4/5
Higher Ground.
6 Episodes. Starring: Ewan McGregor, Moses Ingram, Indira Varma, Rupert Friend, Vivien Lyra Blair, Sung Kang, Kumail Nanjiani, O'Shea Jackson Jr., Flea, Benny Safdie, Zach Braff, Jimmy Smits, Joel Edgerton, James Earl Jones & Hayden Christensen. Director: Deborah Chow.
People keep on learnin'. If you keep showing hate to all the characters and communities that make up this galaxy far, far away, then quite frankly like what Ewan McGregor said in his social media post, "you're not 'Star Wars' fans". Looks like 'Obi-Wan Kenobi' really is our only hope...with a little help from his friends. And his new prequel series debuting on Disney + after 'The Mandalorian' seasons one, two and thr...I beg your pardon, 'The Book Of Boba Fett'. Obi-Wan may have turned apprentice Anakin Skywalker into the best kebab'd impression of his son's guardians. All before Vader returned the favour by making him a cloak-room magic trick with one saber strike. But that doesn't mean we can't enjoy some footnote story and electric sword fights in-between the chapters with these new, epic episodes. All before 'Ms. Marvel' continues the Wednesday stream for Mickey Mouse. And the final draw in the formidable force of a 'Obi-Wan' finale will take your face-off like Cage and Travolta. But how about a training day flashback with a different empire in vista when Anakin was just a youngling Padawan and not killing? The dichotomy of good and evil and how falling shadow close we are to the dark side is powered and played out so perfectly. What happens when the chosen one becomes a lost son? The ignorance of influence will be illuminated here as beams cross and own paths are forged where the sun doesn't shine. Only fire scorches that earth and even if you refuse to walk that thin line in the name of all that is good in this evil world, you may just be dragged through it. Revenge, a dish beat served smokin' hot like a barbecue. You should probably put some sauce on that, Master.
Great Scott, we are going back to the future...or something like that with the rematch of the century. The James McAvoy to Patrick Stewart's Alec Guinness...but we aren't talking about Professor Xavier, or the return of the X-Men. More, someone else even more gifted. A former apprentice whose master also had a special set of skills. Taken with Ewan McGregor, it's been recently reported that the actor said that director Terry Gilliam once asked him, "what the f### has he been doing all this time" after the 'Trainspotting' icon impressed him with his take on a character originally meant for Johnny Depp before his legal battle with Amber Heard. Well, those oblivious to what Ewan has been doing over even the last few years need to figure out what the f### THEY are doing. A sobering performance in 'The Shining' sequel of Stephen King's 'Doctor Sleep'. A well deserved Emmy for his outstanding performance as 'Halston' on Netflix, New York fashions answer to Andy Warhol. And even his 'Birds Of Prey' Black Mask villain in the 'Fantabulous Emancipation Of One Harley Quinn' movie that has us excited for the Marvel rumours and hoping for McGregor's own movie doomsday, going forth. Now that would be fantastic. Just like he is here. He's split Darth Maul in two. Reigned over Django Fett in a storm. And even given us a GIF ready saber spin in what we thought was his last stand. But this. This is something else. Weary and wise. A worn warrior with clones of previous battles before him all around. Knowing the war is over. He lost. But still holding out hope a chosen one will come, or be born again.
Blade Runner neon drips through a second episode of serious substance, no longer deserted in the familiar land and faces of Tatooine, through the space-age binoculars. McGregor's raw and real Obi-Wan revival is a knockout like Conor, but there's still more under the Jedi hood. Like Leia herself. Played with moxie and feeling by new child star Vivien Lyra Blair. With respect to the Queen Carrie Fisher (she knows we will always love her) and some batteries not included, but borrowed off Spielberg in the form of her cute, pet droid and your new Christmas list favourite. 'Game Of Thrones' and 'Rome' Star Indira Varma is a great ally on the right side. And even movie favourites Jimmy Smits and Joel Edgerton make brief, but welcome returns to the serious 'Star Wars' star power here. But it really is spot the famous face (or voice in the case of how much Zach Braff scrubs up well in the costume department) here in a long line of big-names lending their hand to the dented tin cans that are the Storm Troopers. Red Hot Chili Pepper bassist Flea (so good at being bad in Edgerton's 'Boy Erased') pops up out the blue and even Ice Cube 'Straight Outta Compton' son come bonafide actor, no nepotism, O'Shea Jackson Jr. is here. Eternally yours Kumail Nanjiani wants to be a Jedi. Whilst the 'Uncut Gem' of Benny Safdie is one. And it's all a good time, no matter how long Deborah Chow's dozen episodes last in all their delight. When it's comes to the villains though, this is where the show sets itself apart. Rupert Friend may look like something out of David Lynch's 'Dune', but he's got his last name in us. Like his first is a beard's yellow checked trousers Whilst 'Fast and the Furious' (really furious here) favourite Sung Kang is unrecognisable but undeniable in his dark designs. But it's 'The Queens Gambit' star Moses Ingram who steals the show, going for her own checkmate. Rising against the Internet hate that some want to claim as fake bait (don't defend what's clearly going on. Racism still alive they just be (trying) to conceal it) and sticking her landing like the moment she first draws her red sword. Talk about a GIF. You have to hand it to her...or her character will probably chop yours off. Besides, it's not like hate hasn't come the dark side's way before. Just ask the real big bad. As Hayden Christensen after all the scorn returns to a heroes welcome as the ultimate villain, Darth Vader. Complete of course with the one and only voice of James Earl Jones for your heavy breathing. Vader hasn't fathered a scene quite like this since he made sure you stayed in your seats for the end of 'Rogue One' and as he casually brings a ship down with one hand, stopping it in its lift off tracks, you just know there is no force to be reckoned with quite like him. Offering deeper and darker drama to his legacy, Jones and Christensen combine for another chapter of a classic character. Now could we find some new ground with more 'Obi-Wan Kenobi' episodes? We can only hope. TIM DAVID HARVEY.
Further Filming: 'The Mandalorian', 'The Book Of Boba Fett', 'Star Wars-A New Hope'.
No comments:
Post a Comment