The Acolyte - Star Wars series

 

I know this show took a lot of heat from Star Wars fans and from non-fans too. 

I liked it. Amandla Stenberg was great and a joy to watch through the 8 episodes. I liked that the show felt like a murder mystery who-done-it but with a Star Wars theme. I had fun trying to figure out who done it too.

I was blown away by Manny Jacinto. The last time I saw him was as Jason on The Good Place...this is VERY different from that role and he handled it perfectly. 

I like what to me felt like a different view of the Jedi, since I am not 100% invested in Star Wars overall, this view may hit a nerve with some fans. I figured it was just a story and they set it in a Star Wars theme. I will say that it did seem to run out of steam as it was going along. But at the same time I really wanted to know what was going to happen. 

We hadn't planned to watch it episodically, we thought we would wait and binge but then we started it before it was done and had to watch each Tuesday/Wednesday to see what happened. So to me, it can't be that bad. Would I watch it again? Probably not, unless I needed that information or memory jog for a second season or to tie to another show. 

I think if you watch it as a Star Wars murder mystery and don't worry about how it fits or doesn't into your story line of Star Wars, I think you might enjoy it. Again Manny Jacinto was crazy good, emphasis on crazy ;)

Was it perfect? No. Was it terrible? No. 

3 paws

Obi-Wan Kenobi - mini series

There is one main reason I wanted to post about this fantastic show.

Vivien Lyra Blair!!

She portrays 10 year old Princess Leia Organa and I would almost swear she is Carrie Fisher reincarnated! I 100% believe she will grow up to be Carrie Fisher's Leia. In fact, as we watched the last episode I kept crying because it made me miss Carrie Fisher so much.

Vivien is a key piece of this series and she holds her own so perfectly alongside such incredible actors: Ewan McGregor, Moses Ingram, Hayden Christensen, Jimmy Smits, Joel Edgerton and so many more.

I guarantee I missed a ton of great inside pieces in this show that linked to the movies, etc but it stood on its own to me even without knowing all the ins and outs. I did ask Brainwise a few questions to keep me on the right page though.

If you are a Star Wars fan, this is a must see. If you just a casual Star Wars fan, I still say this is a must see. It is well put together and it fills in some gaps and provides us the most perfect 10 year old Leia.

4 paws

Tales of the Jedi

 

Animated shorts on Disney +

I am sure for deep dive Star Wars fans these would be met with joy. I however would say I made it through them. I didn't hate them, I didn't love them. 

One of my main issues was the animation itself. It was odd to my eyes and brain. I wouldn't say it was bad animation just odd.

I also had a hard time placing the people in the shorts. Meaning I didn't know who they were without looking up the cast and even if the short told me the people, I didn't know the timeline for where it all fit. So as I said earlier deep dive fans probably got a lot out of these, I had a harder time with them.

2 paws for me but 4 paws for fans

Andor (Star Wars)

 

I had heard great things about this show and although I worried I wouldn't be able to follow along, it couldn't be further from the truth.

Espionage filled, thrilling, excellent writing, amazing cinematography, great story and no need to worry about knowing Star Wars or not for the most part. Just sit back especially after the first 2 episodes that were a little slower than the others and let the story take you on a ride.

Every one was excellent in their roles. I love how everything comes together as you watch, even things you think don't mean anything, suddenly come to light an episode or 2 later. I feel like I have said that many times about Star Wars shows but I guess if it works, why change it :)

I'm sure if you are a Star Wars fan and know lots of the history, etc, this show might even be better for you but I liked that I was able to enjoy it and not miss out on things because I might not remember the history or some of the people.

There is going to be a second season and I am very curious what that will bring about for the show.

4 paws

The Book of Boba Fett

 Dangrdafne review

I truly love the world of this show and The Mandalorian. They are intrinsically tied together and they use each other well. Jon Favreau knows his way around this world and is a great story teller. He puts so much life into faceless characters and droids and makes you care for each character.

I will say I did not love this show as much as The Mandalorian BUT since I adored The Mandalorian more than I could have imagined, that leaves a lot of love to still be shared with Boba Fett :)

The story telling was verrrrry different and I had trouble sometimes remembering where we were in the time line but I had faith it would all shake out in the end and it certainly did and in retrospect I liked the way the story was told. I think if it were told traditionally it would have been too plain and boring for the story and would have been a disservice to the characters.

And of course, I don't think this is a spoiler and sorry if it is, I extra loved the episodes with The Mandalorian in them. I was grateful that I didn't have to wait for season 3 to see him again.

Ming-Na is incredible as Fennec Shand in this series and is a perfect match for Boba Fett. She is strong and powerful and a great leader. I believe I would still like the Fennec Shand character even without Ming-Na BUT it is definitely enhanced because of her. She just brings such power to her roles and I appreciate how hard she works to be true the characters.

Again the music was incredible. It was a whole other character in the show and I love everything about it. I love that the characters have their music and then how it is used in the episodes to enhance scenes and the story. I am in awe of the creativity and talent required to create the music and add it to each show.

I loved how much we laughed, cheered, yelled and cried, oh yes we cried... so much. I am 100% invested in this world, the characters, the music, the stories, and every aspect of these shows. Making family from non-related characters is my favorite and Boba Fett brings it all!!

I remember being in Star Wars Land in Disney World in Orlando FL in February 2020 for the first (and only) time and falling in love with it. I don't really know why overall but I just loved it. It was immersive and amazing and it played to all my senses. I get that same feeling watching The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett. I am all in and I can't wait to see more.

4 paws and a tail

and an extra 4 paws and a tail for the episodes with The Mandalorian in them ;)

The Mandalorian - Season 2

You knew I wouldn’t/couldn’t wait to watch season two!

Everything I raved about in season one, stands true for season two. I.love.this.show.

The episode where we learn the Child’s name is just precious and stupendous. I could watch Mando and Grogu interact on the Razor Crest over and over.

I am still blown away with how I know exactly how the Mandalorian feels without ever seeing his face. The Tragedy episode was truly tragic and not in any way that I expected. 

I can’t believe I wasn’t spoiled too on a huge reveal in the last episode. And I was in heaven with one scene that included one of my favorite Star Wars characters of all the stories. Those who know me well might be spoiled now :)

I loved the addition of the other characters this season: Ashoka, Boba Fett, Bo Katan, continued Fennec, etc.  All perfectly cast and wonderfully portrayed. 

One of my favorite parts of this season was watching the women go off to fight and protect and the man go off to save the Child. Refreshing and so well done. 

I’m curious where season 3 will take us and I hope there is more Grogu. In the meantime,

This is the way … to the Book of Boba Fett … which I’m excited to watch now that I understand more about it from this series. And more Ming-Na, yes please!

4 paws plus a tail

The Mandalorian - Season One

I am in love 

The Child could get whatever it wants from me. Those eyes, the little hands, the ears, the cooing. I am simply in love.

And the show overall is absolutely incredible. Seriously just perfect to me. I love the music, the cinematography, the cast, the visual effects, the droids, the stories, the everything. I don't think there is anything I didn't like. Seriously, this was everything I love in a show. Perfectly put together.

I was completely invested in all the characters and their stories. I laughed, I cried, I yelled, I cheered. We watched the first 4 episodes one night and it made me sad that we had to stop and not watch them all. I was grateful we were able to watch the next 4 the next night. I don't think I could have waited longer. I had to know what else would happen.

I am in awe of Pedro Pascal as The Mandalorian in that we never see him but he sells everything about the character. It never bothered me that we didn't see him, in fact it added to my love of the series. 

I love the quietness of the series. I know that might sound odd but it was so easy to watch and easy to hear and follow. It was very much like an old western. I loved so many of the scenes during the episodes - the traditional Star Wars scenes of character outlines against a large scenic back drop. I loved that the music never overpowered the scenes and in most cases it felt like another character. 

Be sure to watch the credits each episode to see the concept art they show. It’s incredible! 

I also got bonus Ming-Na! This is the way.

I am ready to start Season 2!!

4 paws and a tail

The Last Jedi

Dangrdafne review

We finally got around to watching The Last Jedi.

I did not like the first half of the movie. It was hokey, long and disjointed. I felt like Mark Hamill was almost making fun of himself and it was distracting.

But once the second half started I was in it. I was completely engulfed in the story and wanting to know what was going to happen.

Simply put for me and this set of Star Wars movies is...I love Rey. I love Daisy Ridley as Rey. I love this character sooo much. I think Daisy portrays her perfectly and I could just watch a movie with just her and none of the others... well maybe BB8 ;)

I didn’t get the whole Emo Kylo Ren since I pretty much felt like he was just as he was previously. I was excited when Rey and he were working together and I wish he had changed but alas no. I LOVED him taking out Snoke and I did like the trickery with Laura Dern’s character and you thought she was one way but she wasn’t.

I did also love the comedy of the “nuns” on the island and I think the Porgs are adorable.

I want to watch this again already because I am pretty sure I missed some things but overall I give this 1 paw for the first half and 3 paws for the second half.

Solo: A Star Wars Story

Dangrdafne review:

Personally I have no idea why people are not liking this movie. But then I am not a die hard Star Wars fan. I can watch the movie for what is it and not what some expectation of what it “should” be is.

SPOILERS

I LOVED this movie. It was fun, funny, heart warming, exciting, clever, well written, great filming and a really great story.

I thought Alden Ehrenreich was perfect as a young Han. I loved his innocence and how you can watch him learn to get stronger, smarter and tougher. It was nice to see the happier side of Han Solo for awhile too.

I was definitely not on board with Woody Harrelson before the movie but I am definitely on board after. I worried that because he was so famous that he would overshadow everyone but that’s not giving Woody’s acting the credit is deserves. He did not overshadow anyone and in actuality his presence brought a much needed grounding to Han and the story. He was portraying the more knowledgeable character and having the “famous” person portraying that role worked perfectly.

Thandie Newton was incredible. Gone waaay too soon in the movie but she was an integral part of the story. I loved watching her learn to like Han and to trust him. Again it was fun watching the more seasoned performer helping out the newbie and the newbie growing and learning from them.

The origin story of Chewbacca and Han meeting was awesome. I don’t know the actual canon story but this was perfect. And talking in Wookie?? Awesome! I actually started to think I could understand it by the end of the movie.

L3 - the droid - was hilarious and her back story leads to a major plot point of the movie. I recently saw the actress who portrayed L3, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, on the Graham Norton show and not only do I now have a girl crush on her but she was just perfect for L3. My favorite part of her story was that when she went to audition for the role she had never seen any Star Wars at all and didn’t know what a droid was. Skip to seeing her in the movie... I would never had guessed she didn’t know what a droid was or that she didn’t know Star Wars. She fit in perfectly and she was hilarious!

Donald Glover as Lando was perfect casting. Exactly what I would think a young Lando would be like and he played perfectly off Han. Emilia Clarke was also great but when the movie ended I had to ask my friend, a Star Wars aficionado, if Q’ira exists or not in the Star Wars world and she said no. But apparently Q’ira might be around in the newest world of Star Wars.

A major point to make about the movie, is that during a major action scene myself and my two friends were pushed back in our seats, holding onto our arm rests, hearts pounding... even though 1) one of us had already seen the movie and 2) we knew the outcome of the scene. It has to be a good movie if we react like that under these two circumstances for sure.

Overall, the movie was a heist movie in outer space and it was perfect. Please don’t listen to the naysayers. Go see the movie and make your own decision. Just enjoy the story and the fun.

4 paws