Godzilla and Kong spinoff show Monarch Legacy of Monsters hits Apple TV Plus with a double dose of Russell and monsters galore. But does it have a stronger bite than its big-screen brothers?

Kurt Russell and Godzilla in a TV show about giant monsters? With a far from modest budget for bringing those to life? And Wyatt Russell plays a younger version of his father’s character?

This alone meant I went into Monarch Legacy of Monsters excited for the fact so many personal boxes were being ticked, but this is Legendary’s MonsterVerse, an often surface-level examination of the great Toho Kaiju movies of past and present. With more time on the impact of monsters on humanity and on building human characters who you actually remember five seconds after you see them, Monarch Legacy of Monsters has a better chance to add something to the MonsterVerse, and perhaps retroactively put a little more meat on the movies’ monster bones.

Framing the series as a decades-long conspiracy to keep monsters hidden from the public until Godzilla’s 2014 rampage against the Mutos is one way to do it. The series quickly establishes its connections to the movies, with John Goodman returning to do a cameo of his Kong: Skull Island character, Bill Randa, as he encounters a previously unseen Titan on the island. Randa does appear again, but in his youth, portrayed by Anders Holm. There’s a lot of that.

It’s one of two quick bites of monster action to settle us into the more character-driven story. There’s a lot of time-jumping, but two key timelines matter. The years leading up to Monarch’s creation and those in the aftermath of the 2014 attacks. Following the thunderous battle between Godzilla and the Titans that leveled San Francisco and the shocking revelation that monsters are real, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters tracks two siblings Cate and Kentaro (Anna Sawai and Ren Watabe) following in their father’s footsteps to uncover their family’s connection to the secretive organization known as Monarch.

Clues lead them into the world of monsters and ultimately down the rabbit hole to Army officer Lee Shaw (Wyatt and Kurt Russell), taking place in the 1950s and half a century later where Monarch is threatened by what Shaw knows. The saga — spanning three generations — reveals buried secrets and how epic, earth-shattering events can reverberate through our lives.

Cate and Kentaro are technically the story’s heart as they pull at the many threads of their father’s past. Cate especially is a conduit for moving the story along in the present whilst it subsequently unearths snippets of the past. Anna Sawai does well in the role, offering steel and vulnerability when it matters.

Through Cate, we get to see how the world has reacted to the existence of monsters at ground level in a way that wasn’t previously explored. Alterations to public spaces to allow for shelter from monster attacks, people chime in with their batshit theories on what’s really going on (a taxi driver amusingly claims the whole thing was a hoax done with CGI).

There’s even a smartly done moment where we’re shown the procedure for a Titan warning system. It builds the dread, panic, and anticipation of something catastrophic being imminent, and gets much more time to breathe than the snapshots of such things we saw in the MonsterVerse films.

I wish there had been more of this side of humanity’s reaction to the Titans. It’s used well as building blocks in the opening episodes, but gets primarily brushed aside by the Monarch story the deeper we get, which isn’t too much of an issue. I came here for Monarch shenanigans, and that’s what we get, but those early glimpses of life for regular people keep things grounded in a world of growing absurdity.

Still, the Monarch conspiracy storyline gives us a double dose of Russell as Wyatt and Kurt enter the fray as Shaw. There’s something quite magical in how Wyatt captures the sarcastic surliness of his father’s most notable acting roles. It obviously helps being related, but there are moments where I almost forgot it wasn’t a de-aged Kurt Russell in the 1950s segments, but his son pulling off his mannerisms and facial expressions.

But old man Shaw is undeniably the fun part. It’s great to see Kurt Russell getting as much screen time as he does here, and he’s an entertaining whirlwind of B-Movie charm in a blockbuster environment.

His prickly banter with Cate helps give Sawai’s character an extra dimension. This series has some rickety dialogue with exposition-heavy monologues and ”you didn’t need to say that out loud” moments. Some are in keeping with the nature of the beast, but the present-day parts threaten to be the veggies to the flashbacks’ meat and potatoes—something you must tolerate in order to get to the good stuff.

Shaw’s introduction into the present-day sections gives everything a bit of extra flavor, and for a while at least, both timelines are in sync as we race towards deeper, darker secrets at the heart of Monarch, and, of course, more monsters.

Understandably, the show spreads its monster action out over the course of the series. It’s a big-budget show, but it would never be stupid enough to lean heavily on the most expensive aspect of it. Those who felt frustrated by Gareth Edwards’ 2014 Godzilla and its cutaways just as the action got hot will perhaps feel a bit of deja-vu in places, but one of the things that film did so well was make its human cast feel minuscule in comparison to its monstrous entities. That sense of scale is here, too, and the balance of show and tell is inarguably stronger than King of Monsters or Godzilla Vs. Kong.

Monarch Legacy of Monsters is right in the sweet spot. It’s spectacle and drama that is probably the closest we’ve gotten to the likes of the original Godzilla and 2016’s superb reboot Shin Godzilla. It’s not the same kind of animal, and it doesn’t end in the most satisfying way (although that’s somewhat understandable), but it bulks up the MonsterVerse and makes the best use of a talented cast anything associated with it has to date. It’s crazy to think of all the great talent in the movies that didn’t get much more than scraps compared to this.

Monarch: Legacy of Monsters is a strong addition to the MonsterVerse, and a solid start for wider adventures in it.

Score: 7.5/10

As ComingSoon’s review policy explains, a score of 7.5/10 equates to ”Good”. A successful piece of entertainment that is worth checking out, but it may not appeal to everyone.

Monarch: Legacy of Monsters is streaming on Apple TV Plus now.

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The newest Star Wars Disney+ show has come to an end (for now?) with the season finale of Ahsoka. Part Eight: The Jedi, the Witch, and the Warlord begins with Morgan Elsbeth (Diana Lee Inosanto) becoming a Night Sister. The Great Mothers provide her with the Blade of Talzin, and we start off an episode that does not conclude the story of Ahsoka in a satisfying way. I was not a big fan of the show when it started, but towards the middle, I felt that it really picked up. Having seen how the season ended, I’m left with a sense of disappointment as all the issues this show has faced are being brought to light.

There are many aspects of the finale that I enjoyed. One of the best moments happens early on when Huyang (David Tennant) reflects on how the relationship between a master and an apprentice is as challenging as it is meaningful. When he says this, we push in on Sabine (Natasha Liu Bordizzo) reflecting on her complex relationship with Ahsoka (Rosario Dawson). Ezra (Eman Esfandi) forges a lightsaber with a handle that Huyang had been saving for Ezra’s former master Kanan Jarrus. We also find out why Ahsoka stopped Sabine’s training, and it’s a heart wrenching moment of backstory.

As we settle into this new galaxy, we find ourselves with an issue. This is the first time in a Star Wars movie or TV show that we have entered a galaxy even farther than far, far away. This is uncharted territory, with endless possibilities for what different galaxies could be like. However, we find ourselves on a planet that looks much like Earth. The creativity here is limited, especially after we saw ourselves in the forest of Seatos earlier this season, which had a distinct look. This is a visually dull planet in a galaxy that had the potential for much more flavor.

Since this is the finale, we get some pretty big Star Wars action. Ahsoka, Sabine, and Ezra charge into Thrawn’s (Lars Mikkelsen) fortress as it rains laser fire on them. It feels quite ludicrous that they would get through this battle unscathed, but the Force has always been a good source of plot armor. We later see them fighting the Night Troopers, but since the scene begins with the fight, it does not feel like there was enough buildup or suspense leading up to it. It almost feels like a chunk was deleted from the episode. However, we quickly have ourselves in full swing, with Ahsoka, Sabine, and Ezra fighting off the troopers. It’s a solid action sequence, and it gets taken up a notch when the Great Mothers use witchcraft to bring the Night Troopers back to life, turning them into zombies.

There are a few novel ideas here that make much of the episode worthwhile. Zombie stormtroopers brought to life by witchcraft is a fascinating concept for Star Wars, and it helps make them a more formidable threat to the Jedi. However, our heroes feel weaker in this final battle. Instead of slicing through them or simply Force-pushing the crowd of Night Troopers away, they find themselves cornered quite easily. The lightsaber movements and choreography are a bit slow, and this carries on into Ahsoka’s fight against Morgan. The fights can be inconsistent, sometimes featuring the best and worst of what Star Wars action has to offer.

There is a moment where Sabine finally uses the Force successfully, using it to grab a lightsaber to take out a Night Trooper. This moment feels like a recycled moment from many earlier Star Wars projects, such as when Rey finally grabs the lightsaber in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. However, the moment in this episode works well on paper but feels emotionally hollow, not serving as the crowd-pleasing, cheer-worthy moment it should have been. Furthermore, during the fight with Ahsoka and Morgan, we have more white lightsabers against a white sky, completely throwing out the color contrast rule that was employed perfectly in Return of the Jedi.

Ahsoka and Sabine finally fight alongside each other, but it does not work too well because we don’t get the sense that Ahsoka will ever lose the fight. The episode doesn’t push anything far enough for us to fear for her. Furthermore, even though we’re getting a rematch of the fight we saw in Chapter 13 of The Mandalorian, this fight does not have too much emotional weight behind it. Elsbeth has been one of the more boring villains in a series that has been trying to balance too many of them. Baylan Skoll (Ray Stevenson) and Shin Hati (Ivanna Sakhno) needed to be nearly fully written out of this episode for her to have any moment to shine.

Speaking of which, where are they in this episode? Their storylines don’t get a satisfying conclusion, feeling like a cliffhanger in the worst way possible. Although we get the tease with Skoll standing above the Mortis Gods, he was such a significant aspect earlier in the season that it feels like they went nowhere with the character. He’s so magnetic that he convinced Sabine to join him on his journey. However, they don’t take it anywhere more meaningful than this, nor do we ever get a sense of his motive. Nothing about what they do with Hati makes her story satisfying. She doesn’t get the chance to fully go anywhere that pays off.

We have a scene of infamously ludicrous stormtrooper aim where a whole crowd of them can’t hit Ahsoka or Sabine, even though they are running directly in front of them in a straight line. We have laughably cliché dialogue like, “Your friends are dead and you will die alone,” and “Victory is mine.” One of the interesting things they do is getting Ezra and Thrawn back to their old galaxy, with Ahsoka and Sabine still stuck in this one. It’s an Empire Strikes Back style ending where there is a dark nature to it, but we have a glimmer of hope.

Although we end on the note of Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker’s Force Ghost returning to watch over Ahsoka, there are two issues here. First of all, the concept is exactly the same as the final moments of Return of the Jedi, meaning that it’s not treading any new ground and feels uninspired. Secondly, this is the most visually flat scene in the episode. It is dark, dull, and uninteresting to watch. It’s a shame that the show ended on such a flat note. Overall, Ahsoka mostly delivered on what we wanted, with a continuation of the Star Wars: Rebels characters. However, I couldn’t help but want more from this episode, and not necessarily in the good way.

SCORE: 5/10

As ComingSoon’s review policy explains, a score of 5 equates to “Mediocre.” The positives and negatives wind up negating each other, making it a wash.

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The Marvel Cinematic Universe continues with Loki season 2, a continuation of the MCU Disney+ show that premiered in 2021. Season 1 of this sci-fi show ended with Sylvie (Sophia Di Martino) killing a variant of He Who Remains (Jonathan Majors). Loki (Tom Hiddleston) returns to the Time Variance Authority to warn Mobius (Owen Wilson) and Hunter B-15 (Wunmi Mosaku) about his arrival. However, when they don’t recognize him, Loki discovers a statue of He Who Remains at the center of the TVA. The first four episodes of season 2 pick up right where this story ends, this time with a few new faces and a time-bending journey.

While season 1 was run by Kate Herron, Loki season 2 brings in Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead to be the creative voice. This director duo previously worked on the MCU show Moon Knight, and they bring in something that both feels consistent with the previous season while featuring something new. The season premiere features a direction reminiscent of a psychological thriller. Loki is horrified and out of breath for much of this episode. Seeing the villain of previous MCU content acting so terrified of a looming threat makes the threat feel much scarier.

Furthermore, Loki finds himself glitching in a way that’s similar to what we saw in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. As they get to the bottom of this, we get a few more funny moments with Mobius, who is horrified by the glitching. Soon enough, the show introduces us to a new character named Ouroboros, played by Academy Award winner Ke Huy Quan. It’s wonderful to see Quan get the high-profile roles he deserves, especially since he brings charm to this series. The first episode also has a lot of fun with the concept of time travel, taking Loki to the past and seeing how that affects the future.

With time travel, there are many ways to explore it in films and TV. There’s an excellent moment in the first episode where a visual joke/running gag becomes an indicator of where Loki is in time. Parts of the show lean into the horror movie aesthetic, but like most Marvel content, it does not fully commit to it. It’s also worth noting that the first episode features a mid-credits scene, which you should stick around for as it sets up the next episode very well while putting a smile on your face.

The second episode takes you out of the TVA and begins with a mission surrounding a new character named X5 (Rafael Casal), who becomes a movie star under the alias of Brad Wolfe. This is where the show gets interesting. The TVA is a fun concept, but the premise is that it’s a boring office where the characters cannot use their powers. When the show takes Loki out of the TVA, it seems to remember that he is a god with immense power. The introduction to Brad is a little bit strange at first, given how separate it feels from where the first episode left off. However, as it gets tied into the main characters’ goal, it works much better. The characterization for him is fascinating, too, as he is unperturbed by the words of Loki and Mobius.

Another strong aspect of the show is how it pushes Mobius to a tragic place. One of the best scenes is a conversation over a slice of key lime pie, where we learn how comfortable Mobius is in his life at the TVA. He wants to live in ignorance of what his life was before, not wanting to know what he could be missing out on. It’s a well-written idea, and it’s played marvelously by Wilson. The second episode is a mild improvement over the previous one.

The third and fourth episodes really pick up steam. The MCU is setting up their new big bad with Kang the Conqueror, or as he is known in this show, He Who Remains. The strongest aspect of this villain is that there are many variants, and each one feels very different. It’s a character that an actor like Jonathan Majors can feast upon. Comic book movie performances often face criticism for being uninteresting compared to an actor’s full potential. However, Majors is killing it as this character. His performance in this season as a stuttering scientist is vastly different from what we saw in the Loki season 1 finale, which is also very different from what we saw in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.

Overall, the first four episodes of Loki season 2 are entertaining and consistent with the quality we have seen from the show before. There’s more of Loki and Mobius as a mismatched detective duo, along with some fun moments that arise from that. There is a subplot surrounding Miss Minutes (Tara Strong) that is the exact kind of darkly funny thing I never knew this show needed. The elements that feel like they don’t belong, such as a storyline with a new character named Dox, typically have a resolution that makes it feel earned. With a few solid character moments with our existing group, Loki is a largely inoffensive show that does everything it wants to do without doing much more.

SCORE: 7/10

As ComingSoon’s review policy explains, a score of 7 equates to “Good.” A successful piece of entertainment that is worth checking out, but it may not appeal to everyone.

Disclosure: ComingSoon received screeners for Loki season 2 episodes 1-4.

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The first season of Star Trek: Prodigy is now available on Blu-ray with the recent release of Star Trek: Prodigy Season 1 Episodes 11-20. The series has found success on both Nickelodeon and Paramount+ thanks to its blend of Star Trek sci-fi and family television. Thanks to some smart choices, Kevin and Dan Hageman have created a new spin on Star Trek that the whole family can bond over and enjoy.

“In the remaining Star Trek: Prodigy Season One episodes, as the hopeful crew makes their way toward Starfleet, their dreams are threatened when they discover the U.S.S. Protostar harbors a weapon designed to tear the United Federation of Planets apart,” reads the synopsis. “To make matters worse, the U.S.S. Dauntless is on a manhunt for the Protostar as the real Vice Admiral Janeway is eager to uncover what happened to her missing former First Officer Chakotay. With these two ships on a collision course and destruction on the horizon, the fate of the Alpha Quadrant hangs in the balance. This 2-disc set includes 3 new in-depth featurettes with more than 45 minutes of content revealing how Star Trek heritage shapes Prodigy’s characters, story, and settings.”

This package features the final 10 episodes of Prodigy, which sees the young makeshift alien crew of the USS Protostar continue on their journey. The stakes are raised with a Borg encounter in Episode 12 and a surprisingly intense two-part season finale. While this is more targeted at children than other Star Trek fare, the return of Kate Mulgrew as Kathryn Janeway is a real thrill for longtime fans, and there are plenty of other references to the greater universe that make it all the more worth watching. After all, at its core, it’s a fun, well-written sci-fi show, regardless of age.

The second disc of the two-disc set features three featurettes that total over 45 minutes. The biggest of these is “The Odyssey of Prodigy,” a 21-minute video that features the creatives and voice actors discussing the series’ progression and their goals. It’s an interesting watch, especially to see Mulgrew discussing going back to the role of Janeway in animated form. The other two featurettes are “Producing Prodigy: The Planets” and “Producing Prodigy: The Ships,” which are 14 and 12 minutes long, respectively. These are more focused and informative looks at their respective topics. It’s really impressive to see how much thought goes into every aspect, and I could listen to producers discuss Star Trek ship designs all day.

As for the packaging, the initial release includes a slip cover and four character cards (including cards for fan-favorites like Zero and Murf). The cards are colorful and have descriptions on the back. All of the designs match nicely to the packaging of Season 1 Episodes 1-10, so fans that have gotten both sets won’t have to worry about anything clashing.

Star Trek: Prodigy Season 1 Episodes 11-20 Blu-ray Review: Final Verdict

The Star Trek: Prodigy Season 1 Episodes 11-20 Blu-ray is a nice collection that wraps up the first season of the animated Star Trek show. Fun for children and adults, the show ups its intensity in the back half and rewards longtime fans with some familiar faces. Backed up by some worthwhile special features, this is a nice collection that fans will find worth buying.

Disclosure: The publisher provided ComingSoon with the product for our Star Trek: Prodigy Season 1 Episodes 11-20 Blu-ray review.

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The story of Ahsoka continues with “Part Seven: Dreams and Madness.” This Disney+ series set in the Star Wars universe has given fans of the franchise a lot of wonderful moments. This episode is written by Dave Filoni and directed by Geeta Vasant Patel, who both bring even more epic moments to the series. The new episode is an action-packed outing for Star Wars, giving you a lot of what you love from this series while further enriching these characters and setting up what could be a strong, thrilling finale.

The episode begins with Hera Syndulla (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) facing a disciplinary hearing for her actions. Senator Hamato Xiono (Nelson Lee) chastises her for her actions. His refusal to see the return of Thrawn as a possible threat is well-written, as is Hera’s opposition to his firm beliefs. Soon after, we get the return of Anthony Daniels as C-3PO with a fake authorization from General Leia Organa. This is a perfect little Star Wars fan service moment that makes sense for where the galaxy is at the time. Of course, it’s also great to see Daniels back as the droid who was one of the first characters we saw in the original 1977 Star Wars film.

Furthermore, getting to see C-3PO interact with Hera is a worlds colliding moment that we never knew we ended. It’s two generations of Star Wars coming face to face, which is something this show is able to do again in the next scene. As Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson) trains with a lightsaber, she plays hologram recordings that her former master Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) made for her decades prior. Anakin even mentions Asajj Ventress, a villain from Star Wars: The Clone Wars. The connection between live-action and animated Star Wars now feels more complete as a result of a show that brings the mediums together perfectly.

On a deeper level, it’s critical to Ahsoka’s character that she is still watching these messages. Despite knowing what he would become, she clings to the memories they shared together, remembering what it was like to be his padawan. The lessons she learned from him remain with her, and she can always hear his voice calling her Snips. As Ahsoka and Huyang (David Tennant) arrive in the correct galaxy, they find themselves caught in a minefield set up around the planet. Similar to the asteroid field chase in The Empire Strikes Back, a ship flying through a minefield is the exact fun type of scary situation for a Star Wars series. Furthermore, the scene gets brought to life by excellent banter between Ahsoka and Huyang.

Speaking of banter, Ezra Bridger (Eman Esfandi) and Sabine Wren (Natasha Liu Bordizzo) are back together again in scenes that feel straight out of Rebels. They have the banter to a tee, and we get to spend more time with them than we normally would with the hour-long episode format. You really get the sense that these are two old friends reconnecting after not having seen each other for years. We get caught up on a few of the events that happened in Return of the Jedi, and we see that Ahsoka and Sabine are connected through the Force.

Out of all the episodes we have seen up to this point, Part Seven might be the most action-packed. We have our rematch between Ahsoka and Bayaln Skoll (Ray Stevenson), and we also find ourselves in a big fight and shootout with Ezra, Sabine, and many of the antagonists from prior episodes. It’s wonderful to see not only the humor between Ezra and Sabine, but the way that Ezra returns to action, fighting the bandits using the Force and demonstrating incredible skill without a weapon.

The only minor mishap here is that when Ahsoka appears to fight alongside Ezra and Sabine, it should be a huge crowd-pleasing moment. Instead, it feels a bit too brief and anticlimactic, even though the context is excellent. We have an amazing final action set piece as the Night Troopers and Hati retreat. Ezra is excited to return home, and we end the episode on a more hopeful note than other penultimate episodes, which end on the biggest cliffhanger. One must wonder if this is how happy Part Seven is ending, then Part Eight must have a nasty surprise up its sleeve for the fate of our characters. We will have to wait a little longer to find out, but this was another excellent episode of Ahsoka.

SCORE: 8/10

As ComingSoon’s review policy explains, a score of 8 equates to “Great.” While there are a few minor issues, this score means that the art succeeds at its goal and leaves a memorable impact.

The post Ahsoka Episode 7 Review: Action-Packed Star Wars Goodness appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.

The story of Ahsoka continues with another episode of the hit Star Wars show streaming on Disney+. We pick up where we left off in “Part Six: Far, Far Away,” with Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson) and Huyang (David Tennant) traveling through hyperspace. She reveals to Huyang that Sabine (Natasha Liu Bordizzo) went with the enemy willingly. She agrees to hear one of Huyang’s stories, which he begins with the iconic, “A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…” Ahsoka Episode 6 is another strong installment of the series, even though it goes in an unexpected direction.

That first scene with Ahsoka is her only scene in the episode. While the previous episode was very centered on her character, delving into her past with Anakin Skywalker and her decision to live, Part Six focuses on the characters who were absent from Part Five. This time, we’re locked in on Sabine’s story as she is imprisoned by Baylan Skoll (Ray Stevenson). This is an interesting choice, and it works well for the story. While Part Five was filled with interesting character moments, the story can be summed up fairly easily. Part Six moves the story forward while Ahsoka remains offscreen, traveling to Peridea.

We’ve gotten to a point in the show where Sabine is the voice of the audience. She wants to see Ezra Bridger; we want to see Ezra Bridger. The episode also gives a greater insight into Skoll’s history and what he wants for the future of the galaxy. As he states his mindset, he stands out more among other Star Wars villains. He is a Jedi who is aware of the endless cycle of the galaxy and wants to forge a different path. He’s a serviceable villain. The secondary antagonists like Morgan Elsbeth (Diana Lee Inosanto) and Shin Hati (Ivanna Sakhno) are less interesting, but they may have their moments to shine in later episodes.

Our villains and Sabine arrive on Peridea, where we are introduced to an army of Night Troopers rallying behind our big bad. Grand Admiral Thrawn makes his live-action debut in this episode. He was the main villain of Star Wars: Rebels, and he has been brought to life by his voice actor, Lars Mikkelsen. Seeing his return is enough to make any Rebels fan ecstatic, while those unfamiliar with animated Star Wars content will wonder why blue Elon Musk has joined the show. Either way, viewers are in for a treat as Mikkelsen expertly portrays the character he has been known for for years.

Sabine is off on a mission to find Ezra Bridger. She is ambushed by bandits, and we get an excellent action sequence. This scene feels straight out of Rebels, with Sabine’s blasters getting her out of her situation. It’s nice to see her have to rely on what she’s used to before pulling out the lightsaber. When she brings out the lightsaber, her skills have improved. Bordizzo’s portrayal of Sabine is really becoming wonderful, the same way Stevenson’s presence as Skoll has gotten better as the show went on. Bordizzo is playing a character who makes rough decisions, but she needs to navigate these tough character choices without getting the audience to turn on her. So far, it’s been working well.

Eventually, we finally see the return of Ezra Bridger, portrayed superbly so far by Eman Esfandi. He captures the voice and essence of an older version of who we grew up watching in Rebels. Ezra is a fantastic character, and audiences are surely going to be happy to see more of him in the coming weeks. Seeing live-action Ezra and Sabine embrace is a treat, as fans have been treated to another jaw-dropping episode of Ahsoka. If there are any viewers who are not acquainted with Star Wars: Rebels, I’m surprised they’re still watching. This is essentially Rebels Season 5, and I’m not complaining. Part Six is yet another wonderful addition to a galaxy far, far away.

SCORE: 8/10

As ComingSoon’s review policy explains, a score of 8 equates to “Great.” While there are a few minor issues, this score means that the art succeeds at its goal and leaves a memorable impact.

The post Ahsoka Episode 6 Review: A Jaw-Dropping Chapter appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.

If you’re reading this review, you probably love Star Wars. So do I. And so does Dave Filoni and everyone who made this episode of Ahsoka happen. “Part Five: Shadow Warrior” picks up where the previous episode left off. Hera Syndulla (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), Jacen (Evan Whitten), and Chopper arrive on Seatos, where Hera finds an upset Huyang (David Tennant) examining what is left of the scene.

Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson) faces off with her former master, Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) in the World Between Worlds. The end of the previous episode gave us a taste of what it would be like to finally see Ahsoka and Anakin in live-action after years of only seeing them in their animated TV show Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Christensen steps back into this role perfectly, and the de-aging is actually barely noticeable this time around.

Anakin has been watching Ahsoka through The Force. Seeing these two together after their long, tortured history in both The Clone Wars and Rebels is fascinating, and a duel breaks out between them. Back on Seatos, Carson Teva (Paul Sun-Hyung Lee) makes a reference to the idea that General Leia Organa is covering for them. Jacen and Hera hear the distant sounds of the lightsaber duel underneath the wave. We get a sense of Jacen’s Force-sensitivities from his father Kanan Jarrus. It’s no wonder Disney put this episode in theaters for a night. Part Five is a plethora of “I know that name!” moments.

Ahsoka descends into a memory of herself during the Clone Wars. The younger version of the character is portrayed by Ariana Greenblatt, who has had a fantastic start to her career and most recently appeared in Barbie. She excellently captures the spirit of the character from the earlier seasons of The Clone Wars. Another detail that Star Wars fans will love is that Anakin is wearing the same costume he wears during much of The Clone Wars. On a deeper level, their dialogue is tragic, as we get a sense of why Ahsoka ultimately left the Jedi Order. We also see young Ahsoka in full battle mode as Rex (Temeura Morrison) interacts with her at the Siege of Mandalore from The Clone Wars season 7.

This episode, written and directed by Filoni, showcases his taste for Star Wars. He brings back ingredients from his previous work and creates resounding moments for these two characters with a rich history. In the battle between Ahsoka and Anakin, between life and death, she chooses to live. Ahsoka is rescued from the ocean and is reborn as Ahsoka the White in true Gandalf fashion. The New Republic forces close in on them, but she works with the purrgil to lead her to Sabine, while Hera and Jacen stay behind.

One of the strongest elements of this episode, particularly during the final few moments, is Kevin Kiner’s uplifting, dramatic musical score, which is perfect for the franchise. It’s hard not to smile at everything that happens in this episode. The issues are parts of Ahsoka’s journey in this episode feel like a retread of her earlier moments of growth.

The Clone Wars flashbacks were nice to see but lacked a lot of texture due to the amount of fog that obscures it. However, Part Five is ultimately a wonderful episode of Ahsoka that reminds you why you love this series — and Star Wars, in general.

SCORE: 7/10

As ComingSoon’s review policy explains, a score of 7 equates to “Good.” A successful piece of entertainment that is worth checking out, but it may not appeal to everyone.

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The story of Ahsoka continues with the fourth episode of the new Disney+ Star Wars series. “Part Four: Fallen Jedi” is yet another step in the right direction for this show. This episode begins with Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson) and Sabine Wren (Natasha Liu Bordizzo) having a conversation. This screenplay from Dave Filoni is particularly strong, as Ahsoka is faced with a difficult choice. She believes that if they can’t make it to Ezra, nobody should. She has to make the hard decisions that Sabine does not want to, and seeing her face this choice is heartbreaking.

The episode is directed by Peter Ramsey, who co-directed Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. He does an excellent job with an episode set on a planet with red leaves. It’s always fun to see different settings in Star Wars that look very different from how Earth looks. Much of this episode has a unique setting, and it’s fascinating to look at. Meanwhile, Hera Syndulla (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), Jacen (Evan Whitten), and Chopper head out against orders. It’s wonderful to see a famous Star Wars: Rebels character interact with Carson Teva (Paul Sun-Hyung Lee), a character established in The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett. It’s also cool to see more Rebels in X-wings.

One of this episode’s best elements is how the action builds. We start out with some droid-on-droid action with Huyang (David Tennant) fighting a droid in a shootout. Afterward, Ahsoka engages in a lightsaber battle with Marrok as Sabine battles Hati in a rematch from the first episode. The way the fights are staged is fun, as we cut back and forth between two separate lightsaber fights. Marrok brings the spinning lightsaber to live-action, and Ahsoka kills him. She runs off to take on Baylan Skoll (Ray Stevenson) as he protects the map that would lead them to Grand Admiral Thrawn.

With Ahsoka and Baylan finally coming face to face, their lightsaber battle begins. This fight proves to be the thing that a few of her earlier lightsaber fights have lacked. As Baylan is a former Jedi, he proves to be a formidable opponent for Ahsoka, with their powers nearly equal. While he started off as a one-note villain, Stevenson’s performance is bringing him to life, even if he is saddled with the cliché “necessary evil to serve a greater good” line. The fight ends with Baylan striking Ahsoka off a cliff in front of Sabine. This pushes Sabine to a challenging place, as she has her blaster pointed at the orb, but knows that if she pulls the trigger, she will never be able to find Ezra. She is unable to make the necessary decision to prevent Thrawn’s return, which Baylan quickly senses and uses against her.

Part Four brings Sabine into an interesting place, as she decides to go along the journey with Baylan if it means she will see Ezra again. This path could take her to the dark side of the Force, as Jedi are known for avoiding attachments. After a bit of a shoehorned “I have a bad feeling about this” from Jacen, we find ourselves in a place that means a lot to fans of Star Wars: Rebels: the World Between Worlds. Here, we see her reunited with her master, Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen). It fills one’s heart with joy to see Christensen call her “Snips,” her nickname from Star Wars: The Clone Wars. These two have shared a strong relationship in animation, and seeing them in live-action sets up the next episode, which may be one of the greatest Star Wars episodes in recent memory.

SCORE: 8/10

As ComingSoon’s review policy explains, a score of 8 equates to “Great.” While there are a few minor issues, this score means that the art succeeds at its goal and leaves a memorable impact.

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Both Star Trek: Picard – The Complete Series and Season 3 are out on Blu-ray today. While the return of Jean-Luc Picard was always triumphant and entertaining, it didn’t reach the highs of Star Trek: The Next Generation until its final season. All bundled in one fantastic collection, it’s an easy recommendation for Star Trek fans — especially with over 7 hours of special features.

It was emotional to see Patrick Stewart return as Picard, nearly 20 years since we had seen him in Star Trek: Nemesis. Appropriately, Picard is more of a character study of its retired Starfleet Admiral and grapples with themes of mortality and trauma. Stewart, fantastic as always, is up for the task and fleshes out Picard even further than seen in The Next Generation. It’s rare to see a show led by an actor in his 80s, but his experience and shared history with the franchise makes these character moments all the more impactful.

Season 3 sees the return of many of The Next Generation cast members. It’s hard not to get nostalgic seeing Stewart with LeVar Burton, Michael Dorn, Jonathan Frakes, Gates McFadden, Marina Sirtis, and Brent Spiner again. While it would’ve been quite simple for the series to simply be a nostalgia play — and that would’ve been enough to keep viewership and interest high — it manages to tell a story compelling enough to warrant getting the whole Enterprise back together, as they take on a new invasion by the Borg.

The series as a whole spans 30 episodes, and they all look great on Blu-ray. Season 2 is probably the weakest of the three, but the ten episodes all add to the overall story. There are some great moments throughout, even if they don’t rank among my favorite Star Trek stories. Overall, it’s a very bingeable show, so don’t be surprised if you wind up getting through a whole season in just two or three sittings.

There are nine discs in total, with each season being spread across three apiece. What’s nice about the packaging is that the inside cover details the content of each disc. Some other collections — like the recent South Park Seasons 21-25 collection — can make it confusing as to what is where. This is a much better solution, as episode titles and special features are all clearly spelled out. It’s easy to navigate, and you aren’t getting a lesser experience for opting for the full series rather than individual seasons.

As mentioned, there are over seven hours of special features included that range from deleted scenes to featurettes and gag reels. Season 3 also includes audio commentary for five of the episodes, including the series finale “The Last Generation.” This is really fun and insightful, with Jonathan Frakes also appearing alongside other creatives. The featurettes and deleted scenes for the final season are particularly touching since it’s so great to see the whole crew reunited for one more Star Trek installment.

Star Trek: Picard – The Complete Series Review: The Final Verdict

Star Trek: Picard wound up being an intriguing character study and a great send-off for Jean-Luc Picard. Patrick Stewart is still incredible in the lead role, and it’s great to see him reunited with so many old friends and co-workers in the final season. Star Trek: Picard – The Complete Series is a great purchase if you haven’t bought prior seasons, and is a one-stop set that is worth your time.

Disclosure: ComingSoon was sent a copy by the publisher for our Star Trek: Picard – The Complete Series Blu-ray review.

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The third episode of the new Star Wars TV series Ahsoka has arrived on Disney+. “Part Three: Time to Fly” continues the story of Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson) as she attempts to train Sabine Wren (Natasha Liu Bordizzo) in the ways of the Force. The episode begins with Sabine receiving training from the droid Huyang (David Tennant). Sabine is having trouble using the Force, and we have an episode that pushes things in the right direction for a series that is still finding its footing.

This is one of the more nostalgic episodes of Ahsoka, combining old Star Wars with new Star Wars. Sabine’s training at the beginning of the episode is reminiscent of Luke Skywalker’s training under Obi-Wan Kenobi in the original 1977 Star Wars movie. This is evident in how Sabine must learn how to see using only the Force. It’s also fascinating to see how Ahsoka has stepped into her role of (sort-of) Jedi Master, as most of her appearances in Star Wars: The Clone Wars featured her as a Padawan to Anakin Skywalker.

Later in the episode, Hera Syndulla (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) has a meeting with a few senators. This scene features the return of Genevieve O’Reilly as Chancellor Mon Mothma. O’Reilly has played the role in many Star Wars films and shows, most recently in Andor. The scene where Hera is trying to convince the senators of the looming threat of Imperial remnants is effective. It gives a display of Hera’s history as a Rebel and her personal reason for wanting to prevent Thrawn’s return.

Hera’s son Jacen says he wants to be a Jedi. It will be interesting to see if this storyline will continue and if he will be used further in Star Wars media. Pretty soon, the episode enters a dogfight, with Ahsoka and Sabine needing to learn how to communicate with each other. This feels like a classic Star Wars battle, at times reminiscent of the battle between the Millennium Falcon and the TIE Fighters in the original film. While this episode may not be as groundbreaking as other Star Wars media and is ultimately very simple, it gets to the DNA of what makes the franchise work with some excellent ideas.

The best part of “Part Three” is when Ahsoka arrives on the wing of the shuttle in a spacesuit. This is something that we have seen in Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars: Rebels, and seeing this type of action in live-action is brilliant. That is what the show has been doing the best of taking some of the best animated Star Wars content and translating it perfectly to live-action. It’s also nice to see Ahsoka and Sabine learning how to work together as the chase goes on. Although the emotional beats need a bit more work, it is more effective than it was in the first two episodes.

The episode ends with Baylan Skoll (Ray Stevenson) ordering his troops to hunt down the Jedi in the forest, ending the best episode of the series so far.

SCORE: 7/10

As ComingSoon’s review policy explains, a score of 7 equates to “Good.” A successful piece of entertainment that is worth checking out, but it may not appeal to everyone.

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Nobody could have guessed after the negative reception to the 2008 animated movie Star Wars: The Clone Wars that we would be getting a live-action spin-off of one of the most unpopular characters from that film. However, after starring in a majority of The Clone Wars TV show and making special appearances in Star Wars: Rebels, Ahsoka Tano has become a huge fan favorite in a galaxy far, far away. She made her live-action debut portrayed by Rosario Dawson in Season 2 of The Mandalorian before moving on to an episode of The Book of Boba Fett, and now, we have Ahsoka.

The first two episodes premiere on Disney+ soon, and as with all Star Wars content, it is a widely anticipated event for fans. However, this show is off to a rocky start. There are many superb qualities about the show and some not-so-great aspects. Its shining light is its production value. This is a gorgeously crafted opening, with breathtaking translations from animation to live-action. There are many scenes that directly cater to fans of Rebels, feeling like a direct continuation of the characters from that story. It may be alienating to more casual Star Wars watchers, but for the die-hard fans of Clone Wars and Rebels, there is a lot to enjoy with what Ahsoka has to offer.

This show is Dave Filoni’s look at the Star Wars galaxy, and he is the writer of all eight episodes of the season. It’s always interesting to see his voice and what he brings to the franchise, but parts of the show are lacking. The three new villains are uninteresting so far. There is one element of their backstory that could be explored further later on, but from the start, they feel like disposable, power-hungry villains. The actions they perform throughout the show are not despicable enough to warrant a terrifying presence, and it would be a surprise if they left a lasting mark on the franchise.

When your villain’s goal in Ahsoka is to find a better villain from another show, that’s not a good sign. However, that’s what this show is about. Meanwhile, Ahsoka brings in more characters from Rebels, like Hera Syndulla (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) and Sabine Wren (Natasha Liu Bordizzo). Winstead and Bordizzo are both excellent actors who sometimes bring their characters to life skillfully and, at other times, are a bit wooden. There are many elements of Rebels that are fantastically translated, such as the way Hera and Chopper interact with each other in perhaps the funniest scene of the two episodes.

However, the pacing is slow, with some shots lasting longer than they should. The tension and ticking clock is not always clear because there is only a vague idea of what will happen if the heroes and villains succeed in their goals, but it has not been attention-grabbing yet. The show lacks a hook that makes you know you need to see what happens next. With Ahsoka Tano, so much of her development happened in The Clone Wars, so you’re left wondering where else they can push this character. They set up a tragic backstory between her and Sabine, leading to a rift in their relationship. It is a good idea, but it currently lacks a strong emotional pull.

Now, let’s talk about the action. Most Star Wars movies and shows feature a lightsaber battle at some point, and these two episodes are no exception. However, these fights lack tension. The climactic fight in the first episode is acceptable, but the fight in the second episode, where Ahsoka fights a faceless assassin and a droid, does not work for a few reasons. A fight scene needs at least one of two things to be compelling: excellent choreography or strong emotions. Darth Vader and Obi-Wan’s fight in the original Star Wars movie does not have good choreography, but the history between the characters is complelling. None of the bad guys in the most recent John Wick movies are particularly investing, but the choreography and direction are so marvelous that it’s fun to watch.

Ahsoka’s fight scene in the second episode has neither. The audience has no reason to care about the villains and the choreography and shot choices are bland for Star Wars. Ahsoka is a strong character, but her adversaries in this scene are weaker than her. There is no worry that she will lose the fight, so there is no tension. If the audience knows she’s on top of things for the entire fight, it makes the fight less interesting. This is why the fights in The Matrix sequels are not as good as the ones in the first Matrix movie. Furthermore, remember when they gave Luke Skywalker a green lightsaber in Return of the Jedi to contrast it with the blue sky? This episode features white lightsabers against a white sky. It does not look as good.

There are a few qualities that make Ahsoka a fun show to watch. Chopper is sure to become even more of a fan favorite with his manic energy. This series has the potential to be one of the best installments in the Star Wars saga, but it needs more fuel in the tank and it needs to pick up soon. From a technical standpoint, the show looks fantastic. From an emotional standpoint, it’s getting there. From an action standpoint, it’s got a long way to go. But if you have been waiting to see Ahsoka take the spotlight ever since you first watched The Clone Wars, you don’t have to worry.

SCORE: 5/10

As ComingSoon’s review policy explains, a score of 5 equates to “Mediocre.” The positives and negatives wind up negating each other, making it a wash.

Disclosure: ComingSoon attended a special fan event for our Ashoka review.

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The hit first season of the Netflix series The Lincoln Lawyer is now available on Blu-ray. Like Prey, it’s always nice when a digital series gets a physical release, especially given the uncertainty of streaming content libraries. While the release doesn’t have much on its three discs beyond the first 10 episodes of the Manuel Garcia-Rulfo-led show, that alone is more than compelling enough a reason to check it out.

Unlike the 2011 Matthew McConaughey movie — which adapted the titular novel — the first season of Netflix’s The Lincoln Lawyer incorporates elements of the second book in the series, 2008’s The Brass Verdict. It’s a smart call, as the case is fresh to viewers and comparisons to the movie are lessened. Thanks to being a television show, there’s also far more time to explore the characters and their relationships (such as protagonist Mickey Haller’s two ex-wives), which makes all 10 hours of the season feel meaningful. To chop it all down to a movie would do it a disservice.

While the mystery that drives the season forward is compelling, the character beats and performances make The Lincoln Lawyer a regal legal drama. Garcia-Rulfo is excellent as Haller, with a real kindness and human quality to the iconic criminal-defense lawyer. Ample time is spent on his struggles as a recovering addict, and how that has impacted his personal and professional life. It’s sobering, personal character drama done right.

The two actresses playing his exes, Neve Campbell and Becki Newton, are great as well and have excellent chemistry together. Campbell’s Maggie has a daughter with Haller, so we get to see their attempts at co-parenting and their personal relationship. Meanwhile, Newton’s Lorna works with Haller as his legal aide. It’s a refreshing depiction compared to how most divorced couples are seen in media, with each character fully fleshed out rather than pigeonholed into a jilted ex stereotype.

The only downside to this release is that the special features are rather scant. It’s not devoid of them, as there is a five-minute blooper reel included that is worth watching. Already charming in the show, Garcia-Rulfo is just as fun making mistakes with his co-stars. One particular highlight is when Garcia-Rulfo forgets to put the Lincoln car in park, and it starts rolling down the street before the crew stops it. Overall, it’s a nice bonus but not exactly something worth buying the set entirely for.

The Lincoln Lawyer Season 1 Blu-ray Review: The Final Verdict

With the second season now streaming on Netflix, The Lincoln Lawyer Season 1 Blu-ray is a great way to own the first installment of the series. It tells a satisfying case, with a self-contained story that can be enjoyed on its own. While it only includes one special feature in the form of a gag reel, I hope that it will do well and more physical releases of streaming hits get preserved physically.

Disclosure: ComingSoon was sent a copy by the publisher for our The Lincoln Lawyer Season 1 Blu-ray review.

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The South Park: Seasons 21-25 Blu-ray was recently released by Paramount Media Networks and MTV Entertainment Studios. The eight-disc box set is a solid value for fans of cable’s longest-running scripted series. From the pandemic to the return of ManBearPig, there are plenty of notable events covered over the five seasons — both within the show’s canon and real life.

It’s important to note what the South Park: Seasons 21-25 Blu-ray is rather than what some fans might hope it is. Those looking for a more premium collection filled with bonus features won’t find it here. These are just the original Blu-rays of the five respective seasons, packaged into one set with no additional bells or whistles. If you own the individual seasons, there’s no real reason to purchase this.

This also means only Seasons 21 and 22 have mini commentaries available, with no insight from creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker for the three other seasons. In fact, Seasons 24 and 25 have no bonus material at all; Season 23 has concept art and deleted scenes, at least. It’s a real shame, as it’d be great to get the creators’ thoughts on how the pandemic has impacted the show and their process — with Season 23 just being two specials and 24 being a truncated run of six episodes.

Since these are the original discs, finding the episode you want can be tricky. Seasons 21-23 are all on two discs apiece, and there are no labels on them aside from “Disc One” or “Disc Two.” Seasons 24 and 25 don’t have any labels at all, as they were one-disc releases. Unless you can recognize the art and associate it with its season, you’ll need to think about which disc you’re pulling out. These are relatively minor complaints, of course, but it really spells out what this is — a collection built around value rather than a premium one.

Nitpicks aside, there’s a lot to like here. Season 21 was a return to form for South Park, as it went back to episodes telling individual stories after Season 20 deviated into more linear storytelling. Seasons 22 and 23 were excellent, with the larger Tegridy Farms storyline getting to shine, while also lampooning everything from Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker to how the U.S. responds to school shootings. Stone and Parker have always had biting commentary, and the show’s consistent quality throughout 20+ years is quite remarkable and something that can’t be said for other long-running shows like The Simpsons.

As mentioned, Seasons 24 and 25 are shorter in length and were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Appropriately, Season 24 is comprised of two episodes, “The Pandemic Special” and the “South ParQ Vaccination Special.” Both are hilarious, and I always thought of the “chin diapers” joke whenever I saw people improperly wearing masks after watching it. Meanwhile, Season 25 had six very good episodes, with “The Big Fix” being the real highlight. It’s the best Tolkien Black episode yet and manages to retcon the character’s name in the funniest way possible.

If you’re looking to own these five seasons of South Park and don’t yet own any of the discs, then the South Park: Seasons 21-25 Blu-ray is a great value. There are no frills for later seasons, but it delivers exactly as advertised. It’s an easy recommendation for fans of the show.

Disclosure: ComingSoon was sent a copy by the publisher for our South Park: Seasons 21-25 review.

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Marvel is back with — perhaps — the most somber Disney+ series to date.

Secret Invasion sees the return of Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury and Ben Mendelsohn’s Talos, along with new cast members like Olivia Colman and Emilia Clarke. The series sheds light on the Skrulls, a shapeshifting alien race introduced 2019’s Captain Marvel.

Comic fans may notice Secret Invasion is a departure from the story of the same name. That tale also dealt with Skrulls covertly spying on Earthlings by taking the form of humans and working to overtake the planet. However, it was a bigger and much flashier event which featured pretty much every Avenger on the roster.

The Disney+ series still appears to have those world-ending (or at least world-changing) stakes, but is a comparatively more personal and grounded story. Unless you count Talos with his shapeshifting abilities and James Rhodes sans War Machine suit, there’s nary a superhero in sight in the show’s first two episodes.

Nick Fury gets the focus in Secret Invasion

Nick Fury has been noticeably absent from the Multiverse Saga thus far. Other projects like Captain Marvel gave audiences some insight in depth into the character, but Secret Invasion takes it even further. After the blip, Fury is a shell of his former self. He has more doubts and fears than we’ve ever seen from the stoic leader. The series centers his struggle to overcome his trauma — and to keep the lid on a Skrull insurgency before it’s too late.

Secret Invasion bears on commonality with its source material: the ongoing hook of “who is a Skrull?”. Viewers are kept on their toes and suspicious of everyone. Things have changed since the ending of Captain Marvel, which saw Skrulls arrive on earth and integrate into human society. While refugee Skrulls saw Earth as a place of hope and possibility, promises from Fury still haven’t come to fruition decades later.

Despite this explanation, it’s admittedly jarring and disappointing to see the Skrulls – subverted as innocent refugees and not the expected villains in Captain Marvel – changed to be more combative for the sake of comic accuracy. Some fans might have wanted this, but Marvel Studios plays fast and loose with which elements of the comic continuity they stick with anyway. Because of that, it’s hard to tell who they’re trying to make happy here.

A few disappointments so far

It’s also surprising Marvel Studios went the mini-series route for such a major comics event. Surely, this could have been fertile ground for a full film. Yes, the concept of this show works for a series, and the writers manage to end the first two episodes in an interesting place. Still, Secret Invasion comes across as a picture stretched to five episodes versus a realized series.

Secret Invasion also makes a tired, predictable writing choice in the opening episode. Without giving it away, it’s a cheap “twist” that serves as the catalyst for some subsequent events within the series. This could – and should – have had more groundwork laid in advance to make it feel less hackneyed. As it stands, it just feels lazy.

Secret Invasion delivers things some Marvel fans have wanted for a while. It’s gritty, dark, and (mostly) devoid of quips. The issue so far is the first two episodes don’t provide a strong hook to rope audiences in beyond the initial concept. I’m intrigued, but not particularly invested. That’s a problem for a project that expects viewers to tune into week after week.

Disclosure: Disney has provided media with the first two episodes of Secret Invasion, and therefore this review is based entirely on the first third of this six-episode series and is therefore not meant to be taken as representative of the show as a whole.

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Like its namesake monsters, The Walking Dead is the show that won’t die. It keeps going — it gets revived, renewed, resurrected. The show’s first reprieve, The Walking Dead: Dead City brings back two favorite characters, Maggie (Lauren Cohan) and Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) and sends them to Manhattan.

Set an indeterminate time after the end of The Walking Dead (I would guess a couple of years), Maggie goes looking for Negan to assist her on a dire task. A man who goes by the moniker The Croat (Željko Ivanek) came to The Hilltop (or rather, a new settlement, because apparently the original Hilltop was burned to the ground), took all their grain, and kidnapped Maggie’s son, Hershel. He promised that his men would return every few months for more grain and supplies. The Croat used to be one of Negan’s strongmen — one who was known as the torturer among Negan’s crew. He was so bloodthirsty that eventually Negan had to cut him loose. Maggie believes Negan will be of great help in finding The Croat and bargaining the release of her son. 

When Maggie finds Negan, he is accompanied not by his wife, Annie, or their young child; he is instead with a mute girl named Ginny. Negan is also being hunted by the marshal of New Babylon (a community that we learn virtually nothing about) for the murder of five men, one of whom was a magistrate. Negan agrees to help Maggie in exchange for Ginny getting safety in Maggie’s new community.

The Croat is set up on the island of Manhattan, which was one of the epicenters of the zombie apocalypse. The government blew out all the bridges in the hopes of containing the outbreak; as we all know, that didn’t work, and Manhattan became home to millions of zombies and a handful of human survivors. One of them, apparently, is The Croat.

An underused Manhattan

I had some problems with the overall logic of the setting. Though Manhattan seems like a great, horrifying setting for the show, the opening episode has all the characters make a huge deal about actually getting to the island. Then, it doesn’t seem very difficult. Hell, when Ginny runs away from her new home to rejoin Negan, she makes it to Manhattan floating in a cooler and rowing with a plank of wood. She didn’t seem to have any trouble making it through the streets to find Negan, either.

Manhattan is underused as a location. You get plenty of wide shots of the crumbling cityscape, teeming with thousands of zombies roaming the streets, but there is no real sense of danger when you are with Maggie, Negan, or any of the few other characters the show introduces. In fact, they meet a small group of survivors almost immediately, and there is mention of other survivor groups and communities on the island, which makes all the talk of it being Ground Zero feel a little overblown.

The Walking Dead: Dead City lacks the worldbuilding that the original series was so well-known for. It feels as though the show takes its established characters for granted, giving them new problems with little backstory. We do finally find out what happened to Negan’s wife and why he takes care of Ginny, but we never find out about what happened to Hilltop. Similarly, a major plot point is New Babylon, but we never find out anything about it. Are they a big community? Are they corrupt? 

The new characters that we are introduced to are scarcely outlined. Besides The Croat, we meet Tommaso (Jonathan Higginbotham) and Amaia (Karina Ortiz) — the two leaders of the barebones survivor group that Maggie and Negan encounter early on. Other than the fact that they are native New Yorkers, we know nothing about them. With only six episodes in this season (or series? It’s never clear if this is meant to be a miniseries or if there will be more seasons), the show doesn’t spend much time with Tommaso and Amaia, so I never felt any connection to them. 

The other new character we meet is the marshal, Armstrong (Gaius Charles), who feels like a better represented character. In Episode 2 he encounters the corpse of his brother, but even then, it’s a little early to be expected to feel any sympathy for his character and we don’t learn about his backstory until several episodes later. However, we spend a lot of time with Armstrong and he seems like a complicated, fully realized character by the show’s end. I want to see more of him.

Ultimately, The Walking Dead: Dead City isn’t bringing anything new to the table. It doesn’t introduce any new mythology, no communities with interesting characters, etc. If you were a big fan of The Walking Dead, you will probably watch this show. If you weren’t a fan, Dead City is not the place you should start. It is a perfectly average show and one that might have been a little more impactful if I weren’t still reeling from The Walking Dead lasting about three seasons past its prime.

SCORE: 5/10

As ComingSoon’s review policy explains, a score of 5 equates to “Mediocre.” The positives and negatives wind up negating each other, making it a wash.

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The Mandalorian Season 3 finale is here, and it is time for everyone to see how the story of Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and the Mandalorians comes to a temporary close. “Chapter 24: The Return” is the eighth and final episode of season 3, picking up right after “Chapter 23,” where Moff Gideon’s (Giancarlo Esposito) Imperial forces capture Djarin. By having the episode begin here, the momentum remains the same as we are blasted straight into an exciting, action-packed finale that closes out an otherwise disappointing season.

Moff Gideon sends starfighters to attack the Mandalorian fleet as Djarin fights off his captors with the help of IG-12, controlled by Grogu. Perhaps the best aspect of this episode is how it finally depicts Djarin and Grogu working together, with Grogu using IG-12’s voice control to an endearing effect. This episode is thrilling partially because it finally puts Djarin back in the forefront. He has a fantastic action sequence with the help of R5, where he takes out several Imperial commandos two at a time. This is one of the strongest fight scenes in the series, but the episode has a few qualities that bring everything back.

The cinematography in this episode is dull. It doesn’t have any of the eye-catching vibrance a few of the other episodes in this season have had. While the show doesn’t look bad, it feels like director Rick Famuyiwa was limited to retaining the overall visual style of The Mandalorian, not bringing in a fresh perspective. Although the episode does an excellent job of cutting between the action going on with Djarin and Gideon and the other Mandalorians, there isn’t a lot of visual flair or ingenuity going into the large-scale action set pieces.

“Chapter 24” also shows how Gideon creates a Force-sensitive clone army, and Djarin kills them all. The moment where Bo-Katan leads the Mandalorians into battle with the Darksaber in hand is epic. The episode continues to build in excitement as Grogu takes on Praetorian guards. Bo-Katan takes over Djarin’s fight against Gideon, and Djarin saves Grogu from the guards as they team up against the guards. Finally, as the Mandalorian capital ship plunges into the underground base, Gideon is consumed by the explosion, which is somehow a weak death for a villain who has simultaneously existed for three seasons of the show and been miraculously absent for much of the new season. His death doesn’t give you the sense of victory as Emperor Palpatine’s did in Return of the Jedi. It happens, and it’s over.

In our happy ending, Djarin adopts Grogu and begins work for the New Republic. The episode is the strongest possible conclusion to a season doomed to fail. “Chapter 24” lacks the emotional resonance that the previous season finales have had. The Mandalorian Season 3 finale retains the issue with the entire season, prioritizing some exciting action over getting you emotionally invested in the characters and stakes. Ultimately, this is a solid conclusion to the season, but it disappoints compared to the strong first two seasons that made The Mandalorian the excellent show it could have become.

SCORE: 7/10

As ComingSoon’s review policy explains, a score of 7 equates to “Good.” A successful piece of entertainment that is worth checking out, but it may not appeal to everyone.

The post The Mandalorian Season 3 Finale Review: A Solid Conclusion appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.

The second-to-last episode of The Mandalorian Season 3 has arrived on Disney+. “Chapter 23: The Spies” follows our group of Mandalorians as they take on a new enemy. Season 3 has been disappointing from a story perspective so far, and while “Chapter 23” sets things back on the right track, there is still a long way to go. At this point, the odds are low for the season to wrap up satisfyingly, but this individual episode brings the series to a course correction that makes everything that came before it just a little bit more meaningful.

Our episode begins with visuals that look right out of Blade Runner 2049. The cinematography rivals that of Andor as we follow Elia Kane (Katy O’Brian) talking to a hologram of Moff Gideon (Giancarlo Esposito). This episode finally marks the return of the show’s main antagonist. Season 3 has lacked a villainous presence, and even though Gideon has become somewhat stale, it is delightful to see an adversary come back to threaten the heroes personally. Gideon speaks to Imperial officers in a scene that ties into a lot of other Star Wars media. The episode hints at the return of Grand Admiral Thrawn, a villain from Star Wars Rebels who will play a role in the upcoming Ahsoka TV series.

“Chapter 23” also features General Brendol Hux (Brian Gleeson), the father of Armitage Hux from the Star Wars sequel trilogy. Brendol Hux advocates for a clone army, which ties into what his son wanted for the First Order. It’s fascinating to see the seeds of the next era of Star Wars planted in this show. This ties naturally into Gideon’s plan to wipe out the remaining Mandalorians, as the officers chant, “Long live the Empire!” The episode ties together a few threads from previous ones, like Greef Karga (Carl Weathers) turning the IG-11 into IG-12, which Grogu can manually operate.

The Mandalorian Season 3 Episode 6 Review: ‘Chapter 22’ Disappoints

The Mandalorian Season 3 Episode 6 is “Chapter 22: Guns for Hire,” a new installment that features Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal)…

TV Jonathan Sim 9 months ago

Given this is a show called The Mandalorian, it’s nice to see it focus on the Mandalorians. While they don’t stand out enough to be memorable beyond our main players, they are fun to watch — especially during the action sequences. The episode also explains how Moff Gideon claimed the Darksaber in the first place while giving an excellent scene where Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) vows to serve Bo-Katan Kryze (Katee Sackhoff) until her song is written. Although Djarin has become one of the less exciting parts of the season, this moment stands out.

The final action set piece is fantastic. Although the emotional stakes are lacking, it’s well-crafted, and seeing Imperials in jetpacks and beskar armor battling the Mandalorians is fun. Gideon arrives in a Dark Trooper suit, but it feels like it’s a little too late to bring in this villain. Season 3 feels like a bridge to the more exciting Season 4, but everything happening now should be stronger. We have Gideon quite literally doing an evil monologue when he comes face-to-face with Djarin, though it’s nice to see the stakes build as Djarin is taken captive.

“Chapter 23” ends with Paz Vizsla (Tait Fletcher) sacrificing himself to save the Mandalorians. He is stabbed by Praetorian guards, who appear to be a predecessor to the Elite Praetorian guards from Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Unfortunately, his death does not have the emotional weight it could have, as the show doesn’t lean enough into the fact that Vizsla is a father whose son will grow up without him. Ultimately, the episode is a step up from the previous one, but it still features the same issues the rest of the season has. All I can say is that I sincerely hope this season offers one hell of a finale.

SCORE: 6/10

As ComingSoon’s review policy explains, a score of 6 equates to “Decent.” It fails to reach its full potential and is a run-of-the-mill experience.

The post The Mandalorian Season 3 Episode 7 Review: ‘Chapter 23’ Improves Slightly appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.

The Mandalorian Season 3 Episode 6 is “Chapter 22: Guns for Hire,” a new installment that features Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and Bo-Katan Kryze visiting the opulent world of Plazir-15 for a new mission. So far, the third season has been the weakest by a mile, and fans like myself have been hoping the final few episodes would pick up the pace. Unfortunately, this episode is a shining example of why this season has failed miserably so far, committing all the problems this season has had while adding a few more into the mix.

The cold open of this episode reintroduces Axe Woves and Koska Reeves, two characters from season 2, sent to track down Captain Shuggoth. The opening scene adds some world-building to the Star Wars galaxy, but having this disjointed storyline about a captain in love with the Viceroy’s son feels strange. The dialogue shared between the two is laughable, and it feels contrived. The most this scene has to offer are the idea of Mandalorians that can trade honor for credits and that the Viceroy’s son is voiced by Harry Holland, brother of Spider-Man actor Tom Holland.

But the cameos don’t stop there. Djarin and Bo-Katan travel to Plazir-15 to meet Captain Bombardier (Jack Black) and the Duchess (Lizzo). This is a jaw-dropping moment, and not in a good way. I never expected Star Wars to be the franchise to drop in A-list celebrity cameos. Having Jack Black and Lizzo appear in Star Wars is like having Ed Sheeran in Game of Thrones (imagine if that ever happened). These don’t work because audiences will not see the characters they are supposed to play – all they’ll see is their celebrity personas. This is why the Star Wars sequel trilogy had the right idea by casting mostly unknowns to lead the series.

The Mandalorian Season 3 Episode 5 Review: ‘Chapter 21’ Is a Mild Improvement

It’s time to once again visit a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away with the new episode…

TV Jonathan Sim 9 months ago

This piece of stunt casting feels like it is only used to generate publicity and hide how poor the story is. The episode revolves around malfunctioning reprogrammed Imperial droids. Djarin and Bo-Katan need to get to the bottom of this, and if they solve the issue, Mandalore will receive diplomatic recognition. Unfortunately, the stakes in this season have felt so consistently low, and this episode does not steer things in the right direction. It’s not easy to get invested in what feels like a side quest in a story that’s not engaging at all.

We then have another celebrity cameo when our heroes visit Commissioner Helgait, played by Christopher Lloyd from Back to the Future. His screen presence has been welcome for decades, but it feels like this episode was made to stack many familiar faces in it. For the rest of the episode, we follow Djarin and Bo-Katan on a mission to explore new territory to uncover a mystery. Unfortunately, this feels like a lower-quality episode of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, which worked great in animation but did not serve The Mandalorian.

After a few chases and fights, Helgait is revealed as the mastermind, a Separatist who idolizes Count Dooku. The episode ends with a battle between Bo-Katan and Woves, which ends with Djarin admitting that Bo-Katan saved him, allowing her to win the Darksaber and rule Mandalore. This is an anticlimactic resolution to a storyline that could have been filled with drama. But that’s what this season has been filled with: action sequences without enough character drama to care for and a passive protagonist being dragged around from mission to mission. Djarin has become the least compelling main character in a TV show in a while, with nothing to make him interesting. Given that this is a filler episode towards the end of an already disappointing season, let’s hope the finale makes it worth it.

SCORE: 4/10

As ComingSoon’s review policy explains, a score of 4 equates to “Poor.” The negatives outweigh the positive aspects making it a struggle to get through.

The post The Mandalorian Season 3 Episode 6 Review: ‘Chapter 22’ Disappoints appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.

It’s time to once again visit a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away with the new episode of The Mandalorian. “Chapter 21: The Pirate” is the fifth episode of season 3, and this episode sees Nevarro getting attacked by pirates with the Mandalorians needed for help.

Unfortunately, season 3 has been the weakest of the show so far, with many episodes feeling disjointed. “Chapter 21” sees many of the loose threads of the first four episodes tied together for an installment that’s a step in the right direction but not where it needs to be.

The episode begins with the pirates from “Chapter 17” returning to take over Nevarro, as Shard destroys many buildings and sends people fleeing for their lives. We are then reintroduced to a few familiar faces. First, Captain Carson Teva (Paul Sun-Hyung Lee) returns as he sees Greef Targa’s (Carl Weathers) message pleading for help. He then speaks to Garazeb “Zeb” Orrelios (Steve Blum), a character familiar to fans of the animated TV series Star Wars Rebels (like me). Seeing yet another fan-favorite character be transformed into live-action was an excellent experience, and it is great to see Zeb years after the conclusion of Rebels.

Teva goes to the Mandalorians for help, and Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) agrees to do Teva this favor. Djarin tells the Mandalorians they should unite to save Nevarro. Paz Viszla (Tait Fletcher) agrees to help Djarin and Bo-Katan Kryze (Katee Sackhoff) as they rescue his son in the previous episode. This chapter does a better job of making the first four episodes seem substantial, even with including Elia Kane (Katy O’Brian). Although the road is rough, it’s getting smoother as the season progresses.

The Mandalorians come to the rescue and save the day in a great action set piece. But, unfortunately, this is where the show falters. While the action onscreen looks damn cool with Mandalorians flying around with jet packs, getting invested in the characters isn’t easy. The villains are one-dimensional drunk pirates. The heroes are cool, but you don’t get attached to this clan of people who blindly follow a code. Djarin was boring, but the writers made him interesting by humanizing him with his relationship with Grogu. Unfortunately, many of the Mandalorians are not humanized, so you don’t feel the emotional stakes, worrying about whether they will make it. Growing attached to these characters is even more complicated when you cannot see their faces.

The final scenes of the episode tease a few new plot threads. After Karga gives the Mandalorians a home on Nevarro, the Armorer allows Bo-Katan to take her helmet off so that she can unite the Mandalorians and retake Mandalore. Teva discovers that Moff Gideon’s body is missing, meaning he never went to trial.

After discovering Beskar, the pilots suspect the Mandalorians took Gideon. This is a fascinating concept that will hopefully be explored more. However, an issue still arises as Djarin takes a backseat in this episode. His character has been the least exciting aspect of the season so far, and it sometimes feels like the writers ran out of things to do with him. Overall, this episode is a mild improvement over the predecessor but will need more steam to get to where it needs to be.

SCORE: 5.5/10

As ComingSoon’s review policy explains, a score of 5.5 equates to “Mediocre.” The positives and negatives wind up negating each other, making it a wash.

The post The Mandalorian Season 3 Episode 5 Review: ‘Chapter 21’ Is a Mild Improvement appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.

With a new week comes a new episode of The Mandalorian. The fourth episode of the third season follows Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) as he returns to the Mandalorian covert and goes on a new mission while Gorgu is trained in the ways of the Mandalore. Unfortunately, “Chapter 20: The Foundling” is a weak episode. Blessedly brief, this installment feels like a reminder that the new season has no direction for where it is leading, with each episode feeling like a stand-alone event without a clear storyline underneath it all.

The episode begins with tribe members on Mandalore training in combat. Then, Djarin takes Grogu to participate in a match allowing him to train to be an apprentice. It’s interesting to see Grogu learn how to be a Mandalorian, and he wins the duel against Ragnar by Force-jumping and shooting three darts at him. Suddenly, a reptavian creature arrives and snatches Ragnar, and a group of Mandalorians pursues the beast. While it’s all good fun to have a large number of creature antagonists, which this show has never had a shortage of, this season has relied so heavily on the creatures that it forgets to have one main villain that isn’t simply a hungry animal.

As Grogu joins the Armorer in the Forge, we have a flashback to Order 66 from Grogu’s perspective. This is another revisit to a pivotal moment in Star Wars when most of the Jedi are massacred. Further installments of the series have shown us alternate perspectives of how it went in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith. This episode shows us how Grogu meets Kelleran Beq, played by none other than Ahmed Best. Best is no stranger to the galaxy after playing Jar-Jar Binks in the prequel trilogy. It is great to see Best in not only another acting role but one where he can play the badass Jedi he can be.

Beq and Grogu take off in a speeder, leading to an exciting action sequence on Coruscant. The scene feels spiritually and visually similar to the chase scene from Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones. However, as fun as it is to see the action on planets we’ve been familiar with for decades, this scene currently feels pointless. The fact that Grogu witnessed Order 66 was already an established part of his backstory, but this scene adds little. Unless Beq returns later in the season, this scene is irrelevant, especially to anything set up in the prior episodes.

While every TV show sets up threads to be picked up later in the season, The Mandalorian Season 3 has been filled with loose threads with little tying it all together. Djarin’s goal of finding redemption by bathing in the waters of Mandalore was resolved by the beginning of the third episode, and the show now lacks a looming threat to keep viewers interested. Even though there is a bit of fun action directed by Carl Weathers (who plays Greef Karga), it feels like it was too easy for our heroes to save Ragnar from the raptor. As a result, this episode is more of a stand-alone side quest than a meaningful contribution to the series. 

SCORE: 4/10

As ComingSoon’s review policy explains, a score of 4 equates to “Poor.” The negatives outweigh the positive aspects making it a struggle to get through.

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