flirty talk, as two longtime series characters, a former couple (as every fan knows) suddenly rekindle their sexual relationship, and are shown intimate (demurely) in a hot tub together.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Products & Purchases

Star Trek itself is a space armada of products, toys, video games -- even a Las Vegas attraction.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Drinking between an amorous couple. Brief mention of an addictive space narcotic that was a major plot point in one of the Star Trek TV shows.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Star Trek: Insurrection has two longtime characters from the Next Generation cast plunge into a playful sexual relationship under the aphrodisiac influence of an alien environment, and they cuddle in a hot tub with alcoholic beverages (by the next movie, Star Trek: Nemesis , they are married). No explicit sensuality or nudity, though. Ray-gun space battles, explosions, and perils include combatants taking fatal falls, and children and families fleeing from an ariel attack -- though rather than being killed the victims are beamed into captivity, making it more like "tag." There is some barely-PG-worthy profanity, and the villains are ugly aliens who undergo frequent plastic surgery. One uses a sort of facelift machine to kill a character. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

Where to Watch

Videos and photos.

Community Reviews

• Parents say (4)
• Kids say (4)

Based on 4 parent reviews

The first skippable Trek movie.

Typical trek movie, nothing new here, what's the story.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard ( Patrick Stewart ) of the 24th-century starship Enterprise , receives an emergency summons to a remote, Eden-like planet to corral a member of his crew off on a mission. It's the intelligent android Data (Brent Spiner), gone beserk during some sort of secret surveillance of the planet's civilization, a small society of gentle, contented people who have renounced space travel and technology. Picard and the other crew members do some detective work and discover that behind Data's breakdown is an unethical deal between their commanders in Starfleet and some nasty local aliens to banish the innocent natives and exploit the planet's miraculous resources.

Is It Any Good?

This reasonably engaging movie seems uncommonly like a typical episode of the hit Star Trek: The Next Generation cast TV show. The budget for special effects is kicked up a notch, but otherwise Star Trek: Insurrection is a fairly routine escapade for the well-drawn, principled, and likeable space-traveling heroes. Early script drafts called for the famously bald Capt. Picard to find his hair growing back courtesy of alien rejuvenation, or Data getting killed. But these Very-Special-Episode gimmicks were ultimately excised, making Insurrection just an ordinary entry in an admittedly extraordinary and high-quality science-fiction franchise.

Even the big payoffs -- stalwart Picard revolts against an ignoble Starfleet and falls in love with an enticing alien -- carry little impact because much the same happened every week on the various TV shows (especially with Capt. Kirk at the helm). Conclusion: if your family loved the television program and considers the characters like old friends, enjoy the ride and the reunion, but don't expect the loftiness attained by earlier Trek theatrical features.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about Picard's decision to defy Starfleet. Compare the attitudes in this movie with those in the original 1960s TV show, when Starfleet -- pretty much an idealized vision of the U.S. military -- was a righteous authority that simply never made any mistakes. What happens when authority figures make decisions that are unjust or immoral?

What are some of the parallels between the events of Star Trek: Insurrection and real life historical events? What other sci-fi books and movies draw parallels to real history?

What's the difference between following the rules and doing the right thing? Is there a simple answer to this problem?

Movie Details

• In theaters : December 12, 1998
• On DVD or streaming : June 7, 2005
• Cast : Brent Spiner , Jonathan Frakes , Michael Dorn
• Director : Jonathan Frakes
• Inclusion Information : Black actors
• Studio : Paramount Pictures
• Genre : Science Fiction
• Topics : Adventures , Space and Aliens
• Run time : 103 minutes
• MPAA rating : PG
• MPAA explanation : sci-fi action violence, mild language and sensuality.
• Last updated : April 14, 2024

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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Trekking With Tim, Day Eight: Star Trek: First Contact

Editor tim ryan finds that resistance to this excellent installment is futile..

Day Eight: Star Trek: First Contact

Only two movies into the Next Generation films, I have little interest in getting in the middle of a good Kirk vs. Picard debate. However, I can say with some confidence that Star Trek: First Contact stands with the best of the franchise. After the tepid Generations , there’s an assurance to this installment that is infectious; even if the Next Generation characters are only slightly more fleshed out than the previous film, they inhabit the screen with a greater ease and confidence this time out. First Contact deftly references zombie movies and the Alien series while thoughtfully exploring the fallacies of the Great Man theory of history. It also boasts some of the most imaginative production values in the franchise, and features fine supporting performances.

As the film opens, Picard is informed that the Borg are planning to attack Earth. However, Starfleet Command orders the Enterprise to stand back, since Picard was once abducted by the Borg and may be too emotionally invested with them. However, because the Starfleet is badly outgunned, the Enterprise disregards orders and attacks the Borg ship, destroying it. Before its destruction, the Borg craft releases a smaller vessel into the Earth’s atmosphere, and the Enterprise crew is alarmed to learn that the Borg have gone back in time — specifically, to the day before humanity first achieved warp speed — in order to conquer the planet. So several members of the crew beam down to Montana, where Zefram Cochrane (James Cromwell) is putting the finishing touches on his spaceship, the Phoenix , which will transform space exploration forever.

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Now, as followers of this series will recall, I initially questioned where the war-prone Klingons fit into the purported utopian vision of Star Trek (my concerns have since been assuaged). The Borg make more sense; by incorporating the knowledge and attributes of humanoids and life forms from across the galaxy, these cybernetic organisms hope to achieve perfection. Even if their methods are sinister, you can see why they believe their mission is just.

They also make for a particularly nasty, invasive enemy. The Borg begins to infest the Enterprise , abducting crew members (who immediately become robotic zombies) and spreading its wiry machinery through the halls of the ship. As the crew attempts to fight them off, they run into trouble; the Borg can adapt rapidly, and become immune to weapons. Worse, they’ve kidnapped Data.

The set design – and indeed, some of the action sequences — closely resemble the Alien movies, but it feels more like an homage than a rip-off. The Borg are interesting, original adversaries — more like bees in their organization than other life forms. The Borg Queen (Alice Krige) is a particularly fascinating piece of work; though the Borg are allegedly a collective, she exerts a singular personality — one that’s both imperious and flirtatious. (She also provides the series’ most pronounced erotic charge.) Though the android Data might seem immune to the Queen’s cajoling and charms, she finds ways to tempt him — like giving him skin to make him even more human, something he plainly desires. She has to; he contains vital information about the Enterprise that she needs.

[rtimage]MapID=1074426&MapTypeID=2&photo=2&legacy=1[/rtimage]

Meanwhile on Earth, the Enterprise crew searches for Cochrane. They find his (to their eyes) primitive craft, and are attacked by Cochrane’s confused, terrified assistant Lily (Alfre Woodard). She sustains an injury and is beamed aboard the Enterprise for treatment. Meanwhile, Riker (Jonathan Frakes), Deanna (Marina Sirtis), and Geordi (LeVar Burton) find Cochrane, who, in seeming contrast to his historical stature, is fond of both loud rockabilly and copious amounts of hard alcohol. The officers explain to Cochrane that his ship is the key to saving the world, as well as ushering in a new era of interstellar understanding; naturally, it’s quite a bit for the old man to digest, but he agrees to help.

One of the most interesting things about First Contact is the way that Cochrane is handled. It’s customary when discussing our heroes from the past to whitewash their human flaws in favor of their accomplishments. This is understandable, since it doesn’t matter if Gandhi got up on the wrong side of the bed a few times; the fact that he played a significant role in India’s independence and inspired non-violence movements around the world is certainly more significant. However, by stripping our heroes of their imperfections, they become ideas more than people. Cochrane’s contributions to humanity are extraordinary, but he’s also a drunk and a surly old cuss, motivated by money more than by exploring space. He’s irritated at the attention he gets from the Enterprise crew, since he knows himself better than they do. “I don’t want to be a statue,” he tells Riker and Geordi. However, regardless of his intentions or personal faults, Cochrane’s work changed the universe for the better, and he’s due more praise than he thinks.

Lily is also a welcome element in the film. It’s rare in this franchise that characters react to their surroundings with a sense of awe — even those rare humans from the past. Woodard is excellent in portraying a woman who’s tough, smart, and completely baffled by this strange turn of events. When, on the Enterprise , she looks down upon the Earth from space, it’s a powerful moment — the look on her face is a mix of wonder and fear that surely anyone in her place would feel.

[rtimage]MapID=1074426&MapTypeID=2&photo=4&legacy=1[/rtimage]

Despite being ambivalent about his place in history (and getting liquored up beforehand), Cochrane is able to get his ship off the ground, with Riker and Geordi onboard. As the Borg continue to envelop the Enterprise , Picard tries to determine the best way to halt its advance — and prevent the Borg from destroying the Phoenix . After some soul-searching, he ultimately orders that the crew abandon the Enterprise — and that the ship be set to self-destruct. As his crew heads to Earth in the ship’s escape pods, Picard stays behind try and save Data. When she finds the Borg Queen, she taunts Picard with intimations that Data is now on her side, but she seems wounded; why didn’t he want to stay with the Borg when he was assimilated? (It appears even cybernetic lifeforms aren’t immune to the charms of a man in uniform). On her command, Data cancels the self-destruct mechanism and launches torpedoes toward the Phoenix . But they’re way off the mark, and the Queen is furious, realizing too late that Data has not joined the Borg collective. Data ruptures a pipe, and destroys the Queen’s organic matter in one of the best bad-guy killings in the franchise.

Cochrane completes his historic warp flight, and the next day, now safely back in Montana, he and his fellow citizens are visited by a strange craft. In a sequence that owes a bit to Close Encounters of the Third Kind , the craft’s doors slowly open to reveal — Vulcans! They give Cochrane the Vulcan greeting, which he, like many after him, finds really hard to do. As the credits roll, Cochrane tries to get the Vulcans to boogie to some Roy Orbison, an effort that’s doomed to fail.

First Contact benefits greatly from fine work by Cromwell, Woodard, and Krige, as well as a distinctive look and feel. The crew’s personalities come into sharper focus here, and the film sets up a scenario that non-cultists will have no trouble enjoying. I’ll admit I was a little skeptical of the Next Generation crew, but First Contact has won me over — I’m looking forward to what’s next for this group. Tomorrow, I’m on to Star Trek: Insurrection . Can Picard and the gang deliver once again?

• Day One: Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)
• Day Two: Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
• Day Three: Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984)
• Day Four: Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986)
• Day Five: Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989)
• Day Six: Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991)
• Day Seven: Star Trek: Generations (1994)
• Day Eight: Star Trek: First Contact (1996)
• Day Nine: Star Trek: Insurrection (1998)
• Day Ten: Star Trek: Nemesis (2002)
• Day Eleven: Star Trek (2009)

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Insurrection at 20: Why Star Trek's Ninth Movie Is Actually Good

It might be one of the least popular Star Trek movies, but Insurrection did do some things right. Here's everything good about the odd-number Trek movie.

The Star Trek franchise has resulted in some of the best TV shows of all time. It's also produced some great movies. Unfortunately, the series' track record at the box office is actually kind of spotty. For every great Star Trek film, there's at least one awful one. The worst of the worst, according to a lot of fans, is Star Trek: Insurrection (1998). After the Next Generation  crew proved that they could hold their own at cinemas with First Contact (1996), it was incredibly disappointing to see the quality drop so far. The story features the crew of the Enterprise defending the peaceful Ba'ku from the Son'a. The villains want to steal the Ba'ku's home so they can take advantage of the planet's age reversing radiation.

The plot is silly, which unfortunately isn't the film's biggest problem. Insurrection is clearly trying to be more lighthearted than the previous film, but the results are cheesy and kind of annoying. The film has way too many cringeworthy attempts at humor. Still, it's Star Trek, so it's not completely terrible. In fact, for the film's 20th birthday, here are 20 things that were actually good in the movie. OK, some of these are kind of a stretch, but it is a pretty awful movie. It does deserve some credit, however, and even if these don't save the film, it's still worth pointing out.

20 INTRODUCES NEW VILLAIN

The Star Trek TV shows have some of the best villains in all of pop culture. The Klingons and Romulans from the original series, the Borg from The Next Generation  and the Dominion from Deep Space Nine  all terrorized the Federation. The movies, on the other hand, tended to just recycle species from the TV shows.

This isn't necessarily a huge flaw, and it's always fun to see Kirk fight the Klingons. It's just that it's nice to see a new species or threat every once in a while. The Son'a might not go down as the most memorable threat to the Enterprise, but at least the filmmakers tried something different.

19 THE SON'A ARE ACTUALLY REALLY CREEPY

Speaking of the villains, the Son'a are actually an interesting concept. Essentially, they used to be a part of the peaceful Ba'ku, but were exiled after attempting to seize control. Unfortunately, after leaving their home planet, the Son'a stopped benefitting from the rejuvenating radiation. They started to age, and turned to technology to prolong their lifespan.

The result is an eerie "living mummy" look for Son'a. While Star Trek has definitely involved crazier looking aliens, the Son'a are definitely some of the creepiest. They're the best type of alien, because they're a reflection of humanity's own obsession with maintaining a youthful appearance through plastic surgery, even when the results are less than desirable.

18 F. MURRAY ABRAHAM IS THE VILLAIN

The Star Trek film series has featured some truly great performances from their villains. Everyone recognizes Ricardo Montalban's amazing performance as Khan, but he's not alone. Christopher Lloyd played an obsessed Klingon commander in The Search for Spock (1984), Christopher Plummer made Shakespeare sound threatening in The Undiscovered Country (1991) and Alice Krige was chilling as the Borg Queen in First Contact .

Also, F. Murray Abraham's performance in Insurrection is often overlooked by fans. Sure, the writing may not be the best, but the actor still delivers a solid performance as the Son'a leader, Ahdar Ru'afo. Not every actor can go face to face with Patrick Stewart, but Abraham pulls it off.

17 NO EARTH

So, this may come as a surprise, but Insurrection is actually the first Star Trek movie not to feature any scenes on Earth. In the TV shows, the crews of the different Enterprises barely ever came back to Earth. Their job was to explore the galaxy, and they spent most of their time on strange and exotic alien planets.

Once the franchise went to the movies, however, the crew was constantly hanging around Earth. It's cool to see the futuristic San Francisco every once in awhile, but Star Trek is supposed to be a galactic story. For all of its faults, Insurrection at least keeps the action away from humanity's home planet.

16 DATA LETS LOOSE

It's always been clear that Data can do some real damage when he needs to. As an android, he's stronger than a Klingon, and is faster and smarter than almost every opponent. The Next Generation  wasn't really an action show, however, so viewers only got glimpses of his abilities. Data was given some brief action in First Contact , but he spent most of that movie strapped to a table.

Insurrection meanwhile, starts off with Data finally letting loose and kicking butt. After he discovers the Son'a's true plans, he malfunctions and decides he needs to save the Ba'ku from the Federation. This results in Data taking on a cloaked squad of Federation officers, and it's definitely worth the wait.

15 IT REKINDLES RIKER AND TROI'S RELATIONSHIP

The Next Generation  never really had a "will they/won't they" dynamic between Troi and Riker. They had a relationship before the events of the show, but it ended. The two were close friends, but there were always small moments that hinted at something deeper.

Troi had a brief relationship with Worf, but that ended when he transferred to Deep Space Nine. Troi and Riker's relationship was left somewhat vague. While it wasn't essential to the series, it was nice to at least see something happen between the two of them after so many years. Although, it was kind of silly for it to be inspired by "youth regenerating" radiation.

14 IT TRIED SOMETHING DIFFERENT

For the crew of The Next Generation , it always seemed like they struggled to escape the shadow of the original crew. In Generations  (1994), not only did the two crews meet, but it copied a space fight between the Enterprise and a Klingon bird of prey from The Undiscovered Country . First Contact  is great, but it uses time travel, a common trope in the series.

Say what you will about Insurrection , but at least it tried to do something completely brand new. It wasn't just a bigger, more expensive version of something that fans had already seen.

13 WORF GETS TO HAVE FUN AGAIN

Worf was a fan favorite character, so it wasn't surprising when the character became a mainstay on Deep Space Nine . He moved to station to help advise Captain Benjamin Sisko on how to deal with a Klingon fleet that had amassed near the station. He stayed on, and eventually married Jadzia Dax.

While the show is popular among fans, it was also fairly dark for Star Trek . While Worf's appearance in Insurrection is a bit forced, it is nice to see him doing some lighter material again. Despite his gruff exterior, Worf was always one the show's funnier characters.

12 DATA AND THE VILLAGERS

One of the silliest scenes in any Star Trek movie has to be when Picard encounters a malfunctioning Data and fixes him by singing opera at him. It's a shame, because up until this point, Data's behavior is actually frightening. He takes down a team of Starfleet officers, and appears ready to blow Picard out of the sky.

What makes this interesting is Data's relationship with the villagers. He's only behaving the way he is because he's trying to protect them. Even after he's "repaired," Data remains close with the villagers, and seems to build some genuine relationships.

11 THE RETURN OF BEARDLESS RIKER

It might seem silly, or even crazy, but it was nice to see Riker shave his beard. Riker didn't debut his famous beard until the show's second season. Since that point, it was a constant presence on the show and in the movies. Even as the uniforms changed, Riker kept his beard. Even Geordi LaForge traded in his visor for bionic eyes before Riker decided to shave.

There's nothing wrong with the beard, but it gave the film a nostalgic look. It felt like a nice call back to the inaugural season of the show. Once again, this isn't a major thing, and it's not enough to save the film, but it's still fun to see Jonathan Frakes fresh faced.

10 THE CONFLICT IS COMPLICATED

What made The Next Generation great is that it wasn't a simple show. The characters were put in situations that didn't always have easy or straightforward solutions. They're morals and beliefs were constantly being tested. Picard had to constantly remind the crew about what Starfleet was supposed to stand for, and that doing the right thing isn't always easy.

The movies, on the other hand, usually had fairly straightforward problems. Obviously, the Borg can't be allowed to assimilate Earth in the past. The plot of Insurrection is centered around whether the Son'a should be allowed to harvest a life saving radiation at the cost of destroying the Ba'ku's home.

9 PICARD GETS A LOVE INTEREST

Captain Kirk was a traditional leading man, in the sense that women were constantly falling in love with him. In The Next Generation , however, things had progressed and Picard wasn't constantly making out with aliens. It was a nice change, and it made the show feel less like a soap opera in space.

That being said, fans grew attached to Picard and wanted to see him happy. The movies weren't bringing him and Dr. Crusher any closer together, so it was starting to look like he'd be alone forever. While it seems a bit silly, it was nice to see Picard actually connect with someone on a romantic level again.

8 STARFLEET IS ACTUALLY PROACTIVE FOR ONCE

Once again, the films really seemed to simplify the Star Trek story. For the most part, they're based around a threat surfacing against Earth or the crew, and then everyone reacting. Starfleet was basically always on the defensive in the films. In the TV shows, things were different. Starfleet was exploring the galaxy, brokering peace and helping out planets in need.

Basically, the Enterprise was active. Insurrection may have its issues, but at least it shows Starfleet out there doing what it's supposed to do. Sure, they may have been tricked, but Picard uncovers that tricks and protects an alien species. That's his job, and he does it well.

7 PICARD'S STILL AN ACTION HERO

On the show, there was a clear dynamic on the Enterprise. Picard was the captain, and he was in charge of ship. Riker led the away teams, and therefore, was the one who was often placed in danger. While this setup made sense (no ship is going to risk losing their captain on an away mission), it often left Picard standing on the bridge looking concerned.

The movies made him more active, and it was a lot of fun to see Patrick Stewart allowed to do some action. First Contact  really upped the ante, and for all of its faults, Insurrection  followed that trend.

6 RIKER GETS HIS REDEMPTION

Since he was always leading away missions, Riker rarely led the Enterprise into battle. During space fights, his role was usually to assist Picard. Riker finally got his chance to lead the Enterprise into battle in Generations , and things did not go well. In fact, the fight went so poorly it ended with the Enterprise destroyed and the saucer crashing onto a planet.

Basically, it wasn't a good look for Riker. He gets a second chance in Insurrection , and things go much better. In fact, he develops the "Riker maneuver," which involves him taking control of the Enterprise-E with a joystick. OK, it's silly, but at least he didn't crash into a planet this time.

5 IT FEELS LIKE AN EPISODE

One thing the Star Trek movies deserve credit for is their scope. Even the worst movies still feel like movies, as opposed to just long episodes of their respective show. The stakes are raised, the stories are bigger and the characters are given more to do.

That being said, The Next Generation  is a great show. It's Star Trek at its finest. So, saying that Insurrection  feels like "just a long episode" isn't really a problem. If this story had been told on the small screen first, fans would have been more accepting. Now that audiences can watch it at home, it's easier to see the enjoyment through the diminished scope.

4 THE HARVESTER HAS A COOL DESIGN

Part of what makes Star Trek fun is all the different space ship designs. Obviously, the various Enterprises are all iconic, but there's also the aliens. The various Klingon birds of prey are all intimidating, and the Romulan warbirds are perfectly named. Even something like the Borg cube still has an inherent creepiness to it.

The villains of this movie, the Son'a, have a pretty cool looking ship as well. Their harvester has two giant sails that unfurl, and through vague future-science, collect the planet's radiation. It might not make the most sense, but it's visually striking. That's always more important than making sure the physics of the spaceship make sense.

3 THE FINALE IS TENSE

While the movie is full of cheesy dialogue and awkward attempts at humor, it still pulls it together for the finale. The Enterprise has to pull away from the planet to call for back up, and caught in a space fight with several Son'a ships. Meanwhile, Picard and Data have to figure out a way to permanently disable the harvester.

The crew is outmanned and outgunned, and they're separated from their captain. Picard ends up trapped on the harvester with the villains, and has to find a way to destroy it, or he'll be killed along with the inhabitants of the planet. If only the rest of the movie was as good as the finale.

OK, so the effects in Insurrection  aren't anything amazing. Still, it is the first Star Trek film to rely solely on CGI. Sure, for many fans, this isn't necessarily a good thing. For general audiences, however, it helped move the franchise into the modern age.

For the time period, the effects aren't terrible. Also, being the first time the series relied solely on CGI, there'd obviously be some issues. Luckily, later movies improved the effects, so this one can be seen as a bit of trial run. At the very least, it showed later filmmakers what to avoid.

1 PICARD STICKS TO HIS VALUES

Fans love Picard because he holds himself to the highest standards he can. He believes in always doing the right thing, even when it'd be easier to sit back and do nothing. Insurrection , for all of its faults, at least gets this right about Picard.

The Son'a's plan isn't to kill the Ba'ku, just to secretly move them and then steal the planet's radiation. Obviously, it's not OK to secretly remove people from their home. Picard isn't personally invested in this story, however, and he could just leave once Data is recovered. Instead, he risks his career and life to do the right thing, because that's just what he does.

Star Trek: Insurrection review

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Undaunted by the fact that all the odd-numbered Trek films have been rubbish, the Next Generation cast return again to battle with ethics and aliens in the ninth theatrical outing for the Star Trek series. And in contrast to the dark First Contact, Insurrection is a kinder, gentler Trek, with most of the action taking place on a bucolic planet populated by cloyingly happy aliens. There are still plenty of galactic shoot-outs and CG-fuelled effects to satisfy Trek fans. But this is a definite, deliberate dip into touchy-feely territory: a little less action, but a larger chunk of plot.

While First Contact matched the Enterprise against The Borg, this centres on a planet populated by a gentle people, the Ba'ku. The Federation has dispatched an undercover survey team, led by the android Data (Brent Spiner), to discover the secret of their long lifespans. Data mysteriously goes haywire, revealing the existence of the observation post, and the Enterprise crew disregard their orders to go to the aid of their long-time plastic pal.

Enter the villains: a dying race called the Son'a, whose latexy mugs look like they've been modelled on an elephant's rear-end. These intergalactic arsefaces are very interested in a planet that holds the fountain of youth and they're willing to do anything to take over the Ba'ku world, including genocide. It's an intriguing face-off: the gracefully ageing Enterprisers versus a desperate alien race led by Oscar-winning actor F Murray Abraham, who turns in a winning performance in the nemesis role.

Even though it's tempting to think that when you've seen one imminent warp-core breach you've seen them all, actor/director Jonathan Frakes knows how to push all the right buttons. Like an extended episode, Insurrection is a blast of TNG nostalgia, peppered with in-jokes and references that hark back to both the previous films and the various TV shows. And if First Contact lacked a little passion, this makes up for it with a few romantic interludes: one a relationship between two crew members, the other involving Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) and a rather fetching extraterrestrial. And while some of the self-referential gaggery may soar mile-high over non-fannish heads, the film still squeezes out enough dramatic tension to interest the average viewer.

As usual, it's a simple case of good versus bad, moral versus immoral. Right is might in the Star Trek universe and the final outcome is rarely in doubt. After all, despite the fact that the film-makers would like us to believe that anyof the principal characters could actually bite the bullet (or the phaser blast) at any moment, every Trekker knows that only bit-part security officers die in Gene Roddenberry's fantastic future. You can't off a major character if you want to get Star Trek 10 wrapped in time for Christmas 2000.

It's Star Trek meets Oil Of Ulay in an enjoyable addition to the series. Non-fans may find the corny live-and-let-live philosophising heavy-going, but a good villain and excellent space battles spice up what is a good, if a little unspectacular, sci-fi flick.

The Total Film team are made up of the finest minds in all of film journalism. They are: Editor Jane Crowther, Deputy Editor Matt Maytum, Reviews Ed Matthew Leyland, News Editor Jordan Farley, and Online Editor Emily Murray. Expect exclusive news, reviews, features, and more from the team behind the smarter movie magazine. 

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I’m glad william shatner didn't appear in j.j. abrams’ star trek movie.

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Star Trek 2009 Cast & Character Guide

William shatner says star trek’s new kirk actors chris pine & paul wesley are "wonderful”, chris pine & starship enterprise cast’s best performances after j.j. abrams star trek.

• J.J. Abrams' Star Trek reboot benefited from not including William Shatner as Captain Kirk, allowing for a fresh take on the series.
• The decision to cut Shatner's scene improved the 2009 Star Trek ending by allowing the new cast to shine without overshadowing them.
• Shatner's cameo would have taken away from Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto, robbing them of their own agency and deepening their characters.

It's for the best that William Shatner didn't appear as Captain James T. Kirk in J.J. Abrams' Star Trek movie. 15 years ago, J.J. Abrams' 2009 reboot rejuvenated the Star Trek movie franchise after the poor performance of both Star Trek: Insurrection and Star Trek: Nemesis . Boldly deciding to recast the Star Trek: The Original Series characters and set the movie in an alternate timeline, J.J. Abrams' Star Trek movie was able to have the best of both worlds; 40-year-old cultural icons placed in a modern action-packed blockbuster.

To pass the torch between the Star Trek: The Original Series crew and their modern counterparts, Leonard Nimoy was cast as an older Ambassador Spock, a mentor figure to both the young James T. Kirk (Chris Pine) and Spock (Zachary Quinto). However, early versions of the Star Trek script also featured a cameo by William Shatner as Captain Kirk , appearing as a recording in the movie's closing scenes. J.J. Abrams, Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman eventually decided to cut the scene, which may be disappointing to fans, but it also improved the ending of Star Trek (2009) as a result.

J.J. Abrams' Star Trek relaunched the movie franchise and reintroduced audiences to Captain Kirk and the crew of the USS Enterprise.

William Shatner’s Scene In J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek Explained

"i miss you, old friend.".

A few months after the release of Star Trek in 2009, Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci revealed that they had written a scene for William Shatner (via TrekMovie ). In the scene, Prime Spock presents his Kelvin Timeline counterpart with a pendant that turns out to be a holo-emitter, containing a message from William Shatner's Kirk . It's revealed that the pendant was a birthday message from Kirk to Spock in which he reflects on their friendship, and reveals his desire to live out his retirement with his best friend.

I suppose I’d always imagined us…outgrowing Starfleet together. Watching life swing us into our Emeritus years…

William Shatner's voice-over would then continue over the scenes of Chris Pine's Kirk being honored by Starfleet Command for defeating Nero (Eric Bana). As Prime Kirk reflects on when he and Spock " stepped onto the Enterprise as boys ", Kelvin Kirk accepts command of the Kelvin Timeline's version of the starship Enterprise . Touchingly, Prime Kirk acknowledges the Kelvin Timeline crew, by saying that " it's their time now " . However, it's also clear that the spirit of adventure is still alive in this older Captain Kirk, who closes the scene by saying:

You once said being a starship captain was my first, best destiny… if that’s true, then yours is to be by my side. If there’s any true logic to the universe… we’ll end up on that bridge again someday.

Shatner’s Kirk Cameo Would Have Undermined Chris Pine And Zachary Quinto

While the scene as written is a touching little coda, acting as a melancholy farewell between the prime timeline's Kirk and Spock, it does undermine Star Trek 's new leads. When handing his Kelvin timeline counterpart the pendant, Prime Spock says that it's a " dream " that the young Kirk and Spock can now fulfill. The implication being that the Kelvin timeline's Kirk and Spock are only friends because of an obligation to mirror their prime timeline counterparts. This robs Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto's Star Trek characters of their agency, reducing them to performing hollow William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy tribute acts .

Star Trek director J.J. Abrams famously told Chris Pine to do " less Shatner " when playing Captain Kirk.

The end of the movie is about this new crew stepping out of the shadow of the Star Trek: The Original Series cast and embracing their own future , something that would have been undercut by a surprise appearance by Star Trek 's William Shatner . Reminding theater audiences of the original, iconic, Captain James T. Kirk at the exact moment that Chris Pine's version takes command of the USS Enterprise would have been a serious misstep. It's good, therefore, that the scene was cut from the finished Star Trek script, though it's also worth noting that notoriously cameo-averse actor William Shatner may have declined to return anyway.

Exclusive: William Shatner is Star Trek's original Captain Kirk and he has high praise for the actors who now play Kirk, Chris Pine and Paul Wesley.

Star Trek’s Old Kirk Could Never Be As Good As Spock

Star trek generations limited kirk's potential return in star trek 2009..

More than undermining Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto, William Shatner's Star Trek scene doesn't work because it can't develop the character in the same way it did with Ambassador Spock. By the end of Star Trek , Spock has a new life in the Kelvin Timeline, helping the Vulcans to rebuild after the destruction of their home world. It's an appropriate last act for Spock, and one that helps him reconcile his lifelong struggle between his Vulcan and human sides. Due to the events of Star Trek Generations , Kirk could never have had such an arc in J.J. Abrams' Star Trek movie .

Having died on Veridian III, Kirk could only appear in Star Trek as a hologram, or perhaps via archive footage from the earlier movies. Kirk's death in Generations meant that William Shatner's cameo could only ever be a sentimental piece of lip service to the past, rather than anything that would drive the plot forward. The proposed William Shatner cameo in Star Trek could never have had the impact of Leonard Nimoy's appearance, which is why it was the right decision to drop it from the finished script.

Star Trek (2009) is streaming now on Paramount+.

Star Trek (2009)

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J.J. Abrams' 2009 movie Star Trek rebooted the iconic sci-fi franchise in a totally new timeline. When a Romulan ship travels back in time and alters the past, the lives of James T. Kirk (Chris Pine), Spock (Zachary Quinto), and the future crew of the USS Enterprise are drastically changed. In this new timeline, the Romulan Nero (Eric Bana) sets out for revenge on Spock, setting off a chain of events that reshape the entire universe.

Star Trek: The Original Series

Star Trek: The Original Series follows the exploits of the crew of the USS Enterprise. On a five-year mission to explore uncharted space, Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) must trust his crew - Spock (Leonard Nimoy), Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy (Forest DeKelley), Montgomery "Scotty" Scott (James Doohan), Uhura (Nichelle Nichols), Chekov (Walter Koenig) and Sulu (George Takei) - with his life. Facing previously undiscovered life forms and civilizations and representing humanity among the stars on behalf of Starfleet and the United Federation of Planets, the Enterprise regularly comes up against impossible odds and diplomatic dilemmas.