Reviews (224)

Star Trek Comes Of Age.
Jonathan Frakes is hands-down one of the best directors Star Trek has ever had. This talented man needs more work! Give the guy a big film, someone! If Spielberg is too busy to helm another 'Indiana Jones', then I respectfully suggest Mr Frakes. He does a fine job on 'First Contact' with a story that pays homage to Trek folklore. The cliches are all there; time travel, a threat to Earth and the existence of the Federation. But Frakes dances with the cliches instead of stepping on their toes. We have an exciting voyage that finally makes use of the big-screen potential of The Borg. There are only a couple of flaws to the story and the production itself. How does someone living in a virtual shanty-town build a starship in his back yard and why do the space battle scenes only last 55 seconds? Movies are supposed to give you what you CAN'T get from television. So why does the average TV episode of 'Deep Space Nine' have far more space battle action than a two hour big-budget film? Quibbles for sure, but worth noting anyway. This movie is well worth the money and effort but with the quality of the TV shows so relatively high it makes you wonder how much longer they excellent performances of the whole cast. And yay! Rock and Roll music finally gets some respect in Star Trek. To hear them tell it, you'd think that classical and jazz were the only forms of music in their century! And finally; have you ever noticed how many Star Trek films are based on, or have major scenes on the planet Earth? ALL OF THEM EXCEPT 'Insurrection'. For heavens sake, stay AWAY from the Earth and seek out those life forms and civilisations! How can Star Trek movies be so much about the Earth? Trek the STARS some more, guys.

A nice way to kick off the new series of films, but shallow
First Contact starts of with a major offensive against Earth by the Borg, and every Federation starship possible is involved, including the Defiant and the new Enterprise. But before they can be destroyed, the Borg travel back in time to 21st century Earth in the hope of changing the course of history in their favor. The Enterprise follows, and must make sure that the first contact with aliens takes place, or the Federation will never be founded, and the Borg will take the galaxy apart.

But what I did not like is that you did not get familiar with the new Enterprise as well as we should have. The ship represents the Star Trek franchise even better than Kirk. But we only get glimpses of it, no stats on it's performance, etc. Plus, the movie drags along. I have no problems with a slow movie, but this one just seemed to slow without much of plot or character development.

It is not a bad film, just not as good as Generations, or the Voyage Home. It is of course worth checking out, but not to buy. The only redeeming value is the astounding picture and sound on the DVD version.

The best of a mediocre "Next Generation" movie lot
The Next Generation movies in the Star Trek series, generally speaking, stink. Which is unfortunate, since in some ways the TNG series was better than the original Trek. However, the movies generally vary from pure cheese to holier-than-thou piffle.

First Contact is a good, fun movie overall, with pretty good effects shots and plenty of generally well-executed action. However, it also has some defects that can really get on your nerves.

-The plot is dumb. Time travel has been done to death in Trek, and is a real groaner when you realize that it is being done yet again.
-The movie beats into the ground the Star Trek plot gimmick of "we've found a mysterious energy field, let's duplicate it/follow it/etc." We've gone from the first Star Trek movie (crappy in other ways), which at least gave a nod to real science, to the end of TNG, where they just make up fake scientific-sounding B.S. AT WILL as a plot fix.
-Picard acting like Ahab from "Moby Dick" is way overdone, the worst acting by Stewart EVER. Pure scene-chewing cheese, and the PC bit of having the skinny black chick talk reason into him is just dumb and annoying, since she was a throw-away moron of a character. If you are going to be PC for no reason, at least have Geordi do it, we've established that LeVar Burton's character has a brain, and he can actually ACT, unlike what's-her-face.
-Making the Cochrane character such a total jerk was a BIG mistake. Yes, it was intentional, but it was a bad decision... it makes you hope he gets shot in the head instead of fulfill history, and makes the whole middle section of the movie drag.

Overall, however, it is a fun movie and the only TNG movie worth watching.

The Origin of Warp Drive
STAR TREK: FIRST CONTACT is one the best of the Star Trek franchise. A nifty time travel story that includes an inventive origin story of humans first meeting with "Vulcans" (i.e. Mr. Spock) and using a major nemesis from the tv-series "the Borg". The "Next Generations" crew is on hand for an above-average adventure yarn along with a great character created as the point of origin, Zefram Cochrane played perfectly by James Cromwell (BABE, L.A. CONFIDENTIAL) along with Alfre Woodard (as Lily Stone) and finally a great villianous turn as the Borg Queen is Alice Krige (GHOST STORY). Director/starring Jonathan Frakes knows these characters very well and with many things going on at once, there is no sag in the storytelling and everything seems to be in sync. One aspect that the screen writers took into account was the toning down of Data's (Brent Spiner) "emotion chip" that was so annoying in the 'ST-GENERATIONS' film and the character is able to redeem himself as one of the heroes in the story. Enough can't be said of Patrick Stewart whose Picard is the glue that holds the movie/crew together. The scenes with he and Michael Dorn (as the Klingon Cmdr Worf) are some of the best. Overall, a Star Trek movie that holds its own to WRATH OF KHAN, THE VOYAGE HOME, and THE UNDISCOVERED COUNTRY due to some ingenious plot devices, great characters, good special effects, and excellent direction.

Quite Possibly The Greatest STAR TREK Film Ever Made!
STAR TREK - FIRST CONTACT (1996), being only the second film to feature the "Next Generation" characters---and the first one without any of the originals---is a masterpiece of suspense, drama and violence. Easily earning its PG-13 rating, this one deals with (as I'm sure all who are reading this know) the Borg attempting to conquer Earth by going back in time to prevent "first contact" between humans and Vulcans. Capt. Jean-Luc Picard (the wonderful Patrick Stewart), who had once been "assimilated" by the Borg, being renamed Locutus in the process, takes this particularly hard and makes it his professional duty as Captain of the Federation Starship Enterprise 1701-C, and his personal duty as a member of the human race, to stop the Borg from attaining its goal.

This entry in the series, directed by Jonathan Frakes (Commander Will Riker), is a full step-up from the original series, employing dazzling visual effects and taking on a decidedly darker tone than previous STAR TREK films. It also ramps up the dramatic tension big-time, as Capt. Picard is so deeply affected by his previous experience with the Borg; his hatred is not just for what the Borg collective is, it's also a result of what the Borg collective had made of him, if only briefly. Meeting him head-on in his anguished tension are an unlikely stowaway (the equally wonderful Alfre Woodard) and the unlikely inventor of the Warp Drive Dr. Zefram Cochrane (the inspired James Cromwell). Of course, series regulars Lt. Commander Worf (Michael Dorn), Lt. Commander Data (Brent Spiner) and Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge (LeVar Burton) are back in fine form, as are Counselor Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis) and Dr. Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden). We even get a brief prize of a cameo appearance of The Doctor (Robert Picardo) from the "Star Trek: Voyager" series. But the one who really steals the show is the evil Borg Queen (Alice Krige), who slyly exudes mechanical sensuality even as she provokes danger and disdain (and perhaps disgust). Her kidnapping of the android Data and insinuation into his deep-seated desire to "become more human" makes for possibly the scariest scene in the entire movie.

STAR TREK - FIRST CONTACT combines an immense amount of elements in order to make its unified whole. The result is a stark, darkly brilliant film that comes close to sensory overload at times. True, Capt. Picard's climactic head-butting scene with the sharp-tongued stowaway Lily goes dangerously over-the-top at one point (and eventually would be parodied in the hilarious "Fingerbang" episode of "South Park"), but it STILL works. Everything else in this film does, too. Jonathan Frakes did a splendid job in creating the highest-budget STAR TREK film yet (a reported $80 million) in record time, earning himself the nickname "Two-Takes Frakes" from his fellow cast members and the admiration of a new generation of STAR TREK fans. Also, he earned well over the magical $100 million mark for film studio Paramount, making the studio moguls happy in the process! Unfortunately, he couldn't quite match this success with the next series installment, the lighter-toned STAR TREK - INSURRECTION (1998); however, with this film, Jonathan Frakes achieved something of a series masterpiece, of which he should always be proud. Don't get me wrong; I loved STAR TREK GENERATIONS (1994), but in STAR TREK - FIRST CONTACT, the "Next Generation" crew hold their own, and our complete undivided attention, for the nearly-two-hour film. This would easily be the greatest of the "Next Generation" movies, and quite possibly, the best in the entire franchise.

MOST RECOMMENDED ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Dead to Rites -Book always better!!
This is a neat, interesting mystery. Acting is good, plot excellent - but the original book, Donato and Daughter, by Sandra Scoppotone who was then writing as Jack Early, is wonderful!! Get both the book and the movie -its a cool, Italian/New York/family kind of police drama with some great turns in the book. Scoppotone is one of the best. ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Great Movie
A great comedy and a fun movie to watch. This movie shows how the clashing of two cultures can lead to some very funny moments. Michael Keaton gives an outstanding performance helped by a teriffic supporting cast. The American and Japanese auto workers learn to get along and put aside their differences to help each other. This movie is all about working as a team and getting the job done right. A comment to the last reviewer:If you want to see reality I suggest you do not watch movies. Cinema is fiction and the director's interpretation of reality. This is a great movie and does not disrespect the japanese in any way.

Working Class Man
This movie was released in Australia as 'Working Class Man' and I believe that it even had the Jimmy Barnes hit dubbed into the sound track at the end of the movie.

Thoroughly enjoyed the movie and encourage anyone who has not seen it to have a look and judge for themselves.

From an Australian point of view, still too American, perhaps some fun made of the Japanese, but like I said, judge for yourselves.

A fun movie
This is a guilty pleasure. Unfortunately, like many Paramount transfers, this is too soft and not vibrant; a real dissapointment (sometimes I would swear it is also out of focus...but that may be in the original masters).

Gung Ho
This is one of my favorite movies. I think, while a comedy, it really does hit the head of the nail about the mentality of auto industry. It is very original and the story is interesting enough that the movie flies by. Check it out.

A fun movie about a tough time in America
This movie gives a glimpse of how America came to terms with its economic fallibility. In a way, it was prophetic becuase so many American companies have partnered with Japanese companies in just this manner, and had the same kinds of growing pains. Ron Howard gave a touchy subject his magic, and Gung Ho! is a hilarious and delightful story.

Some people find the movie a simplistic version of an American-Japanese culture clash. Don't be such a fuddy-duddy! Good comedies don't portray reality, but they make us THINK about reality, which is much more important. In that aspect, Ron Howard and his talented cast did a great job. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

deaf and dumb, too
This TVM directed by Michael Toshiyuki Uno is notable for how Laura Linney steals the tube, as the daughter of Joanne Woodward as Washington congressman faced with the issue of drug addiction. The use of real life pictures of Woodward with her own daughter, and the fact that she co-produced, tells you that the subject has personal significance for Woodward. Unfortunately for her the teleplay by Nina Shergold, based on a story by Michael McTaggart and Ellen M Violett, presents Woodward as a harridan, evidence of the negative effects of a working mother. At one point Fritz Weaver as her husband says "Trying to reason with you is like standing in front of a bulldozer". If the idea of making the drug addict a torch singer who idolises Billie Holliday is perhaps rather overstated, the teleplay also raises a generational comparison between drug taking and alcoholism. The music score by Patrick Williams is used to lovely effect in one scene, when a baby is first held, but otherwise we get soaked in inspirational uplift. Watch for Patti D'Arbanville, and Allison Janney.

Strong Performances, Strong Message
Joanne Woodward gives a strong performance as a determined, sometimes domineering, yet well-meaning congresswoman coping with her daughter's drug addiction on the eve of announcing her run for the U.S. Senate. Woodward (who earned an Emmy nomination for this film, which she also co-produced) and Laura Linney, who portrays her substance addicted daughter, show the strong love/hate dynamics in their character's relationship. Linney, (later co-starring opposite Jim Carrey in "The Truman Show," and earning an Oscar nomination for "You Can Lean on Me") gives a heartfelt, unflinching portrait of a woman struggling to deal with her substance abuse/recovery as she asserts her independence from her mother, and Woodward superbly brings to life yet another strong, intelligent female character in her long line of smart, well-chosen, and expertly acted roles. The sensitive, intelligent script by Nina Shengold pulls no punches in illustrating the debilitating side of drug use, yet is never preachy.

This film handles difficult subject matter that may have seemed cliched or melodramatic in other hands in an honest, straightforward manner; much credit to all involved for first class work. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

An Indepth Depiction of Alzheimers Disease
This movie was sensational to say the least. Road To Galveston is the story of a woman who loses her husband and is driven to make a living for herself. The career that she chooses is one in which she provides care for Alzheimers patients. The touching thing about this movie is that it is extremely informative. It depicts three separate stages of this dreadful disease: the beginning, intermediate, and advanced stages. It also provides a clear understanding of the challenges that family members must endure as they watch their loved-one yeild to this disease. I recommend this movie to anyone who is faced with the unfortunate challenge of providing care to someone who has been diagnosed with Alzheimers. It will prepare you for the journey that, if understood, does not have to be so dreadful. In this movie, Cicely teaches us how to love those less fortunate than us through their circumstances. The sound track is really nice as well. It will make you laugh and cry!

Amazing Film
Never before have I seen such heartfelt performances on television. This movie moved me to the point of tears and Cicely Tyson is a great actress in command of her craft. I would recommend this film to anyone who needs to know what good television writing is.

Excellent Movie
This is an exceptional movie about a woman who is faced with living on her own after her husband dies. Tyson portrays a very believable southern woman who takes in alzheimer patients to support herself. Worth renting; buying it, hopefully the price will come down! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

An Indepth Depiction of Alzheimers Disease
This movie was sensational to say the least. Road To Galveston is the story of a woman who loses her husband and is driven to make a living for herself. The career that she chooses is one in which she provides care for Alzheimers patients. The touching thing about this movie is that it is extremely informative. It depicts three separate stages of this dreadful disease: the beginning, intermediate, and advanced stages. It also provides a clear understanding of the challenges that family members must endure as they watch their loved-one yeild to this disease. I recommend this movie to anyone who is faced with the unfortunate challenge of providing care to someone who has been diagnosed with Alzheimers. It will prepare you for the journey that, if understood, does not have to be so dreadful. In this movie, Cicely teaches us how to love those less fortunate than us through their circumstances. The sound track is really nice as well. It will make you laugh and cry!

Amazing Film
Never before have I seen such heartfelt performances on television. This movie moved me to the point of tears and Cicely Tyson is a great actress in command of her craft. I would recommend this film to anyone who needs to know what good television writing is.

Excellent Movie
This is an exceptional movie about a woman who is faced with living on her own after her husband dies. Tyson portrays a very believable southern woman who takes in alzheimer patients to support herself. Worth renting; buying it, hopefully the price will come down! ... Read more

Amazon.com

The torch is passed--and then some--in these, the first two Star Trek films to feature the cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation. (And really--weren't William Shatner and crew getting a tad long in the tooth to be believable as action heroes?) In fact, the gimmick of Generations is that a universe-destroying time warp, which an evil villain (Malcolm McDowell) hopes to harness, brings Picard (Patrick Stewart) together with Kirk (Shatner) to battle side by side. First Contact offers a popular Star Trek theme--time travel--and one of the best Next Generation villains (the Borg) in the story of the first man to achieve warp speed. --Marshall Fine ... Read more

Reviews (9)

This shows that STAR WARS is better then STAR TREK
Both First Contact and Generations are heavily handeled effects pictures with little on story and charecterization. STAR WARS wins on all fronts because of it's science fiction/mythology approach and deep characterization of evil and good, and how evil can sometimes find redemption.

A Pair of "Treks" is better than a Full House of "Star Wars"
The combining of the first two films featuring the cast of the Next Generation is a great strategy. The first film "Generations" benefits by being packaged with the far superior "First Contact."

Although "Generations" featured the what-should-have-been a major meeting of Captains Kirk and Picard, it suffered from slow pacing, a "weak" villain, and a lame plot. When the most memorable aspect is the impressive crash of the Enterprise, the film does not measure up to its potential as a big screen version of a television show.

The guys got back on track with the follow-up "First Contact." Featuring all the regulars of the show, this one has major assistance from the acting luminaries Alfre Woodard and James Cromwell. But, it is Alice Kringe who triumphs as the extremely seductive Borg queen who really makes "resistance futile." Her erotically mechanical movements coupled with her slinky vocal delivery of her lines make this one lady who might make any member of the Federation succumb to her charms.

The superb special effects and the direction from Jonathan Frakes elevates this one to the top ranks of the "Trek" films.

Too bad, "Insurrection" wasn't as lucky!

But, that's another review!

Best Treks yet
The first 20 minutes of Generations is some of the best Trek ever written. The rest of the movie was mediocre at best, but the Next Generation crew rose to the challenge of carrying thier own movie in First Contact. With a truly theatrical plotline, well written action scenes, superb direction, and searing action scenes, First Contact ranks right up there with The Wrath of Khan as the best of the Trek movies.

The best Star Trek movie sinse Search for Spock
For all those Trekkies who love action, comedy,and irony. This movies has all of that. The Borg attackthe past and the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise N.C.C. 1701-E have to stop them or there will be no Federation! I recommend this film to everyone !

A Kick-Ass Movie.
This is better than the best of both worlds which has been dubed as the best episode of Star Trek TNG.

The "Borg" are back and this time "There may be no stopping them. They invade our space and we fall back, They assimilate entire worlds and we fall back, not again the line must be drawn here. ... Read more

Reviews (224)

Star Trek Comes Of Age.
Jonathan Frakes is hands-down one of the best directors Star Trek has ever had. This talented man needs more work! Give the guy a big film, someone! If Spielberg is too busy to helm another 'Indiana Jones', then I respectfully suggest Mr Frakes. He does a fine job on 'First Contact' with a story that pays homage to Trek folklore. The cliches are all there; time travel, a threat to Earth and the existence of the Federation. But Frakes dances with the cliches instead of stepping on their toes. We have an exciting voyage that finally makes use of the big-screen potential of The Borg. There are only a couple of flaws to the story and the production itself. How does someone living in a virtual shanty-town build a starship in his back yard and why do the space battle scenes only last 55 seconds? Movies are supposed to give you what you CAN'T get from television. So why does the average TV episode of 'Deep Space Nine' have far more space battle action than a two hour big-budget film? Quibbles for sure, but worth noting anyway. This movie is well worth the money and effort but with the quality of the TV shows so relatively high it makes you wonder how much longer they excellent performances of the whole cast. And yay! Rock and Roll music finally gets some respect in Star Trek. To hear them tell it, you'd think that classical and jazz were the only forms of music in their century! And finally; have you ever noticed how many Star Trek films are based on, or have major scenes on the planet Earth? ALL OF THEM EXCEPT 'Insurrection'. For heavens sake, stay AWAY from the Earth and seek out those life forms and civilisations! How can Star Trek movies be so much about the Earth? Trek the STARS some more, guys.

A nice way to kick off the new series of films, but shallow
First Contact starts of with a major offensive against Earth by the Borg, and every Federation starship possible is involved, including the Defiant and the new Enterprise. But before they can be destroyed, the Borg travel back in time to 21st century Earth in the hope of changing the course of history in their favor. The Enterprise follows, and must make sure that the first contact with aliens takes place, or the Federation will never be founded, and the Borg will take the galaxy apart.

But what I did not like is that you did not get familiar with the new Enterprise as well as we should have. The ship represents the Star Trek franchise even better than Kirk. But we only get glimpses of it, no stats on it's performance, etc. Plus, the movie drags along. I have no problems with a slow movie, but this one just seemed to slow without much of plot or character development.

It is not a bad film, just not as good as Generations, or the Voyage Home. It is of course worth checking out, but not to buy. The only redeeming value is the astounding picture and sound on the DVD version.

The best of a mediocre "Next Generation" movie lot
The Next Generation movies in the Star Trek series, generally speaking, stink. Which is unfortunate, since in some ways the TNG series was better than the original Trek. However, the movies generally vary from pure cheese to holier-than-thou piffle.

First Contact is a good, fun movie overall, with pretty good effects shots and plenty of generally well-executed action. However, it also has some defects that can really get on your nerves.

-The plot is dumb. Time travel has been done to death in Trek, and is a real groaner when you realize that it is being done yet again.
-The movie beats into the ground the Star Trek plot gimmick of "we've found a mysterious energy field, let's duplicate it/follow it/etc." We've gone from the first Star Trek movie (crappy in other ways), which at least gave a nod to real science, to the end of TNG, where they just make up fake scientific-sounding B.S. AT WILL as a plot fix.
-Picard acting like Ahab from "Moby Dick" is way overdone, the worst acting by Stewart EVER. Pure scene-chewing cheese, and the PC bit of having the skinny black chick talk reason into him is just dumb and annoying, since she was a throw-away moron of a character. If you are going to be PC for no reason, at least have Geordi do it, we've established that LeVar Burton's character has a brain, and he can actually ACT, unlike what's-her-face.
-Making the Cochrane character such a total jerk was a BIG mistake. Yes, it was intentional, but it was a bad decision... it makes you hope he gets shot in the head instead of fulfill history, and makes the whole middle section of the movie drag.

Overall, however, it is a fun movie and the only TNG movie worth watching.

The Origin of Warp Drive
STAR TREK: FIRST CONTACT is one the best of the Star Trek franchise. A nifty time travel story that includes an inventive origin story of humans first meeting with "Vulcans" (i.e. Mr. Spock) and using a major nemesis from the tv-series "the Borg". The "Next Generations" crew is on hand for an above-average adventure yarn along with a great character created as the point of origin, Zefram Cochrane played perfectly by James Cromwell (BABE, L.A. CONFIDENTIAL) along with Alfre Woodard (as Lily Stone) and finally a great villianous turn as the Borg Queen is Alice Krige (GHOST STORY). Director/starring Jonathan Frakes knows these characters very well and with many things going on at once, there is no sag in the storytelling and everything seems to be in sync. One aspect that the screen writers took into account was the toning down of Data's (Brent Spiner) "emotion chip" that was so annoying in the 'ST-GENERATIONS' film and the character is able to redeem himself as one of the heroes in the story. Enough can't be said of Patrick Stewart whose Picard is the glue that holds the movie/crew together. The scenes with he and Michael Dorn (as the Klingon Cmdr Worf) are some of the best. Overall, a Star Trek movie that holds its own to WRATH OF KHAN, THE VOYAGE HOME, and THE UNDISCOVERED COUNTRY due to some ingenious plot devices, great characters, good special effects, and excellent direction.

Quite Possibly The Greatest STAR TREK Film Ever Made!
STAR TREK - FIRST CONTACT (1996), being only the second film to feature the "Next Generation" characters---and the first one without any of the originals---is a masterpiece of suspense, drama and violence. Easily earning its PG-13 rating, this one deals with (as I'm sure all who are reading this know) the Borg attempting to conquer Earth by going back in time to prevent "first contact" between humans and Vulcans. Capt. Jean-Luc Picard (the wonderful Patrick Stewart), who had once been "assimilated" by the Borg, being renamed Locutus in the process, takes this particularly hard and makes it his professional duty as Captain of the Federation Starship Enterprise 1701-C, and his personal duty as a member of the human race, to stop the Borg from attaining its goal.

This entry in the series, directed by Jonathan Frakes (Commander Will Riker), is a full step-up from the original series, employing dazzling visual effects and taking on a decidedly darker tone than previous STAR TREK films. It also ramps up the dramatic tension big-time, as Capt. Picard is so deeply affected by his previous experience with the Borg; his hatred is not just for what the Borg collective is, it's also a result of what the Borg collective had made of him, if only briefly. Meeting him head-on in his anguished tension are an unlikely stowaway (the equally wonderful Alfre Woodard) and the unlikely inventor of the Warp Drive Dr. Zefram Cochrane (the inspired James Cromwell). Of course, series regulars Lt. Commander Worf (Michael Dorn), Lt. Commander Data (Brent Spiner) and Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge (LeVar Burton) are back in fine form, as are Counselor Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis) and Dr. Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden). We even get a brief prize of a cameo appearance of The Doctor (Robert Picardo) from the "Star Trek: Voyager" series. But the one who really steals the show is the evil Borg Queen (Alice Krige), who slyly exudes mechanical sensuality even as she provokes danger and disdain (and perhaps disgust). Her kidnapping of the android Data and insinuation into his deep-seated desire to "become more human" makes for possibly the scariest scene in the entire movie.

STAR TREK - FIRST CONTACT combines an immense amount of elements in order to make its unified whole. The result is a stark, darkly brilliant film that comes close to sensory overload at times. True, Capt. Picard's climactic head-butting scene with the sharp-tongued stowaway Lily goes dangerously over-the-top at one point (and eventually would be parodied in the hilarious "Fingerbang" episode of "South Park"), but it STILL works. Everything else in this film does, too. Jonathan Frakes did a splendid job in creating the highest-budget STAR TREK film yet (a reported $80 million) in record time, earning himself the nickname "Two-Takes Frakes" from his fellow cast members and the admiration of a new generation of STAR TREK fans. Also, he earned well over the magical $100 million mark for film studio Paramount, making the studio moguls happy in the process! Unfortunately, he couldn't quite match this success with the next series installment, the lighter-toned STAR TREK - INSURRECTION (1998); however, with this film, Jonathan Frakes achieved something of a series masterpiece, of which he should always be proud. Don't get me wrong; I loved STAR TREK GENERATIONS (1994), but in STAR TREK - FIRST CONTACT, the "Next Generation" crew hold their own, and our complete undivided attention, for the nearly-two-hour film. This would easily be the greatest of the "Next Generation" movies, and quite possibly, the best in the entire franchise.

MOST RECOMMENDED ... Read more

Reviews (9)

This shows that STAR WARS is better then STAR TREK
Both First Contact and Generations are heavily handeled effects pictures with little on story and charecterization. STAR WARS wins on all fronts because of it's science fiction/mythology approach and deep characterization of evil and good, and how evil can sometimes find redemption.

A Pair of "Treks" is better than a Full House of "Star Wars"
The combining of the first two films featuring the cast of the Next Generation is a great strategy. The first film "Generations" benefits by being packaged with the far superior "First Contact."

Although "Generations" featured the what-should-have-been a major meeting of Captains Kirk and Picard, it suffered from slow pacing, a "weak" villain, and a lame plot. When the most memorable aspect is the impressive crash of the Enterprise, the film does not measure up to its potential as a big screen version of a television show.

The guys got back on track with the follow-up "First Contact." Featuring all the regulars of the show, this one has major assistance from the acting luminaries Alfre Woodard and James Cromwell. But, it is Alice Kringe who triumphs as the extremely seductive Borg queen who really makes "resistance futile." Her erotically mechanical movements coupled with her slinky vocal delivery of her lines make this one lady who might make any member of the Federation succumb to her charms.

The superb special effects and the direction from Jonathan Frakes elevates this one to the top ranks of the "Trek" films.

Too bad, "Insurrection" wasn't as lucky!

But, that's another review!

Best Treks yet
The first 20 minutes of Generations is some of the best Trek ever written. The rest of the movie was mediocre at best, but the Next Generation crew rose to the challenge of carrying thier own movie in First Contact. With a truly theatrical plotline, well written action scenes, superb direction, and searing action scenes, First Contact ranks right up there with The Wrath of Khan as the best of the Trek movies.

The best Star Trek movie sinse Search for Spock
For all those Trekkies who love action, comedy,and irony. This movies has all of that. The Borg attackthe past and the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise N.C.C. 1701-E have to stop them or there will be no Federation! I recommend this film to everyone !

A Kick-Ass Movie.
This is better than the best of both worlds which has been dubed as the best episode of Star Trek TNG.

The "Borg" are back and this time "There may be no stopping them. They invade our space and we fall back, They assimilate entire worlds and we fall back, not again the line must be drawn here. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Dead to Rites -Book always better!!
This is a neat, interesting mystery. Acting is good, plot excellent - but the original book, Donato and Daughter, by Sandra Scoppotone who was then writing as Jack Early, is wonderful!! Get both the book and the movie -its a cool, Italian/New York/family kind of police drama with some great turns in the book. Scoppotone is one of the best. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

deaf and dumb, too
This TVM directed by Michael Toshiyuki Uno is notable for how Laura Linney steals the tube, as the daughter of Joanne Woodward as Washington congressman faced with the issue of drug addiction. The use of real life pictures of Woodward with her own daughter, and the fact that she co-produced, tells you that the subject has personal significance for Woodward. Unfortunately for her the teleplay by Nina Shergold, based on a story by Michael McTaggart and Ellen M Violett, presents Woodward as a harridan, evidence of the negative effects of a working mother. At one point Fritz Weaver as her husband says "Trying to reason with you is like standing in front of a bulldozer". If the idea of making the drug addict a torch singer who idolises Billie Holliday is perhaps rather overstated, the teleplay also raises a generational comparison between drug taking and alcoholism. The music score by Patrick Williams is used to lovely effect in one scene, when a baby is first held, but otherwise we get soaked in inspirational uplift. Watch for Patti D'Arbanville, and Allison Janney.

Strong Performances, Strong Message
Joanne Woodward gives a strong performance as a determined, sometimes domineering, yet well-meaning congresswoman coping with her daughter's drug addiction on the eve of announcing her run for the U.S. Senate. Woodward (who earned an Emmy nomination for this film, which she also co-produced) and Laura Linney, who portrays her substance addicted daughter, show the strong love/hate dynamics in their character's relationship. Linney, (later co-starring opposite Jim Carrey in "The Truman Show," and earning an Oscar nomination for "You Can Lean on Me") gives a heartfelt, unflinching portrait of a woman struggling to deal with her substance abuse/recovery as she asserts her independence from her mother, and Woodward superbly brings to life yet another strong, intelligent female character in her long line of smart, well-chosen, and expertly acted roles. The sensitive, intelligent script by Nina Shengold pulls no punches in illustrating the debilitating side of drug use, yet is never preachy.

This film handles difficult subject matter that may have seemed cliched or melodramatic in other hands in an honest, straightforward manner; much credit to all involved for first class work. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

The Alpha and Omega of the Next Generation Series
"All Good Things...," the final STNG episode, finds that Jean-Luc Picard has become unstuck in time. In one of the timelines he finds himself taking command of the Enterprise, ready to head for the new crew's first adventure at Farpoint Station. Eventually he finds himself back in the postatomic war courtroom in which Q first appeared way back in that pilot episode. Apparently the trial of humanity was never officially ended, and the Q have reached their verdict. Consequently, "All Good Things..." finally brings to an end what was begun in "Encounter at Farpoint." With this set of tapes you do not have to try and remember everything that happened the first time around, you can refresh your memory with the pilot and then head on to the series finale. The producers do a nice job of bringing the show full circle in that final episode, letting us see both crew members who had left the show in the past and the possible futures of the rest in the future, while giving Jean-Luc Picard one last engagement with Q. Now, if only they would make a STNG theatrical film as good as this one.

Heidegger on the Enterprise
Obviously influncened by Heidegger's notion of original temportality, and, if not, the writer was simply brilliant!

Q's whisper in Picard's ear at the end tips it - the call of conscience, also the notion of bringing past, present and future to bear in the present.

Quite simply a masterpiece - perhaps the best television show I have ever seen.

excellent
i found it to be the best Q episode ever, i like when he questions if Q is god and human existence.

Very Good
"All Good Things" is the best Next Generation episode ever. I like it more than any of the three movies out. I think it's a nice touch to include the first episode (which is also good).

All Good Things... Was the best episode ever
What else is there to say ... Read more