Written by: Kevin Berge
Alternate title for the show: Hera and Kanan's Home for Angsty Kids. (Image Courtesy of: nerdist.com)
Quick Take: Star Wars Rebels Season 1 is clearly written for a younger audience with its presentation than its Clone Wars predecessor, but it is written with purpose and daring that makes it an enjoyable dive into the Star Wars canon with a likable cast at the heart and some truly intense moments.
Star Wars Reviews: Episode I | II | III | IV | V | VI | VII | VIII | Rogue One | Clone Wars (2003)| The Clone Wars (2008)
***This is an introductory review of Star Wars Rebels, focusing on what defines the show at least early on. It will not contain spoilers beyond the basic plot set-up of the pilot. Those new to the show can read ahead without risk.***
I love the Star Wars universe. It's the most expanded and imaginative fantasy world of all time which gives a ton of room for stories for all ages. Most Star Wars story have been told in films or books with the occasional quality video game. The franchise has rarely ventured onto TV.
That's a shame because TV feels like the ideal format for Star Wars with so much area to explore. Some of the reason for this is budget. The franchise has always been built around cutting edge technology. The movies created a science fiction revolution in film. Until recently, it was hard to imagine a live action Star Wars show.
The franchise has had several animated shows though to avoid this issue. I have already talked about both adaptations of the Clone Wars era which leads to the series that followed the later Clone Wars show. Star Wars Rebels is about as Star Wars as the original trilogy.
It is about a ragtag group of rebels trying to make a difference and survive in an Empire-ruled world. Ezra Bridger is a Force-sensitive street urchin taken in by one of the last surviving Jedi Kanan Jarrus who alongside pilot Hera Syndulla leads the crew of the Ghost also including Sabine Wren, Zeb Orrelios, and the droid Chopper.
It's a story that echoes the original films as well as many shows inspired by Star Wars which makes it a great way to introduce the Star Wars universe to a younger generation. It is however, at least at first, heavily tilted toward a young audience which may turn off older Star Wars fans.
This is not a game-changing animated show made for all ages. The humor is consistently fine. The adventure rarely feels like it has much in terms of stakes, and even with big villains of the franchise appearing, no one here is a convincing threat. This can be fine if the show is only focused on a young audience, but Forces of Destiny (the other modern Star Wars animated show) seems more tuned to that audience alone.
This can change just as with The Clone Wars also made by Dave Filoni, but it is not present yet. To be fair, the show is already stronger in its first season that The Clone Wars was over its first two (which was incredibly boring often until it took off). It just needs to take its formula and adapt to become more substantial.
***This is an introductory review of Star Wars Rebels, focusing on what defines the show at least early on. It will not contain spoilers beyond the basic plot set-up of the pilot. Those new to the show can read ahead without risk.***
I love the Star Wars universe. It's the most expanded and imaginative fantasy world of all time which gives a ton of room for stories for all ages. Most Star Wars story have been told in films or books with the occasional quality video game. The franchise has rarely ventured onto TV.
That's a shame because TV feels like the ideal format for Star Wars with so much area to explore. Some of the reason for this is budget. The franchise has always been built around cutting edge technology. The movies created a science fiction revolution in film. Until recently, it was hard to imagine a live action Star Wars show.
The franchise has had several animated shows though to avoid this issue. I have already talked about both adaptations of the Clone Wars era which leads to the series that followed the later Clone Wars show. Star Wars Rebels is about as Star Wars as the original trilogy.
It is about a ragtag group of rebels trying to make a difference and survive in an Empire-ruled world. Ezra Bridger is a Force-sensitive street urchin taken in by one of the last surviving Jedi Kanan Jarrus who alongside pilot Hera Syndulla leads the crew of the Ghost also including Sabine Wren, Zeb Orrelios, and the droid Chopper.
It's a story that echoes the original films as well as many shows inspired by Star Wars which makes it a great way to introduce the Star Wars universe to a younger generation. It is however, at least at first, heavily tilted toward a young audience which may turn off older Star Wars fans.
This is not a game-changing animated show made for all ages. The humor is consistently fine. The adventure rarely feels like it has much in terms of stakes, and even with big villains of the franchise appearing, no one here is a convincing threat. This can be fine if the show is only focused on a young audience, but Forces of Destiny (the other modern Star Wars animated show) seems more tuned to that audience alone.
This can change just as with The Clone Wars also made by Dave Filoni, but it is not present yet. To be fair, the show is already stronger in its first season that The Clone Wars was over its first two (which was incredibly boring often until it took off). It just needs to take its formula and adapt to become more substantial.
This guy is trying real hard to be the next Darth Maul with middling results. (Image Courtesy of: nerdist.com)
Star Wars has always been made for all ages, but the writing directed especially at younger audiences can often waver. The franchise trilogy movies often struggle with this balance. The primary issue that could plague Rebels long term is serialized storytelling.
This first season is made in the very classic animated format. There is a problem of the week for the crew to solve, and different characters need to take charge along the way and grow through an experience that is rarely mentioned again down the line unless it is a multi-part event.
The show is best in the moments when it takes its time with its stories and threats. The final arc over the last three episodes showcases what the series can be with everyone in peril and a story that feels tangible because it was slowly built over the season.
This is all growing pains. The long-term concern though is the characters. Ezra is more or less the central character of the show, the Luke Skywalker of the series, and he is unbearable in the first season. He makes rash decisions, rarely learns from his actions, and does not take much seriously.
His antics often bleed into the stories of the others too. Zeb only seems to be around to be annoyed by or help Ezra. Sabine is equally driven by teenage angst that drives down the narrative. The only characters that make a great impression on first viewing are Hera and Kanan.
I know going into this that the show is not written for an older audience member like me, but it has enough to latch onto to believe it is more than just a show made to entertain young kids weekly. Especially until the live-action Star Wars series debuts, this is the best anyone can get for Star Wars on TV.
What I got out of the show was about what I expected coming in. It is a series that should sit well with kids and is enjoyable enough to not groan through its messier moments. However, I am hoping there is more here than just a heist of the week with a bunch of kids that Hera and Kanan have to keep under control.
This first season is made in the very classic animated format. There is a problem of the week for the crew to solve, and different characters need to take charge along the way and grow through an experience that is rarely mentioned again down the line unless it is a multi-part event.
The show is best in the moments when it takes its time with its stories and threats. The final arc over the last three episodes showcases what the series can be with everyone in peril and a story that feels tangible because it was slowly built over the season.
This is all growing pains. The long-term concern though is the characters. Ezra is more or less the central character of the show, the Luke Skywalker of the series, and he is unbearable in the first season. He makes rash decisions, rarely learns from his actions, and does not take much seriously.
His antics often bleed into the stories of the others too. Zeb only seems to be around to be annoyed by or help Ezra. Sabine is equally driven by teenage angst that drives down the narrative. The only characters that make a great impression on first viewing are Hera and Kanan.
I know going into this that the show is not written for an older audience member like me, but it has enough to latch onto to believe it is more than just a show made to entertain young kids weekly. Especially until the live-action Star Wars series debuts, this is the best anyone can get for Star Wars on TV.
What I got out of the show was about what I expected coming in. It is a series that should sit well with kids and is enjoyable enough to not groan through its messier moments. However, I am hoping there is more here than just a heist of the week with a bunch of kids that Hera and Kanan have to keep under control.
