MOVIE NEWS – Not even the Academy Award-winning Michelle Yeoh could rescue Star Trek: Section 31 from the overwhelming criticism that the new sci-fi film has garnered. In fact, most critics have been scathingly negative about the latest Star Trek installment, resulting in a historic franchise low on Rotten Tomatoes for Olatunde Osunsanmi’s made-for-streaming production.
MovieWeb’s review of Section 31 (2/5 stars) warns fans to “brace yourselves for shock, but not the good kind.” Similarly, Jeannette Catsoulis of The New York Times describes the film as:
“A chaotic mishmash of neurotic characters and convoluted motives, so overstuffed that even the composed Jean-Luc [Picard] would be at a loss to make sense of it all.”
Frank Scheck of The Hollywood Reporter laments the decline of Gene Roddenberry’s once-proud franchise, stating:
“While scientists insist the universe is ever-expanding, some universes should know when to call it quits. This first made-for-streaming Star Trek film — and the 14th in the series overall — proves just that.”
Meanwhile, IGN’s Jordan Hoffman delivers a stinging summary: *”This is not Star Trek.” With reviews like these, Section 31 has managed only a dismal 24% on Rotten Tomatoes from 33 reviews at the time of writing. And the flood of negative feedback continues to pour in, both from critics and fans alike.
Trekkies Are Also Disappointed with Section 31
The creative risks taken with Star Trek: Section 31 have clearly backfired. The film now holds the franchise’s lowest-ever Rotten Tomatoes critics’ score as well as the worst audience score on the platform’s revamped “Popcornmeter.” Fans have voiced their displeasure loudly, reflected in the abysmal 19% audience rating.
This means Star Trek V: The Final Frontier is no longer the lowest point in the saga, as it’s been surpassed by Section 31 in both critics’ (23%) and audience (25%) scores. The backlash has been unrelenting, with Samantha Coley of Collider noting:
“The potential within its premise and cast could have produced a strong two-part episode for a non-existent TV show. Unfortunately, as a standalone film, it’s utterly forgettable and thoroughly disappointing.”
David Opie of Total Film echoes these sentiments, writing:
“Star Trek: Section 31 struggles to define itself. Is it a serious dive into criminal underworlds, a campy callback to the early 2000s, or an awkward hybrid of both? Whatever it aims to be, it misses the mark.”*
However, Section 31 isn’t without its champions. Joshua M. Patton from CBR gave the film a glowing 9/10 review, stating:
“Defying traditional expectations, Star Trek persists, and Section 31 serves as a blueprint for how the franchise can continue boldly pushing forward into uncharted territory.”
Now streaming exclusively on Paramount+, Star Trek: Section 31 stars Michelle Yeoh as the leader of the Terran Empire from the Mirror Universe before her character transitions to Starfleet. Joining her are Omari Hardwick, Sam Richardson, and Kacey Rohl as Rachel Garrett (minor spoilers ahead):
Fans will recognize Captain Garrett from one of Star Trek: The Next Generation’s most celebrated episodes, “Yesterday’s Enterprise.” Unfortunately, Section 31 fails to even come close to replicating the quality of that iconic installment. Not even Jamie Lee Curtis, cast as Control in the film, could salvage this misfire.
Source: MovieWeb
