Here is my Ahsoka Episode 3 review and I had fun watching this one. Episode 3 feels very much like a live-action episode of Rebels, it’s a bit cartoony, but in the right ways, for once. As usual I will be keeping mostly SPOILER FREE so bear that in mind as I digest my thoughts.
I guess the cartoony part comes in the latter half of a quite tight episode. To begin with there is a good amount of time for Sabine and Ahsoka to do some training. The pair discuss the Force and generally develop their relationship a little more. I do like how difficult they are making the Force for Sabine. We’ve known there was a sensitivity there, but nothing compared to the Jedi we’ve known most in Star Wars. It sorta feels like one of us trying to embrace something we don’t understand, and alien to us.
The trio of Dawson, Bordizzo and Tennant (Huaynag) works. Which is kinda surprising given that these three didn’t really run together much in Rebels. Well, at least not as a trio. There are a few touches, especially when the action starts that felt like moments true to the characters we met in the animated shows. Good casting, and good performances. Plus I like Filoni’s subtle way of writing around the Force, and the homages he pays to the original and prequel movies.
The New Republic
Avoiding spoilers I won’t say too much, but man these guys do suck. If only someone powerful could take control and make the senate bend to their will, then things would get done. Hashtag Palpatinedidnothingwrong, (that’s a joke by the way). I like Hera the more time we spend with her, unsure on her son Jacen yet. He’s still a young kid, and only shows up very briefly for now. I wonder if he’ll be kept back until he’s matured into a new actor in a few years time? I guess there’s not much they could do to build him as a character within this show. Especially given the first and second leads are elsewhere.
We can definitely see that Lucasfilm are finally trying to explain how we got from the New Republic to the Empire so quickly. In around 25 years time the First Order will be attacking Hosnian Prime. I always knew they’d do this to try and fit the sequels into their place. I just wish we had a bit more of this in the sequels themselves, and that they didn’t bring back Palpatine, that sucked.
The Action
As said above, the latter half of this episode is taken up by a car chase action sequence. Though, given this is Star Wars, this cars are spaceships and they have blasters. I’ve been critical of some space action in recent Disney shows and movies as not making much sense. So when a few things happened I wasn’t expecting, I panicked. You’ll know which part I mean when you watch it and if you’ve already seen it. Actually, in the end, they pulled it off and it never seemed too crazy in terms of suspension of disbelief.
Overall this was a a fun and cartoony action scene which was well put together under the guidance of director Steph Green. Green has now showed herself in my mind vary capable of pulling off Star Wars action scenes, as also evidence by Episode 2 of Ahsoka and Episode 2 of The Book of Boba Fett (train heist). I’m a fan Steph Green. If you think about the action too hard it won’t make sense. Then again, neither does any Star Wars action. This scene however treads the line on where we can suspend our disbelief, instead of slamming straight past it which has happened too frequently.
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Any criticisms? Honestly, not really. I had a lot of fun watching Episode 3. However, I didn’t feel there were any real drama moments outside of the action. That’s not a criticism as in this type of show that isn’t always needed. However, as a result, it won’t be an episode that I remember back on as being the best one of the series. That being said, it works in the context of this series and sets the stage for some planet side based combat in Episode 4. Perhaps the ‘drama’ will come to a head in the lengthy Episode 5 directed by Dave Filoni?
Overall, I’ve slated Star Wars for being too cartoony in the past. However, this worked because it wasn’t silly cartoony and it still felt like there was threat and weight to what was happening. I will also say space whales are far cooler in live-action than they are in animation. That’s just the way I see it Rebels fans, sorry.
GRADE: B+
As usual, please let me know what you thought of my Ahsoka Episode 3 review. Also feel free to drop your own review of Ahsoka Episode 3 in the usual spot below.
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