For six decades, Star Trek, both on television and in films, has weathered through its ups and downs. According to critics, the newest installment in the Trek saga – a streaming movie titled Star Trek: Section 31 featuring Academy Award winner Michelle Yeoh – could potentially mark the lowest point of those many years of storytelling.
Initially, the feedback on this week’s film premiere on Paramount+, following an extended production phase, isn’t entirely consistent. Some articles offer a faint praise, such as The Verge describing it as “quite enjoyable.” /Film even went so far as to call Section 31 “B-grade cinema… in a good way,” which might be considered a roundabout compliment if somewhat indirect.
However, most critics have rated it anywhere from “average” to outright labeling it as the absolute worst in Star Trek history. In this film, Yeoh’s character Philippa Georgiou, whom she initially played on Star Trek: Discovery, is a former genocidal emperor from an alternate universe called the Mirror Universe. Here, she teams up with Starfleet’s clandestine “Section 31,” a specialized intelligence agency, for a crucial mission.
Originally planned as a TV series in early 2019, the concept of this movie was developed by Paramount over several years. However, in 2023, they changed their plans and decided to release Section 31 as a standalone film on Paramount+ instead.
Here is a sampling of the Star Trek: Section 31 reviews so far:
Daniel Cooper, Engadget:
It is the single worst thing to carry the Star Trek name in living memory.
Jeannette Catsoulis, The New York Times:
The mealtime antics of a dog, filled with quick turns and conversations meant to clarify – a film that seems preoccupied only with chaos and disorder.
Jordan Hoffman, IGN:
My reaction is simple: ‘This isn’t Star Trek.’
Alex Perry, TrekCore.com:
Section 31 during the Kurtzman era is a significant letdown in many aspects.” Essentially, Section 31 doesn’t live up to expectations on almost all fronts.
James Whitbrook, io9:
A mediocre action movie, and an even worse Star Trek one.
Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter:
Not even Michelle Yeoh can save Paramount+’s subpar spinoff movie.
James Dyer, Empire:
Transformed into a film from scripted episodes, it winds up lacking a clear identity: a humorless space adventure that seems to exist in limbo, caught between two distinct realms and failing to fully capture either as an amusing cosmic journey.
Clint Worthington, RogerEbert.com:
At best, it could be seen as a gesture of goodwill towards its contractually bound major star; at worst, it might turn out to be a debacle similar to Rebel Moon, failing to grasp what makes Star Trek appealing in the first place.
Samantha Coley, Collider:
A mediocre episodes of a television show that doesn’t exist.
David Opie, Total Film:
It’s debatable whether Section 31 intentionally employs camp elements with awareness, or if those aspects appear unintentionally when certain dramatic scenes seem less impactful. The ambiguity lies in this matter.
It’s clear that those managing Star Trek have a good grasp of their work, at least when it comes to productions like Strange New Worlds and Michelle Yeoh’s upcoming movie. Although I may not have followed all recent Star Trek shows, my interest in Strange New Worlds indicates its quality, comparable to the best Star Trek has offered for years. However, the film mentioned in the reviews doesn’t seem to be on par with this standard.
If you’re interested, the new series called “Star Trek: Section 31” will premiere on Paramount+ on January 24th, giving you a chance to form your own opinion.
Every ‘Star Trek’ Movie Ranked From Worst to Best
13. Star Trek: Nemesis
A compelling idea for a Star Trek film – Captain Picard faces his evil counterpart – was derailed by an execution that was disastrously flawed. Instead of utilizing makeup or special effects to portray Patrick Stewart’s doppelganger, they opted for a young British actor with no resemblance to Stewart. To make matters worse, the role was given to Tom Hardy, which proved even more distracting given his prominence as a leading star.
The casting choice was particularly puzzling because Patrick Stewart wasn’t naturally bald; he lost his hair over time. In one scene, Captain Picard reminisces about his youth while looking at a picture of himself from Starfleet Academy – and the image depicted a completely bald Tom Hardy! This moment is undeniably one of the most unintentionally humorous in all of Star Trek.
To add insult to injury, the plot was convoluted and nonsensical, including the clone’s acquisition of a prototype robot similar to Data and using it to lead the Enterprise into a complex trap. The result was the worst Star Trek film ever made. (Yes, even worse than the one that is generally considered the worst.)
12. Star Trek V: The Final Frontier
In this rendition, I’ve tried to make the text more conversational and easier to understand:
11. Star Trek Into Darkness
In this film, there are delightful character moments, entertaining nods to the series’ past, and some breathtaking views of the U.S.S. Enterprise. However, to appreciate these aspects, one must endure a significant portion featuring Benedict Cumberbatch as John Harrison/[Character’s Secret Identity Redacted], which is regrettably unintelligent. His plan is foolish, his enigmatic benefactor’s scheme is foolish, the manner in which Kirk and Spock thwart him is mindless, and the repetition of scenes from Wrath of Khan is excessively contrived.
J.J. Abrams skillfully incorporated elements that sparked his interest from the broad spectrum of Star Trek, shaping his initial Trek production. However, in Into Darkness, Abrams and the franchise found themselves at odds. Abrams is passionate about his enigmatic narrative style, while a reinterpretation of Wrath of Khan proves senseless when it transforms into nothing but plot twists. Despite Abrams’ focus, he never fully understood that the needs of the many should always outweigh the needs of the few. Or the one.
10. Star Trek: Generations
In this exciting amalgamation of “Star Trek” generations, the original cast intertwines with the crew from “The Next Generation.” Just three veteran “Trek” actors agreed to reprise their roles, with Captain Kirk (played by William Shatner) having a substantial screen presence. The rest of the “TNG” cast and the Enterprise seem somewhat overwhelmed as they attempt to fill the grandeur of the big screen. Malcolm McDowell portrays another typical “Trek” adversary, coveting a powerful cosmic source, but at least Patrick Stewart and Shatner appear to enjoy their brief shared scenes together.
9. Star Trek: Insurrection
The most favorable assessment of “Star Trek: Insurrection” is that among all the “Next Generation” films, it’s the one that seems most like an episode from the series. However, its least favorable criticism is that it doesn’t stand out as a particularly noteworthy episode. In fact, it might be the least thrilling film that could have been made based on the premise: “The Enterprise assists the Space Amish on a radiation-soaked planet causing intense attraction.” There are some enjoyable moments, such as Data’s quip about his design for water landings and Captain Stewart dancing to mambo music, but the intriguing sexual premise is primarily used as a backdrop for a predictable (and chaste!) “Next Generation” escapade. Let’s see more of the sensual side of “Star Trek”!
8. Star Trek III: The Search For Spock
In every Star Trek film, there’s a distinct atmosphere; The Search for Spock is essentially the heist movie of the series, as the remaining Enterprise crew members orchestrate a plan to steal their own ship in order to locate Spock’s body and connect it with his consciousness, which at the moment, resides within Dr. McCoy’s mind.
On one side, The Search For Spock rectifies (and thereby softens) the tragic ending of The Wrath of Khan, a decision that continues to bother me. On the other hand, The Search For Spock contains several iconic Star Trek moments, such as Shatner defeating a Klingon with a sequence of kicks and the unforgettable line, “I … can no longer tolerate… your presence!
7. Star Trek: The Motion Picture
I’ve extensively discussed the delightful, unhurried aspects of this movie, but to put it briefly: Contradictory as it may seem when discussing a leisurely paced film like Star Trek: The Motion Picture, I find it engaging. What intrigues me is how it broadens the scope of what was once a small-screen universe. Spock, in this movie, experiences one of his more compelling storylines (TMP). Initially striving to eliminate all emotions, Spock eventually learns the significance of “ordinary feelings” amidst the vast, cosmic expanse of the final frontier. Although the film is rich with breathtaking visuals, it seldom strays too far from its characters for extended periods.
6. Star Trek: First Contact
Following a bumpy debut in “Generations”, the producers successfully corrected course with the subsequent installment, “Star Trek: First Contact”. This time travel narrative saw Captain Picard and the Enterprise team journeying back in time to thwart the Borg from preventing the Federation’s formation. With high-stakes drama and a powerful portrayal by Patrick Stewart as Picard (who harbors intense dislike for the Borg due to their actions against him during “The Next Generation” series), “First Contact” earned comparisons to the second movie in the original “Trek” series.
5. Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
In the classic movie “Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home”, the spaceship Enterprise traveled backward in time to 1986. Their mission was to circle the Sun and rescue a pair of humpback whales, an extinct species in their era, as Earth’s existence depended on it. This journey left the Starfleet crew feeling out of place, leading to amusing scenes such as Chekov seeking directions to “nuclear weapons.” Despite being the most absurd of the “Star Trek” films, it still manages to captivate audiences with its unique appeal. If you don’t appreciate it… well, you might want to question your judgment!
4. Star Trek Beyond
As a passionate Star Trek fan, I’d say one often overlooked gem is the movie that showcases an outstanding villain portrayal by Idris Elba. This film not only resonates deeply with Star Trek’s IDIC philosophy through its powerful moral message but also boasts jaw-dropping set pieces that serve as a fitting conclusion to the rebooted Star Trek film series. To top it off, Justin Lin’s direction elevates this movie to arguably the best action-directed piece in the entire saga.
3. Star Trek
2009’s “Star Trek” serves as both a continuation and a fresh start, skillfully modernizing an established franchise. The film features a phenomenal new cast, including Chris Pine as Captain Kirk, Zachary Quinto as Mr. Spock, and Zoe Saldana as Lt. Uhura, who brilliantly embody their iconic roles. To bridge the gap with the original movies, Leonard Nimoy reprises his role as “Spock Prime.” This allows for a seamless connection between the old stories and this new one, while addressing any inconsistencies. The movie offers an exhilarating science fiction journey filled with compelling character development and enhanced special effects. If you’re seeking a more dynamic and action-packed take on “Star Trek,” this film is your best bet.
2. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
In a slightly different phrasing, here’s the text:
However, the power of these scenes is somewhat diminished today because they were reversed in the following movie. If The Wrath of Khan had been the last Star Trek film or Leonard Nimoy’s final portrayal of Spock, it might have withstood the test of time as the best Star Trek. Unfortunately, fate (and good corporate management) had other plans.
The Wrath of Khan is intended to be a story where Captain Kirk confronts death for the first time. Subsequent films allowed him to evade it once more. The film at the top of my list, in my opinion, delves into similar themes in a more compelling manner…
1. Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
Caution: Uncommon viewpoint ahead!
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2025-01-23 20:54