This Discovery Spinoff Is B-Movie Trash (And That's A Good Thing)

What is Star Trek in 2025?

That's the question fans are sure to ask after watching the new Paramount+ film Star Trek: Section 31, which literally takes the iconic sci-fi franchise where it's never been before. Set outside the borders of the Federation and with almost no Starfleet characters to be found, it's a corner or Trek universe rarely explored on screen—subversive, lawless, violent, and cheerfully free of unpleasant “ethics” and “utopian ideals.” ” that movies and shows so often rely on in the Gene Roddenberry milieu. “Star Trek” has always acknowledged that the galaxy could be so tumultuous, but it's usually shown it through the eyes and ideals of resilient leaders, scientists and diplomats. But “31. in” the universe is saved not by brave people who do the right thing, but by violent, nasty a-holes who know how to punch, stab and shoot their way into a bad situation.

So, once again, is it “Star Trek” if it takes place in the Star Trek universe but deliberately avoids the typical elements that define “Star Trek” for so many? It's a question that I think “Chapter 31” will ignite among fans, and the conversation is definitely worth having. However, when viewed separately, “31. section' definitely offers a certain set of goods: this is a hugely entertaining slice of B-movie action trash that has a distinct 'Gerard Butler in January' flavor to it, and is certainly unlike any other. other than that we've ever seen them have a Trek name. It's goofy and goofy and sometimes very funny, but there's no denying the simple joy of the whole thing.

Technically separated from the recently concluded Star Trek: Discovery (and largely produced by “Disco” veterans including writer Craig Sweeney and director Olatunde Osunsanmi), “31. section” centers around one of the nastiest and most unpredictable characters in Trek history. Michelle Yeoh's Philip Giorgi, a bloodthirsty tyrant and warlord from the infamous “Mirror Universe” who is now stuck in Trek's main universe, is once again recruited by Section 31 (aka Starfleet's CIA-flavored black ops division) to embark on a mission to the Tomb. meaning. Joined by a crew of unruly, dangerous weirdos (and one Starfleet warden), she must save the galaxy. But this team doesn't have to worry about things getting in the way of Picard and Spock. Like morality.

It is clear that “31. section' is designed to appeal to action fans outside of Trek's core audience, with an initial setup that screams 'Mission Impossible' or 'The Fast and the Furious', but the streaming budget and general sense of grime that permeates. remembers everything better B-movie junkfood like Den of Thieves. And to be honest, that's a good thing. “Star Trek” is at its purest when it’s smaller, nicer and stranger, and despite the fact that “31. section' ostensibly trying to be the coolest thing in the room, it's actually quite atrocious, relying just as heavily on the details of the franchise. as in sword fights, phaser fights, and Michelle Yeoh kicking guys in the face. And so it should be: “Star Trek” that isn't grim isn't “Star Trek” at all.

And honestly, “nerdy B-movie sleaze” is a flavor of Trek we haven't seen before, and I found myself increasingly enjoying the film's whirlwind pace, which dragged me through film after film.

As expected, “Section 31” is Michelle Yeoh's show, and she's wearing Georgia like a spiky, vampire, blood-soaked glove at this point. Either you love watching Yeoh kick, kick and kick in action scenes, or you have no taste. Perhaps the most pleasant surprise in “Section 31” is that he is surrounded by a lot of new characters who demand equal attention. Omari Hardwick provides a solid foundation as the team's resident “regular guy,” though his story is unusual enough to raise eyebrows if you know your Trek background. Casey Rolle is a delight as Starfleet Rachel Garrett (fans may recognize this name), whose “if you can't beat 'em, join 'em” stooping to the level of their colleagues, provide some of the film's biggest laughs. And no one understands the task better than Sam Richardson, whose shape-shifting, amoral scientist is angry in almost every scene. The best I can say about this team of dirtbags is that I'd happily watch them on another adventure, and the film isn't shy about leaving room for a sequel.

Still, the whole thing has a distinct “backdoor pilot” flavor to it, which makes sense since “Chapter 31” was originally a streaming series before being converted into the modern equivalent of a direct-to-video movie. You can often see the action being pushed against the limits of its smaller budget, though Osunsanmi does its best to let the wacky action work as hard as possible, even if the VFX budget can't quite keep up. In this case, I figured the film would look cheap rather than polished if it meant some of the more brutal action beats could come to any kind of fruition. Hiking fans are used to “Strange new worlds” may be surprised, but “31. section's cheapness is indeed a badge of honor – just like the original series in the 1960s, the '31. section” always allows its goals to exceed the budget.

This brings us back to the question that opened this review. What is “Star Trek” in 2025, and is something as different as “31. section' qualifies as 'Star Trek'? While it's definitely not my ideal Trek scent, and I'd hate to see it become the default shade, this is a franchise built on many. If The Next Generation could incorporate complex stories about ethics and scientific thought into the hours of stupidity, where the crew is led into the tale of Robin Hood by a pious alien with a bad sense of humor, Trek can surely go into trash mode. for TV movie. Any rewatch of the original series reminds us that Star Trek, for all its lofty ideals, is built on a fun, wobbly foundation of atrocious garbage. The beauty of “Star Trek” is that it's one of a kind everythingand we will argue about the nature of it all until the sun burns out.

Here I give my recommendation for “Star Trek: Section 31” knowing that it will turn off many Trek fans who want the franchise to be exclusive, classy sci-fi, and knowing that it has an inherent disbelief. and the reliance on deep Trek references might alienate those looking for a good time with some goofy action. What is Star Trek in 2025? It's something specific, weird, and alienating enough that it's not for everyone. And that is “Section 31”.

/Film rating: 7 out of 10

“Star Trek: Section 31” is streaming on Paramount+ starting January 24, 2025.