Connor Macgregor Reviws...Star Wars Television

Connor Macgregor Reviews...The Book Of Boba Fett

INTRO: A new Star Wars series follows The Mandalorian with the return of the legendary Boba Fett.

SUMMARY: Boba Fett barely escapes from the sarlacc that swallowed him and is left for dead by Jawas who steal his Mandalorian armor. He is captured by Tusken Raiders and fails to escape their camp. Five years later, Fett and Fennec Shand have taken control of Jabba's criminal empire on Tatooine. They receive tribute from local dignitaries and gain the services of two Gamorrean guards. Fett and Shand visit the Sanctuary, a cantina in Mos Espa run by Garsa Fwip, who also offers a tribute. Outside the cantina, the group is ambushed by assassins, whom they fight off. Shand captures one of the assailants after pursuing them across the rooftops. The guards take an injured Fett to the palace and place him in a bacta tank for healing. Fett remembers his time with the Tuskens: he and a Rodian prisoner were forced to dig for black melons in the desert until they were attacked by a large sand creature that killed the Rodian. Fett killed the creature, saving a Tusken child and earning the respect of the tribe.

REVIEW: The episode begins with Boba Fett in a bacta tank, dreaming some very intense dreams. Immediately we flashback to Return Of The Jedi, where to no surprise to the audience, Boba Fett survives the Sarlacc Pit but is then very quickly captured by Tusken Raiders and becomes their prisoner. Placed in a dangerous terrain, Fett tries to escape but fails. He is then instructed to search for water in a dangerous way, encountering a multi armed monster but thankfully defeats it showcasing that he himself is still a dangerous character in the world of Star Wars. As a result, he earns the respect of the Tusken Raiders and finds himself in a unique position.

Then we see what is occurring in the present. Boba Fett has seized Jabba The Hutt’s palace in Tatooine and wishes to stake claim his existing power on the planet, though with a sense of respect from the citizens on the planet. But of course Tatooine is Tatooine and corruption lingers everywhere, and a power war is brewing within the streets of the planet. Fennec Shand is also back and by Boba Fett’s side on his mission to occupy Tatooine. I loved seeing the cantina again, which was a nice nostalgia treat for audiences. But soon after, Fett’s supposed new rule is challenged when an ambush takes place, with explosions and gunfights. It therefore quickly establishes the conflict that Fett is about to face.

This is a solid start to the series, quite fun and doesn’t mind going at its own pace. I like the criss cross across two timelines, filling in what had been happening to Boba Fett between the years. You have some fun fights in this episode, as well as establishing the story that is to come.


RATING: 78% - B+

Connor Macgregor Reviews...The Book Of Boba Fett

1x02 - The Tribes Of Tattooine

INTRO: We continue to follow Boba Fett post-Return Of The Jedi and how he begins to assert himself into the politics of Tattooine.

SUMMARY: Fett and Shand interrogate the captured assassin, who claims to have been hired by Mok Shaiz, the Mayor of Mos Espa. Shaiz denies this but offers payment to Fett for capturing the assassin and suggests that they visit the Sanctuary again. Fwip informs Fett that two of Jabba's cousins, a pair of Hutts known as "The Twins," want to claim Jabba's throne for themselves. The Twins arrive with the Wookiee bounty hunter Krrsantan and try to intimidate Fett, but he refuses to submit. In the bacta tank, Fett remembers the Tuskens teaching him their style of combat and desert survival skills. After the tribe was attacked by a Pyke Syndicate spice train, Fett stole speeder bikes from a nearby Nikto gang and taught the Tuskens how to ride them. He led the tribe in a successful attack to stop the train and warned the surviving Pykes that they would have to pay a toll to enter Tuskens territory in the future. To be admitted into the Tusken tribe, Fett was guided by a lizard inside his head to a branch, which he turned into his own gaffi stick. A ceremony was held to accept Fett into the tribe.

REVIEW: New characters are introduced in this episode as Boba Fett continues his quest to assert dominance through out tattoine and succeed Jabba The Hutt, despite the fact that rival Hutts have arrived to Tattoine to attempt to forge an easy transition in the crime sphere of the planet. They also come with a new wookie, though its one more familiar in extended universe canon and one that I’m not so familiar with. We then flashback to Boba Fett’s past timeline with the tusken raiders, as he becomes more accepted and helpful towards the clan, including helping them in looting a train along the tattoine desert. Boba is successful in stealing speeder bikes and teaching the tusken raiders how to ride them, which results in the loot train sequence, which itself is really impressive to watch unfold. It's a good fun sequence, with exciting shootouts and fights, with an overall victory for the Tusken Raiders, a rare feat in Star Wars storytelling. The flashback ends with a ceremony for Boba Fett to be initiated and new stage in his life beginning. Yet back in the present, Boba begins picking his enemies, eliminating people like the Mayor of Tattoine, as well as hinting at new enemies who may challenge his dominance on the planet. Overall, it’s a good episode with a lot of fun sprinkled out over the running time with a real strong sense of a story and change in Boba Fett’s life. Following this, I am excited to see where this goes next.

RATING: 84% - A-

Connor Macgregor Reviews...The Book Of Boba Fett

1x03 - The Streets Of Mos Espina

INTRO: Boba Fett's battle goes up a notch as the stakes mount up against him.

SUMMARY: Fett is asked by water-monger Lortha Peel to punish a gang of*cyborgs*who are stealing his water in Mos Espa, claiming that the citizens of Tatooine do not respect Fett yet. Upon seeing that the gang has no work, Fett employs the cyborgs as enforcers and demands that Peel reduce his prices. In his bacta tank, Fett recalls seeking the toll from the Pykes on behalf of the Tusken tribe, only to find the tribe destroyed by the Nikto gang on his return. His memories are interrupted when Fett is attacked by Krrsantan. Fett, Shand, the guards, and the cyborgs fight off and capture the Wookiee. The Twins soon apologize for sending Krrsantan, claiming that Shaiz has promised Jabba's territory to another syndicate. The Twins vow to leave Tatooine and gift a*rancor*to Fett. After releasing Krrsantan and resolving to train the rancor, Fett goes to Mos Espa with Shand and the cyborgs to question Shaiz. They find the mayor absent but chase down his majordomo who reveals that Shaiz is working with the Pykes. Later, the Pykes begin arriving in Mos Espa and Fett decides to prepare for war.

REVIEW: This episode is strange in some way. It lacks the real feeling of a Star Wars episode and comes across quite low budget in some way. In the present, Boba Fett starts recruiting some allies to maintain his hold over Tattoine. The best he can do is teenagers with colourful bikes, which call me cynical but do not look really intimidating for people looking to intrude on Boba’s attempt to rule. With the flashback side of the episode, Boba Fett attempts to negotiate with Pykes regarding payment across the dune sea, however this sadly results in an ambush against The Tusken raiders and the tusken camp utterly destroyed. In the present, the wookie from the previous episode attempts an attack on Boba Fett at his most vulnerable. It’s fun but lacks any tension, and very quickly he is captured by Boba’s team which leads to the twins arriving, offering gifts to Boba, which includes a brand new rancor. The Wookie is later freed as a result, leaving his loyalties gray. Boba takes an interest in the rancor, which leads to a fun Danny Trejo cameo teaching Boba how to tame a rancor. We then have a chase through the city trying to capture the mayor, which results in more pykes arriving in tattoine, ready to do war for control of the planet. It’s a good episode though I do question Boba Fett’s antics throughout the episode as he makes many rookie mistakes and lets a lot of people walk all over him, but here’s hoping the show can improve going forward.

RATING: 81% - A-

Connor Macgregor Reviews...The Book Of Boba Fett

1x04 - The Gathering Storm

INTRO: Trouble continues to brew on Tattooine as Boba Fett battles for control over the planet.

SUMMARY: In the bacta tank, Fett remembers trying to reclaim his Firespray gunship from Jabba's Palace, which was heavily guarded. When he discovered Shand dying from a gut wound,[c] Fett took her to a Mos Eisley mod-parlor, where her life was saved with cybernetics. In return, Fett requested Shand's help to break into the palace, now ruled by Bib Fortuna. After fighting the guards and retrieving Fett's ship, Shand decided to stay with Fett. They killed the biker gang that Fett believed to have massacred his Tusken tribe, before flying to the sarlacc pit to retrieve his armor. Shand killed the attacking sarlacc with a seismic charge, though Fett did not find his armor inside. In the present, Fett emerges from the bacta tank fully healed. He witnesses Krrsantan fighting Trandoshans in the Sanctuary and hires him. At a banquet, he urges Mos Espa's other crime bosses to unite against the Pyke Syndicate, but they refuse. With the rancor's presence, Fett convinces them to remain neutral while he fights the Syndicate alone. Shand suggests that they hire reinforcements for the imminent war.

REVIEW: This episode mainly consists of flashbacks, as we discover how Boba fond Shand, how they make their introductions, and how they agree to help get his ship back. This results in a lengthy sequence which involves breaking into a palace, fighting against guard robots, retrieving the ship, killing biker gangs, and avoiding death again from The Sarlacc pit after it tries to eat the ship first go.

In the present, Boba attempts to rule over Tatooine rather than play bounty hunter, and attempts to negotiate a sense of loyalty within his land. The Wookie seen in previous episodes kills those attempting to kill Boba Fett, which results in Boba offering him work. Boba tries to negotiate with opposing factions and the scene is realistic and rogue. When it all comes to nothing, Boba hints at reinforcements, with The Mandalorian possibly being recruited for an oncoming battle to come.

It's a good episode and much stronger than the previous episode. The hint at the battle to come makes me excited and I feel what’s to come will really ramp up the series towards an epic conclusion.

RATING: 81% - A-

Connor Macgregor Reviews...The Book Of Boba Fett

1x05 - The Return Of The Mandalorian

INTRO: Bringing back characters from previous Star Wars shows in a bid to make Boba Fett's show much more interesting? Eeeek!!!

SUMMARY: After Din Djarin tracks and kills a bounty, he delivers the bounty's head for directions to a Mandalorian hideout. There, he finds the Armorer and Paz Vizsla, survivors of their tribe of Mandalorian warriors, who inspect the Darksaber that he won from Moff Gideon.[b] The Armorer explains that whoever wins the Darksaber in combat can become the ruler of Mandalore, though their civilization was destroyed by the Empire. The Armorer turns Djarin's beskar spear into a gift for his former charge, Grogu. Vizsla, a descendant of the Darksaber's creator, Tarre Vizsla, challenges Djarin to a duel for the saber. Djarin defeats Vizsla but reveals that he previously broke their tribe's code by removing his helmet. Rejected by the tribe, Djarin takes a commercial transport to meet Peli Motto on Tatooine, who has an old N-1 starfighter to replace his previous ship, the Razor Crest.[d] Working together they fix and modify the starship and Djarin takes it for a test flight. Upon his return, Fennec Shand arrives and asks Djarin to assist Boba Fett in the upcoming war. He agrees, but only after he visits a friend.

REVIEW: This episode sees the return of The Mandalorian in order to make this series more compelling and interesting. He follows directions to a hideout where he discovers the Mandalorian race are dying out. A battle for the DarkSaber takes place, and as a result of it, The Mandalorian is banished for taking off his mask. As a result, The Mandalorian goes to Tattooine and is reunited with Peli Motto, where an old Naboo Starfighter is discovered, giving me nostalgic vibes from the prequel trilogy. Never the less, The Mandalorian rebuilds and works on the ship, taking it onto test runs and spooking out local authorities in the process. After this, Fennec Shand comes to Mando to recruit him for a job, but on the condition that Grogu comes aboard the job. This is a better episode, with interest amped up with the Mandalorian featuring, as well as curiosity to see how they will further execute this story with the climax nearing.

RATING: 88% - A-

Connor Macgregor Reviews...The Book Of Boba Fett

1x06 - From A Desert Comes A Stranger

INTRO: Big moments in this episode as cameos and plot developments ups the ante for the finale to come.

SUMMARY: Cobb Vanth, marshal of Tatooine's Freetown (formerly Mos Pelgo), confronts and shoots Pyke spice runners. Djarin flies to a forested world to visit Grogu, and is greeted by R2-D2 and Ahsoka Tano. Tano convinces Djarin that his presence will hinder Grogu, so he returns to Tatooine after asking Tano to deliver the gift—a beskar chain mail tunic—to the youngling. Jedi Master Luke Skywalker has begun training Grogu, his first student, to use the Force. Skywalker helps the youngling remember his home, the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, where he saw many Jedi killed during Order 66. Fett and his allies discuss their manpower shortage, and Djarin travels to Freetown to enlist Vanth and his people. After Djarin leaves, hired gun Cad Bane arrives on behalf of the Pykes to order the town to be neutral in the upcoming war. Following a standoff, Bane shoots both the marshal and his deputy. Two Pykes later bomb the Sanctuary in Mos Espa. Skywalker, bearing Djarin's gift, gives a choice to Grogu: take the chain mail and stop his training, or take Yoda's lightsaber and be trained as a Jedi.

REVIEW: In assisting Boba Fett, The Mandalorian recruits Cobb Vanth, asking for an army to battle the oncoming syndicate. He also then meets with Ahsoka Tano, eager to present Grogu with a gift though doesn’t interfere with his jedi training with Luke. Speaking of Luke, he cameos in this episode, sharing scenes with Ahsoka Tano and Grogu. The digital aging is brilliant, awards worthy even. Here, Luke taps into Grogu’s mind, revealing new information regarding Grogu’s past, which seems to hint at him being present at Order 66. By the episode’s end, Luke gives Grogu a difficult choice, continue his training with Luke or return to Mando and never train as a Jedi. With Boba Fett, whose appearance is small compared to other characters, is short on a full scale army to deal with the syndicate and therefore a risky battle plan is put in place. Lastly there is the debut live action appearance of Cad Bane, a bounty hunter made famous in the animated part of Star Wars, and following an intense stand off, seemingly kills Vanth, making a cruel statement to those standing against The Syndicate, and the pykes making a declaration of war. Overall, a great episode and arguably the rest of the entire run. So much fan service involved with Luke, Ahsoka and Cad Bane, as well as great build up towards the finale. The temptation to see this epic conclusion is massive and the build up strong and compelling.

RATING: 93% - A

Connor Macgregor Reviews...The Book Of Boba Fett

1x07 - In The Name Of Honor

INTRO: The finale of The Book Of Boba Fett brings action, conflict and drama. And therefore set up future Star Wars stories.

SUMMARY: R2-D2 flies Grogu, who has chosen Djarin's chain mail, to Motto's hangar. Bane and the Pykes confront Fett, Shand, and Djarin outside the remains of the Sanctuary, where Bane reveals that the Pykes killed Fett's Tusken tribe and framed the biker gang. The other crime families betray Fett and attack his soldiers throughout Mos Espa. Fett and Djarin send Shaiz's majordomo to distract the Pykes, allowing the pair to attack the group though they are soon outnumbered. Freetown's citizens and the cyborgs arrive to save the pair, but the group are overwhelmed again by two shielded Scorpenek droids. Motto arrives with Grogu, who helps Djarin destroy one of the Scorpeneks while Fett's rancor destroys the other. Bane scares off the rancor and defeats Fett in a gun duel, but Fett kills Bane with his gaffi stick. Grogu lulls the rancor to sleep, ending its rampage. In Mos Eisley, Shand kills the Pyke boss, Shaiz, and the other crime lords. As Fett earns Mos Espa's denizens respect and admiration, Djarin and Grogu fly away in their N-1 starfighter. In a mid-credits scene Vanth heals in Fett's bacta tank with the mod artist standing nearby.

REVIEW: Grogu returns to Mando, choosing him ultimately, and assisting in the battle on Tattooine. Bane confronts the two bounty hunters, plans are revealed and the battle ultimately begins. The odds are of course against Fett however the locals help when needed, making it an even fight. Bane & Fett have a personal clash, with both evenly matched. The Rancor also makes an epic appearance, destroying much of the city, and making it visually more exciting. In the end, Feet seemingly kills Bane and declares his victory against the Pykes. Mando proceeds to fly away in a Naboo starfighter with Grogu, setting up more stories in Season 3 of The Mandalorian. The series ends with Fett asserting his power in Tattooine.

It's a good finale overall, with an action packed and thrilling story at the core, with potentially setting up future stories. Though the series as a whole, lacks the sharpness in its writing, as well as having side characters that aren’t particularly interesting. It’s a decent series overall but needed much more to it for it to stand up against its companion shows.

RATING: 87% - A-

SERIES RATING: 85% - A-

Connor Macgregor Reviews...Obi Wan Kenobi

INTRO: The Miniseries I've been looking forward to for some time. One of my favourite characters in Star Wars finally is shown front and centre in a really terrific story with emotional trauma and high risk stakes.

SUMMARY:

REVIEW: The episode begins with a recap of the prequel trilogy, mainly focused on Obi Wan & Anakin’s relationship through the three films. We are introduced to the Inquisitors who bring an intimidating presence of them as they scour the galaxy hunting fugitive Jedi. We’re particularly introduced to the Fifth Sister, who comes off as reckless and harnesses a lot of anger with his mission, leaving people with chopped hands if they somewhat look at her wrong.

We return to Tattooine where we are reacquainted to Obi Wan, who is a more solemn and sad figure and has begun to neglect his Jedi powers, yet keeping an eye on a young Luke despite being warned off by Owen.

Then there is Alderaan, which we finally see proper for the first time in Star Wars media. We meet a young Leia Organa with a good young actress with some funny lines. She is accompanied with a little droid called Lola who becomes an asset through the rest of this story. Bail Organa also returns and his worse fears come to realise when Leia is kidnapped. This in turn sets the series’s story into motion as Obi Wan is called into action by Bail Organa, retrieving his lightsaber for what will be the fight ahead.

This is overall a great opener and establishes the stakes and world really well. Ewan Macgregor still fits and works the character really well and has aged back into the role like a fine wine. He portrays the real sense of loss and defeat in this opening episode, and almost the lack of hope for a better future. You also have exciting new characters too, including a fun child version of Leia and the Fifth Sister being an intriguing new villain.

RATING: 93% - A

Connor Macgregor Reviews...Obi Wan Kenobi

Part 2

INTRO: Obi Wan begins her pursuit to rescue Leia and return her home, and in that begins an epic adventure in his ultimate story.

SUMMARY:

REVIEW: In his pursuit for Leia, Obi Wan arrives on a planet reminiscent to Blade Runner. Very edgy, very far future, very lost. He encounters a man named Haja, a con artist masquerading as a Jedi. Despite the attempt at conning Obi Wan, he still recruits Haja in for help, and together they manage to find Leia. Once they help Leia escape, both Obi Wan and Leia become fugitives of The Empire. Bounty Hunters begin pursuing them with Leia caught in the middle of not knowing who to trust. A chase sequence takes place throughout the streets in which Obi Wan pursues Leia to ensure her safety. During a moment with Leia clinging onto a building, Obi Wan uses the force to get her to safety, a sign that his inner strength is slowly building up again. This however attracts the Inquisitors who are hunting Obi Wan courtesy of Darth Vader. One Inquisitor, Reva, is particularly very obsessed with Obi Wan and manages to have a vicious confrontation with her, revealing the truth that Anakin Skywalker survived the duel on Mustafar and became Darth Vader. The final shot shows Vader in his tank on Mustafar, building his return in the next episode.

It's another really strong episode with a lot of fun chases, story developments and real insight into character motivations and emotional stakes. Ewan Macgregor is great. I love how he makes Obi Wan more his own, yet acknowledges where he will end up in A New Hope. It’s a great central performance and further cements Obi Wan as my favourite character in Star Wars. I also enjoy young Leia and how feisy, scared and entranced she is of the journey she’s about to go on.


RATING: 93%% - A

Connor Macgregor Reviews...Obi Wan Kenobi

Part 3

INTRO: Obi Wan and Leia set off on the journey home, but the empire are fast on their trail and soon a reunion will be on the cards.

SUMMARY:

REVIEW: Obi Wan and Leia arrive on a new planet of a desert themed. Empty canvas, with barely anything of note. A friendly looking alien picks them both up, with Obi Wan using a fake story to get them pass stormtroopers. That only works to a degree as he ends up fighting a few stormtroopers to protect Leia. Obi Wan is then befriended by Tala, who helps them through the small city at the same time Darth Vader appears. James Earl Jones returns to do the voice work and is still sinister and fantastic for his age. A duel occurs between Obi Wan & Vader in the desert, which consists more of a brawl than an actual swordfight. Vader wins simply by torturing Obi Wan in quite a clever way. Obi Wan barely escapes with his life, however he loses Leia to Reva, ending things on a cliffhanger.

Again, another strong episode with a strong and gripping climax with the lightsaber duel. Although the start you could argue was weaker than others with too much time wandering, and not enough tension until the stormtrooper battle.

RATING: 92% - A

Connor Macgregor Reviews...Obi Wan Kenobi

Part 4

INTRO: A rescue mission goes into gear as Obi Wan battles to save Leia.

SUMMARY:

REVIEW: An injured Obi Wan licks his wounds, pondering his next move. Leia has been captured by the Inquisitors with some tense scenes between Reva and Leia. A plan is quickly formed by Obi Wan to rescue her, with new people joining in on the mission. O'Shea Jackson Jr features in this episode as a character that assists in helping Jedi escape the empire. He helps Obi Wan into the empire fortress, and both he and Tala sneak out and avoid capture whilst trying to find and rescue Leia from empire clutches. Once Leia is found, Obi Wan goes full badass and uses the force to full capacity. A face off with Reva takes place which is wild, yet Obi Wan and crew manage to escape, making Darth Vader exceptionally furious. Yet Reva has one last plan up her sleeve - A tracker hidden within Lola, Leia's robot.

Another good episode, though weaker than the first three due to the small running time. I'm still enjoying the story overall and happy to see Obi Wan at the centre of his own story for once.

RATING: 88% - A-

Connor Macgregor Reviews...Obi Wan Kenobi

Part 5

INTRO: Some flashbacks for long term fans as well as a grand build up to an exciting finale, Part 5 of Obi Wan delivers at a exceptional rate.

SUMMARY:

REVIEW: The episode begins with flashbacks with Anakin and Obi Wan, with both the actors trying to past off as younger and yet showing very clear that they are old. Yet it was a good scene to see none the less. Obi Wan and co land on a small rocky planet and plan a diversion to get people away and out of the empire's reach. Lola the droid however intercepts the plan and thus Obi Wan must build a defence to keep the stormtroopers out. This episode also reveals more of Reva's past, revealing her to be a youngling who had survived Anakin's wrath of Order 66 in the jedi temple. There's a moment where Kenobi somewhat gets through to her before an intense stormtropper attack. It's a fierce fight and as a result Tala dies in the gunfire. In order to keep the distraction going, Kenobi surrenders himself, though he manages to play it smart and manages to escape. However Darth Vader is on the prowl and duels with Reva, seemingly killing her. However she manages to survive, and recovers a message from Bail Organa and discovers the location of Luke Skywalker, Vader's son.

The episode overall is better from Episode four, though still somewhat lacking. There's hope that the last episode will be a big pay off for the miniseries.

RATING: 91% - A

Connor Macgregor Reviews...Obi Wan Kenobi

Part 6

INTRO: The rematch between Obi Wan and Vader has arrived and it certainly doesn't disappoint.

SUMMARY:

REVIEW: The episode starts off a little weak at the beginning with a lot of building tension and thrills. Obi Wan formulates a plan to set up a confrontation with Anakin, who does fall for his trap and ends up confronting Obi Wan in a rocky terrain planet. What follows is the rematch duel all Star Wars fans have been anticipating and it absolutely delivered. An emotionally fantastic duel with a mixture of prequel and original trilogy fighting styles blended into one, with an intense and exciting score bristling out of the screen. I loved the visuals of the split helmet, emphasising that Anakin Skywalker is truly dead (for now) and Darth Vader lives. It contains brilliant voice acting with the cutting in and out of the voice.

Reva meanwhile chases after Luke, but before enacting some rage, has a change of heart and disgraces the Sith for good, leaving her character ambiguous. Obi Wan ends the story reaffirmed in his ways of the force and begins a new journey more assured in his beliefs. A lovely ending cameo of Qui Gon Jin and Palpatine adds a nice touch to the series and ends on a strong note.

Obi Wan overall is a great miniseries with easter eggs for all Star Wars fans and a strong central performance from Ewan Macgregor who shines hugely as does Hayden Christensen. There's room to want more and I hope its something Disney consider.

RATING: 94% - A

SERIES RATING: 92% - A