Star Trek fans were decidedly mixed in their reactions to this, the ninth big-screen feature in Paramount's lucrative Trek franchise, but die-hard loyalists will appreciate the way this Next Generation adventure rekindles the spirit of the original Trek TV series while combining a tolerable dose of New-Agey philosophy with a light-hearted plot for the NextGen cast. This time out, Picard (Patrick Stewart) and his executive crew must transport to a Shangri-la-like planet to see why their android crewmate Data (Brent Spiner) has run amuck in a village full of peaceful Ba'ku artisans who--thanks to their planet's "metaphasic radiation"--haven't aged in 309 years.

It turns out there's a conspiracy afoot, masterminded by the devious, gruesomely aged Ru'afo (F. Murray Abraham, hamming it up under makeup resembling a cosmetic surgeon's worst nightmare), who's in cahoots with a renegade Starfleet admiral (Anthony Zerbe). They covet the fountain-of-youth power of the Ba'ku planet, but because their takeover plan violates Starfleet's Prime Directive of noninterference, it's up to Picard & crew to stop the scheme. Along the way, they all benefit from the metaphasic effect, which manifests itself as Worf's puberty (visible as a conspicuous case of Klingon acne), Picard's youthful romance with a Ba'ku woman (the lovely Donna Murphy), the touching though temporary return of Geordi's natural eyesight, and a moment when Troi asks Dr. Crusher if she's noticed that her "boobs are firming up."

I Don't know what everyone else is talking about, but this movie is great

I've been a Star Trek fan for a long time, and for the most part I agree with most people on the Trek movies. For instance, I think Nemesis, is horrible. But then I hear people saying this is a horrible movie. I have to disagree, this movie is great.

One of the things that I love about Star Trek, is how the episodes are all about contempory and controversial issues, that is what this movie is all about, issues. Society at large in this movie have decided that they can take advantage of a civilization because it benefits them more than it benefits this group of people. This movie is much more complex than many of the older movies (and definitely more complex than the one movie that's newer).

What makes any movie great? Issues that are covered in the movie that challenge society, I feel that this is something that's in any movie that is successful over the years, and this movie does that.

This TNG caper deserves a second look.

The ninth caper in the Trek movie franchise initially received mixed reactions from fans, but it's definitely worth looking at a second time.
Some viewers scoffed at the notion that the Federation could have "mis-used" the Prime Directive, but in the Trek universe, anything's possible. Lapses in judgment and logic were part of Gene Roddenberry's "morality play" from the beginning. And besides, isn't this what makes good drama?
Capt. Picard is caught in a moral dilemma: Obey Federation orders and help "forcibly" relocate a peaceful alien race from their "fountain-of-youth" regenerating planet so that it can be "strip-mined" to help millions of others; or, oppose the Federation and defend this weaponless, technology-denounced, simple folk?
F. Murray Abraham plays the principal villian, Ru'Ofo, with over-the-top theatrical flair (not easy to do under a grotesque mask of prosthetics). His character becomes the chief motivator in trying to remove the Ba'Ku off the planet.
There are wonderful moments in subplot: Due to temporary exposure to the planet's regenerative effect, Riker and Troi rekindle their romance (as a result, Riker shaves off his beard!); Worf re-experiences Klingon puberty (complete with accelerated hair growth and acne); and the most heartfelt moment comes when LaForge's eyesight is temporarily restored, allowing him to see a sunrise for the first time, tears welling in his eyes. It's definitely LeVar Burton's finest moment.
There's also a sweet romance between Picard and a lovely Ba'Ku woman (Donna Murphy), as well as a poignant & charming friendship between the child-like Data and a 12-year old boy, who initially rejects him because he's a machine, but then grows to like Data.
But the moral issue embodies itself in the person of Admiral Dougherty (veteran actor Anthony Zerbe), who becomes entangled by his loyalty to the Federation and his faust-like partnership with Ru'Ofo.
There are some great action scenes here: Picard's retrieval of a malfunctioning Data in an exciting scout ship chase; the previously-mentioned malfunction, as a berserk Data jeopardizes a surveillance mission; and Ru'Ofo's scout ships swooping down and shooting "transporter tags" on the Ba'Ku.
But no Trek film would be complete without light comedy touches:

Picard: Mr. Worf, are you familiar with Gilbert & Sullivan?
Worf: No sir, I have not had a chance to review the crew roster.
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Riker (spotting a giant zit on Worf's face): You Klingons don't do anything small, do you?
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Worf (speaking to Picard from the alien vessel): They would like to discuss terms of surrender...it may also have something to do with having only 3 minutes of air left!

This a worthy addition to the Trek franchise, with Picard and crew sort of riding in like "the Magnificent Seven" and saving the day as they stand up for what they believe in.

3.5 stars; not as bad as some would think but yes it's got issues

Is it time for me to restate the oft-repeated explanation about odd vs even Star Trek films? Long story short: even good, odd bad. While I did like Generations(#7) and Search for Spock(#3), Insurrection(#9) does have some quite big concerns and plot holes and even a bit bad attempted humor but after being very dark with First Contact, it's nice to see them lighten up for once.

On a planet, there's a secret investigation that's sanctioned by Starfleet: the spying on and eventual removal of a race called the Bak'u or is it B'aku? Anyways, there's something special about the planet: some kind of radiation in the planet regenerates celluar structure continously. In layman's terms, fountain of youth. So of course it's no surprise Starfleet wants in which goes against the Prime Directive, meaning they can't interfere in the development of societies.

The race that's bringing out this is the Son'a, a race who try to extend life by going stretchy faced. With help from a rogue Starfleet Admiral, they try to keep the Enterprise off the planet and gone but wants our favorite crew realizes it, they go against orders and try to save the B'aku.

The film in a way has a tone that resembles The Voyage Home(#4, another fan favorite althought not saying 9 is). Voyage Home was largely character and humor based so it was very atypical but that's what made it special. To watch your favorite characters have fun was what made it appealing. Sort of the same with Insurrection although some of the humor is flat. The HMS Pinafore use, a "firmer boobs" joke and Worf's bit of puberty just comes across as lowbrow humor rather than just being very funny.

It is however a Star Trek movie so we can expect some cool action scenes and cool set pieces. To me, one of which stands out which is why the Enterprise takes on a Son'a ship in the middle of a nebula(Wrath of Khan anyone?) One thing that did strike me though was the set design. Meant to be shown as a kind of idyllic vacation-like village, it surely looks like somewhere you'd love to spend your summer. Very nicely done and beautifully photographed.

Performances are typical across the board, each character plays just like their character would so don't expect Oscar caliber(really, Star Trek for acting awards? That'll be the day.) Although disappointingly is F. Murray Abraham as main village Ru'afo. Villains like Khan stood out cause although they essentially badmouthed our heroes, you felt something when they were disposed of(namely "take that punk!"). Here when our villain gets his comeuppance it's just simply "well there he goes."

It's not as bad a Star Trek as one would claim(that honor is fought between Nemesis and Final Frontier) but it is an entertaining B-movie with A level cast and production.