Tales of the Jedi is now streaming on Disney+. Below is a spoiler-free review.
Animation has proven to be a great vehicle for Star Wars to explore its universe, as well as those much-maligned earlier years, and Tales of the Jedi is another strong entry into that legacy. Is it absolutely essential to watch Star Wars? Not really, no, but it’s a well-made, beautifully animated version of two important characters: Ahsoka Tano and Count Dooku.
Tales of the Jedi’s smaller entries, all of which are between 15 and 20 minutes long, split their focus between Ahsoka and Dooku evenly; Interestingly, if you watch them in the order Disney+ lists them, it starts with Ahsoka as a baby, then goes to three episodes on Dooku, then back to Ahsoka. While there isn’t a simple common thread between the stories told – they’re all self-contained, anthology-style stories that take place at various pivotal points in each character’s life – you can draw parallels between the two characters. central if you dig deeper and there’s not-so-subtle feeling that that’s the point, especially when it comes to Dooku’s concerns about the Jedi Order, something we know Ahsoka ends up leaving.
For the most part, Tales of the Jedi creator and overall Star Wars animation mastermind Dave Filoni doesn’t count on the show. This does not mean that there is no action; “Practice Makes Perfect,” which focuses on Ahsoka’s Padawan training, is heavier than others, and there’s a thrilling climax in the latest episode, “Resolve.” But, for the most part, it’s Star Wars leaning into its brooding, brooding side, which makes for tougher fights, especially in the Dooku episodes. “The Sith Lord” is the best example of this, relying on low-key but hard-hitting action. The whole effort is tightly written without feeling a bit rushed, despite the short runtimes – Filoni knows, at this point, how to indulge the atmosphere and build tension without filling the running times. to unnecessary lengths.
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In particular, the Dooku episodes provide intriguing insight into how he became the Sith Lord we know today, but they don’t go too far into unrealistic sympathy for the guy. As for Ahsoka, the first episode, “Life and Death,” gives us a glimpse of her home planet and her first displays of Jedi ways, but otherwise they mostly spend more time with the Togruta we know. and love. at different times in his life. But hey, that’s never a bad thing, and if you’re looking forward to its live-action Disney+ series, it’s a good way to whet your appetite.
To that end, Ashley Eckstein makes a welcome return to reprise her role in The Clone Wars, and Corey Burton (who previously voiced Cad Bane in The Clone Wars) does a solid and menacing job as Dooku. But the real star is the animation; it’s the best Star Wars story without live action, especially in the lush, colorful landscapes of “Life and Death” and “Resolve,” which are almost distractingly beautiful. Everything is incredibly polished, resembling a bit of The Clone Wars animation.
And while the stories are quick little bits, they don’t seem to be aimed at newcomers. Tales of the Jedi is definitely made for those who have already been won over by animated Star Wars stories, but that’s not necessarily a negative. Fan service isn’t, in and of itself, a bad thing, especially when it’s done this well. Also, if you haven’t already watched The Clone Wars, you should probably give it a go.
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