First Contact review; Funk can blow this away if he wisheth

892 · Post by **892** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 3:09 am

For Christmas 1995, we were treated to the initial Star Trek, TNG movie, Generations [ST VII], which would bring Patrick Stewart’s paragon of the 1960s cult classic to the blockbuster realm. We all had been expecting a masterpiece, which would take the diversity and originality of the modern (and dare I say pioneering) sci-fi drama, and place it in a controlled environment, with the meticulous and almost baroque development associated with feature length presentations. (This level of tantalizing extravagance is never possible when you have only one million dollars to spend on each episode of a series.)

You might be asking at this point, Why is this review looking at Generations, as opposed to First contact [ST VIII]? The answer to this question is, in fact, that the initiation [ST VII] of a motion picture trend was a flop; and this fact is important when looking at the success of First Contact – yes that’s right; First Contact did surprisingly well at the cinemas, and has received excellent acclaim.

Because of the failure of the very first TNG movie (more about this in a moment), we all were left dismayed – and possibly dreaming of something new and awesome. We all wanted a new sci-fi movie with our favourite ensemble crew and Captain – we wanted a blockbuster that would blow us all away with fantastic space battles, non-clichéd sci-fi nuances, and character development so fabulous as to earn reverence – and, as Fate would have it, our dream came true. In 1998, we got our new movie, and it stormed the auditoriums like the blast of a Quantum Torpedo. We all were taken aback by the fabulous innovation; every single frame was perfect with its chromatic intensity, and its delicate, ethereal cinematography. But how did First Contact improve upon its predecessor? Well, let’s have a look shall we?

Generations might possibly have made the basis for a revered classic, if it were not for the hideous deformations that occurred about half an hour into the film – these unsightly abnormalities, possibly by some strange twist of Fate, occurred in the section of the film that featured the TNG ensemble – for the first half hour, we were treated to a flashback revealing the destruction of the Enterprise B and the death of James T. Kirk. But from that point on, the movie went downhill, introducing tacky photography, regurgitated CGI and cut scenes, a rubbishy plot and the most non-virile and boring villain I’ve ever had the misfortune of listening to, and bad acting from Stewart – showing that he couldn’t pull off a grieving man who’s lost his brother and nephew.

If you want an outline of the plot, read the official Amazon review by Jeff Shannon.

What was special about First Contact is that it totally blew away our doubts of the possibility of a great TNG movie, with its sublime originality, its slick cinematographic style. Everything, even down to the cuttings and time shifts, was perfect. The movie flowed like silk on a baby’s bottom. It was almost mythical with its cold, but hopeful atmosphere. It didn’t have the murky, tacky set and prop style of the Generations movie, and certainly lacked anything shoddy. From the fabulous and intensive battle of the Borg Cube, to the dark and gloomy, almost guerrilla style battles on the steamy decks of the Enterprise, to the lush retro-air of the 1940s club scene, featuring a gorgeous version of Bing Crosby’s Moonlight Becomes You sung by a voluptuous blonde, to the overwhelming finale – the meeting of two races, of Humans, now worthy and not ignoble, and Vulcans, powerful and wise, with their hands held out in good standing, First Contact sprints past milestone after milestone.

This movie is very much an achievement of sorts and worthy of historical remembrance. It’s the first ever film to properly deal with the subject of “first-contact”: the meeting of different races. For those of you who have not yet seen this motion picture, you might not want to continue reading, as I am about to describe in detail a crucial plot moment.

When the Vulcan ship lands, the viewer is treated to a wonderful performance from our favourite pedantic and logical aliens. For a brief moment, all misconceptions of arrogance and contempt for humans are nowhere to be seen. With all their grace and beauty, the Vulcans appear in robes. The leader steps before the crowd and pulls off his hood, and reveals his affinity, but with the pointy ears allowing some amount of peculiarity, still, not as whimsical as elfs, but perhaps a sign of uniqueness. The look upon his face is crucial; it is not proud, nor contemptuous, and not even perplexed. They may be curious beings, but they won’t let you know that they are! This is a moment of pure grace, perhaps in the realm of the fabulous, due to its monumental significance, and metaphorical implications.

First Contact is a magnificent achievement and is certain to be considered a cult classic in the near future. I fully recommend this title as a great story that touches on some philosophical and metaphorical ideas and an action packed movie that’s accessible to all levels of interest.

Ryan Ferneau · Post by **Ryan Ferneau** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 7:51 am

Okay but VULCANS being the first? Why aren't they ruling the roost of the Federation? Or are they too lame? And if the Borgs can travel time willy-nilly, why didn't they just try that again?

Now see, (The Next) Generations was good because it had Kirk and Picard working together, and it had that whole original crew way back at the beginning. And the bad guy was cool because he was that white-haired guy who had this EVIL PLOT that I think was pretty selfish. I mean, Insurrection was all like "ner we can't let these people not live forever" I mean what's up with that? But, lock and load! Please state the nature of the medical emergency!

But on the other hand Whoopi Goldberg is not as cool as everybody thinks. ribbon

Ryan Ferneau · Post by **Ryan Ferneau** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 8:01 am

also Start rek NEm3sis was made for stupid idiot jerk idiots who think Star War battles are cool

Star War 6 would better have Mister Talkin', or I'll be mad

superbowl shuffle · Post by **superbowl shuffle** » Thu Dec 23, 2004 1:16 am

What I had here no longer applies and I really don't have anything else to say. Srry 4 bumping this, guyz.

48 · Post by 48 » Thu Dec 23, 2004 12:42 pm

Who? What?

Oh, FSFunky. I've been usurped :(

Ryan Ferneau · Post by **Ryan Ferneau** » Fri Dec 24, 2004 12:04 am

PhunkySmellsPhunky

Anyway, all you have to say is that First Contact is cool, but Generations has that white-haired guy whose name sounds like that Sauron guy from the Lord o' the Ring.

But it's really all about The Voyage Home. Or The Wrath of Khan. Yeah, The Wrath of Khan.

nuero · Post by **nuero** » Fri Dec 24, 2004 12:15 am

or homeward bound

Ryan Ferneau · Post by **Ryan Ferneau** » Fri Dec 24, 2004 2:11 am

No. Just plain THE INCREDIBLE JOURNEY. Homeward Bound is terrible.

The "Vinyl" Frontier

superbowl shuffle · Post by **superbowl shuffle** » Fri Dec 24, 2004 2:34 am

the newer ones are also cute

uhh or so i remember

whatever