Collection ID 1406
Director: J.J. Abrams
Starring: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, John Cho, Ben Cross, Bruce Greenwood
Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy
Studio: Paramount   Release date: 2009   Rated: PG-13   
Language (Country): English, French, Spanish (USA)
Summary: J.J. Abrams' 2009 feature film was billed as "not your father's Star Trek," but your father will probably love it anyway. And what's not to love? It has enough action, emotional impact, humor, and sheer fun for any moviegoer, and Trekkers will enjoy plenty of insider references and a cast that seems ideally suited to portray the characters we know they'll become later. Both a prequel and a reboot, Star Trek introduces us to James T. Kirk (Chris Pine of The Princess Diaries 2), a sharp but aimless young man who's prodded by a Starfleet captain, Christopher Pike (Bruce Greenwood), to enlist and make a difference. At the Academy, Kirk runs afoul of a Vulcan commander named Spock (Zachary Quinto of Heroes), but their conflict has to take a back seat when Starfleet, including its new ship, the Enterprise, has to answer an emergency call from Vulcan. What follows is a stirring tale of genocide and revenge launched by a Romulan (Eric Bana) with a particular interest in Spock, and we get to see the familiar crew come together, including McCoy (Karl Urban), Uhura (Zoe Saldana), Sulu (John Cho), Chekhov (Anton Yelchin), and Scottie (Simon Pegg).
The action and visuals make for a spectacular Big-Screen Movie, though the plot by Abrams and his writers, Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman (who worked together on Transformers and with Abrams on Alias and Mission Impossible III), and his producers (fellow Losties Damon Lindeloff and Bryan Burk) can be a bit of a mind-bender (no surprise there for Lost fans). Hardcore fans with a bone to pick may find faults, but resistance is futile when you can watch Kirk take on the Kobayashi Maru scenario or hear McCoy bark, "Damnit, man, I'm a doctor, not a physicist!" An appearance by Leonard Nimoy and hearing the late Majel Barrett Roddenberry as the voice of the computer simply sweeten the pot. Now comes the hard part: waiting for some sequels to this terrific prequel. --David Horiuchi

Stills from Star Trek (Click for larger image)
My Rating:
My Review: Directed by J.J. Abrams (Alias (tv series), Lost (tv series), MI:III) - Writer, director, producer, actor, composer - He's done it all. Starring - Chris Pine (as James T. Kirk (the Starship Captain)), Zachary Quinto (as Spock (the new one)), Leonard Nimoy (as Spock (the original one)), Eric Bana (as Nero (the bad guy)), Bruce Grennwood (Capt. Christopher Pike), Karl Urban (Dr. Leonard 'Bones' McCoy), Zoe Saldana (Nyota Uhura), Simon Pegg (Scotty), John Cho (Hikaru Sulu), Anton Yelchin (Chekov), and others. I'm an old school Star Trek fan (going back to the original series when I was a kid), and I have to say that I've been dreading this movie. It would be very easy to screw this up. Very easy to take the wrong approach. This Star Trek movie isn't what I thought it was going to be. I thought it was going to be a prequel - It's not, and that makes me very happy. It's a brilliant new beginning for the franchise. It takes many elements; the characters, the technology, the adventure and the history. Then it creates a fresh start; new relationships, new technology, a bold new journey which launches the Enterprise into a new beginning for the franchise. An outstanding 're-imagining' by J.J. Abrams. The acting was pretty good for this junior cast. The best acting came from Karl Urban playing Bones, and Zachary Quinto playing the new Spock. The direction, camera work, music, soundtrack, effects and editing were all superb. It even contains many easter eggs for those diehard fans of the original series. The action and special effects were very well executed.

Collection ID 1724
Director: Nicholas Meyer
Starring: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, Walter Koenig
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Studio: Paramount Pictures   Release date: 1982   Rated: PG   
Language (Country): English (USA)
Summary: It is the 23rd century. Admiral James T. Kirk is an instructor at Starfleet Academy and feeling old; the prospect of attending his ship, the USS Enterprise--now a training ship--on a two-week cadet cruise does not make him feel any younger. But the training cruise becomes a deadly serious mission when his nemesis Khan Noonien Singh--infamous conqueror from late 20th century Earth--appears after years of exile. Khan later revealed that the planet Ceti Alpha VI exploded, and shifted the orbit of the fifth planet as a Mars-like haven. He begins capturing Project Genesis, a top secret device holding the power of creation itself, and schemes the utter destruction of Kirk.
My Rating:
My Review: The second Star Trek movie was much improved. Written by far too many people (six credits including Gene Roddenberry), directed by Nicholas Meyer, and starring all the original cast members: William Shatner as Admiral/Captain Kirk, Leonard Nimoy as Spock, DeForest Kelly as Dr. McCoy, James Doohan as Scotty, George Takei as Sulu, Majel Barrett as Dr. Chapel, Walter Koenig as Chekov, Nichelle Nichols as Uhura. Bibi Besch as Dr. Carol Marcus, Merritt Butrick as Dr. David Marcus (Kirk's son), Paul Winfield as Capt Clark Terrell of the scientific research ship Reliant, Kirstie Alley as the Vulcan commander in training Saavik, Ricardo Motalban reprises his role as Khan Noonien Singh. This movie is set years after the first movie. In it Admiral Kirk is feeling old. Serving as an instructor at Starfleet Academy, he's looking forward to a final cruise aboard the Enterprise. As a training ship on a cadet cruise there isn't much that could go wrong. Right? Wrong! With many of the original crew members aboard (for various reasons?), the Enterprise is soon swept up in a Top-Secret research project gone wrong when the ship is called upon to answer a distress call from a research station. The Regula I distress call turns out to be the opening chapter in a revenge drama starring Khan and Kirk. The story is a return to one of the shows from the Original Star-Trek series. In this case the writers return to the well and bring back one of my favorites from the Original Series. Ref 'Space Seed', episode 22 from the first season. The plot is tight, the direction and pacing excellent. The music is excellent, conveying an escalating sense of revenge and the acting superb. Especially the performance by Ricardo Montalban as Khan. I give this movie a 5 out of 5. 20 Sep, 2020.

Collection ID 1725
Director: Leonard Nimoy
Starring: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, Walter Koenig
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Studio: Paramount Pictures   Release date: 1984   Rated: PG   
Language (Country): English, Klingon, Russian, French (USA)
Summary: In the wake of Spock's ultimate deed of sacrifice, Admiral Kirk and the Enterprise crew return to Earth for some essential repairs to their ship. When they arrive at Spacedock, they are shocked to discover that the Enterprise is to be decommissioned. Even worse, Dr. McCoy begins acting strangely and Scotty has been reassigned to another ship. Kirk is forced to steal back the Enterprise and head across space to the Genesis Planet to save Spock and bring him to Vulcan. Unbeknownst to them, the Klingons are planning to steal the secrets of the Genesis Device for their own deadly purpose.
My Rating:
My Review: Star Trek III: The search for Spock - An underrated Star Trek movie. Starring the usual cast of characters (William Shatner - Kirk, Leonard Nimoy - Spock, DeForest Kelley - McCoy, James Doohan - Scotty, Walter Koenig - Chekov, George Takei - Sulu, Nichelle Nichols - Uhura), this movie adds Christopher Lloyd (Dr. Emmet Brown / Back to the Future) as Commander Kruge (Klingon Adversary) and Dame Judith Anderson as a Vulcan high priestess and many others. This particular movie is one of two (‘Star Trek IV: The voyage home’ being the other) directed by Leonard Nimoy. The cast and the writing are the strongest parts of this movie. Written by Harve Bennett (Credited with story/screenplay/writing on three Star Trek movies (STII, III, IV, V). While Nimoy may know the cast and characters quite well, the direction in this movie left no room for guessing. Motivations and loyalties were clearly telegraphed and tattooed on all the characters. The story follows the themes of loyalty, friendship, and survival. In this movie, the crew departs from orders and protocol in order to locate Spock’s body. An odd start to a movie, following the death of Spock in the ‘Wrath of Khan’, we’re presented with a shaken crew and an ‘insane’ McCoy. As they trek across the universe in order to restore some balance to their world, they’re confronted with the typical evil Klingons. The movie affords the cast and characters with ample opportunity to charm the audience, reveling in their fan-cherished roles. The character play is enjoyable, but a bit too predictable. I give this one a 3 out of 5.

Collection ID 1079
Director: J.J. Abrams
Starring: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, Simon Pegg
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Studio: Paramount Pictures   Release date: 2013   Rated: PG-13   
Language (Country): English, Klingon (USA)
Summary: When the crew of the Enterprise is called back home, they find an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organization has detonated the fleet and everything it stands for, leaving our world in a state of crisis. With a personal score to settle, Captain Kirk leads a manhunt to a war-zone world to capture a one man weapon of mass destruction. As our heroes are propelled into an epic chess game of life and death, love will be challenged, friendships will be torn apart, and sacrifices must be made for the only family Kirk has left: his crew.
My Rating:
My Review: Star Trek Into Darkness is the sequel to the 'reboot' of the Star Trek franchise (Star Trek (released 2009)). Once again it's directed by J.J. Abrams, reuniting the cast from the reboot. Chris Pine plays Captain Kirk, Zachary Quinto plays Spock, Karl Urban plays Bones, Zoe Saldana as Uhura, Simon Pegg as Scotty, John Cho as Sulu, Anton Yelchin as Chekov and Benedict Cumberbatch as Khan! That's right that brought back Khan Noonien Singh. Action packed, summer block-buster. One of the flaws with this movie, it never pauses for you to catch your breath. When do we get some character development? If you're not familiar with the characters already, you'll be sorely pressed to understand the understated nods to the original series. Plenty of jokes punctuate the non-stop action, but once again, that's a summer block-buster gimmick, and frankly I'm getting really tired of this type of production. Another weakness is the writing. With three different writers working the script, there was a noticeable lack of constant feel in the character interaction and story flow. The movie felt more like a Paramount Amusement Park ride than a serious space-drama. Then there's the rehashed 'Khan' story. I appreciate the revitalization of my favorite TV series, but this franchise really needs some new ideas, not a re-release of The Original Series with new actors. Kim and I watched the movie in 3D, and I have to say that the visuals, special effects and cgi were outstanding. I really appreciated all the winks and nods to the original series; including the cameo by Leonard Nimoy, but we need to get past the patently absurd homage and move the franchise forward into some new territory. An excellent movie for the franchise. I loved it, but I really want more from this new Star Trek. I give it a 4 out of 5.

Collection ID 1726
Director: Leonard Nimoy
Starring: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, George Takei
Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fi
Studio: Paramount Pictures   Release date: 1986   Rated: PG   
Language (Country): English, Finnish (USA)
Summary: The most acclaimed Star Trek adventure of all time with an important message. It is the 23rd century, and a mysterious alien probe is threatening Earth by evaporating the oceans and destroying the atmosphere. In their frantic attempt to save mankind, Admiral Kirk and his crew must time travel back to 1986 San Francisco where they find a world of punk, pizza and exact-change buses that are as alien to them as anything they have ever encountered in the far-off reaches of the galaxy. William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy return as Kirk and Spock, along with the entire Star Trek crew.
My Rating:
My Review: In September of 2020, I purchased a 10 movie bundle from Apple (using my AppleTV). This 10 movie collection included the first 10 Star Trek movies. These movies were all produced before the ‘re-imagining’ in 2009. The first six are Original Series films (1979-1991), followed by four Next Generation films (1994-2002). The bundle does not include any movies from the Kelvin time line. This particular Star Trek movie was produced (released 1982) nearly twenty years after the end of the original series (Jun of 1969); the Star Trek franchise seems unstoppable. Now embedded in our social conscience as a part of the American psyche. The franchise was created by Gene Roddenberry, and it lives on in the many books, movies, and fans (myself included) that carry it with them all day, every day. This movie features a story by Leonard Nimoy, and screenplay credit to six or so people. Directed by Leonard Nimoy (also directed The Search for Spock), this movie starred the usual Star Trek cast: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, George Takei, Walter Koenig, Nichelle Nichols, and others. Here Leonard Nimoy's talent shines in a Sci-Fi film that successfully blends comedy and sci-fi drama. The film is set in the 23rd century, but the crew of the Enterprise quickly travel back in time (to 1986) in order to prevent the extermination of all life on earth. They must rescue the last Humpback Whales from extinction or its curtains for mankind. The 'Save the Whales' movie is clearly aimed at a liberal 'eco-friendly' audience, but the 'Save the Whales' theme doesn't detract too much from character based inter-play of our very familiar cast. The movie brings back a lot of fond memories of the 80s and earlier times (The Original Star Trek series having aired in the 60s). This particular Star Trek movie isn't one of the best, and I can only muster a wry smile and a 3 out of 5 rating for this leisurely stroll down memory lane.

Collection ID 1726
Director: William Shatner
Starring: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, Walter Koenig
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Studio: Paramount Pictures   Release date: 1989   Rated: PG   
Language (Country): English, Klingon (USA)
Summary: When the newly-christened starship Enterprise's shakedown cruise goes poorly, Captain Kirk and crew put her into Spacedock for repairs. But an urgent mission interrupts their Earth-bound shore leave. A renegade Vulcan named Sybok has taken three ambassadors hostage on Nimbus III, the Planet of Galactic Peace. This event also attracts the attention of a Klingon captain who wants to make a name for himself and sets out to pursue the Enterprise. Sybok's ragtag army captures the Enterprise and takes her on a journey to the center of the galaxy in search of the Supreme Being.
My Rating:
My Review: In September of 2020, I purchased a 10 movie bundle from Apple (using my AppleTV). This 10 movie collection included the first 10 Star Trek movies. These movies were all produced before the ‘re-imagining’ in 2009. The first six are Original Series films (1979-1991), followed by four Next Generation films (1994-2002). The bundle does not include any movies from the Kelvin time line. This particular Star Trek movie was written (in part) by William Shatner. The writing credits include Gene Roddenberry (creator of the Star Trek universe), with 'Story' credits to William Shatner, Harve Bennet and David Loughery. David Loughery is credited with the screen play. William Shatner also directed this movie (the only Star Trek movie he was allowed to direct). The movie stars the usual cast: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, George Takei, Walter Koenig, Nichelle Nichols, and others. In addition to the usual crew, there were a few notable additions: David Warner (as St. John Talbot - a Federation diplomat), Laurence Luckinbill (as Sybok - a renegade 'emotional' Vulcan / Spock's half-brother), Charles Cooper (as Korrd - a retired Klingon general, now diplomat), Spice Williams-Crosby (as the very muscular Vixis, a female Klingon officer), George Murdock (as god), Harve Bennett (as the Starfleet Chief of Staff), and others. I've spent a lot of time commenting on the cast, and haven't said much about the movie. A disaster in my opinion. The crew is aboard the 'New Enterprise' - Yes they destroyed the old enterprise (NCC-1701) in Star Trek III, and they flew a Klingon Bird of Prey in Star Trek IV, but now they're on the new Enterprise (NCC-1701A). The shakedown cruise doesn't go so well, and they've ended up back in space-dock when an urgent mission interrupts the crew's shore leave. The shore leave part of the movie was the worst part of the movie. Captain Kirk (actually William Shatner) free-climbing El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. As if… At this point, 'The Captain' is 59 years old (Kirk born 2228 - movie takes place 2287), and Shatner is 58 (born in 1939). There is also a scene where Kirk, Spock and McCoy are sitting around a campfire exchanging 'witty' dialog. They end up singing 'Row row row your boat', and Spock roasts 'Marsh Mellons'. This part of the movie contains a lot of crap - intended to show that the crew consists of fit friends, capable of running a Starship. It fails in that regard. The upside down rescue of Kirk as he falls from El Capitan is utterly ridiculous. With Spock holding Kirk upside down as his 'rocket-boots' seem to be propelling him earthward yet the two remain motionless during a ridiculous exchange of dialogue between Kirk, Spock and McCoy. This opening shore leave sequence manages to cement my disdain for this movie. The primary plot involves Spock's half-brother 'Sybok', who was cast out from Vulcan because he was 'too emotional?'. His dangerous, heretical teachings got him banished. Sybok claims that he's found 'Shak-a-ree' the fabled place from which all life originated. He seemingly has some sort of hypnotic power to charm people and make them cooperate with him. He ends up taking a group of people hostage on Nimbus III the Planet of Galactic Peace. While the Enterprise and a Klingon vessel race there, Sybok's rag-tag followers manage to charm everyone, take over the Enterprise and force them to take everyone to Shakaree, where 'god' tries to hijack the Enterprise for some unknown reason... The movie is a disaster, and it definitely deserves the three Razzie awards that it earned in 1990 - Worst Picture (credit to Harve Bennett), Worst Actor (William Shatner), Worst Director (William Shatner). 1 out of 5.

Collection ID 1727
Director: Nicholas Meyer
Starring: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, Walter Koenig
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Studio: Paramount Pictures   Release date: 1991   Rated: PG   
Language (Country): English, Klingon (USA)
Summary: After an explosion on their moon, the Klingons have an estimated 50 years before their ozone layer is completely depleted, and they all die. They have only one choice - to make peace with the Federation, which will mean an end to 70 years of conflict. Captain James T. Kirk and crew are called upon to help in the negotiations because of their experience with the Klingons. Peace talks don't quite proceed, and Kirk and McCoy are convicted of assassinating the Klingon High Chancellor, and imprisoned on Rura Penthe, a snowy hard-labor prison camp. Will they manage to escape? And will there ever be peace with the Klingons?
My Rating:
My Review: In September of 2020, I purchased a 10 movie bundle from Apple (using my AppleTV). This 10 movie collection included the first 10 Star Trek movies. These movies were all produced before the ‘re-imagining’ in 2009. The first six are Original Series films (1979-1991), followed by four Next Generation films (1994-2002). The bundle does not include any movies from the Kelvin time line. This particular Star Trek movie was written (in part) by Leonard Nimoy. The writing credits include Gene Roddenberry (creator of the Star Trek universe), with 'Story' credits to Leonard Nimoy, Lawrence Konner, and Mark Rosenthal. Nicholas Meyer and Denny Martin Finn ares credited with the screen play. Nicholas Meyer (Time After Time, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn) returns to direct the movie (an improvement over William Shatner, but not by much). The movie stars the usual cast: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, George Takei, Walter Koenig, Nichelle Nichols, and others. In addition to the original crew of the Enterprise, we also note a few other additions: Kim Cattrall (as Spock's Vulcan protégé Lt. Valeris), Mark Lenard (as Vulcan diplomat/Spock's father, Sarek), Brock Peters (as Starfleet Admiral Cartwright), Kurtwood Smith (best known for his role as Red Forman in That '70s Show, as the Federation President), Christopher Plummer (as Klingon general Chang), David Warner (as Klingon diplomat Chancellor Gorkon), Michael Dorn (pre-Federation officer (Worf) role as a Klingon Defense Attorney), Iman (as the shapeshifting alien, Martia), and others. This time around Leonard Nimoy's story brings us a traditional Star Trek theme, wrapped in a new coat - The movie feels very much like 'Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn', which was directed by Nicholas Meyer. Here's another Star Trek with an 'environmental' theme - The Klingons are all going to die because the ozone on their planet is being depleted (These contrived 'environmental conscience' plots are really getting annoying). Spock (acting as a Federation emissary) has volunteered Captain Kirk and the Enterprise to act as a host for the initial negotiations - The Federation is going to 'save' the Klingons. Only Kirk and crew can handle the delicate negotiations intended to save the Klingon race and put an end to 70 years of warfare. As usual, the best of plans are upset by sabotage - The Enterprise fires on the defenseless Klingon ship ferrying the Klingon High Chancellor to peace talks - Kirk and McCoy are charged with the assassination of the Klingon High Chancellor and sent to a Klingon prison planet (Rura Penthe). What? Now the crew of the Enterprise has to defy orders and break them out. There's a conspiracy afoot, and the crew of the Enterprise need Kirk and McCoy in order to thwart this plot which seeks to upset the balance of power in our universe. An exciting premise and plot, worn weary with cliched film tropes and Shatner's typical overacting. The Original Series lasted three years (1967-1969), and the movies extended the cultural phenomenon out into six films on the big screen. This film marks the end of a 24 year career in Star Fleet for the crew of the Enterprise. Christopher Plummer (as Klingon General Chang) and William Shatner seem made for each other as they face off in this epic battle which closes this chapter on the franchise - Long live the crew of NCC-1701A. While this should have been a crowning achievement in the franchise's history, it simply serves to remind us of the hubris which marked Kirk and crew. The smug self-righteousness of their cause is front and center in this movie. The crew often exhibits gaffs you'd expect only from raw recruits (should we raise shields?), the story has holes that make no sense, the props are clunky and inexplicably primitive (that giant clunky thing is a 'miniaturized' tracking device?), and many more ridiculous and unexplainable inconsistencies dragged the rating down. Oddly, the movie was nominated for two oscars: Best effects/Sound effects editing and Best Makeup. Iman as the Shapeshifting Martia was excellent - To bad the makeout scene between her and Kirk was stomach churning… 2 out of 5.

Collection ID 1619
Director: Justin Lin
Starring: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Karl Urban, Zoe Saldana, Simon Pegg
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Studio: Paramount Pictures   Release date: 2016   Rated: PG-13   
Language (Country): English (USA, Hong Kong, China)
Summary: After stopping off at Starbase Yorktown, a remote outpost on the fringes of Federation space, the USS Enterprise, halfway into their five-year mission, is destroyed by an unstoppable wave of unknown aliens. With the crew stranded on an unknown planet and with no apparent means of rescue, they find themselves fighting against a ruthless enemy with a well-earned hatred of the Federation and everything it stands for. Only a rebellious alien warrior can help them reunite and leave the planet to stop this deadly menace from beginning a possible galactic war.
My Rating:
My Review:

Collection ID 290
Director: Jonathan Frakes
Starring: Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, Brent Spiner, LeVar Burton, Michael Dorn
Genre: Adventure
Studio: Digital Image Associates   Release date: 1996   Rated: PG-13   
Language (Country): English, German, Czech, Polish, Hungarian (USA)
Summary: Capt. Picard and his crew pursue the Borg back in time to stop them from preventing Earth from initiating first contact with alien life.
My Rating:
My Review:

Collection ID 1729
Director: Jonathan Frakes
Starring: Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, Brent Spiner, LeVar Burton, Michael Dorn
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Studio: Digital Image Associates   Release date: 1996   Rated: PG-13   
Language (Country): English (USA)
Summary: In the twenty-fourth century, the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-E has been ordered to patrol the Romulan Neutral Zone by the Federation to avoid interference with their battle against the insidious Borg. Witnessing the loss of the battle, Captain Jean-Luc Picard ignores orders and takes command of the fleet engaging the Borg. But the Borg plan to travel back into the twenty-first century through a vortex with the intention to stop Earth's first contact with an alien race (the Vulcans). Following the Borg sphere, Picard and his crew realize that they have taken over the Enterprise in order to carry out their mission. Their only chance to do away with the Borg and their seductive Queen is to make sure that Zefram Cochrane makes his famous faster-than-light travel to the stars.
My Rating:
My Review: In September of 2020, I purchased a 10 movie bundle from Apple (using my AppleTV). This 10 movie collection included the first 10 Star Trek movies. These movies were all produced before the ‘re-imagining’ in 2009. The first six are Original Series films (1979-1991), followed by four Next Generation films (1994-2002). The bundle does not include any movies from the Kelvin time line. This movie brings the Next Generation adversary - The Borg, to the big screen. It works quite well, and is easily one of my Favorite Star Trek movies. The writing credits include Gene Roddenberry (creator of the Star Trek universe), with 'Story' credits to Rick Berman, Ronald D. Moore, and Brannon Braga. Ronald D. Moore and Brannon Braga are credited with the screen play. Jonathan Frakes (Plays first officer William Riker in the Next Generation and Deep Space Nine Star Trek series. Also known for directing many other television shows/series) takes the helm to direct this movie. The movie stars the Next Generation cast: Patrick Steward (as Captain Picard), Jonathan Frakes (as first officer William Riker), Brent Spiner (as the Android science officer Data), LeVar Burton (as chief engineer Geordi), Michael Dorn (as the Klingon weapons officer Worf), Gates McFadden (as Dr. Beverly Crusher), Marina Sirtis (as the Betazoid (alien race) ships counselor Deanna Troi). Additional cast members include: Alfre Woodard (as Lily), James Cromwell (as Zefram Cochrane), Alice Krige (as the Borg 'Queen'), Neal McDonough (as Lt. Hawk), Robert Picardo (as the Holographic Doctor) and others. The story pits the crew of the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701E) against the Borg. The Borg are on their way to Earth, but the Enterprise has been ordered to patrol the Neutral Zone, just in case the Romulans decide to attack while the Federation is pre-occupied with the Borg. That doesn't last long, and Picard joins the fracas as soon as the battle breaks out. On the verge of defeat, the Borg travel to Earth's distant past in order to eliminate Zefram Cochrane the Human who catches the attention of the Vulcans when he pilots Earth's first 'Light Speed' vessel. This movie contains many classic Star Trek themes. Time Travel, The Borg, The destruction of the Federation, The crew of the Enterprise saving the Universe, etc. The cast isn't too large, and the story isn't too complex. The pacing is excellent, the direction and acting very good. Data plays a pivotal role in his exploration of Human emotions, and I loved this movie. It's easily the best of the Next Generation series. 5 out of 5.