Movies

With ‘Section 31,’ Michelle Yeoh returns to the ‘Star Trek’ multiverse

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It feels fitting in a cosmic sense that Michelle Yeoh could win an Oscar for portraying various incarnations of her main character in the multiverse comedy-drama “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” Moreover, in her role as a “Star Trek” heroine, she appears to have the ability to transform into whatever she desires, even multiple representations of other individuals.

Starting from 2018, this globally renowned actor has been a constant presence in successful films such as “Crazy Rich Asians,” “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,” and “Wicked” (with future roles in “Avatar 4” and the upcoming “Blade Runner 2099” series), in addition to various TV shows. This includes her portrayal of Capt. Philippa Georgiou and her alternate self on “Star Trek: Discovery.” The kind Captain Georgiou met an early demise in the series; now, the ruthless and brilliant Emperor Georgiou is at the helm, spearheading the franchise’s first-ever TV movie, “Star Trek: Section 31,” currently streaming on Paramount+.

According to Yeoh, Captain Philippa Georgiou – her character on “Discovery” – is deeply respected and decorated for her service. Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green), who is mentored by Georgiou, describes her as a captain who embodies both understanding of humanity and compassion. In the emperor’s realm, empathy is absent, and power-hungry leaders seek to rule forever. This chilling reflection can be seen in our own world as well, where some leaders aspire to stay in power for eternity, posing a threat. It seems they are trying to achieve immortality, which is troubling.

Originally planned as a TV series, “Section 31” was later transformed into a movie due to delays in production caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and Michelle Yeoh’s increased schedule following her Academy Award victory. However, she was determined to rejoin the “Star Trek” universe.

Speaking as a movie critic, I found myself captivated by the production of ‘Discovery.’ During filming, I approached executive producer Alex Kurtzman with an idea: we should develop a spin-off from this fascinating world we’ve created together. I expressed my gratitude to the talented writers for crafting such a dynamic character – it truly opened up an extraordinary playground for storytelling.

She differs remarkably from traditional “Star Trek” leading characters, as she carries a grim history and exhibits no qualms about resorting to lethal force. Her behavior, at times, deviates from the usual “Star Trek” persona, occasionally resulting in amusing situations.

Television

Alex Kurtzman, the head of the present ‘Star Trek’ brand, shares insights about the conclusion of ‘Discovery’ and future developments in ‘Starfleet Academy’ and ‘Section 31.’

Georgiou bluntly asks, “Isn’t it obvious? This is the way to proceed,” and Yeoh portrays a stuttering reaction. The Emperor’s straightforwardness, unlike the usual polite behavior seen in most franchise characters, feels refreshing.

In the latest film, Georgiou appears to be quite villainous, yet she’s intriguingly good. She resides off the limelight in an outlying region of non-Federation space within the Prime Universe. However, agents from Section 31 approach her for a critical mission. This operation, it turns out, carries significant emotional weight for her.

She muses aloud, ‘I’m managing well. I’m flying under the radar and not causing harm.’ Yet, she can’t resist her curiosity. That’s why Section 31 seeks her out once more. For she’s not merely a killer, but a thinker, a strategist,” Yeoh chuckles, coming close to laughter.

Although some fans have harbored concerns about a covert military intelligence group, such as Section 31 and Georgiou, that operates beyond the established rules of the United Federation of Planets, these characters can be seen as the unpleasant but essential remedy in Gene Roddenberry’s almost perfect vision for “Trek.

As a dedicated movie enthusiast, I’d rephrase it as follows: “Georgiou consistently takes the correct actions, yet seemingly for all the wrong motivations,” states Kurtzman, the mastermind behind the vast “Star Trek” television realm. “It’s comforting to imagine that such a person exists, keeping us secure amidst the cosmos.

Impossible,” with a diverse group of ethically ambiguous spies. However, it’s set in the same universe as “Star Trek.” Interestingly, one of its characters, Rachel Garrett (played by Kacey Rohl), is a younger version of a character who later becomes a notable figure in “Star Trek: The Next Generation.” Despite this, the film has a distinctive feel compared to typical “Trek” productions. It incorporates more handheld camera work, focuses on action scenes showcasing Yeoh’s fighting skills, and uses contemporary language in its dialogues. Essentially, it’s like a mirror image of “Star Trek,” presenting an alternate perspective.

Television

As a devoted Star Trek enthusiast myself, I was thrilled to finally witness the franchise’s foray into musical territory after 57 years of its inception. Recently, I had the pleasure of discussing this innovative episode with fellow admirer and musical theater aficionado, Ashley Lee.

If Georgiou had not traveled to the Prime Universe, she would have remained ruthless throughout her life. Now, as Yeoh puts it, she finds herself asking, ‘What’s the best way to resolve this issue? Should I destroy them, or find another solution?’ This ambiguity about her motives intrigues fans: Is she acting out of necessity for survival, or does she have a deeper desire to do what she’s doing?

As a captivated movie critic, I find myself utterly enthralled by the enigmatic performance of Michelle Yeoh in “Section 31.” Her portrayal of the character is nothing if not unpredictable – one moment you’re on the edge of your seat guessing her next line, and the next, you’re left wondering who might be her next target.

Yeoh brings a layer of depth to this role that goes beyond just dialogue. She’s not merely an actress speaking lines; she’s a chameleon, morphing with each scene, leaving us in awe at the unforeseen turns her character takes. But what truly sets Yeoh apart is her ability to seamlessly transition from subtle, emotional scenes to high-octane action sequences – all while maintaining an air of authenticity and believability.

In essence, we’re not just watching a character; we’re witnessing a complex individual whose actions match her words, creating a truly captivating and multidimensional figure on screen.

Kurtzmann remarks that the 62-year-old actress puts in an extraordinary amount of effort, pushing herself physically more than any other actor he’s collaborated with. He adds that when an actor portrays a role with such conviction, it makes it easy to seamlessly switch between comedy and drama.

In contrast to the franchise’s usual pattern, Yeoh’s role was a surprise as she is an internationally recognized star, unlike William Shatner and Patrick Stewart who were relatively unknown when they started their “Star Trek” journeys. Thus, it left many fans astonished when Georgiou met her demise in the second episode of “Discovery”.

Her death sparked much debate. Our intention, which we couldn’t reveal back then, was to pave the way for her return in later episodes. What made it exciting was that Michelle brought a delightful twist to the character. While [Prime] Georgiou was admirable and kind, Michelle’s portrayal showed that she wasn’t as intriguing as one might think.

Yeoh agrees: “Emperor Georgiou is much more complicated. What is going on in that head?”

Initially, the term ‘friends’ seemed almost repulsive to her, Yeoh expressed, recalling the idea of kind-hearted inhabitants of Prime trying to befriend the emperor. She likened them to a contagion. However, the Prime Universe appears to be transforming her: “Now, in ‘Section 31,’ could this be the pathway to atonement?

Conveying a character that’s not just unique but multi-layered is exactly the kind of diverse representation Michelle Yeoh has championed throughout her career, and it’s fitting given her versatility in shows like “Everything Everywhere” and “Star Trek.” Indeed, much like a multiverse, Yeoh seems to embody numerous personas. It’s worth noting that the multitalented Yeoh rose to prominence as a beauty queen (Miss Malaysia World 1983), then transitioned into one of the most accomplished action stars, performing her own stunts in numerous blockbusters such as the Academy Award-winning “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.” Her acting prowess has been celebrated across various film and TV productions. Moreover, she’s a dedicated activist for conservation, HIV/AIDS awareness, gender equality, and poverty alleviation causes.

Yeoh expresses that it’s inspiring when women similar to her hold prominent roles like the President of the United States or M in James Bond. She wants our young generation to understand that any dream can become a reality, fostering the belief that everything is achievable.

She’s also apparently plenty persuasive off-camera.

Osunsanmi, who identifies himself as primarily a “crew member,” stated that Yeoh informed him he would be featured in the film. He made it clear to her that he wasn’t interested. However, during filming, a costume staffer mentioned that Yeoh had sent shoes for him to fit, followed by a hairdresser informing him, “Michelle has a wig for you to test” and later adding, “Michelle has decided you’ll wear glitter.

He remained firm until “Michelle unexpectedly appeared and told him, ‘You have to participate, or else they won’t film,'” he chuckles. “So, I got ready and the team found it highly amusing. If you pay close attention, you can spot me in the backdrop of a fight scene alongside Michelle.

In her role as an actor for “Section 31,” Yeoh is quite adept at getting her message across: “I encourage you to take out your phaser and set it to ‘fun.’ This series is filled with humor, and the team of actors that Alex and Tunde have gathered truly make it enjoyable.

Fun? But isn’t the center of this spies-in-space show a genocidal murderer?

“She was!,” the actor cheerily admonishes. “She was!”

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2025-01-24 14:32

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