Star Trek: First Contact (1996) starring Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, Brent Spiner, LeVar Burton directed by Jonathan Frakes Movie Review

Star Trek: First Contact (1996)   3/53/53/53/53/5


Patrick Stewart in Star Trek: First Contact (1996)

Astronauts on Some Sort of Star Trek

Whilst the federation are in a multi-ship battle with a Borg Cube, Captain Jean-Luc Picard and the crew of the Enterprise-E are ordered to keep out of the battle and monitor the neutral zone in case the Romulan decide to capitalize on the current disturbance. But Picard and his crew refuse to stand idly by and listen to the fleet being destroyed and so with his knowledge of the Borg Cube causes its destruction. But a sphere is ejected from it before it explodes and heads for Earth. Giving chase the Enterprise find themselves heading through a time vortex and back to the 21st century 10 years after the third world war where they must do what ever they can to prevent the Borg assimilating Earth.

If you have read my review of "Star Trek: Generations" you will know a few things; not only am I not a Trekkie but I found it hard work as I had no idea about "The Next Generation" characters. As such I had debated whether to try and watch any more of the movies in the series as I watch to be entertained not to be perplexed by. But I read that first time director Jonathan Frakes, who also plays Riker, turned the focus to action and adventure and so decided to give it another try.

Jonathan Frakes in Star Trek: First Contact (1996)

So there is bad news and good and the bad is again with "Star Trek: First Contact" we have a movie for Trekkies with certain elements which will leave non Trekkies in the dark. For example whilst not critical being aware of Picard's encounters with the Borg it will help explain various things. It will also help when it comes to the characters with I am sure there are some new characters who weren't in the last movie.

But there is good news and as I mentioned "Star Trek: First Contact" focuses more on action rather than knowledge and so we have space battles, run ins with Borgs and some big special effects as well. Not only that the writers have clearly references other well known movies from moments of drama to some play on words when it comes to the dialogue and this thankfully makes it still entertaining for non Trekkies at a shallow level.

What this all boils down to is that "Star Trek: First Contact" is for me an improvement of "Star Trek: Generations" as whilst it no doubt helps to be a Trekkie there is enough action and adventure to keep non Trekkies entertained.


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