andrew prophet

I've watched all but the last 4 episodes of Rebels. Other than too many 'filler' episodes, I liked the characters and felt they, their story arcs, including Thrawn would've made a better sequel trilogy. Therefore, I see the Ashoka series as the next best thing and so far so good with first 2 episodes. I'm a 70's baby, so grew up in the original trilogy and so far has all the ingredients I look for in Star Wars. Rosario Dawson is brilliant as Ashoka, Hera was good, as was Sabine. I like the story thread from Mandalorian with Ashoka and the 2 'rogue' Jedi made a very good impact. In Dave we trust....

So many Star Wars fans apply their own expectations when reviewing new star wars stories, especially those that are revisiting established characters. Writers, producers and directors are creating a story to cater for all fans expectations, which of course is impossible. I loved Obi-Wan Kenobi series and episode six was stunning. There are bits throughout the series that were a bit cheesy, a bit rushed and missed the mark but only stood out because everything else was brilliant. I think this was one of Ewan McGregors best acting performances, he didn't miss the mark in any scene and I believed how haunted and broken he had become. The little Leia actress is excellent and what an unbelievable find. It was completely believable how her and Obi relationship grew stronger throughout the series. Their last scene together was very emotional. How they brought Vader into this series was unexpected and very welcomed. Vader was brilliantly menacing, scary and shown to be as powerful as he's always been portrayed. Those that critised the Reva character need to rewatch the series and recognise what an incredible addition she is to Star Wars. Female Vader with an original story arc that should be explored even further. The structure of her story arc was a little off at times and rushed once it was confirmed whonshe is and her motivation. Loved that she hates Kenobi as much as Vader. Rupert Friend, Joel Edgerton, Jimmy Smits and OShea Jackson Jr were not used enough and hope to see some of them in Andor. Indira Varma was a very believable character and as much as I loved her last scene, I would loved to have seen her more in other series, like Andor. I want to finish on saying how amazingly exciting, tense and emotional the Kenobi and Vader fight scene is in last episode. Hayden's performance was fantastic and Ewan's return to powerful Jedi was stunning. So all of those haters out their, binge watch all 6 episodes and think of it as a movie the length of Zach Snyder Justice League.

My partner and I love bond and have loved Daniel Craig. Casino Royale was brilliant and Quantum of Solace wasn't but Skyfall is up there as one of the best bond films. Spectre had promise, especially after the opening scene in Mexico but the set up of this very menacing organisation and it's leader fell very flat. We were then exited about the potential for this film having the True Detective director on board.... The result has left us both underwhelmed and very disappointed. It was a film about saying goodbye and thank you to Daniel Craig. This is fine but it became very self indulgent, especially the ending and forgot about what makes Bond, Bond. There's some really good stuff in this film that grabbed us but they all failed to pull us in. You need to care about the characters to feel the jeopardy of the story but it was really hard to connect to Bond and Madeline as we weren't convinced in the relationship. We're gutted 😔

The Mandalorian series has progressively improved and season 2 has provided 4 star ratings episodes for all but one (spiders). Episode 5 (chapter 13) is 5 stars all the way and this single episode stands alongside the film's A new hope, Empire, Return and Rogue One. I enjoyed the sequels but I didn't feel as connected and emotionally invested in any of those films as I did with this episode. Filoni's influence is obvious and significant. This, alongside the production and cinematography creating the original Western and Samurai influence intended by George Lucas. I was transported back to the original trilogy and my childhood. I loved Rey's character in sequel's but Ahsoka took it a another level completely. I've only watched a couple of the Clone Wars episodes and none from Rebels but I'm aware of her character and it's significance within the Star Wars universe. Her introduction was one of the best of any character in any TV or film that I can recall. Rosario Dawson is a very good actress and I loved how she made the live action version of Ahsoka her own. Some of the best lightsaber action ever. The subtle mention of Anakin in relation to her and Grogu and how Grogu connects to the Star Wars saga was pitched perfectly. The name drop of Thrawn was a huge tease for Rebels fans and sets up a likely spin off for the Ahsoka character, which I welcome. I want more of Ahsoka and her journey but not at the expense of Mando otherwise it becomes a Jedi TV series. Obi Wan and an Ahsoka TV series can do that instead, whilst still tying into the Mandalorian. I'm not sure that they can now top this episode but in Filoni and Favreau I trust.... P.S. both of these need to be up front and centre of any and all further Star Wars TV or films. This is the way.... The Jedi episode was matched and maybe even topped by last episode The rescue. The episode even up to the nostalgic character introduction was top draw. However, the gradual tease of who the hooded character could be was first class and being a 70's baby who grew up on the originals, I don't mind admitting how emotional I became when they finally revealed who it was.... Giving this character their own Rogue One Darth Vader hallway scene was class. Us 70's babies have been waiting a lifetime to see this character being the most powerful Jedi and this episode delivered. Thank you Filoni, Favorou and Peyton Reed. The final scene with Grogu and Mando was very emotional and I loved the reveal of another nostalgic character. I was left emotionally exhausted and completely satisfied... Only to be even more surprised and satisfied after post credit reveal 😉 I can't wait for third season and spin offs... I just hope Disney don't overdue it and dilute the quality like they did when bringing out the films so close together (Rogue One being the exception)

The luxury afforded to telling a story through a TV series instead of through a film or even a trilogy, is being able to develop the characters and this first episode demonstrated that intention. The action was still top draw but I'm intrigued at what's already been teased about the characters back stories and personalities. Anthony Mackie is a really good actor and has the perfect charisma, swagger and arrogance for Falcon. However, he can now also develop more of his moral, patriotic and loyal side of his personality that we see glimpses of in the films. Winter Soldier is my favourite Marvel film because of the live action as well as CGI and because of the Winter Soldier. Sebastian Stan is a good actor and also now has the opportunity to show this off and develop the character like Makie. I can't wait for episode 2

I'm a seventies baby, so was raised on original trilogy. Loved the prequels but it was missing the originals humour and swagger (mainly Han Solo!). I also didn't enjoy the complete CGI, as it often felt cartoonish. I was buzzing when new trilogy was announced, especially JJ Abrams directing (loved Lost, MI3, new Star Trek) and Kasdan (and Pegg!) co-writing. I loved Force Awakens. Mixing new characters with old and new ideas with nostalgic moments pitched it perfect for me. I didn't mind the end being similar to new hope. I loved bits of Last Jedi but not of the film in it's entirety. I want new ideas and surprises but it was completely missing nostalgia. I understand what Rian Johnson was trying to do but he should've saved the 'taking star wars in a new direction' for his new trilogy and not for the generation spanning (42 years!!!) Skywalker saga. What made Force Awakens so good was the new characters and their chemistry and this was completely missing in Last Jedi. Loved scene where Kylo killed Snoke but felt let down when it finished without Rey and Kylo joining hands. For a director aiming to be new, this then contradicted what went before and the remainder of film was a bit flat. It also meant overall it was confusing and disappointed. It was like he was reigned in by Disney when they realised he was changing too much of the spirit of star wars. Therefore, I feel like Rise of Skywalker is more of a sequel to Force Awakens and I'm left gutted at what a JJ Abrams trilogy could/would've been if he'd written and produced the full trilogy and not necessarily directed all 3. The original trilogy had 3 different directors but George Lucas wrote and produced all three. However, I still loved Rise of Skywalker and left with a warm glow in my heart and a big smile on my face. It flew by but I didn't feel like there was too much to take in. Some bits were rushed and other bits too much crammed in but I expected this being that I believe JJ was almost cramming 2 episodes into one. Tying up 9 films was a big task but would've been easier had he been given the full trilogy to do so. What I enjoyed most about Force Awakens was now back in Rise and this was the new characters chemistry. This also provided the humour, which returned with Force Awakens. I loved the Palpatine twist re Rey and despite it being obvious this didn't play out as JJ originally planned in his loose outline for the trilogy. The Sith temple was a bit too CGI for me but the Kylo and Rey dynamic completely overshadowed it and made for a great final act. The Rey and Kylo characters were very well written and the actors performances completely delivered. I believe Rey's character will be influential on my daughter when she's old enough to watch these films. What a great female role model. However, my favourite character is Finn and despite him having more to do in Rise than in Last Jedi, he was still underused and wanted more about his history. Boyega has so much charisma and screen presence and is at the heart of the chemistry dynamics and the film's most humourous moments. I loved Chewbacca getting his medal and smiled when Rey named herself as Skywalker... Fitting end 😊