Star Trek: Insurrection (1998)

When the crew of the Enterprise learn of a Federation conspiracy against the inhabitants of a unique planet, Captain Picard begins an open rebellion.

Director:

Jonathan Frakes

Writers:

Gene Roddenberry (creator: "Star Trek"), Rick Berman (story)

Stars:

Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, Brent Spiner

3 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Patrick Stewart	...	Picard
Jonathan Frakes	...	Riker
Brent Spiner	...	Data
LeVar Burton	...	Geordi La Forge (as Levar Burton)
Michael Dorn	...	Worf
Gates McFadden	...	Beverly Crusher
Marina Sirtis	...	Troi
F. Murray Abraham	...	Ru'afo
Donna Murphy	...	Anij
Anthony Zerbe	...	Dougherty
Gregg Henry	...	Gallatin
Daniel Hugh Kelly	...	Sojef
Michael Welch	...	Artim
Mark Deakins	...	Tournel
Stephanie Niznik	...	Perim

Storyline

While on a mission to observe the peaceful Ba'ku race, Lieutenant Commander Data suddenly behaves as if having to fear for his existence. The immortal Ba'ku, whose planet offers regenerative radiation, and therefore incredible lifespans, live in harmony with nature and reject advanced technology. Their planet and their culture is secretly researched by the Federation associated with an alien race called the Son'a. But the Son'a intend to abduct the Ba'ku in order to take the planet for themselves and for the Starfleet officials who all would like to regenerate their bodies. But they did not think of the loyalty of Captain Jean-Luc Picard and the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-E to the Prime Directive.

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Plot Keywords:

sex in a hot tub | kissing while having sex | male alien | male humanoid alien | u.s.s. enterprise | 

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Taglines:

On December 11th, Stand to fight. Hold your ground. Join the rebellion.

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

Did You Know?

Trivia

When Data is malfunctioning, Picard gets him to recite Sir W.S. Gilbert and Sir Arthur Sullivan's "H.M.S. Pinafore". In the Isaac Asimov story "Runaround", a malfunctioning robot recites Gilbert and Sullivan while evading capture by his human masters. Much of Data's character is taken from Asimov's writings (such as Data's "Positronic Net", adapted from Asimov's "Positronic" brains).

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Goofs

Picard tells Anij that what they Baku have would be worth more to some than gold pressed latinum. But nothing would have a value in a society without money unless you needed to barter for it, in which case the value would be based on what the seller needs and is willing to give for it.

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Quotes

[first lines]
[children playing hide and seek]
child: There he is. Let's get him, come on!

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Alternate Versions

The original version of the movie contained several scenes that were cut before release:

• an extended library scene in which Riker and Troi throw small paperballs at each other. This scene also include some lines by the Librarian (Lee Arone-Biggs) and a Trill Officer (Max Grodénchik);
• a scene in which Picard and Anij kiss each other;
• a scene in which Picard spills cheese on a PADD displaying the Briar Patch;
• the actual ejection of the warp core;
• Data punching some Son'as on the planet and nailing them with iso-linear tags;
• "The will be no cover-up!" line on the Son'a ship.

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Connections

Spoofed in Films That Suck (1999)

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Soundtracks

Violin Concerto in G Minor, RV 317 - 3. Allegro
(uncredited)
Written by Antonio Vivaldi

User Reviews

Whoever said this was the worst Star Trek film is so wrong!

In my personal opinion, and as an avid Next Generation fan, without a doubt "Insurrection" is one of the best Star Trek films, and the third outing for Picard, Riker, Deanna and the rest of the Next Generation crew stays most true to their esteemed television series. This time round, the crew are faced with a violation of the Prime Directive and whether or not the 600 people who live on a literal planet-of-youth are more important than the millions of other people that could benefit from the planet's regenerative powers. Action, drama, comedy and romance follow in true Star Trek spectacular.

As always Patrick Stewart is in top form as Captain Picard who leads the Star Trek resistance to save the innocents from one of his own corrupt superiors Vice Admiral Dougherty (played terrifically by Anthony Zerbe) who are involved with some aliens (including F. Murray Abraham's Ad'har). Along the way Picard finds a new friend in Anij (played by the lovely Donna Murphy), one of the Ba'ku, and a little romance follows.

Jonathan Frakes once again directs and does an outstanding job, though it does mean his character Commander Riker gets a bit less screen time, though he is always a pleasure to watch. Riker's relationship with Commander / Counsellor Deanna Troi heats up in this film (and it's about time too!) Marina Sirtis of course returns as the lovely Troi and gets a fairly good amount of screen time this time round, and certainly most of the comical moments. Frakes and Sirtis have great chemistry together.

Brent Spinter's Data gets (as usual) too much screen time, again his story consists of his quest to become more human and the like, though he does befriend a Ba'ku child which was done quite well. As usual Gates McFadden (Dr. Beverly Crusher), Michael Dorn (Lt. Commander Worf) and LeVar Burton (Lt. Commander LaForge) are given very little to do in the Star Trek films, and this one is no exception, though at least Worf and LaForge got their own small story lines - Worf had to go through puberty again and LaForge found himself with the ability to see. Beverly however only gets a "storyline" involving her boobs firming up. Terrific. Poor Gates must be the most under-appreciated actress in all of Star Trek, but also the most gracious for returning each time.

The special effects of "Star Trek: Insurrection" are above average, and the music score is really well done. Often its the small moments in the Next Generation films that are the best, and this one is no different, but at least the big moments are good too. I think the "Star Trek the Next Generation" films are probably the only action-type films in which the heroes are all (with the exception of Marina Sirtis) in their 50's and people still want to watch them. Quite interesting too that a main theme of the movie was the eternal youth. At least when the sad time comes that the Next Generation cast are no longer alive, they will be immortalised in history by their much loved characters and beautiful stories, just like "Insurrection".

Details

Official Sites:

The Official Star Trek Web Site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 December 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Star Trek: Rebellion

Filming Locations:

Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$58,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$22,052,836, 13 December 1998

Gross USA:

$70,187,658

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$112,587,658

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures, Digital Image Associates

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1