William Badenoch

Proves that even a film making genius like Spielberg could still recall his 5th grade sense of humor, and effectively boyish at that. At age 80+, I appreciate that. I was a 5th grade boy once too.

Like a yearling colt with good potential, the promising storyline is undisciplined and in need of a skilled person to fully develop it. It seems to buck and jerk from scene to scene, some of which are quite good, but not smoothly or coherently connected. Good production values and acting inspite of a disjointed script. "A" for effort, "C-" for execution.

Follows the Star Wars plot outline, cruel despotic empire vs determined out-manned rebels with some scene ideas easily identified as coming from Lord of the Rings, Total Recall and some hints of the Twilight Zone tv series. So not an original story but spectacularly staged, and visually stunning, and enough character development to root for the good guys and be surprised by the betrayals. A fun action packed fantasy diversion.

Best political satire I've seen since "Wag the Dog." One reviewer said it is "obviously about climate change." Others have seen it as commentary on Covid 19 policies. It appears to me to be a not so subtle skewering of government and our present society in general. I enjoyed the sometimes outrageous humor as well as first rate performances of a top drawer cast.