Star Trek: First Contact

Having earned his stripes by directing a few TV episodes, Frakes makes an auspicious debut as a feature filmmaker, sustaining excitement and maintaining clarity as he dashes through a two-track storyline.

By the time Worf (Michael Dorn), knocking off a slimy attacker, growls a Schwarzeneggerish ''Assimilate this!'' we've already done so, with pleasure.

First Contact, written by Ric Berman, Brannon Braga and Ronald D. Moore, pulsates with great imagination, amusing characters and the fundamental optimism handed down by "Star Trek" founder Gene Roddenberry.

Even those unfamiliar with the entire "Star Trek" phenomenon (it's now been 30 years since the original TV show sprang from the fertile mind of creator Gene Roddenberry) will find this a clever action movie, with a well-written screenplay and tight direction of a fine cast.

First time director Jonathan Frakes (who also plays Riker, the Enterprise's second-in-command) injects some badly-needed energy and inventiveness into a series that, prior to this effort, was sinking under its own weight and boldly going nowhere.

Unfortunately, left alone on the big screen, distinctly thin characterisation and a plot that looks like a distended television episode, let the new crew down slightly but there are still enough classic moments to keep fans happy.

The series now lacks all of its original stars and much of its earlier determination. It has morphed into something less innocent and more derivative than it used to be, something the noncultist is ever less likely to enjoy.

The best TNG movie. It uses two of the most interesting assets. The Borg and time travel. Also it explores Picards mental scars. I recommend you should have watched the TNG episodes “Q Who” and the two parter “The best of both Worlds”. All are truly excellent (or legendary?) 10/10 episodes and fan favourites. The Borg are the most dangerous and frightening enemy the Federation has ever encountered. It was a new and unique idea for the show and entered pop culture history. The dread is so serious. The Borg are a force that cannot be reasoned with and wont stop until you destroy them. Furthermore they will assimilate everything you have and use it against you (people, resources and technology). Then there is the legendary first contact. It is the starting point for the Federation. There is no weak point in the story. For the characters: You have Picard in one of his best performance. Behind his calm appearance you have a tortured man with scars on his soul that will never heal. Then you have Zefram Cochran. This is the result of heroes worship. The reality cant keep up with the legend that was created. A praiseworthy performance. While all characters deliver a good performance I want to praise especially Lily Sloane, Worf and Data. I must also praise Jonathon Frakes as director for his performance. Overall this is the best movie they did with TNG (by far) and a must see recommendation. Bonus knowledge 1: The Star Trek Destiny novels are a must read for fans. This time it is serious as the Borg see the Federation as treat after the destruction the Voyager crew did in the final episode (= Full scale Borg attack with all available assets!). It closes also all loopholes I am aware of and gives a fascinating origin and praiseworthy conclusion to the Borg. Bonus knowledge 2. There is the gardener theory. It says that the Borg attack in small forces (1 cube / ship) to advance the technological development. The final assimilation occurs only if the civilisation can keep up or they become to close to be a real threat.

In their first solo feature, the cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation reconvenes to follow The Borg through a temporal vortex. Popping out in the mid-21st century, the cybernetic bad guys plan to stunt (and eventually assimilate) the Earth’s population by nixing its fabled first warp-powered flight and ensuing contact with extraterrestrial life. This puts the Enterprise B-team in close proximity to Zefram Cochrane, a revered historical figure in their time, who bristles at the prospect of becoming a legend. Elsewhere, Data is tempted by the prospect of growing more tangibly human and Picard struggles to address his personal connection to the enemy. It may have been too soon for Star Trek to play the time travel card again, ten years after The Voyage Home. While First Contact’s plot is distinct enough, it often relies on the same vein of comic incongruity for relief. Modern engineer talks shop, Starfleet graduates share a knowing smile - that sort of thing. We’ve already been there and done that, so much of the Earthbound humor doesn’t connect. Picard’s push for vengeance, and its noted similarity to Captain Ahab, provides the more interesting developments, anyway. Even if those are tempered by the nonsensical introduction of a sexy female mother cyborg, a mess of curves and cords who does her best to seduce man and synthetic alike. I preferred The Borg as a mindless collective, dedicated to overwhelming the galaxy through cold logic and sheer numbers alone. First Contact’s mood represents a welcome shift from the stale, serious tone of preceding films. This chapter is more action oriented, but also softer, with a recognizable admiration for the TV series. In fact, it could easily pass as a big-budget, multi-part episode of either TNG or TOS. And, while that’s a strength in terms of tone, it also applies in less favorable respects. The story assumes prior knowledge of the cast (there’s no reason to care about Riker, Crusher and Geordi otherwise), its acting is generally a step below what we’d expect from a big studio feature, the sets look cheap and the special effects haven’t aged well at all. Still an enjoyable light sci-fi adventure, with spirit and charm, but not quite the level-up that one might expect from a popular show turned film franchise.

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

This movie is mediocre. It's looks like it is not continuing to previous movie, and not what happened with the Borg in the TV show. Too bad their line if story is not consistent

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]