Although there will always be the contrarians, nitpickers and also some people with closed minds or agendas, it is okay if Andor is not for certain fans, because it is very different to what has come before, but there is much more other Star Wars content to suit their tastes too. This show is indeed different, and refreshingly so.
And yet it is so very pleasing to see many Star Wars fans happy and enthralled with Andor. To see countless others enjoy Star Wars again. It is also pleasing to see that something new and different to what has come before has been so welcomed and warmly received. Both critics and fans love this show, wanting to see more at the end of each episode. Even the YouTubers and social media are full of praise.
Who would have thought this before it aired? About a prequel TV series based on a secondary lead character, who is often described by some as being dull (me included!), of a prequel film made to explain how the Death Star plans ended up with the Rebellion?!
A heist caper and political drama on the seeds of how the rebellion are sown. Yet it is a show so compelling, even when there is little or no action onscreen. And when it does bring us the action, it is different, fresh and surprising. Or just a visual joy, like the Eye on Aldanhi scenes. Overall the show is mature in tone, gritty, real and easy to identify, but also requires and demands the attention of the viewer.
This unique project, several steps removed from the what we have seen in other modern Star Wars releases; Andor consciously cuts down on easter eggs and fan-service, instead telling a tense story about the birth of the Rebellion. A relevance to this modern world, and also the world shortly before we see Luke and Obi-Wan meet up and go on their damn fool idealistic crusade.
It also gives a sense of just how dark the galaxy really was, how much of a gamble the Rebels really took against the Empire. The themes and concepts of the OT films in particular are given even more depth and power. This is what all the best prequel stories do, they stand on their own two feet, but also add weight to the main story.
No lightsabers and no Jedis, but the Force is at work there, if you look for it. But mainly it is a back-to-basics show that captures the essence of the original trilogy and actually expands upon it, giving us a deeper look at life was like for the regular people living under the regime of the Empire. The people who would rebel. Andor’s characters are deliberately designed to feel more like ordinary people struggling to survive under this totalitarian regime.
Making its statements with an unusual degree of boldness for modern Star Wars, and the dialogue is sharp enough to even draw viewers into mundane machinations of the Senate, and the family life of those that work there. Fantastic performance from Genevieve O’Reilly, like there is from all the cast, and even secondary characters, and even from the droids too! To see the reactions of fans watching the finale where B2Emo is kicked over by that Imperial captain, because of the work put in and earnt by the show in making the audience care; to even give a shit about this droid even among the tension and terror of what we knew was to come.
I could go on and bore myself and everyone else I speak to about this show, and I do!
The compelling story and intelligent writing, the skilled directing, editing and amazing cinematography, beautiful set design and costuming, strong and yet nuanced acting and casting, impressive set-piece stunts and VFX, clever use of sound and music, the stunning yet grounding world building, character building and arcs (especially for the main character I did call dull previously!), how he both interacts and effects the people around him, and also evolves and changes himself of over the course of the series. The gripping tension that built up to several nailbiting climaxes, followed by the brief gentle lulls before effortlessly ramping up more tension and greater anticipation in the next arc of the story. The triumphs and the sacrifices, the braveness in showing the finality of death and how quick and easy it is to pay the ultimate price. Not forgetting the beautiful and memorable dialogue and speeches throughout. Not a single scene or character wasted.
I give a standing applause to Tony Gilroy and everyone involved in the making of this show.
Everything about this is so fucking great and enjoyable.
Everything!
