"And you people"¦ you're all astronauts"¦ on… some kind of star trek."

- Dr. Zefram Cochrane

Star Trek: First Contact "” Special Collectors Edition

As most of you loyal CinemaSource readers have probably noticed, Dan Deevy-penned reviews have become fewer and fewer as of late. This has been regrettable but unfortunately necessary for the overall growth of the site as I am hard at work expanding our connections, influence and most importantly, getting more free stuff for you guys! But there are some titles that come along that just require me to come out of pseudo-reviewing-retirement and put pen to paper, or in this case, fingers to keys to belt out an opinion or two and this is certainly one of those times.

2005 is not a good year for Star Trek fans. History has been made by announcing the cancellation of the most recent Star Trek series, Enterprise after only four years on air. This is the first time since 1968 that a Star Trek Series has been cancelled short of its chosen seven year lifespan. The irony is that when Enterprise first began in 2001 it just plain sucked for two straight years but was heavily backed by the network. Now, after its amazing creative come back in years three and four which offered some great story telling and dare I say it, a true Trek feel, they decide to give up on it. It's a dark, dark time.

But fear not loyal Trekkies and Trekkers"¦ there is a bright shining beacon of light at the end of this long dark tunnel, a little movie called Star Trek: First Contact "” Special Collectors Edition! Who among you has not been eagerly awaiting this one? This Frakes-directed feature is arguably one of the best Trek movies overall and certainly the best Next Gen-led movie ever.

For anyone who is joining the Trek-fold post-First Contact let me give you the breakdown. A group of cybernetic aliens known as, The Borg, have begun a final assault on the population of Earth by traveling back in time to enslave the human race when they are at their weakest; just following the third world war. It's up to the crew of the Enterprise to follow them back and stop them from changing history and annihilating humanity.

You've all heard the now infamous expression, 'Resistance is Futile,' well this is where it comes from. And when it comes to enjoying this movie, the expression holds. This movie does what all recent Trek features have attempted, but largely failed at. It's a movie that has genuine cross-over appeal, without sacrificing the needs of the core audience. All Trek fans have that annoying friend who absolutely refuses to give anything Star Trek a chance. If this movie doesn't change their opinion then nothing will. The movie is filled with action, suspense and a rousing final morality speech from

Patrick Stewart that audiences are always waiting for. Set up, build up and great pay off. What more could you ask for?

The performances by our regular cast are at their all time best. Tension between Picard (Patrick Stewart) and Worf (Michael Dorn) towards the end of the film produces one of the edgiest and best scenes in TNG history, the chemistry between Riker (Jonathan Frakes) and Troi (Marina Sirtis) is at an all time high with Troi's first drunken comedic scene ever, and Data's (Brent Spiner) struggle to resist the temptation of flesh and his sexual attraction to the Borg Queen (Alice Krige) are wonderfully played out. Even the often forgotten about Dr. Crusher (Gates McFadden) has a few scenes to play along with Geordi LaForge (LeVar Burton) who actually gets more to do in this film then to spout techno-babble.

And what Trek film would be complete without a fantastic supporting cast? Guest star veteran, James Cromwell is perfect as the misunderstood historical figure Zefram Cochrane, who despite his sheer desire for profit and naked women, eventually leads humanity into their most peaceful era in history. The beautiful and not to be f-ed with Alfre Woodard takes on the role of observer and eyes of the audience as she discovers first hand the strange yet alluring world of Star Trek.

Now, as much as this movie appeals to non-Star Trek people, there is also more than enough in there for tried and true fans as well, including cameos from two of Star Trek Voyagers' cast members, Robert Picardo as the Emergency Medical Holographic Program and Ethan Philips, sans-Neelix make-up, as a random character in a holodeck program. An awesome side note to Picardo's cameo is that they even managed to throw in a fitting homage to DeForest Kelley's Dr. McCoy as the EMH emphatically states, "I'm a Doctor, not a doorstop."

Also, every true fan was ecstatic that the character of Worf was finally used as something other than the ridiculous comic relief that he became in later movies and his presence back aboard the Enterprise (after having left to join the cast of Deep Space Nine) actually made sense unlike both his appearances in Insurrection and finally Nemesis.

Now as far as the special features go I must admit to being a little disappointed. The cast of the Next Generation is known for their unusually close bonds. These actors don't just fake their on screen chemistry, they actual are all very close friends in real life. To give you an example, Brent is actually Godfather to Gates' son. Also well known about them is their uncanny ability to clown around on set. I was really hoping to get a glimpse into this dynamic with some out takes, bloopers or just behind the scenes B-roll footage. Alas, there was none.

Of course there are very well produced featurettes

on the making of the movie, but do we really need to see all of the production designs that were done before the movie was made? Or listen to the model builders and special effects people destroy the illusions that they work so hard to create by explaining them in excruciating detail?

The interviews with the cast, the director and a fitting tribute to the late great Jerry Goldsmith who composed an amazing score for this film are really all that you need. The rest is just filler for that obligatory second disc.

All that said, I promise that this will be the only time I ever say this, but No Star Trek fan should be without this DVD! Go out and buy it now! This is the one Trek movie which is most likely to convert non-fans and help ease the Trekkie stigma you no doubt bear the burden of among your friends.

Here comes the obligatory cliché"¦ When it comes to buying this DVD, Resistance is Futile and of course let's not forget, it's the logical thing to do.

Movie Grade: A-

DVD Grade: B

Overall Grade: B+