Nerds That Geek Movie Review - 'Star Trek: Insurrection'

Written by John Edward Betancourt

'How many people does it take, Admiral, before it becomes wrong?'
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard

Never forget. Those are two words that are etched into our minds for a simple reason, we don't want to see the tragedy that was September the 11th ever be repeated. It's the right frame of mind to be honest, because atrocities such as that have no place in the world.  

But those words symbolize more, they stand for our morals just as much as our memories. They speak to the fact that we should always stand tall and do the right thing regardless of the circumstance. Yet what if those involved in the noblest of causes gave in to fear and turned their backs on those morals? That is the question posed in Star Trek: Insurrection.

Paradise. We have all dreamed of a place where life is perfect, where we never get old and never see others suffer. Sadly, for us it is just that, a dream. Yet in the 24th Century, in the most unlikely of places, paradise exists. On a small planet trapped within a unique set of cosmic circumstances there is a fountain of youth. A race known as the Ba'ku go about their eternal lives on this world, but a species known as the Son'a know of the Ba'ku's secret and know how to steal it from this world and the Federation, licking its wounds from a devastating war is willing to help. But the crew of the Enterprise realize that this plan betrays the founding principles of the Federation and is based on lies and are now willing to risk their careers in Starfleet to uphold the ideals of the Federation and ensure the safety of these innocent lives.

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This is another tough Star Trek movie to write about due to the fact that the ambitious plot doesn't seem to entirely click. I like the idea of a corrupt Starfleet Admiral lying to his superiors for what he thinks may be a greater cause and Picard being forced to step in. That Heart of Darkness element works well, but the issues lie in the execution. This is a heavy idea to work with and the film handles it in the fluffiest in fashion. There are laughs, there are gags and they work, but to me they have no place in a film that essentially deals with a major crack in the foundation of the Federation and Starfleet.  

The implications of Admiral Dougherty's actions in this movie would rock the entirety of the United Federation of Planets. Think about it, a cure for any last ailments in the galaxy, and a Starfleet Admiral turning his back on everything he represents. When other cultures find out about this metaphasic radiation, they may come for it, or leave the Federation for having something this big kept from their people, and war may break out again. Not to mention the fracture in Starfleet from an Admiral pulling something like this off.  
 
It's frustrating because these glaring issues overshadow so many beautiful moments in the film. In fact, one of my favorite scenes is watching Geordi LaForge gain his eyesight for the first time ever and enjoy his first sunrise. Don't get me wrong, the film isn't awful, just...confused. The idea is sound, but the end result does indeed feel like a two-hour episode of The Next Generation and leaves one unfulfilled after challenging such a big concept.  ​

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