The Star Wars Thread

[Julius]

Reminder that The Acolyte drops tomorrow in the US and in the early hours (02:00 BST I think?) over here in the UK:

Yeah, I'm going to be silly and probably stay up to watch it 

Anyways, wanted to highlight some of the meat stuff that's been going on with The Acolyte marketing ahead of its release. 

Mainly, this:

So: Amandla Stenberg can play violin, loves John Williams enough to end up being given a music sheet made just for her by him, and she came out on stage at Celebration last year in London in Episode II Padmé cosplay? 

Always love when someone wears for their love for the franchise on their sleeve 

Leslye Headland also had a brief chat with Dave Filoni, which I'm sure will be expanded on with a Disney+ Gallery special for The Acolyte at some point:

She's talked a lot about pulling from Legends (the old EU), her love for the prequels, Clone Wars, etc. Seems like we've very quickly moved onto prequel fans getting their shot at Star Wars and I'm super here for it. 

We also got a Lee Jung-Jae feature in his character, Sol:

Yeah, it's pretty safe to say I'm hyped for this to drop. We are finally - FINALLY - going to be free of people working in and around the Skywalker Saga eras and be starting up with something new! 

[Happenstance]

Watched the first two episodes of The Acolyte. Seems good so far, interesting mystery and characters. Only real complaints have been I wish the High Republic era felt a bit different to the Star Wars we've already seen, other than the cloaks it all looks the same and then I also think the main actress runs weird 😆

[Julius]

I watched the first two episodes of The Acolyte last night and yeah, I thought it was a really solid start to the show. Bit weird in terms of framing and pacing at times (see: the way the first episode decided to wrap itself up) but the narrative intrigue is definitely there. Thought the music was fairly serviceable too, definitely leaning more into the Williams influence, but there hasn't really been a moment for it to stand out and grab me just yet. 

Spoiler

Alright, so Mae having a twin/sister I totally called  glad they didn't stretch that out much. 

Qimir is an interesting one, just because of the way that Manny Jacinto is playing him. I still think that there's a good chance he's Darth Shark Tank, seeing as "peace is a lie" is the literal first part of the Sith Code, there's also the way he dodged an acolyte's attacks (?!) without too much thought and with crazy fluidity, and the way he speaks to Osha after figuring out she's not Mae, it felt like a bit of a taunt. There's also the way he deflects from talking about "The Master" to the Jedi and instead focuses on the trials Mae is facing in killing the four Jedi. So that thread I'll be keeping an eye out for, but Qimir also just turning up as the new apothecary who just so also happens to aid Mae feels like something to flag. 

I still think this show ends ultimately - this season or whenever it does - with the Jedi included in this investigation either all dying (so they can't know about the Sith) or, much more likely in my eyes, the Sith being the apprentice and his acolyte are both taken out and the Jedi wrongly assume that they've killed the master and apprentice. Vernestra already seems like the type to play politics with how much they're trying to keep talk of the investigation to a minimum. 

Something I find interesting is what they're doing with Mae and Osha. Mae, the acolyte, seems genuinely surprised and a bit emotional at the idea of Osha being around still, whereas Osha seems vengeful towards Mae. I wonder if we're being duped here and they're going to swap places by the end of the show? Not something I really want to commit to predicting but them being sisters was very low hanging fruit, Qimir out of the first two episodes seems the most likely choice to be Darth Shark Tooth, and so if there's going to be a twist, could it be that? Osha also seems to be the one followed by traumatic memories of what happened and the Force is guiding her to all the wrong places, almost as if it wants to get her in trouble. 

Loved Sol, can already feel he's a bit of a Qui-Gon type and a bit tired of the obstacles in the way of getting the work of a Jedi done. Really leaning into the attachment stuff here, too, which is interesting. 

4 hours ago, Happenstance said:

Only real complaints have been I wish the High Republic era felt a bit different to the Star Wars we've already seen, other than the cloaks it all looks the same and then I also think the main actress runs weird 😆

Yeah, I think I feel the same so far? I guess it makes sense, seeing as these are the waning days of the High Republic and the transition from the ornate and lavish to however we'd describe the prequels is well under way. For me I think the big sticking point so far is the lightsaber hilts look just kind of meh, at least we'll be getting a Lightwhip but  the new outfits for Jedi are neat but it almost feels like formal wear vs informal wear? 

This has all made me want to pick up the Art of the High Republic just to have a flick through...

[Happenstance]

Yeah I think the white robes are supposed to be more formal while the brown are for missions. Shame it wasn't really a thing when Lucas wrote episode one. Seeing them all in the white robes at the beginning of that movie would have been another good way to demonstrate the headspace he wanted the jedi in.

[darksnowman]

20 hours ago, Happenstance said:

Yeah I think the white robes are supposed to be more formal while the brown are for missions. Shame it wasn't really a thing when Lucas wrote episode one. Seeing them all in the white robes at the beginning of that movie would have been another good way to demonstrate the headspace he wanted the jedi in.

It's 100 years before text crawl. We are being treated to a look back at this part of the Jedi's past*.

Spoiler

* Their Spice Boys days.

Edited June 6 by darksnowman
spoiler for clarification

[Happenstance]

Another interesting episode of Acolyte this week. Loving seeing the Jedi expanded upon again, showing more of what we got in the prequels.

Spoiler

The ascension ceremony just gave off very theatre kid vibes 😆

 

[Mr_Odwin]

I really enjoyed the latest episode of Acolyte. Seems the whole season getting hate from certain quarters of the internet (IMDB review scores are well bombed) but that last episode was some of the best star wars TV we've seen in years.

[FalcoLombardi]

Overall I thought The Acolyte was an okay series. I'd like to see more of the Sith actions/background info.

[Julius]

Woke up very early yesterday to watch the finale of The Acolyte. 

Overall, totally agree with you @FalcoLombardi , I think it was just okay – it has some REALLY, REALLY high highs (Episode 5 I've watched the middle part like 10 times!) but they are few and far between, leaving a lot of confusing and meandering lows. The first half of the show lacked so much of the direction and ideas introduced in the second half, and the show ended up feeling like it should've simultaneously been 2 episodes longer and 2 episodes shorter. 

Big fan of what Manny Jacinto managed with Qimir this season (probably my favourite alongside Sol), really happy to have some representation for more Asians in live-action Star Wars, first time we've really had them at the core of what's going on. Even more so because Manny is mixed/half Filipino (like me!) and so even though I think Luke/Leia/Han/Anakin/Obi-Wan et al are incredibly relatable because of how strongly they're characterised and how well their core values are portrayed resulted in me not really understanding the importance of representation, it did feel pretty damn great and almost fulfilling of an unknown childhood wish for me to see this representation. 

Obviously, the reactions to the show have been appalling. Star Wars. Lesbian showrunner. People of colour in lead roles. I hate the internet. Crazy just how bombed the reviews were for this, there are definitely points worthy of criticism but there's a way to go about it. Think it also calls into question, once again, the media intelligence of some Star Wars fans. 

Anyways, I also thought the show was pretty predictable. I won't get into it too much without spoiler tags, but I talked to a friend at various points as the show went on, and I think I was probably right on 80%+ of the things I thought would happen. That's not really a problem when it comes to a mystery or Star Wars - I think a good mystery does need some people to connect the dots ahead of some reveals to be surprised by others - but it definitely made me question the approach to certain aspects, as it wasn't paced as well as I would have hoped. Some characters also just have really weirdly portrayed convictions. 

Some pretty great lightsaber duels, some solid moments, some moments where I was left stunned by a particular theme returning, and some familiar-yet-not faces. The show is certainly complete in one sense, but has put all the pieces in place for a S2, and I hope it gets one – the pieces they've put in play by the end of this season gets the mind racing with possibilities. 

With all that in mind, I'd probably score The Acolyte a 6 or a 6.5/10. 

In terms of ranking the live-action Disney+ shows so far, it's probably something like:

1. Andor

2. Mando

3. Ahsoka

4. The Acolyte

5. Obi-Wan

6. The Book of Boba Fett

Worth a watch whenever you're in the mood for more Star Wars, and while I haven't had the chance to do it myself (because of watching weekly), I have seen a few people suggest it flows much better with a binge! 

[FalcoLombardi]

Yeah, Manny / Qimir was my favorite part of the series. It's a shame he wasn't in it too much the first few episodes. Both his goofy and serious sides are entertaining.

And the flashbacks to Brendok (spelling?) were pretty iffy to me. I don't think we needed to spend two episodes there. Especially since the "reveal" of what happened was lackluster.

Review bombing is just... grow the fuck up people. 😅

[Happenstance]

I thought the series started well but by the end I just didn't really care about anything happening. Probably not one I'd go back to again.

[Eddage]

I don't know how to feel about The Acolyte. I thought both flash back episodes and the episode where they're just walking through a forest looking for Kalnacca were awful, just so boring! However, I thought Qimir was a great character and some of the fights were incredible.

One thing that annoyed me a bit was in the final fight when Sol cut the end of Qimir's light saber... Your sabre splits in 2 dude, just use the other half 😆

[Hero-of-Time]

Starting watching The Acolyte. Three episodes in and it's pretty garbage. I'll still continue on and finish it but I'm not impressed so far. 

[Julius]

Was just checking to see if tickets for The Amazing Spider-Man were up at Odeon and found something way better:

EVERY FREAKING STAR WARS FILM (except Solo lol) IS BEING RE-RELEASED BETWEEN AUGUST AND OCTOBER OF THIS YEAR! 

Holy. Hot. Damn. 

I'll finally get to watch Revenge of the Sith  not decided yet if I want to do it all on that one weekend but I can't freaking wait! 

I'm at least watching every one of them I haven't seen in cinema yet (Attack of the Clones, Revenge of the Sith, A New Hope, and The Empire Strikes Back), and potentially down for a re-watch of Rogue One. The Phantom Menace and Return of the Jedi I don't mind skipping just because I watched them both for anniversary screenings within the last 15 months or so. 

I was really worried I'd be waiting until Revenge's 25th anniversary after a seemingly inevitable skip for it's 20th next year in favour of TFA's 10th, so really wasn't expecting this  

Edited July 28 by Julius

[Happenstance]

The movies I've seen at the cinema are:

Attack of the Clones
Revenge of the Sith
Something about a Skywalker

[lostmario]

20 hours ago, Hero-of-Time said:

Starting watching The Acolyte. Three episodes in and it's pretty garbage. I'll still continue on and finish it but I'm not impressed so far. 

It gets better, not by much but it gets better.

[Hero-of-Time]

Do the Jedi just generally suck at fighting? I'm on episode 5 and Sol's group have just been handed their butt's to them by the antagonist. Reminds me of Revenge of the Sith when Palpatine swept a bunch of Jedi Masters to one side as if they were nothing. Doesn't make any sense.

[Happenstance]

1 minute ago, Hero-of-Time said:

Do the Jedi just generally suck at fighting? I'm on episode 5 and Sol's group have just been handed their butt's to them by the antagonist. Reminds me of Revenge of the Sith when Palpatine swept a bunch of Jedi Masters to one side as if they were nothing. Doesn't make any sense.

I don't necessarily think they suck at fighting but it is set during an era where they have become pretty complacent and arrogant. They haven't fought a Sith in a long time and are definitely not ready for that extra threat.

[Hero-of-Time]

Just now, Happenstance said:

I don't necessarily think they suck at fighting but it is set during an era where they have become pretty complacent and arrogant. They haven't fought a Sith in a long time and are definitely not ready for that extra threat.

Yeah, but they always manage to hold their own in a one on one fight. Put them in a group against 1 Sith lord and they are like headless chickens. There were around 10 of them there. They could have easily used the force to hold the enemy in place. I mean, in the very next scene you have Jecki doing a force throw/push against Mae.

[Happenstance]

1 minute ago, Hero-of-Time said:

Yeah, but they always manage to hold their own in a one on one fight. Put them in a group against 1 Sith lord and they are like headless chickens. There were around 10 of them there. They could have easily used the force to hold the enemy in place. I mean, in the very next scene you have Jecki doing a force throw/push against Mae.

I mean yeah its not great at making the cannon fodder Jedi believable in their skills but the scene you are talking about is the first encounter with the Sith so easily works into what I was saying about their over confidence. They have a big group against one guy and never expected him to be as much of a threat as he was, especially with his cortosis helmet which was nice to see

[Hero-of-Time]

I've got 1 more episode left of the Acolyte. I didn't care much for the other flashback episode, in fact I fell asleep for 20 minutes whilst watching it. 

I like the idea of the twins switching places/masters, and I do like Sol as a character. Other than that, it's been a very meh experience. Pretty standard for most SW stuff these days.

[Julius]

3 minutes ago, Hero-of-Time said:

Pretty standard for most SW stuff these days.

Obligatory: have you watched Andor yet?  

I remember you saying you weren't the biggest fan of Rogue One, but other than a couple of familiar faces, it does a good job of keeping itself contained and building up an entirely new cast. It's still for me one of the best Star Wars live-action projects, probably, that we've had release under the Disney umbrella.

Helps to have planned arcs and some solid execution, I suppose, whereas some of the other live-action shows - even when I've enjoyed them - are certainly flying by the seat of their pants at times. Probably also weirdly helped a good that Tony Gilroy wasn't a head-over-heels Star Wars fan going into his time working on the IP, too 

 

Anyways, looking forward to your thoughts on the final episode of Acolyte 

[Happenstance]

I think the only Star Wars I haven't really enjoyed on the TV side has been Book of Boba Fett and the last half of Acolyte. Andor and the animated stuff I know is well regarded but just wasn't for me so I don't think of it as bad.

[Hero-of-Time]

I've tried multiple times to get into Andor but have never got past the first episode. Strangely, I really enjoyed Book of Boba Fett, despite many disliking it.

For me, I don't think anything is gonna touch Rebels. 

[Julius]

14 hours ago, Hero-of-Time said:

I've tried multiple times to get into Andor but have never got past the first episode. 

And this is why I commit to a three episode minimum when I start a new show 

In terms of "more mature" storytelling and quality TV which can compete with the likes of HBO, Andor is the only thing close to that for me in Star Wars, from the performances, to the sets, to the music, it's all fantastic and feels like Star Wars trying to be competitive and do something fresh but necessary with its commentary or mirroring of certain topics/organisations and yet is still very much in line with George's original vision. After a decade of Disney Star Wars, it's perhaps one of the few projects in like with what A New Hope put forth, and certainly the only one to do so not graced by the hands of Filoni. 

That's probably not for everyone, and also probably not what everyone looks for in Star Wars, but given a fair shake I think you'd find some enjoyment in it. It straight up had me tearing up at times and easily has some of the most powerful moments in the GFFA, very easily some of the best acting in Star Wars, too.