DVD Corner

Star Trek: Section 31 4K UHD Steelbook Review

“Star Trek: Section 31” is a misfire.  

Written by Craig Sweeny, “Star Trek: Section 31” is a Paramount Plus spin-off movie of “Star Trek: Discovery.” The story revolves around the Mirror Universe Philippa Georgiou who is now in the Prime Universe. Georgiou is recruited by Section 31’s Alok to join a team comprised of Fuzz (a tiny Nanokin piloting a Vulcan robot), Rachel (a Starfleet Officer), Quasi (a shapeshifter), Melle (a Deltan), and Zeph (a heavy who wears a mech exosuit). The team becomes embroiled in a plot involving a devastating weapon known as the Godsend which Georgiou once commissioned. A weapons dealer (Dada) was planning on selling it to the Terran Empire who plan to travel to the Prime Universe and use the Godsend to take over. Who is the mastermind behind this Terran Empire plot and does it somehow connect to Georgiou’s past? 

Directed by Olatunde Osunsanmi (who has helmed numerous “Star Trek: Discovery” episodes), “Star Trek: Section 31” never feels like Star Trek. Exploring other genres and experimenting with what Trek can be is all well and good, but you have to maintain the spirit of Star Trek to make that work. ‘Section 31’ comes across as a Full Moon version of “Guardians Of The Galaxy.” It’s a cartoony, comedic, sci-fi action flick that is an absolute chore to watch. None of the new characters land here outside of Rachel (played by Kacey Rohl). You won’t even care who survives. The film is so poor that not even Academy Award winning actress Michelle Yeoh can save it. Yeoh (whose Georgiou character was a standout from “Star Trek: Discovery”) is absolutely wasted here. How do you mess up Section 31 (an organization which exists outside the Federation) so badly? “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” and even “Star Trek: Discovery” showed the potential of Section 31 stories, but this film ignores all of that and opts for a goofy tale filled with action set pieces, flashbacks, and comedic hijinks. Sure, the production design and special effects are solid, but unless you’re a Trek completist, there’s nothing to latch onto here in this soulless spectacle.

The only saving grace is that “Star Trek: Section 31” opens the door for more Trek films for Paramount Plus. Perhaps we can get more stories from “Star Trek: Voyager,” “Star Trek: Deep SPace Nine” or “Star Trek: Enterprise” instead?

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 2.39:1 2160p. How does it look? The 4K picture quality is crystal clear.

Audio Track: Dolby Atmos. How does it sound? From the action to the sound effects, this Atmos track is nothing short of dynamic. 

Extras:
* Digital copy
* Blu-ray copy
* A 4 minute gag reel
* “Alpha Squad”- A 26 minute featurette on the team characters (and their costumes). Interviews with cast and crew are included.
* “Art Squad” covers the production design and sets.
* “Gear Squad” is all about the props.
* “Georgiou” revolves around Michelle Yeoh and her character taking the spotlight for this film. 

April 27, 2025 - Posted by nicklyons1 | 4K UHD Review | Michelle Yeoh, Philippa Georgiou, Star Trek Movie, Star Trek: Discovery, Star Trek: Section 31, Star Trek: Section 31 4K UHD Steelbook Review