Star Trek: Section 31 – An Unmitigated Disappointment

By Joshua Tyler
| Updated 1 hour ago

Opening Scene: A Daunting Prologue

The film Star Trek: Section 31 begins with a peculiar visual cue—a spitwad that maps out the Starfleet logo. This opening scene sets an unsettling tone, hinting at darker themes while defying immediate logic. It becomes clear that this is not your typical Star Trek installment, as the narrative unfolds through a series of flashbacks.

Introduction of Philippa Georgiou: The Controversial Character

“I’m the only one I could never defeat.” – Philippa Georgiou

Philippa Georgiou, portrayed by Michelle Yeoh, is introduced as a morally complex figure. In the flashbacks, she is depicted as someone capable of severe acts of violence and selfish ambition. The film presents her as more than just a villain, but as a character whose actions are driven by her belief that she is invincible.

Present-Day Setting: A Confusing Shift in Tone

The film then jumps to the present day, where Georgiou is seen running a high-end floating space bar. This character arc—transforming from ruthless to effortlessly cool—is jarring. The upbeat, empowering soundtrack contrasts sharply with the bar’s decor, filled with decadent luxuries, giving an unintentional sense of irony.

One of the more startling scenes shows her casually consuming a human eyeball, making her actions even more morally dubious to fan audiences. This sequence further emphasizes the essential question: why make such a controversial character the hero of a film? Star Trek: Section 31 seems to glorify acts that are traditionally condemned not only in the series but also in broader moral discourse.

The Why and How of Its Development

Paramount+’s decision to produce a movie centered around Philippa Georgiou, a character from one of the least-popular Star Trek shows, raises interesting questions. The organization’s history in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, where it was depicted as a sinister, shady outfit, made it a peculiar choice for a feature-length film. Fans were expecting more from what could have been a layered exploration of an antagonistic character.

Stories behind this decision could be fascinating, perhaps uncovering internal strife within Paramount+ or a series of miscalculations in character development. Sadly, the execution revealed a disconnect from the franchise’s standards and even its core themes.

The cast comprises a secretive, violent squad for Section 31, adding an element of shock to the narrative. However, these characters lack depth and development, their motivations weakly presented. Each introduction serves more as a demonstration of action prowess than as character building.

Setting and Location: A Minimalist Approach

Remarkably, the film’s action largely unfolds in one location—a luxurious floating space bar. This setting is reused throughout, avoiding the need for extensive set design or backdrop changes. The limited scope, while budget-friendly, creates a sense of redundancy and fails to spark the audience’s imagination, essential elements for a sci-fi film.

The climax of their mission takes place back in the original location, with little-to-no change in their surroundings, showcasing a lack of variety in their film’s moving narrative.

Plot Development: Vague and Underwhelming

The mission’s objective remains unclear, with the film’s writers failing to elucidate any substantial goals. It is built around a basic premise of espionage and betrayal, elements that are already well-trodden territory in both the Star Trek universe and other action thrillers.

Despite significant action scenes and dialogue, the plot is disjointed and lacks cohesion, leaving viewers questioning the intended direction and purpose.

Unexpected Plot Twist: Snake Eyes’s Surprise Appearance

Adding to its absurdity, Star Trek: Section 31 introduces Snake Eyes from the GI Joe franchise, defying logical continuity and audience expectations. This cameo feels out of place, delivering a jolt of confusion instead of excitement. It’s unclear whether the inclusion was a marketing ploy or a genuine plot device.

This moment breaks the spell of the film’s narrative, bringing about an unexplained interruption that leaves viewers even more perplexed.

Location Changes: Minimal and Unengaging

After half an hour, the film surprisingly shifts to a desert landscape littered with flamethrowers. This choice of location serves little purpose, contributing to the film’s overall lack of continuity. It represents a scant effort in diversifying settings, a crucial aspect in maintaining audience interest.

Following this desert encounter, the scene moves to the ship, though it appears nothing like the iconic spitwad from the opening scene. This muddled navigation through settings detracts from the immersive quality associated with Star Trek films.

Action and Dialogue: Lackluster and Inconsistent

The interactions within the ship are equally troubling, highlighting poor character development and vague intent. A torture and interrogation scene, shot in front of a muddled green screen tunnel, exemplifies the film’s technical shortcomings as well as its narrative inconsistencies.

The dialogue is equally weak, with a notable line: “She died like she lived. By that you know what I mean.” This line rings hollow, failing to deliver any meaningful insight or emotional impact typical in successful Star Trek storytelling.

Conclusion: A Misfire of Star Trek

Star Trek: Section 31 ultimately fails to connect with the Star Trek franchise’s legacy. It lacks the depth of character exploration, engaging plot twists, and meaningful themes that fans expect. Instead, it presents a disjointed, technically undercooked unauthorized crossover suggesting a struggle between different studio visions.

Short of being outright evil, Star Trek: Section 31 stands as one of the most disappointing entries into the franchise. Its execution suggests ignorance of storytelling basics, and演员s McCarthy and Yeoh’s performances, while star-studded, are undermined by weak material.

The film has no connection to broader Star Trek lore and introduces elements and settings that feel completely out of place. Ultimately, it reads as an attempt to bypass traditional content creation standards by capitalizing on brand recognition alone.

Perhaps the most disappointing aspect of Star Trek: Section 31 is its complete disavowal of traditional Star Trek values. It’s a film that presents an amalgamation of influences from both Suicide Squad and Guardians of the Galaxy, neither of which aligns seamlessly with Star Trek’s established canon.

On a five-star scale, the reviews for Star Trek: Section 31 would likely fall into the lowest category. This film not only disappoints but also serves as a stark reminder of what happens when a brand’s value is overshadowed by poor content decisions.