Star Wars

Star Wars #1

/ / Comics

Star Wars #1 comic reviewMarvel Comics launches a new Star Wars title with Star Wars #1 set immediately after the events of The Empire Strikes Back and the Millennium Falcon‘s escape from Cloud City on Bespin. Much of the issue focuses on the internal struggle with Luke Skywalker following his defeat at the hands of Darth Vader and the realization that the Vader is his father. The comic breaks with tradition a bit here by hinting at Luke embracing some darker aspects at the Force (perhaps unintentionally… or at least not fully aware of what he was doing).

Star Wars #1 does delivering some back-and-forth between Leia and Lando, offering us a look at the process of Lando earning back some trust from those he betrayed in Cloud City. We also see the Empire doing quite a bit of damage to the rag-tag Rebel fleet which survives thanks to a little help by one who is not yet a Jedi.

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Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

/ / Movie Reviews
  • Title: Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker
  • IMDb: link

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker movie reviewWith The Rise of Skywalker J.J. Abrams returns to close-out the sequel trilogy which began with Star Wars: The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi. Not content to end just this series, Abrams intends the film to work as the climax to all nine of the Star Wars films featuring mentions, Easter Eggs, and callbacks from every film (and even some of the various animated TV series). The shift also forces a change in the tone of the arc of the series as Rian Johnson‘s look to the future is replaced with a story tied very much to the past.

One of the complaints some had to The Last Jedi was the film wasn’t fan friendly enough. The Rise of Skywalker goes a bit overboard in attempting fix a problem which in my opinion didn’t exist in the first place. The result is a final entry to the franchise that feels like an attempt to placate more vocal fans by asking less of them the final time around and offering up a heaping of nostalgia and fan service instead. It’s more Return of the Jedi than Star Wars. On an emotional level, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker works. It’s a cathartic farewell to these characters. Story wise, however, it’s the weakest of the three sequel films.

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The Mandalorian – Chapter 1

/ / Television Reviews
  • Title: The Mandalorian – Chapter 1
  • wiki: link

The Mandalorian - Chapter 1 TV review

The first episode of the Disney+ series introduces us to a nameless Mandalorian bounty hunter (Pedro Pascal) first through a rather routine bounty and second through a new job off-the-books that raises several red flags for our protagonist but whose payout cannot be ignored. Series creator Jon Favreau, who also wrote the first episode aims for a tone reminiscent of the Mos Eisley Cantina found in the original Star Wars. The early bar fight to open the episode and the later attack on a heavily-armed compound both show off the character’s skill-set, while the final scene of the episode offers a glimpse into the character’s emotional state.

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Star Wars: Target Vader #4

/ / Comics

Star Wars: Target Vader #4 comic reviewThe bounty hunters led by Beilert Valance have successfully cut off Darth Vader from the rest of the Imperial forces and driven him into a trap on Heva. However, the group will soon learn that cornering a Dark Lord of the Sith and killing him are two very different matters. Be careful what you wish for.

The fourth issue in the six-issue mini-series is action-heavy as the bounty hunters struggle to make good use of the small window in which before Imperial reinforcements can arrive. There are also some quick flashbacks to pasts of the various members that help fill out the issue but don’t necessarily add much to the current plot. Despite getting most of his compatriots killed, Valance’s plan did prove to have an outside chance at succeeding… although getting betrayed by a member of his team certainly didn’t help his chances.

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Star Wars Adventures #26

/ / Comics

Star Wars Adventures #26 comic reviewWhile, in theory, I’m all for more tales involving Luke Skywalker and Rey, the events of The Last Jedi don’t allow much leeway or time for any such stories to take place. What writer Cavan Scott attempts to do is shoehorn a story during the small period of time after Luke has agreed to train Rey but before she has discovered the Jedi Master has cut himself off from the Force and she leaves to return to the fleet.

The story itself isn’t bad, and offers a fun panel of Chewbacca dealing with the unexpected consequences of Rey unleashing the Force, but there’s only so much that can be done in such a short period of time. And the art by Derek Charm doesn’t do Mark Hamill any favors. (I hear the comic adds 30 lbs.) Still, the comic does offer a fun cover featuring Rey.

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