Star Trek: First Contact 1996

Susan Stark, Detroit News: The first stretch and the home stretch are so filled with visual interest and, more importantly, with the patented Star Trek philosophical and humorous tidbits that fans will gladly suffer the dull Borg patch for the pleasure of the rest. Read more

Janet Maslin, New York Times: The series now lacks all of its original stars and much of its earlier determination. It has morphed into something less innocent and more derivative than it used to be, something the noncultist is ever less likely to enjoy. Read more

Lisa Alspector, Chicago Reader: The elegance of the story is enhanced by the sure direction of Jonathan Frakes, who also plays Commander William Riker. Read more

Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times: Blessed with clever plot devices and a villainous horde that makes the once-dread Klingons seem like a race of Barneys, First Contact does everything you'd want a Star Trek film to do, and it does it with cheerfulness and style. Read more

Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly: In zooming out from Picard's glinty eyeball, this eighth feature film from the Trek factory displays a zippy new energy and a sleek, confident style fully independent of its predecessors. Read more

James Berardinelli, ReelViews: Following in the wake of a trio of disappointing features, First Contact proves to be the most entertaining Star Trek in more than a decade. Read more

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: Star Trek: First Contact is one of the best of the eight Star Trek films: Certainly the best in its technical credits, and among the best in the ingenuity of its plot. Read more

Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle: A nicely constructed science-fiction film, with a simple premise, a charismatic villain and a good back-story to enhance the action. Read more

Richard Corliss, TIME Magazine: First Contact is no grab bag of camp gewgaws; it stands proud and apart, accessible even to the Trek-deficient. This old Star, it seems, has a lot of life in it. Read more

Derek Adams, Time Out: This makes little concession to non-initiates. Read more

Joe Leydon, Variety: A smashingly exciting sci-fi adventure that ranks among the very best in the long-running Paramount franchise. Read more

Desson Thomson, Washington Post: A thoroughly enjoyable visit with the crew of TV's Star Trek: The Next Generation. Read more

Lloyd Rose, Washington Post: The excitement comes from Frakes's direction. Read more