TV REVIEW: THE ACOLYTE - Season 1

3.5/5

The Jedi Trap.

8 Episodes. Starring: Amandla Stenberg, Amandla Stenberg, Lee Jung-jae, Charlie Barnett, Dafne Keen, Rebecca Henderson, Jodie Turner-Smith, Manny Jacinto, Dean-Charles Chapman, Joonas Suotamo, David Harewood & Carrie-Anne Moss. Showrunner: Leslye Headland. On: Disney +.

Act right! Whilst people are hating on 'The Acolyte' on Disney Plus, like they did some characters in 'Obi-Wan Kenobi', all because they don't see enough white males in this franchise of aliens and droids, the same "not my 'Little Mermaid'" middle-aged crowd are missing out on one of the more nuanced looks of the blurring lines of the light and dark side in a galaxy far, far away. All whilst showrunner Leslye Headland is having her fun telling us that R2-D2 "is a lesbian." Not to mention his, "friend". "Are you telling me, with a straight face, that C-3PO is straight?" She's got a point. So, if this really is the amazing Amanda Stenberg's, doubling down, duty to make "white people cry" (it's a joke, people), then mission accomplished. And just wait until you see who she offs in the very first scene. Be pissed all you like, but 'The Hunger Games' and 'The Hate U Give' star really makes this series her own. F anybody who wants to make it about disgracing race.

It's not 'Star Woke', it's the all-encompassing legendary franchise under the Mickey Mouse umbrella that has welcomed entire galaxies and all walks of life for years. Sure, 'The Acolyte' can't touch 'The Mandalorian', but even 'The Book Of Boba Fett' and 'Andor' can't do that. What it does have is an episode five to match all of those before, that, as they say, really "hits different". Even the bounty hunter and The Child's epic exploits, and the don of all them, Boba, can't MC Hammer this. Stranger things happen in a forest illuminated by neon swords as the man with the helmet that sold out instantly (yeah, people really don't like this show), headbutts lightsabers and puts his own to people's temple like a gun for the coolest set-pieces in a franchise full of them. This neck-snapping, taking it to the heads of those who hate, stunning spectacle is the most excited we've been for a sabre battle since Darth Maul showed us two can play at that game...and by the way, it's not him.

More, someone that looks like he could play in 'Pulp Fiction' with that gimp mask. Zipping the mouths of those who said this show didn't have what it takes...and never mind the stakes. Sure, this 'Acolyte' spends more time in the past than those haters stuck in the 1950s, but you have to build up backstory in this connected universe to give the canon more fire. And there's many playing their part here. Like sensational South Korean superstar Lee Jung-jae who learnt English in hyperdrive speed to play a Jedi inspired by the master Liam Neeson's Qui-Gon Jinn. Or the Trinity of 'The Matrix' legend Carrie-Anne Moss, who can still move in bullet (blaster) time. Add the great 'Chicago Fire' of Charlie Barnett and 'Logan' star Dafne Keen (imagine if she was in 'Deadpool and Wolverine' as X-23) and we have more dynamic duels than you can shake a fanboy's glow stick at.

Canadian 'Russian Doll' star Rebecca Henderson has an even cooler and crazier lightsaber (and those Disney memes are hilarious) and political clout that could take her to the likes of 'Andor'. Whilst 'The Neon Demon', 'Queen & Slim', and forthcoming 'Tron: Ares' star Jodie Turner-Smith gives you the beautiful and brutal backstory you were looking for to give this narrative weight. 'Game Of Thrones' great Brit Dean Charles Chapman, veteran ballplayer and Chewie stand-in Joonas Suotamo (guess who he's playing?) and 'Homeland' and 'Supergirl' Cyborg Superman star David Harewood OBE, also offer smaller, but significant roles. But it's the part of 'Bad Times At The El Royale' and 'Top Gun: Maverick' star Manny Jacinto that really plays more. We're sworn to secrecy, but we will say this, what this maverick does for this 'Star Wars' series is the equivalent as what 'Hit-Man' Glen Powell has done for the whole of Hollywood like a twister. If the summer is Glen's, then the galaxy is Manny's.

Yet in the sum of all these profound parts, it's still Stenberg who is still the star of this show. An awakening force like 'Ahsoka' on the double who can strike and fight with the best of them...not to mention find inventive, flinch, and you're f##### ways of giving yourself a quick trim. This mystery thriller of a science fiction is high, like the Republic that sits above it. But let's not look down on it like all those fans who forget entertainment was to be enjoyed, not deployed in disrespect on social media. The one screen you shouldn't be focussed on as you watch these home cinema TV series in season, like they should be for the big-screens they were filmed for. Before the Skywalker Saga, and 100 years before a phantom menaced, this 'Acolyte' sets its own stream of storytelling. Behind this 'Donnie Darko' inspired mask that even has its own Marvel one-shot comic-book, an acolyte is defined as an "assistant or follower assisting the celebrant in a religious service or procession" (thanks, Wikipedia). And you know this franchise treated like religion is about to get a whole new set of followers. No matter what social media tries to convince you with force. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Obi-Wan Kenobi', 'Andor', 'Ahsoka'.