top of page
Search

Star Trek: Section 31 (2025)

Writer's picture: Kyle BainKyle Bain

-Written by Kyle Bain.


Forced to face her dark past, Emperor Philippa Georgiou (Michelle Yeoh), joins a ragtag group of individuals tasked with saving the galaxy from a device known as Godsend. Star Trek: Section 31 ventures into uncharted territory, explores the backstory of Philippa, and introduces a series of unique characters to an ever-growing expanse. 


This is the first Star Trek property that I’ve been able to see on its day of release. Still relatively new to this cinematic universe, Star Trek: Section 31 is the first new release since I’ve journeyed into this science-fiction canon. I’ll be honest, there was something about this simple fact that greatly intrigued me. To know that I’d (in most ways) be on the same page as the other million-plus fans watching this film was something that I’d not yet experienced–and at 4:30am, as I sat down in front of my television, I was excited to see what Paramount and Star Trek: Section 31 had in store for me. 


As the screen shifts from black to the expansive and stunning landscape of the Terran Empire, I was floored by the visuals. I’ve become accustomed to the cheesy visuals that exist in properties such as Star Trek: The Original Series and the original series of films–and while I’ve seen more modern takes on the Star Trek universe, I am certain that I haven’t yet seen something within this multiverse that is as aesthetically pleasing as what is present here in Star Trek: Section 31. The vast, desolate landscape of Philippa’s home is juxtaposed by the mechanical, and equally impressive sets of the variety of spaceships and futuristic club-like atmospheres–creating a spectrum of visuals that consumes viewers and creates an immersive experience from start to finish. Sadly, while there are some other aspects of the film that are interesting and appealing, without the nearly perfect set design, I’m afraid that Star Trek: Section 31 would have been a complete dud. 


Bits and pieces of Star Trek: Section 31 are appealing, but are often overshadowed by the flaws present in the film. A perfect example of this is a disappointingly secondary storyline in which this team must figure out which one of them is, in fact, a mole. This entire storyline plays out within twenty minutes or so, forcing it to take a backseat to many other aspects of the film. To me, this was the best of the many interconnected storylines–and had Director Olatunde Osunsanmi and Writers Craig Sweeny, Bo Yeon Kim, and Erika Lippoldt focused more on this aspect, creating more of a sci-fi, mystery hybrid, Star Trek: Section 31 would have had the potential to flourish. But, again–this aspect of the narrative takes a backseat in a bad way, hindering the greater narrative and ultimately frustrating me when all is said and done. 


To be clear, I don’t hate the overarching narrative present in Star Trek: Section 31–but I felt that there were certainly more compelling aspects of it that didn’t get the time and respect that they needed. 


In short, Star Trek: Section 31 feels like little more than a money grab. Sure, it’s likely that the minds behind Paramount and Star Trek hoped to reinvigorate longtime fans and invite new fans into the franchise–but with that came some glaring issues that have plagued mainstream Hollywood for some time now. This may seem like a wild comparison, but there were aspects of Star Trek: Section 31, particularly through the cinematography, that reminded me of The Fast and Furious franchise. Exaggerated cinematography that attempts to glorify the action sequences become dizzying and off-putting, the opposite of what Trekkies have come to love about the franchise. What I’ve often described as an incredibly intelligent franchise, falters in that respect throughout much of Star Trek: Section 31


Moreover, the dialogue is almost laughable at times–stooping to using fractured and inexplicable slang such as “Chaos is my friend with benefits.” and “...you’re a bad bitch.” The comment that I saw repeatedly in reviews was that Star Trek: Section 31 is not Star Trek, and in regard to the lack of sophistication–particularly within the dialogue–I agree. 


Star Trek: Section 31 desperately needed to find balance between what these new Hollywood films offer and what fans of this franchise have come to love. No balance is achieved, and a severe lack of sophistication, in a multitude of ways, plagues this film almost from the start. Star Trek: Section 31 has some really compelling qualities, especially in regard to the set design and world-building capabilities behind the film, but often overshadowed by flaws, Star Trek: Section 31 is a massive disappointment, a debilitating hiccup in the canon of Star Trek


Directed by Olatunde Osunsanmi. 


Written by Craig Sweeny, Bo Yeon Kim, Erika Lippoldt, & Gene Roddenberry. 


Starring Michelle Yeoh, Omari Hardwick, Sam Richardson, Robert Kazinsky, Kacey Rohl, Sven Ruygrok, James Hiroyuki Liao, etc. 


4.5/10 = WORTH THE RISK, BUT YOU’VE BEEN WARNED


0 comments

Related Posts

See All

Comments


bottom of page