These new Disney+ series are quickly developing into the the modern, overbudgeted equivalent of direct-to-video films from the ‘90s.
In an age where popular and accessible television is continuously pushed to new and exciting heights (_Daredevil, Money Heist, Ted Lasso, Stranger Things, Arcane_ to name a few), these recent shows banking on the Star Wars and Marvel brands feel amateurish, schlocky, and often read like bad fan fiction.
Look, Boba Fett in the original trilogy is nothing more than a visual.
He’s not really a character, I think he has about 4 or 5 lines, but he became popular because of his look.
You can’t just throw me in a story where he’s the main character and expect me to care without putting in the work.
It’s a show that operates in Disney’s new business model of throwing references, ‘member berries and empty spectacle on the screen, while the important and engaging stuff (character, story, drama, emotion, filmmaking) are reduced to an afterthought.
Granted, that’s pretty much the same problem that I have with a lot of IP related content from the past couple of years, but this show in particular feels so calculated, focus tested and cynical, it’s gross.
Even the production kinda sucks this time around (compared to _The Mandalorian_), it looks really ugly and washed out so far, more like Marvel than Star Wars.
Where is the voice of Jon Favreau?
Where is the voice of the director of _Iron Man_, one of the most character driven and vibrant blockbusters of the past 20 years?
This show is not even close to being up to par in just about every sense.

Such a disappointment, yet very in sync with the dark work of Star Wars, and a clear departure from the independence of The Mandalorian.

Overall, this is a rip-off. Some of the episodes aren't about Boba Fett, or even with him. And the series is filled with goofs and continuity issues. Say in the last episode where the woman at the garage and the assistant to the mayor are hugging each other in front of the Rancor when filmed from the front, and are clearly an arm length away when filmed from the back, and the two scenes flash back and forth a few times.

On the plus side, it is a story of powerful gangs, and murderous cults, and the only hope in the land is the ”Rebel” government and the deadly Jedi. And yea, back in the 80s Luke was the last Jedi, only to disocver that it is quite a crowd, with a triple-tail-headed woman, and Grogu. It shows how good abuse is to teach children for Favreau: Grogu doesn't ”want” to jump as high as Luke desires, but look how agile he becomes when the drone hurts him badly!

It brings the morals of the War on Drugs. How people should work without pay, and how ”good for business” is something only drug lords might need. And while the Mandalorian series keeps some decency in what an economic system might involve, this series is plain communist utopia: the Mandalorian character never gets paid, but he pays well everywhere he goes, gas and ammo are unlimited.

Back in the Mandalorian series, Mando needed a larger ship to carry his inventory, and the bounties. Now it seems he is okay with a fast ship in which he can't carry cargo or prisoners. Smart.

I laughed at the irony of the last episode, where Favreau makes the point of the mighty government once more: two very violent gangs who choose to have their last stand in the middle of the city. Death. Destruction. Terrible material damage. And all done ”to protect the citizens”. Reminds me of two world wars, two Vietnam wars, and many others. And like in Nazi propaganda, or Soviet propaganda, or US propaganda, the civilians are so happy their homes would need years of repairs, and their relatives are dead, so they smile as the benevolent murderer graciously accepts a tribute in fruit. Like 1984 said: War is Peace. Freedom is Slavery.

After a bit of a slow start, I enjoyed Season one overall. His time with Sand people was interesting. The Mandalorian and Grogu's return were welcome. The new Luje Skywalker was also well done. Boba's acting was good throughout. The Rankor monster was exciting in the final episode. Disney is doing a nice job its television series thus far, but they will have to some new exciting stories for the Star Wars cinema universe as well! Let's hope they can pull it off!

6.5 stars out of 10.