Star Trek: First Contact Blu-Ray Review

Rated PG-13 (Some Sci-Fi Adventure Violence)

Running Time: 1 Hour & 51 Minutes

Cast:

Patrick Stewart-Captain Jean-Luc Picard

Jonathan Frakes-Commander William Riker

Brent Spiner-Lieutenant Commander Data

LeVar Burton-Chief Engineer Geordi La Forge

Michael Dorn-Lieutenant Commander Worf

Gates McFadden-Doctor Beverly Crusher

Marina Sirtis-Counselor Deanna Troi

James Cromwell-Zefram Cochrane

Alfre Woodard-Lily Sloane

Alice Krige-The Borg Queen

Neal McDonough-Lieutenant Sean Hawk

Robert Picardo-Emergency Medical Hologram

Dwight Schultz-Lieutenant Reginald Endicott Barclay III

Jack Shearer-Admiral Hayes

 Majel Barrett-Ship's Computer

Directed by Jonathan Frakes

'I am Locutus of Borg. Resistance...is futile.'

Note: Part of the "Star Trek The Next Generation Motion Picture Collection" Blu-Ray set.

Before the release of this year’s critically acclaimed “Star Trek” from J.J. Abrams that revitalized the aging franchise, there were a total of ten films, and the last four feature my favorite crew from the long running television series, “Star Trek The Next Generation.” While the first six (featuring the crew from the Original Series) are already out as a Blu-Ray box set since May, the TNG films are set to be released next Tuesday. Well, I have the four films sitting right on my desk as I’m typing and I’ve decided to review my favorite of the bunch first, “Star Trek First Contact,” released into theaters on November 22, 1996 and marks the directorial debut of Jonathan Frakes, who also plays Commander Riker. “Star Trek First Contact” is without a doubt, not only the best of the TNG-era films but also of the franchise thanks to an excellent story, eye-popping visual effects and Frakes’ confident direction, who knows the characters inside out. 

After the destruction of the USS Enterprise-D in the previous film, Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) now leads his crew on the Enterprise-E, a Sovereign-class ship and the most advanced in Starfleet. After waking up from a nightmare about his time as a Borg, Picard receives a message that a Borg Cube is heading straight for Earth. However, he is ordered to patrol the Neutral Zone in case the Romulans decide to take advantage of the situation but the real reason is that Starfleet feels Picard is too emotionally involved to fight. When he learns that the Borg is decimating the fleet, Picard disobeys his orders and heads for Earth, leading the fleet to victory by destroying the Borg Cube. However, a small sphere escapes and the Enterprise becomes trapped in a temporal vortex while in pursuit. Inside, they glimpse the future and see Earth assimilated by the Borg. The crew resolves to go back to the past and repair whatever damage they’ve done, arriving on April 4, 2063, the day before humanity makes first contact with the Vulcans. Picard now must stop the Borg from preventing Zefram Cochrane’s (James Cromwell) historic warp drive flight or the future he knows will never exist. 

Since the film assumes most people are familiar with the TNG cast, there are no introductions and the story doesn’t waste any time getting into the action. “Star Trek” has always prided itself on offering moral conundrums over epic space battles (although there is one) and “First Contact” is no different. The focus is squarely on Stewart’s Picard, who is still haunted by his experience when he was assimilated by the Borg (from the television series for you non-Trekkies) and wants revenge. There are parallels to Captain Ahab from Herman Melville’s famous novel “Moby Dick” (ironic since Stewart also starred in a made-for-TV film adaptation) and there is this excellent scene where Picard, with forceful conviction says, ‘The line must be drawn here! This far, no further! And I will make them pay for what they've done!’ He interacts with a survivor from the third World War, Lily Sloane (Alfre Woodard) and tells her that in the 24th Century, humanity has evolved to the point where there is no greed or war but despite all of the technology or ‘evolved sensibilities,’ Picard is still susceptible to being overcome by vengeance because of one simple reason: he is human. Another theme touched upon is the idea of hero worship. Zefram Cochrane, played by James Cromwell, was the one who invented the warp drive and ushered in an era of peace for humanity, and the Enterprise crew constantly reminds him of this much to his chagrin. However, history textbooks often have a way of skewing the truth and the real Cochrane is just an old drunk obsessed with rock-and-roll music. When he remarks that he can’t imagine ever meeting this ‘historical figure’ they keep referring to, Riker says that someone once said, ‘Don’t try to be great man. Just be a man, and let history makes its own judgments.’ Cochrane laughs at such ‘rhetorical nonsense’ but learns that he was the one who said it, or will say it in ten years time. Finally there’s the subplot involving Data (Brent Spiner) and the Borg Queen, played with an alluring sexuality by Alice Krige, who tries to resist the Faustian deal he’s presented since it has always been Data’s life-goal to become more human. “First Contact” is very much like the rebooted “Star Trek” in that it also appeals to non-fans but doesn’t lose sight of what made people fall in love with Star Trek in the first place. It’s a shame this success wasn’t able to be replicated in the next two installments. Despite the film’s serious tone, there are also some lighthearted moments, such as when Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis) gets drunk and mouths off at Riker (‘Timeline? This is no time…to talk about time! We don't have the time!’). Most of the comedy is at Cromwell’s expense as he’s overwhelmed by all the hero worship. He even pokes fun at the fact that in the entire history of Star Trek, not one crew member is ever shown going to the bathroom! 

The acting is amazing and it has to be considering that these people have been playing the same roles for over eight years. Patrick Stewart is at his best as Picard with a commanding screen presence that makes you care about what he’s going through. The rest of the TNG crew does a great job as well, although some of the cast, such as Gates McFadden (Dr. Beverly Crusher) and Marina Sirtis, don’t have much to do. James Cromwell is hilarious as Zefram Cochrane, going from drunken stupor to finally accepting his place in history. Alfre Woodard has some great scenes with Stewart when she drags him back to reality and calls him out on his hypocrisy. Finally there's Alice Krige as the Borg Queen, who's creepily sexy thanks to the makeup effects and reminds me of Kerrigan from Blizzard's StarCraft. “First Contact” featured some of the best visual effects and makeup at the time, putting it on par with “Star Wars.” When the Enterprise-E first appears, you’ll be in awe at its sleek design and the hard work putting in all the little details. The space battle between the Borg Cube and the fleet is impressive with phasers and quantum torpedoes flying everywhere, and if you’re quick, you might even catch a glimpse of the Millennium Falcon! The Borg themselves are menacing automatons as they slowly advance on the crew with only one purpose: to assimilate. 

The Blu-Ray is absolutely stunning and miles away from its DVD counterpart. The film’s opening scenes where Picard relives his assimilation reveal incredible detail, as do close-up shots. Black levels are solid although some of the neon colors (mainly from Borg Cube) look a little garish. If I was watching this for the first time, I wouldn’t believe this film was made in 1996 given how excellent the transfer is. Audio is suitably excellent with Jerry Goldsmith’s epic and emotionally resonant score making for an engaging listen. Dialogue is sharp and the space battle features wide dynamic range as phaser fire bombard the Borg Cube’s outer hull. Special features are packed and includes three audio commentaries from Damon Lindelof and Anthony Pascale (who runs TrekMovie.com), director Jonathan Frakes, and writers Brannon Braga and Ronald D. Moore, plus featurettes on the visual effects, Jerry Goldsmith, the possibilities of first contact with an alien race and many more. Paramount definitely went all-out on this Blu-Ray and fans won’t be disappointed. 

When “Star Trek First Contact” was released in 1996, reviews were overwhelmingly positive with a 92% on Rotten Tomatoes, making it the second highest rated Trek film behind Abrams’ “Star Trek.” The film made $92 million domestic and $146 million worldwide, which doesn’t seem high by today’s standards but keep in mind that outside the fan-base, the mainstream audience generally viewed Star Trek with disdain up until the release of the new film. “Star Trek First Contact” is an excellent entry in the franchise with the TNG cast in top form and although neophytes might not get all the in-jokes or references, there’s still enough here to hold their attention. With brilliant special effects and a frightening, unstoppable villain, you’ll come to know the meaning of ‘Resistance is Futile!’

Final Rating: 5 out of 5

"I will not sacrifice the Enterprise. We've made too many compromises already; too many retreats. They invade our space and we fall back. They assimilate entire worlds and we fall back. Not again. The line must be drawn here! This far, no further! And I...will make them pay for what they've done!"