Sensationally good of its kind, this is the best Star Trek film of the series so far.

Exchanges between Enterprise captain Patrick Stewart and Earthling Alfre Woodard have a vital, human quality missing from the dry dialogue of previous entries.

And co-star Jonathan Frakes' handling of the intelligent, not-too-complex plot should ensure he lives long and prospers as a film director.

Tension and excitement are rhythmically controlled through a whole series of seat-gripping sequences, as the half-machine, half-organic Borg threaten to destroy history - and with it the Starfleet itself.

Tackled head on by the Enterprise, whose captain was once 'assimilated' by the Borg but rescued, the bad guys head through a time warp to Earth 20-63 to prevent 'first contact' between Earthmen and Vulcans.

Stewart proves himself a first-rate actor in a demandingly-written role and there's a strong showing by Alice Krige as the reptilian Borg queen.