Star Trek: Section 31 Review – A Lifeless Plot Drags Down Michelle Yeoh’s Discovery Spin-Off

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Every few years seems to bring a new era of prosperity for the “Star Trek” universe, even during its quiet periods, it doesn’t take long to recover. At present, there are several “Star Trek” TV shows to delight fans, such as “Strange New Worlds,” “Below Decks,” and others. However, the recent introduction of “Star Trek: Section 31” seems almost like an intended TV series, based on hints. Yet instead of a spin-off centered around Michelle Yeoh’s Terran Empire Emperor character with a humorous, buddy dynamic, we find ourselves watching a hastily assembled comedy that falls short in both humor and camaraderie.

In essence, Section 31 operates as a covert task force within Starfleet, handling assignments that the organization prefers to keep under wraps due to their unsavory nature. This film sees Section 31 collaborating with Empress Philippa Georgiou (Yeoh), a former ruler of the Terran Empire who now hides from public view following her reign as a tyrant. This diverse ensemble, comprising renegades and ex-tyrants alike, must join forces to save the universe. Here’s the catch: while in power, Philippa ordered the development of a weapon capable of destroying entire worlds, the Godsend, to ensure no one else could control the empire should she be overthrown. However, as fate would have it, the weapon has fallen into the wrong hands. To reclaim it, Philippa must face her past demons head-on.

Star Trek goes for irreverent humor

Right from the start of “Star Trek: Section 31,” it’s evident that the show’s tone is inconsistent. It seems to aim for a similar charm as “Guardians of the Galaxy,” with its eccentrically diverse team members, but there are two significant issues with this approach. Initially, “Star Trek” has always been challenging when it comes to humor, particularly the casual, humorous banter that would make such an attempt successful. Mostly, “Section 31” feels forced, even with comedy veterans like Sam Richardson in the cast. Secondly, the sense of camaraderie among the characters isn’t convincing. We barely know any of these characters, and it’s hard to believe they have worked together for a long time despite their frequent appearances together.

As a devoted fan, I can confidently say that this project delves deepest into the roots of its onscreen journey. Initially, the captivating character of Philippa Georgiou graced the screens in “Star Trek: Discovery,” although her tale was somewhat complex and intricate. Given her popularity, it was decided to develop a spin-off series centered around her. However, due to the outbreak of COVID-19 and later the WGA writers’ strike, these plans took a backseat. Eventually, they were ingeniously reimagined as a standalone television movie instead.

Typically, such an issue wouldn’t arise – but here’s the catch: “Section 31” is designed primarily for television. A collection of quirky characters like this one works best when the script is flawless (which isn’t the case with “Section 31”) or given enough time to develop, ideally across 10-12 episodes. We need that time to get acquainted with these peculiar individuals; otherwise, we won’t grow attached to them.

A failure of galactic proportions

As a die-hard Star Trek fan, I must admit that “Star Trek: Section 31” left me feeling a bit underwhelmed. Within an hour and 40 minutes, there was barely enough time for us to familiarize ourselves with the team, and the plot itself fell short of my expectations. The pacing seemed slow, and it struggled to maintain my interest for extended periods. I yearn for more insights into each member of Section 31, but we’re given so little that it’s challenging to identify promising moments for further exploration.

Now, I hold Michelle Yeoh in high regard, but her character seemed to dominate the film excessively. It appeared that a lighter touch might have made for a more balanced and engaging storyline. Maybe it wasn’t the best decision to construct an entire movie around such a singular focus.

To put it simply, this production seems more like an overly ambitious introductory episode rather than a strong one. The story lacks direction and moves at a snail’s pace, the characters intended to be lovable are underdeveloped, and the sense of urgency, given the apocalyptic scenario, is surprisingly absent. The only possibility this might have worked is if it were a series, but even then, that’s debatable considering the resources at their disposal. As for its place in the “Star Trek” film series, it’s unclear which installment this belongs to, so it’s hard to say if it adheres to the “Star Trek” movie curse or not, but it certainly doesn’t stand out among the franchise’s best offerings.

“Star Trek: Section 31” premieres on Paramount+ on January 24.

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2025-01-23 20:29