Review: The First Two Episodes of STAR WARS: AHSOKA is a Great Start To an Ambitious Series!
The first thing you need to know is that I’m a huge fan of the Star Wars animated shows The Clone Wars and Rebels. I loved the characters that were introduced in those stories, and Ahsoka Tano is easily one of my all-time favorite Star Wars characters. Her story arc is one of the best in the franchise, and I love that her story is continuing in Dave Filoni’s live-action series Star Wars: Ahsoka.
I had the opportunity to watch the first two episodes of the series, and I have to say that I was incredibly happy and satisfied with how they played out. The series pretty much picks up after the events of Rebels. In fact, you might consider this the fifth season of Rebels!
The first couple of episodes do a great job of setting up the story, the tone, and the characters, and they give you a taste of where things are going, and I enjoyed every second of it! It’s got a good mix of action and drama, but I think some people who aren’t really familiar with the characters, or the story from the animated shows might see it as a slow start. But, for me, I thought it was filled with some great stuff and is progressing with a story that I love and am excited about!
Ahsoka’s evolution from Anakin's apprentice in The Clone Wars to the lightsaber-wielding legend she becomes in this series is so compelling to me. Her place in the Star Wars universe is still evolving and in these first two episodes, we see her reconnect with old friends to start her journey trying to find Grand Admiral Thrawn and Ezra, to help stop a war that is brewing in the Galaxy. There’s also a lot of complexity with the characters, they are fleshed out, and have depth, which I appreciate.
Her first efforts in doing that play out like an Indiana Jones adventure as she is searching for a map that leads to Thrawn’s location. I enjoyed that aspect of the story, it’s kind of like Star Wars meets Indiana Jones. You can definitely see the influence of the franchise in these episodes and it makes all the sense in the world.
The other thing that I enjoyed about the series is that it has those classic Star Wars vibes. Remember what it was like watching The Mandalorian for the first time and feeling those vibes? That’s what it was like watching Ahsoka, and it made me happy. It’s awesome to have another great Star Wars project to enjoy!
I got to watch the two episodes on the big screen and I have to point out the VFX work is top-notch. These are movie-quality visual effects and the whole thing feels incredibly cinematic. As for the action sequences, it’s exactly what you’d expect from the Star Wars franchise and the lightsaber battles are so cool! One more thing I have to point out is the score by Kevin Kiner, the music is beautiful!
I was sucked into the series and was completely immersed in the story. Filoni is not going to let the fans down with this. I think this series is just going to get better and better until it comes to an end.
The series stars Rosario Dawson as Ahsoka and she’s perfect; Natasha Liu Bordizzo plays Sabine, who is a highlight of the series; Mary Elizabeth Winstead plays Hera who fits the role; Ray Stevenson plays Baylon, who is badass; Ivanna Sakhno plays Shin Hati, and she’s a force to be reckoned with; and Diana Lee Insonato plays Morgan Elsbeth, who is hatching an evil plan to find Thrawn and start a war.
For Rebels fans, Ahsoka isn't just another chapter in Star Wars, this is an epic story that we’ve been wanting and hoping to see! The story didn’t end with Rebels! It continues with Ahsoka and it’s going to be an epic journey! May the Force be with all who embark on that journey!