Just a heads up that Star Trek: Section 31 movie is now available on Paramount+. The movie stars Michelle Yeoh returning to her role as Philippa Georgiou from Star Trek: Discovery as she assembles a team to go on a convert mission. Here are links to clips from the movie.
Quick review:
Movie is essentially the equivalent of two longer episodes put together with a run time of an hour and half. About the same quality as an average episode of Discovery, take that as you will depending on how you like that series. Michelle Yeoh seems to be having fun playing Philippa again. The actors do what they can with the material provided. Its not really a spy film and definitely not a Trek version of Guardians of the Galaxy. There is little evidence to suggest that was the goal beyond "quirky characters" who occasional make jokes.
It is just a by the numbers action story of a group going after the McGuffin. Special effects are good, the action scenes had potential but fell back on Hollywood's bad habit of fast cuts. The editing and directing as a whole was weird with odd transitions, fast cuts in places that didn't need it and ill-advised camera angles. I am not sure how much of the editing was just not good vs how much was covering for lack of coverage during filming which I suspect was done very fast even for TV show speeds due to high in demand Yeoh being available for only a short window of time.
Like all action films of the straight to video/streaming type, its entertaining as a popcorn movie that you forget about shortly after it ends. I wouldn't spin up a Paramount+ subscription to see it (wait until new season of Strange New Worlds) but entertaining enough if already have one.
