‘Star Trek: Section 31’ Review: Not Even Michelle Yeoh Can Save Paramount+’s Subpar Spinoff Movie

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It’s been noted by scientists that our universe is continually expanding. However, some universes appear to have reached their limit, as demonstrated by the first streaming film and the 14th installment in the renowned Star Trek series. Debuting on Paramount+, Star Trek: Section 31 is a spinoff from the show Star Trek: Discovery, but it seems primarily engineered to showcase the skills of Michelle Yeoh, who has added “Academy Award winner” to her resume since she originated the character of Philippa Georgiou.

Led by Olatunde Osunsanmi, the project was initially planned as a series, but winners of Oscars often have packed schedules. Therefore, this standalone film was created instead. However, its ending hints that if viewers show interest, we might witness more adventures featuring Philippa and other characters from the secretive organization tasked with protecting the United Federation of Planets in ways they’d rather keep hidden.

I’ve unfortunately misplaced my grasp on the intricate timeline of the Star Trek universe, so you’ll need to search elsewhere for information about Yeoh’s character. Initially, she was a highly respected captain within Starfleet, but later transformed into an antagonistic emperor in the Mirror Universe.

Now she’s returned to the main universe, though in a different timeline – just a heads-up, there might be a test later on – managing a nightclub far off in the galaxy (it’s nice to know that entertainment remains lively even in space). The movie starts with an audio message directed at Section 31 members, meant to fill both us and them in, containing a cautionary note about Philippa: “Be aware, this dog can bite, so stay vigilant.

Philippa is quite comfortable in her club, as her martinis are uniquely garnished with raw eyeballs instead of olives. However, she’s not particularly pleased when the charismatic leader of Section 31, Alok Sahar (Omari Hardwick), approaches her and invites her to join them on a covert mission aimed at safeguarding the United Federation of Planets from an impending attack by a formidable weapon. The weapon’s name sparks a somewhat unfunny discussion about whether it should be pronounced “Godsend” or “God’s End.

The assorted members of Section 31 encompass a diverse group, such as Rachel Garrett (Kacey Rohl), who grapples with incorporating Starfleet’s principles into their tasks (and who was initially introduced in Star Trek: The Next Generation); Fuzz (Sven Ruygrok), a Vulcan that deviates from the norm, as shown by his emotional instability and habit of speaking with an exaggerated Irish accent; Quasi (Sam Richardson), a shapeshifting Chameloid (previously played by Iman in Star Trek VI: The Voyage Home); Mell (Humberly Gonzalez), who joined Section 31 following Starfleet’s denial of her unique talents; and Zeph (Rob Kazinsky), who finds enjoyment in the perks of his mechanical enhancements.

In the script by Craig Sweeny, attempts to elicit humor from peculiar characters fall flat, and even the surprising discovery of a Section 31 member being a mole fails to impress. Consequently, the entertainment primarily stems from abundant action scenes, where Yeoh showcases her signature fighting abilities (although these are occasionally marred by excessive digital effects). Despite her powerful and witty screen presence, the film barely manages to avoid criticism for not fully utilizing her talents.

It’s evident from the finale, which includes a guest appearance from one of Yeoh’s co-stars in “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” that further films starring Philippa are essentially guaranteed.

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2025-01-23 08:25