Title: Star Trek: First Contact

Year Released/Rating: 1996 PG-13

Starring: Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, Brent Spiner

Written By: Gene Roddenberry, Rick Berman, Brannon Braga, Ronald D. Moore

Directed By: Jonathan Frakes

Genre: Action, adventure, scifi

Star Rating: 5/5 stars

Where I Got It: We own it

Trivia:

At the end of filming, actor/director Jonathan Frakes got the nickname: "Two takes Frakes" because of the efficiency of his style.
The Enterprise-E is a Sovereign class starship. The previous ship, the Enterprise-D, was a Galaxy class starship.
Captain Picard is likened to "Moby Dick" character Captain Ahab for his obsession with destroying the Borg, as Ahab was obsessed with killing the white whale. Patrick Stewart, who portrays Picard, later portrayed Ahab in Moby Dick. Thus, Patrick Stewart became the first actor to have quoted "Moby Dick" as the Captain of a vessel in more than one series.
In this film, the EMH says "I'm a doctor, not a doorstop". This is a nod to Dr. McCoy from Star Trek the original series. Whenever McCoy was given a non-medical task, he would say "I'm a doctor, not a... (bricklayer, moon shuttle conductor, escalator, etc.)"
Alice Krige suffered much discomfort throughout the film. Her costume was too tight, causing blisters, and the silver contacts she had to wear were so painful they could only be kept in for four minutes at a time.

Summary: Captain Picard and his crew pursue the Borg back in time to stop them from preventing Earth from initiating first contact with alien life.

Review: I've seen the original cast Star Trek movies, but none of the newer ones (except the newest J.J. Abrahms movie). J figured that I was far enough into the series (ST:TNG S4) to start watching some of the movies. This one is really good. I enjoyed this movie. It's like a good episode, just longer. We get the initial idea, references to past episodesnew characters, and even some old characters. The pacing kept me entertained throughout. Although I did find the scenes aboard the Enterprise much more interesting than those set on Earth. Overall, a very enjoyable movie night.

Best Bits:

[Quoting "Moby Dick"] Captain Jean-Luc Picard: And he piled upon the whale's white hump, the sum of all the rage and hate felt by his whole race. If his chest had been a cannon, he would have shot his heart upon it.
Lily Sloane: Jean Luc, blow up the damn ship! Captain Jean-Luc Picard: No! Noooooooooo! [Smashes glass and model ships with his phaser] Captain Jean-Luc Picard: 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. Lily Sloane: You broke your little ships.
Lily Sloane: Borg? Sounds Swedish.
Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Reports of my assimilation have been greatly exaggerated.
Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Mr. Worf, do you remember your zero G combat training? Lt. Commander Worf: I remember how it made me sick to my stomach.
Lieutenant Commander Data: [about the Borg Queen] She brought me closer to humanity than I ever thought possible. And for a time, I was tempted by her offer. Captain Jean-Luc Picard: How long a time? Lieutenant Commander Data: 0.68 seconds sir. For an android, that is nearly an eternity.
Cmdr. William Riker: Mr. Worf, you do remember how to fire phasers?
[the Vulcans have landed to meet Cochrane] Vulcan: Live long and prosper. Dr. Zefram Cochrane: Thanks.
Emergency Medical Hologram: Please state the nature of the medical emergency. Dr. Beverly Crusher: Twenty Borg are about to break through that door. We need time to get out of here! Create a diversion! Emergency Medical Hologram: This isn't part of my program! I'm a doctor, not a doorstop. Dr. Beverly Crusher: Well, do a dance! Tell a story! I don't care! Just give us a few seconds! [the Borg break in as Crusher and her people escape through an airduct] Emergency Medical Hologram: Ahem, according to Starfleet medical research... Borg implants can cause severe skin irritations. Perhaps you'd like an analgesic cream?
Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Mr. Worf... I regret some of the things I said to you earlier. Lt. Commander Worf: "Some"? Captain Jean-Luc Picard: As a matter of fact, I think you're the bravest man I have ever known. Lt. Commander Worf: Thank you, sir.
Cmdr. William Riker: [looking up at the moon] Wow! Look at that! Dr. Zefram Cochrane: Don't tell me you've never seen the moon before. Cmdr. William Riker: It's just looks a lot different, that's all. There are 50 million people living on the moon in my time.