Showing posts with label Star Wars. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Star Wars. Show all posts

Thursday, May 15, 2025

Andor Season 2 (2025) Review

Andor Season 2 (2025) Review


When Andor Season 1 was released, it was heavily praised for really grounding Star Wars and making it a real character study on these super interesting characters and the world that they are living in. A few years later we now have the 2nd and final season, with an accelerated release schedule it is now finished and here is my review for it. The premise of the season sees Cassian still working for Luthen while The Empire try and crush any resemblance of Rebellion while building The Death Star.

Main Character 

Diego Luna reprises his role as Cassian Andor and he continues to be fantastic. This season does a fantastic job in showing the lengths that Cassian will go to in order to protect the people he cares about and The Rebellion. It takes a bit of time to make him the centre piece of the show but when it does Luna nails it and gives us a fantastic protagonist. 

Supporting Characters

Denise Gough plays Dedra Meero and she is is great in her role. We see her inside The ISB and how her job is really affecting her life. As she gains more power she struggles with how to control all of these situations. Gough really delivers in creating a fascinating Imperial character. 

Stellan Skarsgard is back as Luthen Rael and this is still one of the most interesting characters in all of Star Wars. He is super illusive and despite being a good guy you see the ruthlessness that he is willing to commit in order to take down The Empire. In a long career, I think this might go down as Skarsgard's greatest ever role. 

Genevieve O'Reilly is back as Mon Mothma and she is also really good in her role. The political aspects of previous Star Wars projects has held it back but Andor manages to really deliver on it. O'Reilly is super crucial to this show and I love how we see her character progress over the season. 

All of the cast are amazing, Kyle Soller as Syril, Adria Arjona as Bix & Elizabeth Dulau as Kleya are real standouts and have so many memorable moments and I can't speak high enough of this fantastically assembled cast. 

Story

The show does a brilliant job of showing the real birth of The Rebellion and the true sacrifices that these characters went through in order for the success of the original trilogy. The show handles the character arcs really well and has an incredibly satisfying ending. However, I did have an issue with the structure of the storytelling. Each 3 episodes covers a year in the timeline which means certain story arcs are dropped and not really finalised in order to progress to the overall plot which was a slight shame for me. 

Script

The script is fantastic. This is probably the best writing in any Star Wars property and I love how dark and realistic this show is despite its sci-fi backdrop. It has many interesting and complex themes and it delivers on all them and really sets some high standards. 

Style

The show looks fantastic and the action scenes are incredibly well filmed and it really feels like a true pre-cursor to Rogue One. But the episodes are paced very well and understands that there is more then crazy action scenes and amazingly filmed scenes with no action. 

Overall

Overall, Andor Season 2 is a fantastic show that is so close to perfection. It really is the standard bearer of Star Wars projects currently and I really love the way it was made. In particular episodes 8,9 & 12 are some of the best Star Wars ever and if you are on the fence please watch Andor as I am sure it will not disappoint. 

Rating - 9/10

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld (2025) Review

Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld (2025) Review


I wasn't around on May 4th so this review is definitely late and I wonder whether anyone is still even talking about Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld. I watched all 6 episodes today and here is my review for the show. The premise of the show sees Asajj Ventress trying to protect a young Jedi from the Empire, while we see the origins of Cad Bane. 

Main Character

Asajj Ventress is once again voiced by Nika Futterman and she could play this role in her sleep. Ventress is a cool character and it is good seeing her on screen. Honestly, I am not a huge fan of the way her character is treated but that isn't the problem with the performance. 

Corey Burton is back as Cad Bane and I just love this character. I mean, I am not sure if we needed an origin story for his character but I thought they did well enough with the material and Bane is still a really cool character. 

Supporting Characters

Niro is an old friend of Bane and he was easily the most interesting character other then the two protagonists. We see how his relationship sours with Bane and how that sets them both on the path that the show intended and I did like it. 

Lyco is a young Jedi that teams up with Ventress and I found him really annoying. I didn't care about his relationship with Ventress and it felt really underdeveloped which made it a forgettable character and storyline. 

The rest of the characters are forgettable and offer very little. Including a really stupid Inquisitor appearance that feels way overused in 2025. 

Story

Similar to Tales of the Jedi & Tales of the Empire this story is split into two halves and it is a mixed bag. I liked the Cad Bane story, the rivalry between Bane and Niro is well handled and I just thought it was pretty well done. But I really didn't care about The Ventress story, nothing really happens and it just feels like a waste of time. I don't like Ventress in this more good guy role and I just kind of wish we got 6 episodes about Cad Bane. 

Script

The script and writing isn't that great and honestly I think this is some pretty weak writing. There wasn't any real dramatic scenes that truly worked and the humour is poor or not even here. I never grew to care about anyone and the writing is a big part of that. 

Style

The show looks great, it continues the style from the other newer Star Wars animated shows and I do still enjoyed it with some decent action scenes. But the pacing of the show is terrible, I swear these episodes are getting shorter and shorter and with only 3 episodes per character it feels like everything is underdeveloped and not given a definitive ending. 

Overall

Overall, Star Wars: Tales of The Underworld is a below average show that is a big let down. I think we are starting to get to the point that these animated shows are just being released for contents sake and this is a big example of it. If you are a Star Wars fan then you have already watched it, if you aren't then don't bother. 

Rating - 4/10

Thursday, March 6, 2025

Star Wars: Episode 1 - Jedi Power Battles (2000/2025) Review

Star Wars: Episode 1 - Jedi Power Battles (2000/2025) Review


It seems in recent years that Star Wars games are getting remastered left, right and centre. The newest one is Star Wars: Episode 1 - Jedi Power Battles, I found the time to sit down and play this game and here is my review for it. The premise of the game sees iconic Star Wars characters going through the events of The Phantom Menace, taking down Battle Droids, Tusken Raiders & Mercenaries alike. 

Characters

Now, I won't deny that it is pretty entertaining playing as this roster of characters especially lesser used characters such as Ki-Adi Mundi and Plo Koon as it added something a bit more to this game. 

However, there isn't really any characterisation of these characters and it doesn't really matter who you are playing as, there is literally no real dialogue and no differentiation apart from a little bit of the combat.  

Story

As mentioned above, this game follows the story of The Phantom Menace, well kind of. It never really feels this way and it just feels like there is a background for these characters to go around and defeat enemies. The one thing to build to is the battle with Darth Maul but it sucks that this battle is underwhelming and incredibly cheap making it more frustrating then enjoyable. 

Side Content

There are some side activities that can be completed, like playing as a Droideka and capturing Jar Jar Binks. Yeah, these are awful and though I applaud them for trying with side content but it really feels like an afterthought and is dull. 

Gameplay

The gameplay is okay, I will give them credit that they gave all the characters unique combos and it did feel pretty unique depending on who you play as. But it felt like I was just hitting the bad guys with a stick and I just didn't feel like I was playing as a Jedi much. Also the blaster characters are pretty useless and you are never going to be able to complete the game with these characters. 

Graphics

The game has some okay graphics and most of the character models represent the characters well. The sound design is pretty good and takes most of it from the film. But some of the graphics are poor, especially for the villains and there is some annoying sounds such as Jar Jar screaming over and over again. 

Overall

Overall, Star Wars: Episode 1 - Jedi Power Battles is a bad game that is incredibly dull and boring in the modern day. It belongs to the past and I wouldn't bother spending your time and money on it. 

Rating - 3/10

Thursday, August 1, 2024

The Acolyte Season 1 (2024) Review

The Acolyte Season 1 (2024) Review


The Acolyte is probably the most talked about TV show in the world recently and mostly for not good reasons but I have watched the show and will only give me own opinions and give the show a fair shot unlike most review bombers, so here is my review for the first season of The Acolyte. The premise of the show is set in The High Republic Era, when a Jedi is murdered it leads to the start of a new mysterious force. 

Main Character

The show focuses on the twin sisters of Mae and Osha played by Amandla Stenberg and I have mixed feelings about these characters. I actually liked some of the performances and the direction that the show takes with both of their characters, the issue is that some of the acting is pretty wooden and they are easily not the most interesting part of the show which is a big let down. 

Supporting Characters

Lee Jung-Jae plays Master Sol and for me he is the best character in the show and the person who seems to care the most about his character. The fact he learned English for this role and then knocked it out of the park says everything about his passion. Sol is a mysterious but likeable Jedi and I kind of wish he had been the main focus of the show instead of the twins. 

The villain is a mystery for a large part of the show so I won't go into detail about who it is but I thought this was a really interesting villain. The way they are portrayed is fantastic and feels like a dark threat to the rest of The Jedi. 

Vernestra Rwoh is a character from the books and is played by Rebecca Henderson and I thought this was an interesting supporting character. She has a different view to the Jedi then Sol and I think it showed some of the more shady elements of the Order and she did a good job with it. 

Charlie Bennett as Yord and Dafne Keene as Jecki are decent characters too that were fun to watch on screen but they did have limited development over the shows run. 

Story

There are elements of the story that I do enjoy. There are mysteries about The Jedi Order which makes you question how good they are and elements that aren't fitting with what we have been told. But the show misses the mark on certain things, mainly the story regarding the twins and their origins, the show spends ages on this but it falls flat and really flatters to deceive. 

Script

Unfortunately, the writing for the show is where it really falls flat. There is some really cringey dialogue and the actors are clearly working really hard to make it work. The dramatic writing doesn't work and there is no humour which does make it a tough watch at times. 

Style

The action scenes in The Acolyte are genuinely some of the best Star Wars action I have ever seen, it rivals iconic lightsabre duels such as Phantom Menace and Revenge of The Sith. I did actually like the feeling of The High Republic and how it felt different to the other eras of Star Wars that we have watched. But the show has real pacing issues, it spends a few episodes on flashbacks which weren't really needed and made other elements of the show feel a bit rushed. 

Overall

Overall, The Acolyte is an Average Show. I liked it more then others but I cannot deny that this show does struggle to find its way to improve its quality. I think there is potential here if they do future seasons but this show isn't one you have to watch whether a Star Wars fan or not. 

Rating - 5/10

Thursday, July 4, 2024

Star Wars: Squadrons (2020) Review

Star Wars: Squadrons (2020) Review


Continuing my theme of playing Next Gen Star Wars Games, I went back and replayed Star Wars: Squadrons and here is my review for the game. The premise of the game focuses on Vanguard Squadron of the New Republic & Titan Squadron of The Empire as they attempt to win the war after the battle of Endor. 

Characters

Now you play as Vanguard 5 & Titan 3 but your character is silent and you see the game through your point of view so what your character looks like doesn't really matter. I personally feel like the age of silent protagonists should be over and it is pretty lazy. I never cared about my character and the game did nothing to make me care. 

This is even more frustrating because this game is filled of really interesting characters. Phil Morris plays Lindon Javes who is an Imperial defector and the new leader of Vanguard Squadron. Lindon is a cool character and I thought he was a good leader of the group here. 

On the other side we have Terisa Kerrill played by Peta Sergeant and she is your typical Imperial Captain, she is angry and out for revenge and she seems to revel in the role and has a clear objective for the imperial side of the story. 

The two squadrons are really fun. Vanguard Squadron has Gunny, Frisk, Keo & Grace. They're fun and layered characters, Frisk is a trandoshan who are usually villains in the Star Wars universe so it is cool to seeing him on the light side. The other members of the team are great too and have distinct personalities.

Titan Squadron has Grey, Shen, Vonreg & Sol. They are truly loyal to the Empire and it is actually refreshing to have characters who are fully committed to this side. Shen is basically half droid and his backstory is really fascinating. The rest of the team have their uniqueness too and that is really cool when before we have just seen generic imperials. 

Story 

The story is okay, I like the two squadrons and the fact that it is the New Republic who are the ones building a new super weapon when in the past that has been more of an Empire thing. But the game does lack some depth and the ending is pretty terrible, it doesn't give much indication on what happened to any of the characters and is just an excuse to try and get DLC or a sequel that is just lazy. 

Side Content

The issue with this part of the review is that in 2024 nobody is playing the online of this game, I tried to find matches online for ages and I couldn't find any. Though I do remember that this games online wasn't that impressive to me to be honest. There aren't enough modes to sink your teeth into and the offline side content is even less which is a big shame. Especially as this game really focuses on its multiplayer it is well below the expectations of other games. 

Gameplay

I cannot deny that it is fun taking control of iconic Star Wars ships from inside of the cockpit. There is so much satisfaction when you take down an enemy fighter or a capital ship. Though I don't feel like it was as good as I wanted, The ships are quite slow and at times it feels like the game revolves on you banking left and not much more. Also, maybe I am the only one who found it harder to play as the imperials due to the fact that the TIE fighters don't have shields, I know that is the same as the lore but it made me not really want to use them as much. Lastly, I don't know what it is with recent Star Wars games but at one point this game has a huge difficulty spike that really feels out of place and makes the game truly unforgivable. 

Graphics

Easily the best part of this game are the graphics, this game really nails the Star Wars feeling and is really made by people who love the franchise. You get to fly lots of iconic ships and just the sound design makes you fall in love with the feeling of the game. 

Overall

Overall, Star Wars: Squadrons is an average game that fall short of what it set out to do. The single player is okay but in 2024 the online is worthless so I think this games life cycle has truly ended and is not worth the money. 

Rating - 5/10

Tuesday, June 25, 2024

Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order (2019) Review

Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order (2019) Review


While playing the newer Star Wars games, I realised that I actually hadn't reviewed Jedi: Fallen Order even though I have reviewed the Sequel Jedi: Survivor so it is time to review it after playing through the game. The premise of the games sees a young Jedi escape Order 66 and when he discovered he must find his true identity and a reason to fight. 

Characters

Cameron Monaghan plays Cal Kestis and I love this performance and it was a true pleasure to play as the character. Cal's development throughout the game is fantastic and we really see him develop and come to realise how important he can be to the galaxy. You see him gain more confidence and it feels like we are on a journey with him which is fantastic. 

Cal's main companion of the game is BD-1, a little droid who is full of character. I don't think it is an overreaction to put him on a similar level to R2-D2 & BB-8 and the development of their friendship is so charming and I love watching it on screen. 

Debra Wilson plays Cere Junda, a former Jedi who is helping Cal and she is a fascinating character. She is shrouded in mystery throughout the game and we learn little things throughout that makes things complicated between her and Cal and adds this layer of character. 

Greez played by Daniel Roebuck and Tina Ivlev plays Nightsister Merrin and they are great additions to the crew of The Mantis. Greez is the pilot and is charming and funny, clearly being the comedy relief but it really works. Merrin is a fascinating character, she gives a look at the Nightsisters that we have never seen before and I just wish we could have spent more time with her in the game. 

The villains are also really well written, there are spoilers involving one of the villains identity so I won't go into too much detail but they are well written and kept interesting throughout the game. 

Story

The story is really heavily emphasised here and I really enjoyed it. Cal is a fantastic lead character and I love how they handled his character development. The crew of The Mantis are great together and I love the banter and emotion between the three/four of them. The ending is also really rewarding and the last 10 mins of the game is just peak Star Wars. 

Side Content 

Now this game heavily focused on its story but that means there is literally no side content and that is not good enough. The game tries to trick you to go back to planets to find things but there is no point, sure there are collectibles but they aren't particularly interesting and it just feels like the amount of content here is not good enough and it makes the game feel a little empty and I completed it pretty quickly. 

Gameplay

The gameplay is a lot of fun, the lightsaber combat is fresh and exciting and there are plenty of enemies to face off with that feels unique. There are cool climbing sequences and the missions feel different throughout with some great locations. However, this game had an issue and that was the final boss, I am happy to have a challenge but the final boss is really cheap and it became more of a chore to complete then actually a fun challenge. 

Graphics

The game looks beautiful, the character models look life like and credit to these real performances that bring them to life. It was great revisiting some planets we already know and some new ones and every one was designed fantastically well.

Overall

Overall, Jedi: Survivor is a good game but I can't lie that I was a little disappointed playing it through. I just remember the game being better and I truly feel like the sequel Survivor is a huge improvement. But Jedi Fallen Order is a good game that focuses on its story and characters and if you are a fan of Star Wars and Single Player Games, then it should be played. 

Rating - 7/10

Wednesday, June 19, 2024

Star Wars: Battlefront 2 (2017) Review

Star Wars: Battlefront 2 (2017) Review


Ahead of the upcoming Star Wars: Outlaws, I thought I would go back and play some other Star Wars games, especially those that have come out on the next gen consoles PS4 & PS5. Over the last few days I have been playing my way through the 2nd incarnation of Star Wars Battlefront 2 that was released in 2017 and here is my review for the game. The premise of the story sees an elite Imperial squad attempt to fulfil the will of The Emperor after the destruction of The Death Star. 

Characters

The main character of the game that you play as is Iden Versio played Janina Gavankar and unfortunately, she is a pretty boring lead character. There just isn't anything particularly interesting about Iden and her character development doesn't really make much sense and feels incredibly rushed which fits the theme of this game. I think Gavankar really cares about the role and really wanted to make it work but the writing truly lets her down. 

A slight issue is that her partner Del Meeko played by T.J. Ramini has a better story arc then she does. It still feels rushed but there is an event that happens to him at the beginning of the game's story where he is on his own that at least makes it make sense and he does a decent enough job with that. 

Shriv played by Dan Donohue is a Rebel soldier and the comic relief of the game. He is really funny and has the best one liners of the game, its a shame the rest of the characters didn't have the charisma that he had throughout. 

The Awesome Paul Blackthore plays Gideon Hask and even though his character is a pretty generic Imperial, he revels in it and owns the majority of his scenes with how over the top villainy he possesses. He knows the role he is given and plays it really well. 

Throughout the story mode you get the chance to play as heroes such as Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia and Han Solo and these are fun detours from the journey of Inferno Squad. Though not the film actors, these voice actors all do stellar jobs and it does feel like the characters you are playing as. 

Story

Quite controversially, the reboot of Star Wars: Battlefront had no campaign which was a terrible decision. This game has both a campaign and a DLC Campaign so that is a step in the right direction, however, the campaign isn't that great. The parts I enjoyed were the fact that you get to play as these heroes in fun missions and that you get to play at the Battle of Jakku and see how the DLC campaign links to the events of The Force Awakens & The Last Jedi. However, the story is really frustrating, we were promised that we would get an Empire story where we would see their point of view but that is just a lie and doesn't happen and you are frustratingly a good guy after like an hour in. The story is also too short, I finished the main campaign and Resurrection (The DLC Campaign) in around 5 hours and it rushed by without much substance. 

Side Content

So the single player campaign isn't great but the multiplayer is fantastic. It is so much fun playing on these iconic locations in huge battles both on the ground and in Space. The Starfighter Assault mode is really fun and Supremacy feels like this epic battles between two factions. Heroes vs Villains is here and it is always fun playing as these iconic Star Wars characters and even though some are better then others there is no denying that it is fun. 

There is other single player content with Arcade missions where you have to complete tasks as certain characters to earn rewards. These are satisfying enough and I like that the game bothered to include them but they won't be overly remembered. 

Gameplay

The actual gameplay is really good, using these iconic weapons from Star Wars and playing in these iconic locations is a lot of fun. Alongside the different abilities and classes it makes everybody's experience feel a little bit different and unique which is really fun to see. The battles feel really large in scale and that the game does a great job of showing that. 

However, in the campaign the AI is some of the worst I have seen. The partner AI are useless and they just don't help you at all and they might as well not be there. But the enemy AI is even worse, either they just run at you with no tactics or care for their lives or they spawn out of nowhere. The only reason  I ever died was due to the sheer amount of enemies that you face and not due to the AI actually being smart or well programmed. 

Graphics

The game looks fantastic, seeing such planets as Endor, Takodana & Naboo in all its glory is a sight to behold and that is continued with the brilliant visuals of the Starfighter missions which all feel slightly different and unique. The character models all look really great too with plenty of customisation alongside less but still worthwhile vehicle and Ship Design. 

But during the campaign I suffered from a lot of graphical glitches mainly involving the enemies moving through walls and magically floating in mid air after I killed them. It just took me out of the game and made the entire thing feel a bit cheap and weak. 

Overall

Overall, Star Wars: Battlefront 2 is an above average game. If you only play games for the single player then give this one a miss as it doesn't offer enough. But if you are a Star Wars fan who loves multiplayer then this is a must play, it is so much fun playing these huge battles in multiplayer. If they make a Battlefront 3 I hope they focus a bit more on the campaign and keep the great multiplayer. 

Rating - 6/10

Saturday, May 4, 2024

Star Wars: Tales of the Empire (2024) Review

Star Wars: Tales of the Empire (2024) Review


It happens every year and we have finally reached May 4th aka Star Wars Day and Disney decided today to release the follow up to the successful Tales of the Jedi with a new show Star Wars Tales of the Empire and I have watched it this morning and this is my review of the show. The premise of the show documents the journey's of Morgan Elsbeth & Barriss Offee and how their lives were affected by different events. 

Main Character 

The first 3 episodes of the show documents the journey of Morgan Elsbeth with Diana Lee Inosanto reprising her role from The Mandalorian & Ahsoka and she is great. It shows how she became the character that we met in those shows. She does a really effective job of showing the anger and the devotion that she has to her new mission, her character was great in live action and it continues here. 

The latter 3 episodes focus on Barriss Offee who is once again voiced by Meredith Salenger. The show picks up after she was expelled from the Jedi Order in The Clone Wars. Salenger does a good job, we still see the inner turmoil of her character and that even though she was against the Jedi, she might not be fully on board with the Empire and it is just nice to get some follow up on her which people have been asking for years. 

Supporting Characters

To be honest this show is all about the two main characters and doesn't have too much time for the rest of the cast but everyone does a good job. Probably the main one is The Fourth Sister who has a good story with Barriss and gives some more character to this pretty dull character so that was good to see. 

It was also nice to see cameos from characters from the Star Wars universe such as General Grievous, Thrawn & The Grand Inquisitor. They all offer something to the stories and it was just nice to see them make a return here. 

Story

The stories are good. Seeing how Morgan Elsbeth went from surviving on Dathomir to become a Magistrate is well realised and it does set up future events in Ahsoka which is appreciated. I also enjoyed seeing Barriss journey to becoming an Inquisitor and how it showed her different viewpoints of the galaxy. But, there is no doubt that there is something missing here, it just isn't as interesting as I wanted it to be. Morgan's story doesn't do enough to tell us more stuff about her, it probably would have come across better if we had seen it before Ahsoka was released and we knew what happened to her. Barriss story does feel a little bit like missed potential and I think maybe they could have had 6 episodes just on that and it would have been better and the ending is incredibly abrupt and doesn't quite work like I think Disney thought it would. 

Script

The script is okay, this show is incredibly mature and dark and that does work and I am glad that this show goes with that tone and the lack of humour isn't an issue. The issue is that none of the drama really nails the mark fully, similar to the story I think Disney expected more and it just fell a bit flat at crucial times. 

Style

The animation looks fantastic. We have seen with other animated Star Wars shows that the animation has got better and better and this is up there with the best yet. The character models look fantastic and the action flows incredibly well and feels very smooth. But the pacing is where the issue is, with us only having 3 episodes each with these lesser known characters, plenty is left out and it feels a bit janky especially with Morgan Elsbeth which made it hard to really get invested in it. 

Overall

Overall, Star Wars: Tales of The Empire is a good show that has some merit to it and will entertain fans of the franchise. But it doesn't hit the landing as much as it should and feels like a slight let down in that way but it is still a decent watch. 

Rating - 7/10

Wednesday, May 1, 2024

Star Wars: The Bad Batch Season 3 (2024) Review

Star Wars: The Bad Batch Season 3 (2024) Review


After 15 episodes, we have now made it to the series finale of Star Wars: The Bad Batch. It was announced that this season would be the final one of the show which added much hype to it. I watched the finale this morning and here is my review for the 3rd and final season of The Bad Batch. The premise of the season sees Hunter & Wrecker attempting to find Omega, while Omega and Crosshair try to escape their fate on Mount Tantiss. 

Main Character

Even though she has been a crucial part of this show over the entire thing, Omega really steps forward this season and has easily become the main character of this show. She is captured by the Empire and seeing how she handles it does an effective job of showing her character progression from the first episode to the last. Michelle Ang plays her really well and she has grown with the character on the screen and it has been a delight to be seen. 

Supporting Characters

Crosshair has been my favourite character over the entire show and I was disappointed that he wasn't used enough last season but he has tonnes of screen time and an amazing story throughout. We see the pain from him over the actions he made in previous seasons. He starts his redemption arc and he has great chemistry with Omega as they try to survive under the reign of the Empire. 

Hunter & Wrecker are great too, they have always had great chemistry together and they continue here. They don't have the most in depth character development but they are entertaining and combine with the other members of the group so well. 

Echo isn't on screen as much this season but he does play a major role when he is with the rest of the crew, he especially plays a vital role in the last few episodes of the series and he is really well handled and it is great to see him flourishing. 

I have to see how amazing Dee Bradley Baker is, he has voiced all of the clones since the Clone Wars Movie and he has done an amazing job in the role and he makes all the clones have a distinct personality and makes us really care about him. 

Credit has to also go to Jimmi Simpson who voices Dr Hemlock, he was a fantastic villain for this show and the voice acting made him super creepy and unnerving and I loved hearing this guy talk and everything that he does. 

Story

The story is really well handled and for me this is the best season of the show in terms of its focus on the main plot. It is quite simple but it really works, all of the clones get stories and progression throughout. Crosshair & Omega particularly shine and seeing them share so much screen time together is a joy. The finale really nails it and I am so glad that this show did a great job and wrapped everything up perfectly with a worthwhile ending. 

Script

The show is really well written, it has the emotion and is actually is pretty dark. It isn't a kids show and the slightly childish nature of the previous seasons is completely gone and replaced by higher stakes darker stories. The charm is still there though and there is some nice moments between the group. 

Style

The show looks fantastic. The animation has progressed so much and looks beautiful with all the characters and planets looking fantastic. The action scenes are well done too and really put the character in some more peril then before. My only complaint is that there are a few too many episodes and too many guest characters that sometimes takes away from The Bad Batch. 

Overall 

Overall. Star Wars: The Bad Batch Season 3 is the best season of the show and is easily the most focused and handles its characters very well. As a Star Wars fan, it has become a must watch and I give them credit to ending the show now at its peak. 

Rating - 9/10

Thursday, October 5, 2023

Ahsoka Season 1 (2023) Review

Ahsoka Season 1 (2023) Review



Ever since her live action debut in The Mandalorian Season 2, I have been hyped to see Ahsoka get her time to shine in her own show and yesterday the final episode of the first season of Ahsoka came to Disney+ so it is time to review it. The premise of the show sees Ahsoka on the hunt to locate Grand Admiral Thrawn and prevent his return, others are looking for him too both allies and enemies of the former Jedi. 

Main Character

Rosario Dawson is once again back as the titular character and she is really good. I have seen some people complaining about her stoic behaviour but I think that is all to do with where her character is during this story. Dawson, has that playful nature that we know Ahsoka has but it is fascinating seeing how she has grown over the years and where she is in terms of her faith in the Jedi. I really liked Rosario in the role and felt she encapsulated what Ahsoka is like for live action. 

Supporting Characters

This is a big cast and there are some characters that I am intentionally not going to talk about because of their roles in the show. A major surprise here was the use of Huyang with David Tennant reprising his role from The Clone Wars. I thought this was going to be a minor role but he is one of the most important characters on the show and he is brilliant. He is the perfect partner to Ahsoka and his use of sarcasm is really funny and I am really happy he was included here. 

Natasha Liu Bordizzo takes over the role of Sabine Wren and they do a lot with her character to show progression from her appearance in Rebels. There is more of a defined relationship between Sabine & Ashoka then there was in that show. Sabine has clearly struggled since the finale of Rebels and Bordizzo portrays that really well adding more depth to her character. 

Similarly, Mary Elizabeth Winstead takes over the role of Hera Syndulla and I thought this was a good representation of her. They give her a side story and it was actually pretty interesting and Winstead does a good job as Hera and is solid in continuing this characters legacy from Rebels. 

Unfortunately, before the show came out Ray Stevenson passed away. It was tragic then and after watching this show it feels even worse here as I think his portrayal of Baylon Skoll is the best part of this whole show and he is amazing. Baylon is one of the most interesting antagonists in any film or show in recent years. The way Stevenson carries himself makes himself believable and an intimidating presence but with that sense of calmness and understanding, it is a shame we won't see Stevenson get a chance to show his amazing ability on screen again. 

There are other characters here, especially ones seen in other Star Wars projects and all I will say is that they are all handled really well and I give credit to all the performers who nailed it here. 

Story

The story is really good. The show manages to balance the stories of older characters while bringing in new ones such as Baylon. It opens up new areas for Star Wars and does an excellent job in getting me invested in these characters and the time of Star Wars that we are in which is largely unexplored in canon. However, the only issue is that there isn't really much finality to this season, everybody is set up for the future and it kind of makes this feel like build up to future projects and I think at least a few story elements could have been completed here. 

Script

The show is really well written, I think it balances those who have watched Rebels and Clone Wars and those who haven't. It is funny at times but pretty serious and I like how these characters are developed and the ones who are now live action are as I would imagine from their animated counterparts. 

Style

The show looks fantastic. The action scenes feel new and fresh, there are a few lightsaber duels and they all feel different and all are awesome. It shows areas of Star Wars that we have never seen before and it is shown really well with a very clear big budget. It is also paced well and every episode feels slightly different with a solid structure. 

Overall

Overall, Disney gets plenty of criticism for its handling of Star Wars. But I have really enjoyed a lot of the stuff and Ahsoka is a top tier show that as a huge fan of the lore satisfied me for sure. For me, this is a must watch and one that will deliver for the fans. 

Rating - 9/10

Tuesday, May 2, 2023

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (2023) Review

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (2023) Review


I thought that it was about times I added video game reviews to my list of reviews and what better way to start then reviewing the new Star Wars Jedi: Survivor the sequel to Jedi: Fallen Order which was one of my favourite games of recent memory. The premise of the game is set 5 years after the ending of the first game, Cal Kestis has split from his previous crew and is trying to take the Empire down by any means necessary. 

Characters

Cameron Monaghan once again voices Cal and he is fantastic in this game. The character has become one of the most interesting in the whole of Star Wars and that gets expanded here. You can tell that Cal has been through a lot in the 5 years between games and that has made him see certain things in a different light. Monaghan sells it perfectly and this is a character I thoroughly enjoy playing as.

The crew from the main game - Merrin, Cere, BD-1 & Greez are back here in slightly different roles and they are all fantastic. The relationships between Cal and these characters is thoroughly developed and I loved how natural it felt that these people hadn't been together for years. They have changed since the first game and I like how their stories were treated alongside Cal. 

The new characters are also really well realised. Bode Akuna who is voiced by Noshir Dalal who also voices Charles Smith in Red Dead Redemption plays a new ally of Cal and he is a well realised character. Their chemistry is well realised and makes you care about this new character and his motivations for working with Cal. As it was shown in the trailers the new characters from The High Republic is really interesting, especially from someone who isn't that familiar with this time in Star Wars. It makes me want to pick up the books and find out more. 

Main Story

The main story is possibly my favourite part of this game. It feels like a natural progression of the story from the previous game and does an excellent job of progressing our main characters from the first game while developing new characters. Some people have dubbed this game as The Empire Strikes Back of this trilogy and I would agree, it is much darker then the first game but it feels appropriate and like it suits the world being built. It has its twists and turns and it all fits really well and satisfying for a fan of Star Wars and this franchise. 

Side Content 

One huge improvement this game has is that there is way more to do here then their was in the previous game. The majority of missions are pretty linear but well designed. But when you go to the planet Kobah there is plenty of side missions and activities for the player to take part in. It encourages the player to take part in these and even if they aren't all great I appreciate these additions. A couple of these side missions are fantastic with rewards that feel like they are worth doing. The game has added training to the meditation rest point and for new players this is a useful addition. 

Gameplay 

The gameplay is really great. It feels familiar to fans of the first game that it is easy to jump in. But it is more fluid and feels like Cal is a much stronger Jedi then he was in the previous game. There are new enemies to face and some of them are really challenging which is nice to see for sure. The new teammate system isn't used much but it is a nice change that shows Cal works well with his allies to defeat enemies. Things as mount travelling and Fast Travel are really nice additions to the game and makes it easier to explore the world. But probably the biggest addition is the stances, players get to select from 5 different stances based on what is required for the mission. They all feel really different and it was nice to try out these different stances and seeing what worked and what didn't. I did feel there was some issues in terms of the platforming and jumping which seemed to be the ways I died the most. Also the game has a similar issue to the previous game in that the final boss is incredibly cheap, it was incredibly frustrating and I only defeated them by turning the difficulty down which was really frustrating. 

Graphics

The game looks amazing, it continues the good work that the previous game had in terms of the great graphics. The cutscenes are amazing to look at and the planets all look great. This game has huge customisation with Cal. Whether it is his hair, beard or clothes he is so customisable and everybody can have different looking versions of the character. Creating his Lightsaber and designing BD is a really fun part of the game and makes this game stand out. 

Overall

Overall, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is a fantastic game that is a must play for any Star Wars fan. I would even say if you aren't a huge fan play Fallen Order and then get this game as these are amazing single player games that prove that this concept is not dead just yet. 

Rating - 9/10

Sunday, April 23, 2023

The Mandalorian Season 3 (2023) Review

The Mandalorian Season 3 (2023) Review


With Disney having a mixed reputation for how it has handled Star Wars, The Mandalorian has been universally loved and the third season of the show finished this week and it is about time I reviewed it. The premise of the show sees after the events of The Book Of Boba Fett Din Djarin & Grogu reunited and heading to Mandalore in order for the titular character to be redeemed in the eyes of his clan. 

Main Character

Pedro Pascal is back to voice Din Djarin and does a fantastic job in the role. His character has development this season and Pascal has become iconic in his voice acting role. There are some issues with how his character is presented but I don't think it has anything to do with Pascal and his great job. Credit has to go to Lateef Crowder & Barry Lowin who physically play The Mandalorian the majority of the time and do a seamless job in the role. 

Supporting Characters

Katee Sackhoff reprises her role as Bo-Katan and is fantastic in this season. The show puts way more spotlight on her and Sackhoff nails it, she is the real heart of the this season of the show and she is great at it. The dynamic between her and Din Djarin is really well realised and she also has a great dynamic with other characters on the show. Grogu is back reunited by Din Djarin and though there isn't as much time focused on him, he is till adorable and the more we learn about his character, the more interesting that the character becomes. Carl Weathers is back a Greef Karga and it has been really nice seeing his development over the 3 seasons, he is given more to do here and he is a constantly entertaining part of the show. Emily Swallow reprises her role as The Armourer and she is possibly the most interesting character on the entire show, the mystery behind her provides the intrigue needed to make this character worth the extra screen time she gets here. Giancarlo Esposito is back as Moff Gideon and though he isn't in the season much, his character is really well handled and Esposito is an amazing character that can just bring an aura to this performance. 

Story 

The overall story of The Mandalorians trying to find a home is interesting. We are introduced to different leaders in Mandalorian culture and seeing how these factions are usually enemies being forced to try and work together to save their planet. But there are some big issues with the story here, the main one being that the focus is taken off of Din Djarin & Grogu meaning we have other characters taking the lead which doesn't work as well. It feels like the story is trying to already fill in loads of gaps between the original trilogy and the sequel trilogy that it is moving away from where I think the focus should be. 

Script

The script is okay, these characters are mostly ones we have spent time with and have grown to care about. The script keeps with this and they are given some chance to shine. But there is a reason that there are no new interesting characters and there was so much filler that by the time we got to the end it felt a bit rushed. 

Style 

The show looks amazing, it is a legit movie budget style here. The action scenes are also really well handled with all the action scenes being a pure joy to watch, seeing multiple different Star Wars locations is really fun. But the pacing of this season is all off, there is too much focus on other characters that the show that it doesn't quite work or make you care about the main story. Some of the tone also feels a bit out of place, one episode in particular. 

Overall

Overall, The Mandalorian Season 3 is a good series of TV. It is easily the weakest of this show but there is still good things here, this whole universe needs to get a bit more focused and return to the higher levels of previous seasons. 

Rating - 7/10

Wednesday, March 29, 2023

Star Wars: The Bad Batch Season 2 (2023) Review

Star Wars: The Bad Batch Season 2 (2023) Review


After a long 16 episodes, I have watched all of the episodes of Star Wars: The Bad Batch Season 2 and here is my review for it. The premise of the season sees after the destruction of Kamino, The Bad Batch have been staying low to avoid the Empire. While Crosshair attempts to find his place as part of the Empire and away from his old brothers. 

Main Character

Hunter & Omega are once again the most important part of the show. Their dynamic has certainly progressed into a father/daughter relationship and it is nice to see. They are given plenty of screen time together and the show somewhat progresses them. There is definitely more of an ensemble story going on here but Hunter voiced by Dee Bradley Baker & Omega voiced by Michelle Ang give their best and do a good job. 

Supporting Characters

Tech & Echo were two of the characters that I thought weren't given much in the first season but they get way more here. They are two of the shining aspects of the show and seeing these beloved characters getting more development and screen time is a great thing. Crosshair was my favourite character in the first season and that is the same here, I just love this character. His character goes through a lot this season and you see how he is torn between his allegiance to The Empire and to The Bad Batch, I just wish we got more of him this season. There are plenty of guest characters this season and they are handled well with some returning characters from other shows and I like how this show does an effective job of paying respect to other areas of Star Wars. 

Story 

The 2nd half of the season does an excellent job of progressing the story, I really cared about this group of characters but also the way that the Empire was working at this time period. Certain characters get time to shine which helped with making these characters even more interesting. The final 2 episodes are fantastic and do an excellent job of showing this show at its best and how it is becoming more mature. But the first half of the season, mostly misfired. It was way more episodic and episodes felt filler which made me not have the best start for the show. It got going eventually, but I can't deny that the first half of the show was a disappointment. 

Script

The script is much improved from the previous season. The characters are written better and there is more reason given to really care about them. As I mentioned above, this show is getting a bit more mature and that is represented in the writing which is more emotional and well done. 

Style 

The shows design is great. The action scenes are really well done with animation being smooth as ever. I really noticed that the sound and music really added a lot to the final episodes of the shows run. But there is no doubt that the pacing is off. There are too many filler episodes and I still stand by the fact that this could have been a 10 episode season and it would have worked. There also wasn't enough Crosshair for me which was a sacrifice due to the structure of the show. 

Overall

Overall, Star Wars: The Bad Batch Season 2 is an improvement of the first season and was a great season. Once you get through the filler this is some fantastic Star Wars storytelling and it really nailed it. 

Rating - 8/10

Friday, December 30, 2022

Star Wars: Rebels Season 4 (2017) Review

Star Wars: Rebels Season 4 (2017) Review


Now ahead of The Bad Batch season 2 coming to Disney+ in the New Year, I have now finished Star Wars Rebels with its 4th season. I actually have never watched this season before, so this is my first experience seeing the conclusion of the shows run and here is my review for it. The premise of the season sees after the destruction of The Rebels base by Thrawn, The crew of The Ghost return to Lothal and attempt to save the planet from the oppression of The Empire. 

Main Character

Ezra Bridger once again voiced by Taylor Gray gives a really strong performance. I compared him to Luke Skywalker from A New Hope in my Season 3 review but in Season 4 he is more like Luke from Return of The Jedi and it is handled extremely well. He has developed as both a Jedi and a person, clearly showing his progress from the very first episode to the last episode. After a rough start, Ezra has really developed into a great character that deserves a huge amount of credit. 

Supporting Characters

Freddy Prinze Jnr is back as Kanan Jarrus, he is given plenty to work with and the character develops into a real Jedi Master. They do some cool things with his character especially as the season progresses. The rest of the Ghost crew are given plenty of stuff to do and its pretty worthwhile. Though I feel like the emphasis is really on Ezra & Kanan that they don't get as much time to shine with some of the other supporting characters disappearing for the majority of the season. Lars Mikkelsen is back as Grand Admiral Thrawn and once again he is the best part of the show, we see him in action way more and that is always a good thing. There are some characters that are surprises here and they are also handled well without breaking canon too much. 

Story 

The overall theme of the story is fantastic, spending the bulk of the season on Lothal was a good call as it was the first real location of the show. It feels ramped up like a final season should do and the writers did an excellent job of making us really care about what was going on. But, some big stories from the previous seasons are really limited, there is one in particular that has been built up since the very first episode that has a lacklustre ending and that is a let down. 

Script

The script is really good. This is easily the most mature of the seasons and we finally see the devastation and destruction that comes from this war. The humour isn't as prevalent and I am glad to see that. 

Style 

The style of the show is better then ever, the animation is fantastic and sells just how large the stakes are for these characters. Also the whole filler issue is gone as there are less episodes and pretty much all of them are crucial to the story being told with an amazing finale. 

Overall

Overall, the fourth season of Star Wars Rebels is fantastic and in my opinion the best season of the show. It really ties things together well and with the brilliant finale it truly delivers and is a must watch for any Star Wars fan. 

Rating - 9/10

Star Wars: Rebels Season 3 (2016) Review

Star Wars: Rebels Season 3 (2016) Review


With the 2nd season of Star Wars: The Bad Batch coming to Disney+ next week, I decided that it was finally time to finish my review of their previous animated show Star Wars Rebels and here is my review for the third season. The premise of the show sees after the traumatic experiences of the previous season's finale, the crew of the Ghost attempt to continue to build a rebellion. But the introduction of a new Imperial leader makes their lives more difficult then ever. 

Main Character

Ezra Bridger is once again the main character voiced by Taylor Gray and this is a strong performance. You see the issues that he has been going through since the events of Malachor and it actually feels pretty natural. His character comes across similar to how I feel about Luke Skywalker is A New Hope, he is a bit whiny and annoying at times but you do end up rooting for him and wanting to see him succeed. For a show heavily aimed at children, this is a pretty mature and complex character. 

Supporting Characters

This show has a huge cast so I will probably just mention my favourite ones. Freddie Prinze Jnr voices Kanan Jarrus and he is fantastic. After being blinded by Maul, his character has to go through plenty of development to really gain an understanding in how to be a full Jedi and this is handled in an appropriate way. Sabine Wren voiced by Tiya Sircar is given way more to do this season, the whole Mandalorian storyline is expanded this season and her character is tied very closely too it. Focusing on this supporting character for a few episodes could have been dull but it ended up being some of the best episodes of the show. The rest of the Ghost crew, Zeb, Chopper, Hera & Rex are given time to shine to and it is just really nice seeing a show focus on a group of characters that are just so likeable. Maul is back for a storyline voiced by the excellent Sam Witwer, his presence is hanging over the whole season and even though he isn't the main threat I really liked how he is used with some of the biggest moments of the show. But the addition to the show that really shined was the addition of Lars Mikkelsen as Grand Admiral Thrawn, his chilling voice and overall demeanour is superb. The way he is presented makes him one of the best villains in the Star Wars universe, everything from his tactical mind to score make him a major threat and easily my favourite part of this show. 

Story 

The story is better here, it focuses on some major plot points that focus on the characters and the building of the Rebellion. Maul's story, the Mandalore plot and Thrawns hunt for the Rebels are easily the best and thus give this season way more intrigue and care then previous plot lines. But there is still some filler here, it's not as bad as the previous season but I wish there was a few less episodes and the focus was even more on Thrawn and how his mind works. 

Script 

Though this show is meant to be for kids, I feel like season 3 was more mature and the writing was improved. The majority of the characters grow and are developed, there are some legitimately dark moments and even though the humour is still a bit childish it works overall. 

Style 

The show has its unique style but there has been a clear improvement from Season 1 to Season 3. The set pieces are bigger, the action is more exciting and the characters just look sleeker. The shorter length of episodes make this an easier binge which considering some of the episodes was required. But as I mentioned above, there is a bit too much filler for me. I don't know why this season felt like it needed 22 episodes as it does hold it back a bit. 

Overall

Overall, The third season of Star Wars Rebels is a great addition to the Star Wars universe. It is fun and shows the Rebellion being built in a more interesting and worthwhile manner. 

Rating - 8/10

Wednesday, December 7, 2022

Andor Season 1 (2022) Review

Andor Season 1 (2022) Review


I am a huge Star Wars fan but I can't deny that I didn't have huge expectations when it was announced that their would be a prequel show surrounding the character Cassian Andor. But I have now finished the first season of the show and here is my review for it. The premise of the show is set in the early days of the Empire, it documents the rise of a Rebellion and one of its heroes in Cassian Andor. 

Main Character

We were introduced to Cassian Andor in Rogue One, Diego Luna is back in the role and he is really good in this show. Cassian is one of the more interesting characters in Star Wars currently and this show does a really effective job in showing this characters motivations and developments even though we know where he ends up. Luna sells it well, he really grows across the season and by the end it feels like we are closer to the character that we meet in the film. 

Supporting Characters

This show has a huge cast so I will only have a chance to mention some of them starting with possibly my favourite character Luthen played by the fantastic Stellan Skarsgard. He is the most mysterious character and Skarsgard delivers a brilliant performance to add to this, we see his motivations and the way it links to the other characters is great to see. Genevieve O'Reilly reprises her role as Mon Mothma and this is easily the most development the character has ever seen. We see her struggle in the Imperial Senate and how she is trying to help build this Rebellion while keeping her cover, its a really strong performance and character. Denise Gough plays Dedra Meero and this is another interesting character, she is a head officer in the ISB, basically the intelligence of The Empire. She is great and allows us as the audience to see their side of the war and come to see the way they operate. Fiona Shaw plays Andor's mother and I really enjoyed the dynamic between the two of them, she is clearly having fun and enjoying her role. Also seeing Andy Serkis play Kino Loy for a few episodes was a real highlight and his acting is nothing short of spectacular. 

Story  

The story is really interesting, this is Star Wars without any Jedi or Sith and to make that compelling shows the strength of the storytelling. As I mentioned, the characters are all really well written and their stories add plenty to the show and the world. But my one criticism is that there is so much rammed into this show, it is all interesting but sometimes things just aren't quite given the time to grow. It does feel like this show could have had a different name as there are much bigger things in play then just Cassian Andor. 

Script

The script is really well written, I think this might be the most human and real world that Star Wars has ever been and it adds to the grittiness of this show. It has a bit of humour but is pretty serious, that works for the show so I think it was the right call. 

Style 

The show was filmed all on location, which is a different method then the other Star Wars Disney+ shows but I think it really worked here. It feels like it is in the same universe as Rogue One and feels grimy and gritty. The action scenes are fantastic, they are visually impressive and feel more aggressive then other elements of Star Wars. 

Overall

Overall, Andor is a fantastic show that sees Star Wars at its most interesting. If you are a fan of the franchise then you have to watch it and if not I think this could be a way in. 

Rating - 9/10

Friday, October 28, 2022

Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi Season 1 (2022) Review

Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi Season 1 (2022) Review


I feel like Star Wars animation has been pretty consistent over the last few years but Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi kind of snuck under the radar and I managed to watch the season yesterday and here is my review for the first season. The premise of the show documents two stories, it shows how Count Dooku became estranged from the Jedi Order and how Ahsoka Tano rose up and survived the events of Order 66. 

Main Character

The great Corey Burton once again voices Count Dooku and he does a tremendous job in this role. This is easily my favourite depiction of the character and seeing him in his role as a Jedi is really interesting. It further enhances his character in the films and does a wonderful job in showing his motivations and makes him a way more interesting character. Ashley Eckstein reprises her role as Ahsoka and she is great of course, her character doesn't get the intrigue and depth that Dooku does but Eckstein could play this role in her sleep and do well and that provides a fun performance here. 

Supporting Characters

The show focuses on the two main characters mostly but littered throughout are iconic Star Wars characters such as Mace Windu, Qui Gon Jinn & Yaddle who get plenty to do. Bryce Dallas Howard voices Yaddle and it was interesting to see this character get more to do and I liked how she was depicted. Seeing Anakin & Rex back for Ahsoka's story is good too and it is done well enough. 

Story 

The story of Dooku's story is fantastic, genuinely one of the best Star Wars stories I have seen in recent memory. Seeing this respected Jedi become more discontent with the ways of the Jedi & Senate and it actually making sense was really great to see. But the Ahsoka stuff just wasn't that great and felt a bit tacked on, I kind of wish the show had just focused on Dooku as I felt the Ahsoka stuff didn't deliver much extra depth to her character. 

Script 

The script is really good, this is a pretty serious and sombre show but it really works. I appreciate that even though it is an animated show it doesn't treat us as children and delves into really serious themes and situations. 

Style 

The animation looks great and there are some fun action sequences. The fact that there is only 6 episodes which are really short makes it a really easy watch too. But again the layout was slightly weird and the Ahsoka episodes felt shorter and a bit less grandiose. 

Overall

Overall, Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi season 1 is a great show that follows on from the solid work of the Clone Wars. The Dooku stuff is amazing and the Ahsoka stuff is okay, it is an easy watch for any Star Wars fan and I would easily give it your time. 

Rating - 8/10

Wednesday, June 22, 2022

Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022) Mini Series Review

Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022) Mini Series Review 


After years of hype, Obi-Wan Kenobi has had its run, with the show finishing on Disney+ today and here is my review for the whole show. The premise of the show sees Obi-Wan Kenobi dragged into a new adventure while trying not to expose himself and be hunted by Darth Vader. 

Main Character

Ewan McGregor is back as the title role and I thought he was fantastic. He slips back into the role really well and he sells the pain and troubles that he has gone through since the events during The Clone Wars. He still has some comedic charm to him, but it is really cool seeing this slightly older and more jaded character being dragged back in really against his will. Just seeing this guy who clearly loves the character get the chance to continue his story is great to see. 

Supporting Characters

Hayden Christensen reprises his role as Darth Vader and it is amazing to watch. The way Vader has been handled the last few years has been incredible and for me this is probably the best he has ever been. He has basically been turned into a horror villain and he is just such an intimidating presence that it really works and obviously there is the emotional connection with him and Kenobi. Vivien Lyra Blair plays the young Leia Organa and I thought she was fantastic, it felt like she was born to play this role and the chemistry between herself and McGregor is excellent. Indira Varma plays Tala and I really liked her performance, she is a strong female character and you can see how her character affects both Leia and Obi-Wan. Moses Ingram plays Reeva and I have to be honest for the first 4 episodes I thought she was the worst part of the show, but they finally give her some character and development that definitely makes her more bearable. O Shea, Jackson Jr, Rupert Friend and Joel Edgerton also do good jobs in their smaller roles. 

Story   

The story is good, I really liked the focus on Obi-Wan's regrets from the prequels and how it basically moulded the villainous Empire and Vader. The focus of the show is at its best when it really delves into the relationship between Obi-Wan & Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader, it is some fantastic stuff and progresses both characters well. But the show doesn't do this enough, it focuses on a few too many areas, with some of it not being that interesting. I wish the show had focused on Vader more and trimmed the fat on some of the other elements of the show. 

Script 

The script is good, the dialogue is really well handled and I thought there was a great blend of drama and humour. It never feels like an over the top melodrama or a full on laugh out loud comedy and balances them well. Even though there is too much going on, it is all written pretty well and is entertaining enough. 

Style 

The show looks amazing, the fight scenes are grafted incredibly well and especially with Vader this is some of the best Star Wars action that has ever been put on screen. The CGI and effects are obviously great and it is cool to see some new locations that really stand out. The show is paced well and kept me invested throughout the 6 episode run. 

Overall

Overall, Obi-Wan Kenobi is a fantastic show that feels like it was made for fans of this character and Star Wars. If there is future series then I would be highly excited for it. 

Overall - 9/10

Wednesday, February 9, 2022

The Book of Boba Fett (2021) Series Review

The Book of Boba Fett (2021) Series Review


After 7 weeks and much hype and discussion we have come to the end of The Book of Boba Fett and I have watched all of the episodes and here is my review for it. The premise of the show sees Boba Fett return to Tatooine and take over Jabba The Hutt's thrown, he now has to deal with the issues that come with power and the enemies that brings. 

Main Character 

Temuera Morrison reprises his role as Boba Fett from The Mandalorian and I personally think he is fantastic. He adds some real intensity and ferocity to the role while actually managing to give the former bounty hunter a character. I really like how he portrays the character and he just fits into the role naturally and I enjoyed learning more about what has happened to him that makes him more then just this cool looking guy who had nothing to do in the films. 

Supporting Characters

This show had a huge cast and by now I don't think any of them are spoilers so I will talk about as many as I think are appropriate. Ming-Na Wen is back as Fennec Shand and she is also great, I really like the dynamic between the two of them and exploring the duo is one of the highlights of the show. She is also great in the action scenes and I swear that women will never age as she is clearly doing the majority of her own stunts. Pedro Pascal voices Din Djarin and it is great to see him back and seeing how he has progressed since the end of the Mandalorian season 2. He gets way too much screen time but there is no denying that the show does a great job of showing his character at his best. We also see the debut of Krrsantan, a wookie from the comics and it is really cool to see this guy in action and seeing this fearsome more intense wookie on screen is something we haven't really seen before. The rest of the cast are all solid with many cameos that was enjoyable to watch. 

Story 

I really enjoyed the flashback story of seeing how Boba escaped the Sarlaac and made his way to finding Din Djarin in The Mandalorian. I also liked seeing Boba trying to establish a new rule in Mos Espa with this more honourable mentality. I then liked all the stuff involving Din Djarin and some of the wider Star Wars stuff. But the issue is that it doesn't quite work together, all this stuff is good but it feels like 3 different shows at time and I think they took on way too much for the show and it ended up leaving me a little confused as to why the show was called The Book of Boba Fett. The finale delivers though and ends up on a positive note. 

Script

The script is good, I feel like Boba is a character that doesn't need to talk that much and he still doesn't really but when he does it feels effective. The drama worked for me and the bits of humour is a nice addition. It just feels like Star Wars and that is the job that is required for sure. 

Style 

The show looks fantastic, the budget is huge and the effects are top of the range. Seeing Boba and the other characters in full flight is really fun and I love watching this Star Wars adventure. But there are a few issues, the first one is that after all these years I am a bit fed up of Tatooine and this show is mostly set there and it becomes a bit dull. The other issue is the overall pacing of the show, it links to the story and that so much is packed into the show that at times it loses focus on the story that it is trying to tell. 

Overall

Overall, The Book of Boba Fett is a great show that has some great Star Wars fun. It has some issues but if you are a fan of Boba Fett, The Mandalorian and Star Wars then this is a must watch for sure. 

Rating - 8/10

Tuesday, August 17, 2021

Star Wars: The Bad Batch Season 1 (2021) Review

Star Wars: The Bad Batch Season 1 (2021) Review 


Yes I watched the finale of The Bad Batch on Friday but I have had a busy few days so haven't had a chance to review it but now is the time and here is my review for the first season of The Bad Batch. The premise of the show experiences the journey of Clone Force 99 as they try to find their place in the new Galactic Empire. 

Main Character

The Bad Batch has a large cast but clearly the main two characters are that of Hunter and Omega. Hunter is really established as the leader of the group and it is really interesting to see his progression from when we met him in The Clone Wars to this show. Omega is a character introduced and she is the new presence amongst the group and she is a really fun addition to the crew and there is so much intrigue towards her and why exactly she is involved with the team. 

Supporting Characters

Credit has to go to Dee Bradley Baker who has to voice all of The Bad Batch and other clones that appear and that must be a mammoth job for him. Onto Crosshair, he is easily the best part of the show and I loved how his character contrasted with the rest of the the team and how it really gave an insight into the mindset from The Republic into The Empire. Tech, Wrecker and Echo are all back from The Clone Wars and they are all fun, they aren't as complete characters as the others but they fit in well amongst the team and it is fun to watch them together. There are also some really fun cameos on the show which I won't spoil, with the timeline of the show it allows the chance to bridge the gap between the events of Clone Wars and Rebels. 

Story 

The story starts off really strong and does a good job in showing how the galaxy and the main characters have to deal with the transition from The Galactic Republic to The Galactic Empire. Like the characters of Hunter, Omega and Crosshair are given fantastic development throughout the show but others are bit neglected especially when there is so much time. That is the main issue, there are way too many filler episodes which do very little for the plot, this has always been an issue with the animated Star Wars shows but this is a big issue here, with a pretty lacklustre finale topping it all off. 

Script

The script is okay, it does well with some of the drama and the humour building a decent family bond between the members of the Bad Batch. But sometimes it does get stuck in between both of these ideas and doesn't quite hit the quality that something like the final season of The Clone Wars did. 

Style 

The show looks great, the animation is at its strongest here and the action flows incredibly well with some really great set pieces. Though there is one clear problem which is the pacing of the show, this could have been a fantastic 10 episode season but there is 16 episodes and that is a huge issue with way too many filler episodes that when you watch weekly becomes a real slog. 

Overall

Overall, The Bad Batch is a good first season of the show. The animation has never been better and there are interesting bits of lore added but there are just way too many episodes and hopefully they do a shortened second season. 

Rating - 7/10