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	Star Trek: Insurrection Official Site Rated: PG *1/2 of **** Length: 103 minutes Credits: Writers:        Rick Berman        Michael Piller Director: Jonathan Frakes Cast: Patrick Stewart: Captain Jean-Luc Picard Jonathan Frakes: Commander William T. Riker Brent Spiner: Lieutenant Commander Data LeVar Burton: Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge Michael Dorn: Lieutenant Commander Worf Gates McFadden: Commander Beverly Crusher, M.D. Marina Sirtis: Commander Deanna Troi, Counselor F. Murray Abraham: Ad'har Ru'afo/Rotin Donna Murphy: Anij Anthony Zerbe: Admiral Matthew Dougherty Gregg Henry: Gallatin/Golna Daniel Hugh Kelly: Sojef Michael Welch: Artim Mark Deakins: Tournel Stephanie Niznik: Ensign Perim
This is the ninth Star Trek movie, and does not break the legend that the odd numbered movies aren't so good.  Not that I will ever be expecting another Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, but there is the tenth movie to be made.  The trend for alien names to become more and more difficult to spell or pronounce has continued beyond the point of distraction.  This is a decent movie which in some ways may appeal more to those science fiction fans who are not largely fans of Star Trek.  The story is sound and told reasonably well, but there are problems with the flow.  Fans of the series will notice the glaring tactical errors made along with other inconsistencies commonly found in other series.  Everybody will find the rapid scene changes rather abrupt and distracting.  Except for those brain dead MTV addicts that won't get the plot in the first place.  The movie starts fine, and everything you see is reasonable.  As the comedic elements set in, you do get more acceptable of the flaws,  and this interesting story begins to really develop.  I have said that Star Trek is basically a Shakespearean western mystery more so than a science fiction series.  That is true here as well, but you have to keep your mind on the meaning of what you see rather than the mere images.  This story is a good allegory of the battle between good and evil.   The guardians are the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise who come to the paradise planet to save the planet's unique environment which acts as a "Tree of Life," a fountain of youth for the innocent people.  The would be thieves of this Life giving metaphasic radiation are the forces of Evil in collusion with a small group of familiars, like exxon & g.w. bush, who plan on extracting "Life" from this perpetual "Eden" at the cost of it's permanent destruction.  With a few twists and hidden agendas, this movie does make you pay attention.  The Federation of Planets which has jurisdiction over this new found and difficult to reach planet is the governing body which directs Star Fleet which in turn operates the U.S.S. Enterprise.  Star Fleet is running low on resources due to a distant war against a powerful rival.  This new 'ally' tempts the Federation into allowing the relocation of the new planets inhabitants in trade for military technology that will help the war effort.  The 'ally' has rapidly failing health, and other reasons for wanting control.  This premise is fundamental to the movie, but most fans of the series realize that scientists from the Federation would have figured out the real motivation here.  The progression of the story is clear and fairly rapid with a few stalls.  There is plenty of action here, but no bikini clad car chases.  The acting is fine with only an exception or two.  The exposure of the crew to this metaphasic radiation creates some changes and interactions within the crew that do serve to lighten the mood, but also could set up potential variations in the story line of the next movie.  Perhaps in some ways, there is a restriction as to what kind of movie you can make when the fundamantal parameters are so well defined. Soundtrack: Theme from "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" by Jerry Goldsmith Theme from "Star Trek" TV series by Alexander Courage String Quartet in D Major. Opus 64. No. 5. "The Lark" Fourth Movement: Finale - Vivace by Franz J. Haydn Performed by Caspar da Salo Quartet String Quartet in B-Flat. Opus 10. No. 3. "The Hunt" Fourth Movement: Allegro Vivo Assei by Wolfgang A. Mozart "A British Tar" from H.M.S. Pinafore by William S. Gilbert & Arthur Sullivan Sonata No. 8 in C Minor. Opus 13. "Pathétique" First Movement - Grave by Ludwig van Beethoven "Make Over Mambo" by Alan Silvestri "Vallon Sonore" from "Les Troyens"