Ever since George Lucas sold LucasFilm to Disney in 2012, Star Wars has never been the same. However, there is one cherished relic left over from the Lucas years that has finally gotten its time in the spotlight; the “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” animated series.
For those unfamiliar, “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” animated series expanded on the time between Episodes II and III. Within that series, George Lucas and “Star Wars” protégé Dave Filoni created the new show’s titular character Ahsoka Tano. Not only is the character in the new series a creation of Lucas, the new live-action series is helmed by Dave Filoni.
Taking place after the events of the “Star Wars Rebels,” another Filoni animated masterpiece, and “The Mandalorian” Season 2, “Ahsoka” sees Rosario Dawson reprise the role. Alongside her companions featured in “Rebels”, Ahsoka seeks the missing Grand Admiral Thrawn and Ezra Bridger after the Battle of Lothal.
While Filoni and John Favreau have been working together to develop “The Mandalorian” since 2019, this is the first series where Filoni is given the chance to expand on a character that he created with Lucas. While “Ahsoka” does not feature the same actors as in the “Clone Wars” and “Rebels” animated series, mostly for correct visual representation, it is just as powerful as the original shows.
“The show gives Filoni the chance to translate the visual impact of “Clone Wars” to a live-action alternative that is absolutely refreshing. The musical score and cinematography brilliantly capture the tragic and stoic figure that is Ahsoka Tano.
Due to the depth of the canon surrounding it, , “Ahsoka” may not be understood by everyone. Prospective audiences and readers of this review must watch the “Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” “Star Wars: Rebels” and “The Mandalorian” to fully appreciate the story of Ahsoka and her compatriots featured in the new live-action series.
“Ahsoka” is a refreshing expansion on a beloved “Star Wars” trope that doesn’t soil the original storyline by making it approachable for new audiences. It doesn’t change the original storyline and makes sure long-time “Star Wars” fans are recognized.
Wielding her updated dual white lightsabers, Ahsoka will rescue the floundering Disney “Star Wars” franchises, which fellow female Jedi Rey could never accomplish. “Ahsoka” is a new version of old “Star Wars” with rich undertones of “Rogue One” that will resurrect its often-undervalued story.
Ahsoka streams a new episode every Tuesday on Disney+.
Photo from cnn.com.