Out of all of the upcoming Trek tasks on the docket for 2025, it is honest to say Star Trek: Part 31 had probably the most hype. As the primary film for the franchise in virtually 9 years, there was loads of strain for it to carry out, particularly with Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh returning to the function of Philippa Georgiou after being written off of Star Trek: Discovery. Critics have seen the newest entry for Georgiou following her return to the previous, and so they’re all saying the identical factor about Yeoh’s return to the franchise.
David Opie of GamesRadar praised Michelle Yeoh’s efficiency, which makes it all of the extra bittersweet that this could not have been a collection as initially deliberate. Sadly, he felt the film suffered from not having any clear identification, which introduced down the standard of the film drastically:
Star Trek: Part 31 does not know what it desires to be. Is it a critical exploration of the prison underbelly, a camp throwback to the noughties, or a tonally off mixture of the 2? No matter it’s, it does not work half in addition to it ought to.
Frank Scheck of THR had the identical ideas, noting that Michelle Yeoh thrives when she’s in a position to lean on her talents as an motion actress. With Part 31 being one of many solely upcoming Yeoh motion pictures promising motion and massive struggle scenes, it ought to be a deal with to witness, however the film falls in need of delivering a script as worthy of its star:
The actress has such a commanding and darkly amusing display screen presence that the pedestrian movie can virtually, however not fairly, be forgiven for letting her down so fully.
Alex Maidy of JoBlo.com echoed the concept the film doesn’t reside as much as the Star Trek identify. He additionally famous that Georgiou, whereas a compelling character, is one which many have questioned for a while is worthy of redemption given she’s slaughtered billions of individuals on Terran earlier than coming to the Prime Universe. All that stated, he hoped this film and its reception would not discourage the franchise from making an attempt different adventures set throughout the universe that does not observe the identical method of following a Starfleet captain and its crew:
As wonderful as she is, Michelle Yeoh can’t save Part 31 from being a foul undertaking from begin to end. This film will debut and disappear simply as shortly, and hopefully, it is not going to put a damper on higher concepts coming by means of the franchise within the years to come back.
Probably the most scathing critique of Star Trek: Part 31 hailed from IGN’s Jordan Hoffman, who famous the low-budget results of the film. Maybe it is as a result of we’re used to seeing Michelle Yeoh in motion pictures like Depraved (see our evaluate right here) now, however this characteristic obtainable to stream on Friday with a Paramount+ subscription doesn’t hit the mark for what one would count on from a theatrical launch. Hoffman did say that, maybe, extra informal viewers would benefit from the movie, supplied they do not know a lot about Star Trek:
Although it will nonetheless be boring, Part 31 may really be higher when you come to it with no information of Star Trek lore. This manner, no less than, you gained’t find yourself questioning how author Craig Sweeny and director Olatunde Osunsanmi fully bungled all the Trek ethos – its admittedly corny core tenants of exploration, optimism, and the pursuit of righteous achievement. (There’s a purpose we Star Trek dorks acquired bullied loads in junior excessive.) Part 31 is nothing however a awful, uninteresting caper image with middling particular results, dangerous performing (sure, even Yeoh), cringeworthy dialogue, and characters you don’t care about.
In fact, there are all the time outliers, and whereas there are a lot of adverse evaluations, a few optimistic ones praised Star Trek for making an attempt to do one thing new. Joshua Patton of CBR applauded the try in Part 31 and even made the case that we should always see these characters once more sooner or later, ought to Paramount need that to occur:
In some ways, Part 31 is a check case for Star Trek’s future. The story and characters are new to this universe, which might appeal to new viewers together with diehard followers. It expands what sorts of tales this universe can inform, as properly. It takes a dynamic strategy to the foundational values the bigger saga upholds. Put one other manner, Part 31 exhibits there’s a couple of path to heroism within the Star Trek universe. These characters ought to come again, both for a sequel or as a part of different tasks.
As a Star Trek fan who noticed Part 31 forward of its launch, I will admit I had related ideas as these listed above… however would nonetheless wish to see a sequel. The premise might actually be tweaked and polished in a future installment, however I feel there’s potential in sticking with this Michelle Yeoh-led spinoff that would ultimately result in one thing nice if it is given one other probability.
Readers will have the ability to resolve for themselves when Star Trek: Part 31 premieres on Paramount+ on Friday, January twenty fourth. I am desirous to see what the remainder of the general public has to say about this film, and whether or not they’ll align with critics or have a completely totally different tackle the film.