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‘Star Trek: Section 31’ Review: Michelle Yeoh Proves Skeptics Wrong in Charming Paramount+ Spinoff Film

posted a month ago by joi2049 (5625)
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The following post is EDITED and only contains parts of the REVIEW rather than the entire REVIEW:

‘Star Trek: Section 31’ Review: Michelle Yeoh Proves Skeptics Wrong in Charming Paramount+ Spinoff Film

https://www.thewrap.com/star-trek-section-31-review-michelle-yeoh-paramount-plus/

The beloved franchise finds nuance and fun tapping into the spy genre

Section 31 is a covert black ops department within the United Federation of Planets (which includes Earth), dedicated to eliminating threats to the integrity and even the supremacy of the Federation using any means necessary.

Since Section 31’s introduction in the “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” episode “Inquisition,” fans have been conflicted about the inclusion of a morally ambivalent —sometimes outright fascist — group that is allowed to operate, albeit in secret, within the utopian-leaning Federation. Many felt that Section 31 was a betrayal of the ideals held up in the series as inherent to Federation culture and Starfleet operations ...

So it should serve as a pleasant surprise that “Star Trek: Section 31” arrives full of nuance and charm.

Georgiou ... (was) ... brought to the prime universe, became an agent for Section 31, saved the universe, traveled forward in time, traveled back in time and now is the owner of a nightclub ...

(and) ... must track down a terrifying weapon before it can be used to destroy the Federation.

One of the franchise’s most complicated characters, Georgiou is not traditional Starfleet material. “Discovery” established that when she was emperor in the Mirror Universe, she was a horrific dictator who committed genocide on multiple planets. This kind of character bio is typically reserved for the quintessential “Star Trek” villain. However, she became a fan favorite in Season 2 of “Discovery,” mainly because of Yeoh’s natural charisma —“evil mommy” is how I can best describe her vibe —

The film doesn’t excuse her past actions. In fact, she grapples with the idea of what it means to “be infected with a conscience” in this new universe where more is expected of her. This mission confronts her with her own culpability: She is the one who ordered the creation of the movie’s McGuffin —the weapon of mass destruction the team is tasked to find —

Can she atone for that? Or, at least, choose to be better? Underneath all that arrogant bravado (“I’m the only one I could never defeat”) is a deeply tragic figure that can no longer deny the consequences of her actions.

Despite all of this deep, philosophical exploration of character, Georgiou and the movie are also just plain fun. It’s a spy thriller, a genre not often utilized by “Star Trek,”

The film is divided into “chapters” with titles like “One Night in Baraam” and “The Godsend,” reminiscent of the films of Quentin Tarantino ...

“Section 31” is under a lot of pressure, but, despite my initial reservations, it manages to stick the landing. My only critique is that I wish this was a series as originally intended as I would love to spend more time with these characters.

“Star Trek: Section 31” has a distinct personality while still feeling like a “Trek” film

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2vCCGri8EY

Official Teaser Trailer | Star Trek: Section 31 | StarTrek.com

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[–] kenburke (2396) a month ago

I give it thumbs up. I hope it has sequels.

[–] joi2049 (5625) a month ago

Wish I could see it !!!

Already have Paramount Plus with SHO ... but it's not available there in the ON DEMAND section. And after doing a SEARCH for it, also found that it airs TUES night on some other channel that I don't have access to. ☹️

And with the HIGH PRICE that one pays for cable TV service now, there's also NO WAY that one can afford to pay for a streaming service as a way to watch it. 😞

Oh well. At least all 5 seasons of ST: DISCOVERY are available so that one is able to watch Michelle's wonderful performances in that show.

In the OFFICIAL PREVIEW clip for SEC 31, it also looks like she did KILL her MOTHER (which in the DISCO series she also claimed that she couldn't remember if she killed her or not).

In another PREVIEW scene it also looks like she's composed of NANOBOTS (like the other character was that she defeated) due to the way it looks like she MORPHS into several different pieces.

Or was that only a HOLOGRAPHIC image of her??? Remember when she BLINKS her eyes at those other 2 HOLOGRAMS who were giving her the 3rd degree to put a stop to their interrogation of her???

😁

[–] joi2049 (5625) a month ago

Here's a link to still another REVIEW that agrees with what you say about how the story has been SET UP for bringing us SEQUELS:

https://moviechat.org/tt9603060/Star-Trek-Section-31/679461775b69e64e66629ddd/Section-31-Review-An-Open-Window-on-a-Side-of-the-Galaxy-Not-Seen-Before?reply=6794624a5b69e64e66629ded

Before it was a film, Star Trek: Section 31 was a series, and it still ultimately feels like the first episode of a larger story. That doesn't mean the movie isn't cinematic and grandiose, because it certainly is. It also tells a complete story, bringing both the narrative and character arcs to a satisfying resolution. Yet, despite some shocking character deaths, Section 31's ending isn't definitive. It teases more to come from those who survive the mission.

It expands what kinds of stories this universe can tell, as well. It takes a dynamic approach to the foundational values the larger saga upholds. Put another way,

Section 31 shows there's more than one path to heroism in the Star Trek universe. These characters should come back, either for a sequel or as part of other projects.

In other words, instead of sticking to the TIRED & WORN OUT formula of giving us a SHIP run by still another IDEALISTIC STAR TREK CAPTAIN, what we get are characters who BREAK that kind of a COOKIE CUTTER MOLD (like PICARD does in STAR TREK PICARD ... where he and 7 of 9 and the rest of his MISFIT crew take matters into their own hands).

And sure some of the DIE HARD "FORMULAIC FANS" who like the COOKIE CUTTER kind of storytelling continue to keep BITCHING about it, but there are also still OTHER TREK FANS who like and appreciate the BOLD NEW direction where the NEWER stories keep taking us.

Because the portrayal of Georgiou's OUTSTANDING character is also like breathing a breath of some very much needed FRESH AIR into the other OVER-USED, TIRED & WORN-out storytelling methods that we were presented with before.

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[–] joi2049 (5625) 23 days ago

Finally found it ON DEMAND and watched it yesterday. And also ENJOYED watching it enough to give it THUMBS UP like you did.

👍👍👍👍👍

Also hope we get SEQUELS as well.

Since it ends with the Jamie Lee Curtis character who controls S31 asking them if they're ready for the next task, what do you think the next assignment might be???

If the MIRROR UNIVERSE no longer exist anymore (from the GODSEND device being used to BLOW UP the passageway to it), is it possible Georgiou could travel back to the FUTURE AGAIN without having to worry anymore about the break down and the deterioration of her body ???

Would also LOVE to see her visit the DISCOVERY SHIP that's in the even more distant FUTURE time ... like the other character does in THE SHORT TREK story called CALYPSO ... where GEORGIOU could also have a conversation with the AI named ZORA.

Remember how ZORA fell in love with the guy and created a HOLOGRAPHIC IMAGE of herself that danced with him before sending him on his way with FUNNY FACE written on the back of his SPACE POD???

A conversation taking place between GEORGIOU and that FUTURISTIC version of ZORA could probably be even more interesting.

And we also know the KLINGONS have plenty of TIME CRYSTALS there inside of the CAVE where PIKE got one from that enabled the DISCO crew to travel 900 yrs into the FUTURE.

[–] joi2049 (5625) a month ago

Only a few sections of this article are posted below, and it also agrees with the other article in the OP about how the film is FUN:

https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/23/24340743/star-trek-section-31-review-paramount-plus

Star Trek: Section 31 is firing on all cylinders

Paramount Plus’ new Star Trek film is the sound of scene chewing in space, which is to say, it’s pretty damn fun.

Section 31 is firing on just about all of its cylinders, and even though Discovery is behind us at this point, the movie charts an exciting new course for Star Trek’s potential future.

Most of Section 31 takes place in Georgiou’s present, where she has become the owner of a seedy nightclub (which is also a spaceship) parked somewhere beyond Starfleet’s jurisdiction. But the movie opens in the past when young Georgiou (Miku Martineau) was one of the many Terran children locked in a battle royale meant to decide who would become the Empire’s next leader.

no one understands the pain that defined Georgiou’s adolescence. And while adult Georgiou has come a long way since her days of ruling the Terran Empire with an iron fist, she is still haunted by her memories of San and the things she did in her quest for power. Digging a bit deeper into Georgiou’s backstory is one of the ways Section 31 sets itself up to work as both a continuation of threads from Discovery and a jumping-off point for this era of Star Trek. It gives you a taste of the darkness that made her such a compelling Discovery villain and the internal turmoil that lent itself to her eventual antihero turn. But it also helps you understand why Section 31 agent Alok (Omari Hardwick) comes looking to recruit Georgiou to his team for a top-secret mission that could use her special skills.

It works as a standalone story and leaves its surviving characters with a new status quo that feels primed for more exploration in future projects. With so many newer Star Trek shows having recently been canceled, it’s easy to imagine Paramount looking at its Section 31 feature as an experiment to see how interested viewers might be in seeing Georgiou mix it up from week to week.

This trial run feels like a success because of the way Star Trek: Section 31 leaves you wanting more, and while a full-on follow-up series might not be in the cards, it could very well be the beginning of a new era of streaming surprisingly fun Star Trek features

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[–] samoanjoes (58554) a month ago

Really? I heard it's awful.

[–] joi2049 (5625) a month ago

Haven't seen it so can't say much regarding that matter. All one can do is read the REVIEWS and the RECAPS .... which also seem to be a MIX of both positive and negative remarks (which also seems to have been the case ever since ST: DISCOVERY was made).

Do you know which of the NEWER TREK shows have been cancelled???

I know DISCOVERY (5 seasons) & PICARD (3 seasons) ended.

But what about STRANGE NEW WORLDS??? How many seasons has it had? Has it been cancelled??? The reason why it was created was to try and please FANS of the original TREK shows who felt the captain in that story was more like KIRK (TOS), PICARD (NG), Janeway (VOYAGER), etc.

So IF it's been CANCELLED after only ONE SEASON, then the FANS who asked for it to be made must have also not liked it very much??? And that's probably due to the way it would be as FORMULAIC as TOS instead of having an ONGOING ARC like some of the more recent TREK stories do??? So IF that's the case and they gave them what they wanted & asked for ... then they also must not have LIKED what they got??? Thats what they don't seem to understand is how much VIEWER TASTE in the way a story is told have changed since the TOS was made back in the 60's when what we basically had was a MONSTER of the week story.

Did a search & FOUND this info which leaves one completely confused as to which NEW TREK got CANCELLED:

Star Trek
https://www.startrek.com › news › stran…

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Renewed for Fourth …
Apr 12, 2024 · '

]The original series based on Captain Pike's Enterprise will return for a fourth season, according to co-showrunners and executive producer. The third season is already in production and will debut in 2025.

-------------------

Because the only New Trek show left would be S31 (which was turned into a film due to the COVID CRISIS).

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[–] samoanjoes (58554) 25 days ago

I always knew Strange New Worlds was still on. Fans really like that one. As for Picard, they only wanted to have 3 seasons. However, Frakes hinted that they would consider another season.

[–] joi2049 (5625) 25 days ago

How long ago did he hint that there'd be another season of Picard? Wish these NEW TREK shows were still being aired on the regular network channels like the older ones were (due to the way Max is the only streaming service that one has because it's also a FREE service with a subscription to HBO).

All 5 seasons of DISCOVERY are also available ON DEMAND, but not PICARD, STRANGE NEW WORLDS, or S31.

Since PIKE also ends up paralysed and confined to a motorized chair, also wonder how much longer they can draw things out before that fate that awaits him finally catches up with him???

IF & when it does then they could probably also bring in the MIRROR VERSION of him (like the way they way they did the MIRROR version of Georgiou). Did SPOCK ever PILOT a ship on a permanent basis??? Perhaps they could have him take over like Burnham did (at least until a replacement shows up)? Or have the MIRROR PIKE pilot the ship for a while before the rest of the crew figures out it's not the Original Captain who is giving them their orders (like the case was with the other Mirror version of the other captain on DISCOVERY who set Burnham free from her prison sentence).

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[–] samoanjoes (58554) 25 days ago

Frakes mentioned a possibility of a new season after Picard had ended.

[–] joi2049 (5625) 25 days ago

According to this article it sounds more likely 7 of 9 is going to Captain a Star Ship in another SPIN OFF show called STAR TREK: LEGACY:

https://screenrant.com/star-trek-picard-season-4-future-news-updates/#:~:text=It%20could%20be%20years%20before%20the%20USS%20Enterprise-G

Star Trek: Picard season 3's finale, "The Last Generation," also sets up producer Terry Matalas' proposed spinoff, Star Trek: Legacy, with Seven Of Nine (Jeri Ryan) becoming the Captain of the newly rechristened USS Enterprise-G and Jean-Luc Picard's son, Ensign Jack Crusher (Ed Speleers) meeting Q (John de Lancie). The entirety of Star Trek: The Next Generation's cast - Patrick Stewart included - have suggested they would be happy to recur or guest star in Star Trek: Legacy, and the rest of Star Trek: Picard season 3's actors would also commit to a spinoff. But despite a dedicated fan campaign online, there are no plans from Paramount+ to develop Star Trek: Legacy. As time passes, the possibility of Star Trek: Legacy becomes more daunting due to the actors and creative team's busy schedules.

But as you can also see, even that show becomes less likely to happen as more and more time goes by.

[–] samoanjoes (58554) 25 days ago

I'd watch that show. They should do it before Patrick Stewart dies.

[–] joi2049 (5625) 25 days ago

With the use of AI, wonder if they'd be able to create a show using his image if and whenever he does pass away??? The IRONY would also be how his human body gets replaced with an ARTIFICIAL body in the story itself. So for that reason using AI as a way to recreate Patrick would also be like LIFE imitating ART.

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[–] samoanjoes (58554) 25 days ago

I hope they don't. It wouldn't really be him.

[–] joi2049 (5625) 25 days ago

Still another possibility is how they could also have him film some scenes to use so that it would be the REAL HIM.

[–] joi2049 (5625) 25 days ago

Found another article that says this:

https://www.polygon.com/star-trek/512458/section-31-review-michelle-yeoh

Alok (Omari Hardwick), whose secret backstory is directly linked to an unjust systemic prejudice in the heart of Federation law, a rare black note in Trek’s utopia that recently formed the backbone of one of the best episodes of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.

Have you seen this eppy from STRANGE NEW WORLDS??? Do you know the name of it???

Do you agree there's "an unjust systemic prejudice in the heart of Federation law???"

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[–] samoanjoes (58554) 25 days ago

I haven't seen any of the new Trek series'. I'm still watching Voyager. I would consider watching Strange New Worlds.

[–] joi2049 (5625) 25 days ago

Which season & eppy of VOYAGER are you currently watching?

VOY was my FAVORITE ST series due to the way JANEWAY is a mother hen to 7 of 9 and to the rest of the crew (she also attends to what they call the 3 lost sheep crew members) as well as to the little girl on the ship.

On the other hand, Picard didn't like kids or interacting with them. So for that reason the Voyager Capt. was a nice CONTRAST the NG Captain.

"END GAME" was also my FAVORITE eppy (a story which takes place in the SERIES FINALE).

[–] samoanjoes (58554) 25 days ago

I'm on the last episode of season 3. I'm watching it before I get to Picard because I know Jeri Ryan is in it.

[–] joi2049 (5625) 25 days ago

Her character has changed A LOT by the time you get to PICARD. She's gone ROGUE (same as Picard has). And that's what also puzzles me is how that show is also about a SHIP of so-called MISFITS (who are also HEROES) the same way as S31 is also about a group of characters who are MISFITS (who are also HEROES) as well.

Yet fans LOVE PICARD and don't seem to like S31 which has the same basic kind of a PLOT line???

If I can find it I'll post one of my favorite scenes from VOYAGER where Janeway deals with the little girl on the ship (who also clings to 7 of 9 who also mother's the girl the same way as JANEWAY does).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snBskhbg3Ig&t=1s

Naomi Wildman Asks Janeway If They're Going To Rescue Seven

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[–] samoanjoes (58554) 25 days ago

That little girl is supposed to be in it for many episodes, right?

[–] joi2049 (5625) 25 days ago

Yes Naomi is in the show for many episodes. She also has a special kind of relationship with the COOK as well (like she has with 7 of 9 and Janeway).

This is the reason why VOYAGER is my favorite Trek series ... due to the way JANEWAY mothers 7 of 9 (who was only 6 yrs old when captured by the BORG), then 7 mothers a group of other Borg kids, etc. (due to the way that she's learned how to do so from Janeway).

The character studies one is presented with throughout the series are excellent.

At the end of the story (END GAME) there's also an OUTSTANDING confrontation between Janeway and the BORG QUEEN (whereas Next Generation just ends with the crew playing poker like it says they do again in PICARD).

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[–] joi2049 (5625) 23 days ago

Here's another amusing video clip where someone combines together several times when Seven speaks to NAOMI:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jN3KUztVOx8

Star Trek Voyager: Every Time Seven Says "Naomi Wildman"

Also saw the S31 FILM yesterday and LIKED IT very much. Which also leaves one to wonder why there's so much NEGATIVITY ... especially when it's basically about a team of MISFITS who do HEROIC things ... just like the PLOT of PICARD is the same thing ... yet PICARD mostly gets POSITIVE reviews???

Makes NO SENSE whatsoever ... except for how certain people seem to have an AGENDA to try and RUIN certain stories for what appears to be no good reason !!!

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[–] samoanjoes (58554) 22 days ago

I have no plans to watch Discovery but I might end up watching the film. It looks wild.

[–] joi2049 (5625) 21 days ago

Captain PIKE from STRANGE NEW WORLDS is also in DISCOVERY as well (which is how he got the SPIN OFF show).

A young SPOCK is also in DISCOVERY as well, and the girl who has the starring role was also ADOPTED by his parents and raised on VULCAN.

In other words, she's also his adopted sister ... but since she also ends up on a TOP SECRET SHIP called DISCOVERY ... that goes on a TOP SECRET MISSION 900 years into the FUTURE TIME ... Spock and others who know about it also agree to never mention any of those who go on the mission.

Because if the info got into the wrong hands, then it could result in the end of the FEDERATION, and lots of other species (including humans), if an ENTITY called CONTROL knew where they'd gone).

Because they also took with them some TOP SECRET INFORMATION that CONTROL wants to get CONTROL of (CONTROL is also even worse than the BORG).

[–] maximmm (3405) 25 days ago

4 out of 10 on imdb - and that's WITH paid shill reviews included

Seems like most peeps gave it less than 4, or the studio didn't pay enough to beef up the rating

[–] joi2049 (5625) 25 days ago

Never really pay attention to Ratings ... due to the way it seems most people these days don't like films that deal with character studies ... which is what mostly interests me and vice versa.

There's an excellent film called JANET PLANET (not a SCI FI story), for instance, that's an outstanding character study which hasn't received any OSCAR nominations at all (even though the young actress who portrays an 11 yr old did get a much-deserved CRICTICS CHOICE award).

Therefore, the reason why what's usually of interest to most peeps, usually isn't of interest for me, and the reason why one hardly ever pays any mind to whatever it is that most people say or think.

Because doesn't one also already have the ability to use their OWN MIND as a way to decide whether or not they like something or not ... thus also still another reason for making the ENTIRE RATING process sound very silly???

And since when have human beings ever agreed with each other about whether or not something is good or not???

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[–] asom (6893) 21 days ago

i think he/she is a paid shill.

Or has awful taste. Judging by the posting style that IS a possibility ...

Imagine someone posting and praising a show they didn't even see.