4. Star Trek: First Contact (1996)
Star Trek: First Contact shines as a high point in the Star Trek cinematic universe and stands tall as the best among The Next Generation films. The plot delicately touches on time-travel, delivering a story that is as much about the future as it is about the past.
The USS Enterprise-E crew, led by Captain Jean-Luc Picard, finds itself in a scuffle with the Borg, a really creepy, hivemind-like cybernetic alien race. The Borg use time-travel to alter Earth’s past with the intent to prevent the “first contact” between humans and an alien species, which started an era of exploration and collaboration in space. The Enterprise crew must follow them back to the 21st century to ensure history unfolds as it should, giving us a story that is both exciting and thought-provoking.
Yet, what makes First Contact truly stand out is its exploration of character depth, particularly with Captain Picard and Data. Picard’s struggle with his past assimilation by the Borg plays a huge part in the movie, allowing Sir Patrick Stewart to deliver what’s possibly his best performance as Picard, showing the Captain’s emotional vulnerability. At the same time, Data, the android striving to be more human, faces his own intriguing narrative arc as he is tempted by the Borg Queen with the promise of becoming more human.
The movie balances action, philosophical wonders, and emotional depth, creating an experience that goes beyond the standard fare of science fiction.