By Steve Krutzler / 15:39, 19 March 2004 / TrekWeb Features

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The Borg Invade Las Vegas
By Jacqueline Bundy

The Las Vegas Hilton was bracing for an onslaught of STAR TREK fans as the highly anticipated BORG INVASION 4D attraction opened to the public, Thursday, March 18th, at the Hilto's STAR TREK: The Experience. Over 500 tickets were pre-purchased for the opening day. The exciting new attraction was scheduled to open at 11am but a few die-hard fans were in line at 7am, determined to be among the first to be assimilated at the multi-million dollar, state-of-the-art attraction.

In a special preview on March 17th for the media, contest winners and invited guests gathered for the unveiling of BORG INVASION 4D and TrekWeb was there.

The front of The Experience was transformed to provide the maximum effect for the opening ceremony; STAR TREK theme music played, white smoke poured forth and laser beams criss-crossed overhead. Long time STAR TREK fan Jason Alexander was to be our host, along with Robert Picardo ('The Doctor'), who co-stars in BORG INVASION 4D.

"Five years ago we landed in this bold new world, a world where amidst an arid white-topped planet people had built an enormous shrine to the planet known as Earth. Here a puzzling amalgam of structures from all four corners of the globe shine with light brighter than a million photon beams," intoned Picardo from off-stage.

BORG INVASION 4D joins Klingon Encounter, the original attraction that debuted at STAR TREK: The Experience in 1998.

"We have enjoyed much success during our five years. Each day visitors from every fold of the galaxy beam aboard the Enterprise and take part in interstellar adventures that are eclipsed by none in any cosmos I have ever visited. We have taken quite a liking to one of these visitors in particular. His popularity among others from his region is bested only by his enthusiasm and admiration for our missions and for those of other Starfleet vessels that have traveled before us. That is why we have beamed him aboard our ship today as we once again 'go baldly'...sorry...'Boldly', where no one has gone before. We welcome this visitor from the Topanga region of the Hollywood galaxy--Mr. Jason Alexander!"

In true Las Vegas fashion Jason Alexander, who played the role of 'Kurros' in the VOYAGER episode "Think Tank," emerged to a round of enthusiastic applause with a Las Vegas showgirl on each arm.

"There are many diversions in this quadrant of the galaxy," Alexander quipped. "Huge treat for to be here this morning. I have been a huge STAR TREK fan for a very long time. When they asked me to be part of the grand opening of this attraction I jumped at the chance. Literally jumped," Alexander joked.

"BORG INVASION 4D...I rode this yesterday, this is really cool. This is a real live battle against the Borg and what could be better than that. I could take these guys," Alexander boasted.

"Jason, you better watch what you're saying about the Borg," Robert Picardo advised as he stepped out to join Jason Alexander to cheers and applause. "Take it from someone who knows."

"Listen my friend, I know that you are the famous Kurros, in an episode I never happened to catch," Picardo couldn't resist adding. "But you never faced the Borg in that episode... I have met them head on and let me tell you, you don't want to mess with these guys. I know. Think of me as a Borg-certified physician."

"What we're talking about here, Jason, is a race of half-human, half-machines that spread throughout the galaxy, conquering, assimilating and destroying countless civilizations. They don't stop until they achieve total domination!"

"Borg smorg," Alexander told the crowd. "How tough can these guys be? I've worked with Seven of Nine, she was delightful young lady, we got along very well. These guys are half mechanical, they have to stand in a recharger every now and then."

At this point Alexander found himself surrounded by menacing Borg drones. "How you doing boys?" Alexander nervously asked the drones. "I was just kidding about that 'how tough could it be thing.' ...You wouldn't hurt a short guy with glasses...you've got the eye impairment yourself."

"You will regret your mockery of the collective," a Borg drone replied. "Surely you did not think that you could escape the power of the Borg? Foolish human. You will be assimilated, resistance is futile."

Mr. Alexander was taken off by the Borg as a preview of BORG INVASION played on the overhead video screen and a Borg drone told the crowd, "Las Vegas prepare to be assimilated. The Borg have arrived. Do not run, there is nowhere for you to hide. Every inferior species will be assimilated into the collective. Preparation is irrelevant. Self-determination is irrelevant. You will comply. Resistance is futile!"

Moments later Alexander returned, now outfitted with a Borg implant.

"Like the man says, resistance is futile. I always said if you can't beat them, you join them. If you don't believe me see for yourself...it is time for us all to go boldly where no one has gone before. Ladies and gentleman welcome to STAR TREK: The Experience BORG INVASION 4D!"

As the contest winners and VIP guests trooped off to try out the new attraction the media was given an opportunity to talk with some of those involved in the creation of BORG INVASION 4D. George Johnson, who produced the film around which the attraction is based, worked closely with Ty Granaroli and Chuck Meyers of Paramount Parks to come up with the most ambitious 4D experience ever created, a project that was three years in the making.

Ty Granaroli, VP of Creative Development for Paramount Parks was also the creative director for Klingon Encounter. He directed BORG INVASION 4D and told reporters that Paramount Parks always intended to place a second attraction at STAR TREK: The Experience. Taking advantage of the technological advances since Klingon Encounter opened in 1998 allowed the creative team to design an extremely authentic 4D experience for visitors.

The list of 'firsts' that went into the creation includes: the first all-digital motion picture to incorporate live action and animation within a 3D cinema environment and the first multiple-angle 3D cinema production with 3D effects from the front, overhead and both the right and left sides of the participants.

Additionally, this marks the first time that a steady can has ever been used in a 3D production, allowing the director to achieve shots from the "point of view" of the guest, placing them in a "you are there" environment. The film projection itself is the first use of 2K digital cinema projection, which produces a clearer resolution that any other digital projection system in the world.

Revolutionary special effects and the use of live actors further enhance the overall experience. The 3D and 4D effects merge with chilling realization, this attraction is definitely not for young children.

The BORG INVASION 4D creators worked closely with Rick Berman productions, Viacom Consumer Products (who oversee all STAR TREK licensing) and members of the STAR TREK production team to make sure the attraction is authentic and "true" to STAR TREK.

It was actually Rick Berman and Brannon Braga who suggested using the Borg for this new attraction. "VOYAGER is so associated with the Borg," Granaroli said. "The Borg and Borg Queen are so compelling and exciting."

Once the decision to use the Borg was made it was only logical to use VOYAGER cast members in this original film which is set after Voyager's return to the Alpha Quadrant. BORG INVASION 4D features Alice Krige as the Borg Queen along with Robert Picardo as the Doctor and Kate Mulgrew as 'Admiral Janeway'. The film was written VOYAGER staff writer Lisa Klink.

Asked about reprising his role as the Doctor, Picardo told reporters that playing the Doctor is "like visiting an old friend, the only thing missing was my cast mates."

Mr. Picardo's work on the film took place about a year and a half after VOYAGER ended its run was filmed over four days. In the film Picardo gets to play more of an action figure role than he did on the actual series, mostly blue screen work. The actual shooting of the film was done at Threshold Digital Research Labs.

"This was the first time STAR TREK has ever been shot in digital or in 3D so it was groundbreaking in a lot of ways. It was also nice to be a part of it [the film] in that respect because STAR TREK is about future technology," Picardo stated.

"They put a blue screen up, and you do a lot of jumping around, and they say, 'And now this thing is about to fly into your head! And, oh no!' So you do a lot of flinching and jumping around," Picardo said.

"It was fun for me. I don't usually get to be an action guy, so it was fun just to shoot a phaser, because I barely ever got to shoot a phaser on VOYAGER."

Before experiencing BORG INVASION 4D for myself I talked with some of the fans exiting the 22 minute attraction about their impressions of being assimilated. Arlie Carroll came from Kentucky to try it out. "It was excellent!" he enthused.

Robert Stevens from Las Vegas said, "They've really outdone themselves."

Robert and Arlie took in the attraction with their friend Marshall Fraser who said, "The first [Klingon Encounter] was awesome but the 3D, 4D effect is unbelievable. Prepare to be entertained!"

One fan I spoke to, who considers herself an aficionado of thrill rides and attractions told me, "It was not like anything I've ever experienced."

With those endorsements ringing in my ears I decided to try it out for myself. I admit to being a tad nervous, I'm not a big fan tactical stimulus in attractions but BORG INVASION 4D is really phenomenal.

I was expecting something similar to Klingon Encounter, but BORG INVASION isn't so much a ride as it is an immersive experience. As you enter you find yourself on Copernicus Station a futuristic research facility where you are greeted by the Doctor who explains that you and your fellow 'guests' are important research subjects. As the Borg launch an attack you are 'evacuated' to a shuttle, which attempts to escape the space station and the attacking Borg.

Then the real fun begins, which I won't spoil by giving details, but I will say it's not for the faint of heart. This is one attraction that lives up to it's billing.

The film quality is incredible and the costuming, make-up and effects extremely realistic. I spoke with one of the actors who plays a Borg drone and learned that the costuming and make-up for each of the actors playing a drone takes an hour and a half.

If you've never been to STAR TREK: The Experience at the Las Vegas Hilton, and even if you have, BORG INVASION 4D is an extraordinary addition to the already impressive facility that includes The History of the Future Museum which highlights the STAR TREK television series and films and includes actual props, weaponry, spacecraft and costumes used in filming. Now fans can experience both attractions for one price with an all day pass and truly immerse themselves in a STAR TREK experience.

Further information about STAR TREK: The Experience and tickets can be obtained at http://www.StarTrekExp.com.