So, the problem is that this film has a ready made audience, since all the trekkies will be there to see it even if it all reports indicate that the experience is less than worthwhile. Therefore, what we see in this film is an important piece of our society--our cultural tradition. Its quite black and white, either you're a trekkie, or you aren't. Either you'll see this film, or you won't. And if you're not a trekkie and you DO go to see the film, then you will find you don't know what's going on. You might, for example, notice in the first few minutes of the film that Geordie has big blue eyes, but you won't understand why that is so unusual.

And when the camera finally makes it onto the bridge, you won't be able to make insightful value judgments about whether or not you like the Enterprise version E better than C or D. Nor will you immediately spot that Warf is not in his customary position, and wonder why. So in general, for non-trekkies this movie is not user friendly. Things are not explained here, and a trekkie novice won't be able to wander in and feel right at home. This is a film that should be labeled "MO" - Members Only, and if you don't have your old boy tie, stay away.

So the audience is already narrowed down to those who understand the lingo. But the trekkies will probably find this film equally frustrating. There is no real plot line here, just a struggle to continue our dependency on Star Trek and to assure that The Next Generation continues to hold a place in our tradition. Certainly its wonderful to see the Borg back again, but the film lacks convincing direction and appears to go nowhere slowly.

Consequently when its over, most trekkies will probably feel abused. The film makers knew we'd be there, and so didn't bother to put forward a quality product. There are a few cute moments, for example, the Phantom of the Opera touch at the end and the opening credits were highly original, giving the viewer an experience akin to riding a roller coaster backwards, like Montezuma's Revenge at Knotts Berry Farm. While some might find this experience pleasurable, I personally feel happier when my stomach remains below my ribcage.

So, overall, I found this particular Trek to be most disappointing. Fellow trekkies, I think we're being milked here, we're lured back into space for a journey that boldly goes absolutely nowhere.