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MY RATING: 5.7

Star Trek: Insurrection (1998)

DIRECTED BY: Jonathan Frakes

STARRING: Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, Brent Spiner

BRIEF SYNOPSIS: The crew of the Enterprise uncover a plot to protect perhaps the greatest discovery in the history of mankind.

PROS: Good concept, Some good acting.

CONS: Slow, little investment in the characters, antagonist motivation exists but isn't developed.

BOTTOM LINE: Not a strong point for, and the beginning of the end for Star Trek.

After the smash hit of First Contact, it seemed obvious that there would be another soon. No surprise that once again Jonathan Frakes was selected to direct. Unfortunately things didn't turn out as well for the Star Trek veteran.

There really isn't too much to say about this film. It just exists alongside the rest, feeling like an extended Next Generation episode. The stakes are a bit higher, which makes the concept interesting, but the characters are all the same as they have ever been, a sharp contrast to the excellent character development of First Contact. The only good character related comment I can make is that the character of William Riker is well played by the director Jonathan Frakes. It isn't exactly new, but it was at it's best.

The film is quite slow. It's starts off with an interesting hook, but it good nowhere from there. Much of the film is spent with little emotional investment, making many of the less-action-packed scenes drag on instead of being interesting.

The antagonist of the film is boring to put it bluntly. He looks as disgusting as every Star Trek villain before him, but there is no reason why. His motivation is never clear until the very end, and frankly, I didn't care. It didn't change the pace or urgency of the situation.

I wouldn't say this is the worst Star Trek film ever made. I wouldn't even say that it is an embarrassment to Trekkies. It can be placed comfortably beside the rest of the series, but it is still not very good. See it if you want, and then you're never obligated to see it again.