Review: : Insurrection by: Christopher Collora

Paramount Pictures Written by: Michael Piller Directed by: Jonathan Franks

The ninth Star Trek motion picture explodes onto the screen with all of the action and adventure of a western. In fact that is exactly what Insurrection was, a space western, a lively romp through the Star Trek universe. The film centers around a planet that represses biological aging and keeps the planets inhabitants, the Bacu, eternally young. The Bacu are a post civilization, they gave up their technology for a simpler life on the planet which is a virtu- al guardian of Eden. However the Enterprise-E crew, lead by Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) soon uncovers a conspiracy between a startleet admiral and an alien race to harvest the planets energy and relocate the Bacu. Picard faced with the moral objection towards forced re-location of a population, leads a rebellion against his corrupt superior. Picard believes in the Federations principals of non-interference with alien cultures, and leads the Bacu away from the other aliens re-location plans. The alien race, (Lead character F. Murry Abraham), sends down robot tagging devices to transport the Bacu off of the surface. Picard and crew lead the Bacu away from the devices. And the rest you have to see for yourself. The film is a lively balance between the themes of aging and rebellion. Picard defies his superior to stand up for prin- cipals. The film also introduces new dimensions to the Star Trek universe, such as hologram ships, nebula travel, and new uniforms. Several characters undergo significant changes. Data cross circuits after learning of the conspiracy and his ethi- cal sub-routines cause him to defy . After he is repaired, he gets to walk under water, and learns about childhood from a boy who befriends him. Commander Riker and Diana Troy re-ignite their old relationship (possibly a theme for the next movie). And Riker also shaves the famous beard that he grew in the second season TV. show. Gordie Laforge (a blind char- acter) gets his eyes back and gets to see a sunrise. (the Klingon) re-joins the crew as part of a security detail from Deep Space Nine. Picard goes through a major moral decision and stands for the Federations principle in the films most powerful speech: Picard: "The worst chapters in human history involved forced re-location of people" Admiral:" We're only talking about a few hundred people here." Picard: "How many people does it take before it becomes wrong?..."

Star Trek: Insurrection was a great blend of humor, deep human themes, special effects, and action. It is a different trek, not exactly the , but a good story. m BAIIlf fOU PARADISE HAS Um