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Section 31 is the first Star Trek movie in 8 years. The franchise is thriving on TV with multiple shows, live-action and animated, sequels, prequels, and spin-offs. Star Trek on TV is bigger than ever. But not so much on the feature film side. While the major films have all but stalled in development, the new Paramount+ original movie, Section 31, creates a compelling new adventure with incredibly likable characters. There’s a little something for everyone in this new Star Trek feature film. Read on for my Section 31 movie review.
Please note that the following Section 31 movie review will be spoiler-free.
Section 31 tells the story of a group of ragtag members of the fictional clandestine organization of the same name in Starfleet within the Star Trek universe. The group basically acts as a fictional counterpart to the CIA or some other secret government shady things and in complete secret. For all intents and purposes, Section 31 doesn’t exist in Starfleet. But the new movie doesn’t waste any time giving us the organization’s backstory.
Fans of Star Trek: Discovery will know the story, seeing how the movie is a spin-off with characters from that show, namely, Michelle Yeoh’s Phillipa Georgiou. The story of Section 31 follows this Georgiou, as the organization needs her help with a universe-ending threat. Cue a scruffy group of misfits who have to come together to save the universe. The setup and plot beats are very formulaic, but none of that takes away from the actual chemistry and dynamic of the cast, which is really what sells this movie. This is Star Trek at its funnest.
The Most Fun A Star Trek Movie Has Had In A While
When a mysterious object threatens to destroy the universe, former Section 31 agent and current fugitive Georgiou, former Empress to the Terran Empire in an alternate universe, is the first call for Section 31. Now running a bar under a new name in the fringes of the galaxy, Georgiou wants nothing to do with the mission. That is until she realizes that she has everything to do with this particular mission. How this ruthless dictator fits into this scruffy group is hilarious, heartwarming, and very endearing to experience.
To recruit her, there’s the stoically badass leader of the group, Alok (Omari Hardwick), accompanied by the tightly wound Starfleet Lieutenant, Garrett (Kacey Rohl), who has a bit of a wild side. Rounding out this weird and eclectic group is the shapeshifter Quasi (Sam Richardson), a very uniquely interesting character in Fuzz (Sven Ruygrok), and bro-dude Mech aficionado, Zeph (Robert Kazinsky). It’s always difficult to put big personalities on a team and have it pay off. But Section 31 does this sparingly enough that it doesn’t become grating. It helps that the cast comes from different entertainment backgrounds like comedy, theatre, drama, and action, fleshing out these characters with their own unique performances. Which helps audiences fully invest in their characters’ dynamics and motivations.
Section 31 Is A Worthy Successor To Star Trek: Discovery
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The rest of the movie is pretty simple and basic, without getting too convoluted. In many ways, Section 31 tells a more personal and intriguing story than the larger-than-life adventure aspect. It’s almost like a deeper exploration into the character of Georgiou. As if setting up more of her to come? In the future? In a Section 31 TV series, maybe?
The most fun aspect of this movie is its eclectic ensemble cast. The actors play off of one another really well, in a way that doesn’t feel forced. Sure, the pacing is a little rushed, but I see that more as the constraints of the streaming medium than a shortcoming in execution. Especially when other areas of the movie are so well directed. The action is spectacular and gives audiences something new that we’ve not seen in the Star Trek universe before.
Even the look and vibe of the movie feel fresh and unique. Very reminiscent of later seasons of Discovery, with less Starfleet and more of the wild-west-like frontier universe where greed, fear, and death prevail more often than not. The aesthetic of Section 31 feels the most removed from any conventional Star Trek show. But in many ways, it aligns with the new Star Trek we’ve been getting. Like season 3 of Picard. In a lot of ways, this expands the look and feel of the world, giving audiences a lot more new things to experience than the same visuals we’ve seen hundreds of times over the decades.
Section 31 Movie Review Is Spoiler-Free
Yeoh is incredible, as usual, but gives Georgiou a lot more depth and humanity than previous seasons of Discovery didn’t allow her to. Hardwick is the perfect supporting role for Yeoh’s Georgiou. His assertive self and the dynamic that Georgiou and Alok develop come from a similar shared trauma, which is a great character arc that many stories shy away from.
My only complaint with Section 31 is not being sure of its future. The movie went through many different iterations in its development. With the final release being a Paramount+ original feature. I enjoyed it well enough to want more, but I’m not sure if we’re getting more of Section 31. Until then, enjoy the new Star Trek movie on Paramount+.
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Grade: B-
Star Trek: Section 31
Emperor Philippa Georgiou joins a secret division of Starfleet tasked with protecting the United Federation of Planets and faces the sins of her past.
Release Date: January 24, 2025
Director: Olatunde Osunsanmi
Cast: Michelle Yeoh , Omari Hardwick , Kacey Rohl
