Makeup and Motives

Make up and costumes played a large role in Star Trek Insurrection. I felt as if the motives of specific groups in the movie were determined by the amount of makeup they possessed. We see three main different groups: minimal makeup group, average makeup group, and extreme makeup group.

The minimal makeup group correlates to the Ba’ku. These are the people who live a technology free life. They live carefree with emphasis on taking the time to enjoy each day. This pure and gentle nature is paired with minimal makeup and costumes. Most of them appear very natural looking, only using makeup to even skin tones and provide color for the actual production. They look the most like humans, which is why we associate gentleness with them in this sci-fi world. The gentle and pure factor adds to the idea of making these people seem helpless; this is also why Captain Picard and his team see the need to help them when under attack. Their only motive was to live a peaceful and technologically-free life.

The average makeup group is Captain Picard and the members of his crew. Most of them resemble humans, but others have more futuristic-like features. They are the protectors of the Ba’ku. I feel that they need to seem mostly human-like because we identify with humanity as being helpers. Much of their makeup is simple, but more edgy for the futuristic feel. The men are clean shaven with short, kempt hair. Women of the crew have short, practical haircuts with makeup only to emphasize their faces for the camera.  The other members, who are more futuristic, such as Lt. Data, add to the sci-fi feel of the fil. If Data was not part of the team, only costumes and stylistic features would separate the Ba’ku from the crew. Their motive was to keep peace for the Ba’Ku since they could not fend for themselves.

The So’Na are the most heavily covered in makeup and effects. They undergo facial skin transplants and stretching sessions. We see many layers of makeup to give the effect of being old, yet undergoing futuristic plastic surgery. Many of them go to endless limits to try to look young. Based on their need for youth, they are the antagonists and try to have the youth the Ba’ku have. Their makeup is very rough and wrinkled. There is even use of fake blood to emphasize the deteriorating health and appearance of the So’Na. With their looks at stake, they disregard anyone else and solely focus on restoring their appearance.