Star wars episode 1 reviews1/1/2024 ![]() In the beginning it’s pure space Western, a stripped-down march that shades into cliche at the same time as it injects fantastic atmosphere into wide shots. The music adds a lot to the episode’s tone. At best, he’s an audience surrogate at worst, he’s an import from what feels more like Guardians of the Galaxy, a slightly different tone to the space adventure that makes all the difference. The Mandalorian’s first captive, a chatty alien fond of talking about his own bodily functions, doesn’t seem to fit. He must by necessity do a lot of physical acting in that armor, and the difference between his usual poise and moments where he almost jumps in surprise are impressive and charming. Pascal’s soft voice adds to that impression, as does his meeting with an old mentor type later in the episode. He gives the impression of being both a capable warrior and a kid in over his head. Going back to the Mandalorian himself, far from being untouchable, he’s occasionally stymied by such simple activities as calling a cab or stepping onto an alien planet. But the final third of the episode adds the warmth the first two-thirds were lacking. Star Warswas cutting edge in its time, but I’m not sure it is now. In the first two-thirds of the episode, I felt like I had seen this all before: dirty hovercraft and even impressive CGI monsters are old hat in 2019. Dialogue is goofy at times, suited to the characters’ weird surroundings, but the actors deliver it gamely. The first few lines of dialogue are in Huttese, setting the scene immediately. The bar fight opening is unremarkable, the alien designs notable for their technical prowess (you can very clearly see their eyes!) rather than the creativity on the design side. The show is quick to reassure you that this is the Star Wars you know and love with a trip to a shady cantina. The emphasis he places on every single word would probably decrease in entertainment value the longer the conversation went on, but for now, he could be straight out of classic Star Wars. He doesn’t want the hunt on the record, and hires the Mandalorian because he’s the best. Herzog spits every word, and feels utterly suited to the scene. ![]() His big job in the first episode comes from a mysterious client (Werner Herzog) with Imperial ties. Stream Star Warsshows with a FREE TRIAL of Disney+, right here! He sits right on the line of good and evil, and I’m curious to see if this characterization ever gets deeper than “man with sad backstory murders for a living.” This history could have been treacly, but works well enough for me in the flow of the overall episode. One pivotal part of his backstory is revealed early on: he is an orphan and brings some of his profits back to a Mandalorian enclave to benefit other orphans. ![]() He’s judicious with his words, but not silent, and motivated primarily by the money he needs to cover his expenses. The first episode introduces Pedro Pascal as the unnamed Mandalorian. ![]() The first 40-minute episode of the Disney+ series isn’t a technological marvel or a totally unexpected divergence, but it is very entertaining, and the title character will please fans who want both a masked rogue and a relatable person. And above all, this is Star Wars, with crowded cantinas and monster-plagued spaceports. Sweeping shots and marching music evoke the Westerns that also influenced George Lucas. A flashback sequence is so energetic and the use of color so deft that it feels like it could have come from the animated series. The Mandalorianexecutive producer and “Chapter 1” director Dave Filoni drew from myriad inspirations for The Clone Wars, and his first live-action Star Wars foray is clearly no different. This Star Wars: The Mandalorian review contains spoilers. ![]()
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