Star Trek: Insurrection (1998), PG, 1 hr 43 min

Title: Star Trek: Insurrection

Year: 1998

Franchise: Star Trek

Franchise #: 9

MPAA Rating / TV Parental Guidelines

MPAA Rating: PG

TV Parental Guidelines: TV-PG

Total Runtime

103 minutes (1 hour, 43 minutes)

Tagline

“The battle for paradise has begun.”

Main Cast

Patrick Stewart – Captain Jean-Luc Picard

Jonathan Frakes – Commander William Riker

Brent Spiner – Lieutenant Commander Data

LeVar Burton – Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge

Michael Dorn – Worf

Gates McFadden – Dr. Beverly Crusher

Marina Sirtis – Counselor Deanna Troi

F. Murray Abraham – Ru'afo

Donna Murphy – Anij

Anthony Zerbe – Admiral Dougherty

Gregg Henry – Gallatin

Reviews

Overview

Insurrection feels like an extended Next Generation TV episode—but in a good way, if you're a fan of the series. The story pits Picard and crew against corrupt elements within the Federation who want to forcibly relocate a peaceful alien race from a rejuvenating planet. It's a quieter, more reflective film that deals with ethics, youth, and resisting blind orders. There's humor, romance, and action—but at a lower key than First Contact. Some found it underwhelming, but others appreciated the return to Trek’s moral compass.

Family Friendliness

This is one of the most family-friendly Star Trek films. There's some light phaser action, a few scenes with tension, and one or two romantic moments, but it’s largely tame. Kids might get bored by the slower pacing, but older kids and teens can handle it just fine. No graphic violence, nudity, or harsh language.

Christian Perspective

Insurrection explores justice, contentment, and the value of life. Picard’s refusal to obey unethical orders aligns with Acts 5:29—"We ought to obey God rather than men." The Ba’ku’s simple, peaceful lifestyle evokes themes of stewardship and gratitude (1 Timothy 6:6–7). The film warns against sacrificing others for progress or profit—a reminder of God’s concern for the vulnerable (Proverbs 22:22–23). The message is clear: doing what’s right may come at a cost, but conscience must prevail.

Critics Ratings

IMDb: 6.4/10

Rotten Tomatoes: 55% Critic Score, 44% Audience Score

Metacritic: 64/100 Metascore, 6.8/10 User Score

Dove Foundation: Not rated, but generally appropriate for teens and families

My Rating: 6.9/10 – Thoughtful and moral, though not especially epic or cinematic.

Notable Scenes

Data Goes Rogue: Data malfunctions and exposes a secret Starfleet operation.

The Cloaked Holoship: A mysterious vessel hidden in plain sight, meant for forced relocation.

Picard Rebels Against Starfleet: He removes his rank insignia and chooses justice over orders.

Anij Slows Time: A tranquil moment between her and Picard with a near-mystical quality.

The Face-Stretching Chamber: Disturbing scene showing the vanity and cruelty of the Son’a.

Worf’s Puberty Problems: A humorous subplot as Worf shows teenage symptoms due to the planet’s effects.

Riker Pilots the Enterprise: A great action sequence with Riker using manual controls in space combat.

The Forced Evacuation Plot: The full extent of the unethical plan is revealed.

Ba’ku Village Raid: Quiet suspense as the villagers resist and the crew helps them escape.

Final Confrontation on the Collector Ship: Picard outsmarts Ru’afo in the climax.