Quick Review: Star Trek: Insurrection (1998)

STAR TREK: INSURRECTION

BY CHRISTOPHER HASKELL
OCTOBER 19, 2013

Even for casual Star Trek fans, “Star Trek IX: Insurrection” entertains as strictly a science fiction film as well, which just so happens to have a fully developed cast of characters supporting it. Following The Next Generation crew of the Enterprise, the story arc is simple: the team travels to a planet that was secretly under surveillance until Data breaks the Prime Directive by revealing himself and the team, in a rogue and unexplained move. Once Data is caught and fixed, he uncovers a plan to move the inhabitants of the planet without their knowledge. In doing so, the intruders can harness the power inhabited within the planet, which acts as a fountain of youth. Touching on many topical points like cultural displacement and the rights and wrongs of individual skills, the entire crew faces moments of decision and choose their paths accordingly. Even with several inside situations like LaForge’s eye implants and Worf’s return, the characters continue to develop, creating a sense that this is just another extended episode of the show. Also, with a reputable villain played by F Murray Abraham, the twists surrounding this character are some of the highlights of the film. Although nothing is breakthrough or exceptional about the film, it does garner enough attention to keep you guessing through most of the run-time.

RELEASE DATE
December 11, 1998

DIRECTOR
Jonathan Frakes

WRITTEN BY
Michael Piller
Rick Berman (story)

BASED ON
“Star Trek”
by Gene Roddenberry

STUDIO
Paramount Pictures

PG
(for sci-fi action violence, mild language and sensuality)

ACTION
ADVENTURE
SCI-FI
THRILLER
103 minutes