Ahsoka: Season One (2023) | REVIEW

Rosario Dawson as Ahsoka Tano in AHSOKA — PHOTO: Disney+ / Lucasfilm.

Series created by Dave Filoni — Episodes directed by Dave Filoni, Steph Green, Peter Ramsey, Jennifer Getzinger, Geeta Vasant Patel, and Rick Famuyiwa.

Ever since the now-Disney-owned Star Wars franchise ended its sequel film trilogy to mixed reception in 2019, the stories about a galaxy of heroes set a long time ago have had its live-action portion relegated to streaming television, even though its films once revolutionized and forever changed Hollywood. On the one hand, it makes sense to try to grow the franchise on the small screen and win over new audiences that may one day follow the lasersword-wielding heroes back to the big screen. However, what I find to currently be the case is that rather than telling bold new stories to gain a new audience on the small screen, what the head honchos at Lucasfilm are doing is, instead, servicing die-hard fans. Now, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing if the shows are executed at a relatively high level, but, more often than not, what we have been getting are these almost vapid easter-egg-filled series that either don’t have enough meat on the bone to justify a full series (and thus ought to have been a film instead) or a series that doesn’t have enough episodes to have complete and rich story and character arcs.

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REVIEW: Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022)

Ewan McGregor is back as the titular Jedi in Lucasfilm’s OBI-WAN KENOBI, exclusively on Disney+. © 2022 Lucasfilm Ltd. & ™. All Rights Reserved.

All Six Episodes of the Limited Series Were Directed by Deborah Chow.

Set a decade, or so, after the events of George Lucas’ Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, Obi-Wan Kenobi follows the character of the same name (played by Ewan McGregor, now returning to the role), as he has gone into hiding on Tatooine, where he is watching over young Luke Skywalker from afar. Sith Inquisitors are still hunting for Jedi throughout the galaxy, including Kenobi who Reva (played by Moses Ingram), the Third Sister, is especially interested in. However, Obi-Wan Kenobi is forced out of hiding after young Princess Leia Organa (played by Vivien Lyra Blair) is kidnapped by criminals. Kenobi is Leia’s only hope, and that is exactly what Reva, who orchestrated the kidnapping, had expected and hoped for. As Kenobi leaves Tatooine, he has to reconnect to the Force, but this also means that he risks being confronted by the Inquisitors or even Darth Vader.

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RETRO REVIEW: Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002)

Drew Struzan’s Release Poster – 20th Century Fox
Drew Struzan’s Release Poster – 20th Century Fox

The following is a retro review of Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, a George Lucas film.

While I don’t love every film in the franchise, I clearly love Star Wars. I write about the franchise all the time. So while it is pretty obvious, it pains me to admit that The Phantom Menace wasn’t a good movie. I tried not to tear that film apart in my review of it.

I wanted to review this film right after reviewing The Phantom Menace, but, for some reason, it took me a very long time to finally muster up enough strength to write about this film. This review has been delayed for way too long. Let’s finally talk about the worst Star Wars film. Continue reading “RETRO REVIEW: Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002)”

RETRO REVIEW: Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)

Drew Struzan’s Release Poster – 20th Century Fox

The following is a retro review of Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, a George Lucas film.

The first return of Star Wars didn’t go as well as planned. Way back in 1999, George Lucas resurrected the greatest movie franchise of all-time with The Phantom Menace. It included politics, fan-service, and a very young Darth Vader. Fans were certain that this franchise reboot was going to work, but, unfortunately, the end result did not live up to most fans’ expectations. To this day, the end result is remembered as one of the worst examples of prequel films, but, while I can’t say that I like the film, I don’t think it is as catastrophic as its sequel. Continue reading “RETRO REVIEW: Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)”

CLASSIC REVIEW: Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983)

Theatrical Release Poster – Art by Kazuhiko Sano

The following is a classic review of Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi, a Richard Marquand film. Expect spoilers.

1983 – Return of the Jedi – the end of the original trilogy. While Empire Strikes Back is definitely the best film, Return of the Jedi was my favorite film when I was younger. And there is a simple reason why this film, though not the best of the three, is remembered so fondly by so many people. Return of the Jedi is the most satisfying Star Wars film. Continue reading “CLASSIC REVIEW: Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983)”