Paramount Appeal
Insurrection Will Still Please Fans

In the world of "Star Trek," there is a fine line between pleasing fans and alienating everyone else. With so many background stories, inside jokes, and history to the Federation universe, the occasional viewer could easily become lost. In the new film, Star Trek: Insurrection, the crew of the Enterprise-E chart familiar territory, returning to the humor and lightheartedness that made Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home one of the most popular in the series.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) leads his crew on a new adventure where the line between enemies and allies is dangerously thin, and the politics of the Federation could stand in the way of the freedom of a small colony. The plot follows the formula story-telling that made the original "Star Trek: The Next Generation" series so popular.

When the android Lt. Cmdr. Data (Brent Spiner) malfunctions and exposes a Federation survey team on an idyllic world, the crew of the Enterprise-E rush through a dangerous sector of space known as the "Briar Patch" that has hidden a virtual Eden. There, the crew encounter a race known as the Ba'ku, who are not nearly as primitive as their simple lives might suggest. Donna Murphy portrays Anij, one of the Ba'ku and a love interest for Picard.

Complicating the issue is a race known as the Son'a, a hideous people who use gene-therapy and skin grafts to keep their deteriorating bodies alive. The Son'a, with the cooperation of the Federation, have been studying the Ba'ku. Leading the Son'a is the villainous Ru'afo (Academy Award Winner F. Murray Abraham), who acts as the puppet master for the Federation's Admiral Dougherty (Anthony Zerbe). It isn't until Picard investigates Data's malfunction that he uncovers the truth regarding the Ba'ku's planet and the Son'a's interest in it.

Joining Stewart and Spiner is the rest of the Enterprise's regular crew, including LeVar Burton, Michael Dorn, Gates McFadden, Marina Sirtis, and Johnathan Frakes (who also helms the director's chair for a second time). Thankfully, Dorn's continued portrayal of the Klingon Worf on "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" has not prevented him from rejoining the cast for another motion picture.

While more universally appealing, with the addition of more humor and romance, Insurrection seems like a step back to the small screen. The story does not bring with it any sense of epic storytelling or an epic villain. The Son'a are unknown, reminiscent of any "alien of the week" from the "Star Trek" television series. Unlike the Borg in Star Trek: First Contact, they do not strike fear in our hearts. Likewise, the story does not have a sense of grandeur, but seems to be episodic in nature, as if just one more story until we tune in next week.

For all its special effects and science fiction flair, Insurrection has as its heart a story of moral and ethical issues regarding the rights of people. While I do not want to give much away, let me just say that the moral debates raised in the film are more important than the heroics. With a less light-hearted tone, this movie could have made a greater statement.

Star Trek: Insurrection is rated PG for some mild profanity and very tame sexuality. All in all, it's a safe picture to take the children to, but some scenes with the Son'a are gruesome.

MY RATING: 6 out of 10.

RATED:
RUN TIME: 103 min.

Paramount Appeal Insurrection Will Still Please Fans

Paramount Appeal
Insurrection Will Still Please Fans