After Disney bought Lucasfilm Ltd. and, by extension, the rights to the whole “Star Wars” franchise, it wasted no time in making some pretty significant changes to the “Star Wars” universe that ruffled many feathers.
One of those changes was the cancellation of the wildly successful “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” and announcement of a new animated series: “Star Wars Rebels.” I was one of the many upset fans who couldn’t fathom how Disney could shut down a show as brilliant as “The Clone Wars,” giving fans only sloppy seconds. There was no way in this galaxy or any other that “Rebels” could come anywhere near to being as good as its predecessor.
Wait for it…wait for it…
I was wrong.
Now, I resent the commonly held belief that cartoons are only for children, or that cartoons made for children can do no good for adults. After all, my own mother cried at “Avatar: The Last Airbender” (Appa’s Lost Days, anyone?). Animated series and cartoons are merely an abstract way of storytelling, like filling a book with illustrations instead of photographs. They aren’t lesser forms of entertainment, just different.
That being said, don’t be fooled by the TV-Y7 certification assigned to “Rebels.” For those of you unfamiliar with the way television certifications work, TV-Y7 is the equivalent of a G certification, except Y7 usually implies a show is being marketed towards children. In other words, TV-Y7 does _not_ mean a show is meant exclusively for 7-year-olds. It just means they are the target audience.
Just hear me out, alright?
“Rebels” chronicles the escapades of a rogue group of freedom fighters in the early days of the rebellion against the tyrannical Empire, taking place roughly fourteen years after “Revenge of the Sith” and five years before “A New Hope.” In the first season, teenage orphan and thief Ezra Bridger (Taylor Gray) runs into a small group stealing supplies from the Empire on his homeworld Lothal, only to try and steal the supplies for himself.
Through a series of fortunate events including the rescue of a Wookie (think Chewbacca) clan from slavery, Ezra joins up with these rebels: former Padawan and Jedi-in-hiding Kanan Jarrus (voiced by Freddie Prinze Jr.); Twi’lek pilot Hera Syndulla (Vanessa Marshall); Mandalorian graffiti artist and explosives expert Sabine Wren (Tiya Sircar); the grumpy “muscle” of the team Zeb Orrelios (Steve Blum); and quirky utility droid, Chopper.
Together, the group works to make the lives of those using the Empire to oppress Lothal a living hell, though I doubt Disney would use those exact words to describe it. They use guerilla tactics to steal weapon caches, interfere in Imperial operations and protect victims of its strict military rule.
“Rebels” has the rare quality of feeling fully realized from its first episode. It has a clear premise and absolute direction; It doesn’t have to stumble to find its footing like “The Clone Wars” did.
The animation style in “Rebels” is a nice throwback to the now-iconic concept art for the original trilogy by late artist Ralph McQuarrie. And while the animation style is similar to “The Clone Wars,” it has an added abstract quality to it that makes it feel timeless. The textures, colors and character design are phenomenal. Each episode is like a work of art in itself.
Additionally, “Rebels” is chalked full of treats for fans of the original trilogy. Actors from the original trilogy such as James Earl Jones, Billy Dee Williams, and Anthony Daniels all returned to reprise their roles in the first season. It was total and absolute fan service, but it didn’t detract from the plot; it upped the stakes.
The return of James Earl Jones as Darth Vader, in particular, gave me chills. He even drew the attention of both my parents, who grew up with “Star Wars” just as I did. “Rebels” utilizes a lot of John Williams’ original orchestral themes, and the moment I heard the Imperial March and the chilling sound of Vader’s breathing, I knew this show was going to pull out all the stops.
It helps, certainly, that Executive Producer Dave Filoni, who helmed “The Clone Wars” as well, is a massive “Star Wars” fan. You can feel his (and the rest of the crew’s) love for “Star Wars” in every line of dialogue, every lightsaber battle. “Rebels” really is by fans, for fans, a treat for both older fans and the next generation.
However, the most standout aspect of “Rebels” isn’t so obvious. It’s something the juvenile intended audience doesn’t always pick up on, something that always lingers behind every episode: the Empire.
I’m not saying the Empire is hidden by any means. Stormtroopers are all over the show, and are joined by terrifyingly cool “Inquisitors,” or Jedi hunters. But what can be missed is how similar the plights of the people of this galaxy far, far away are to what we face today. We both share a fear of law enforcement, distrust of biased media and compromised freedom of speech.
Some critics might say the moments of childish levity in “Rebels” make all of its darker elements irrelevant, but I say only this in reply: no matter how awful things are, life can still be ridiculous and funny. The comedy does not derail the more serious messages of the show.
Besides, “Star Wars” is supposed to be at least a little fun anyways. We all cheer when Han Solo returns to help Luke destroy the Death Star, when Yoda heckles Luke on Dagobah or when the might of the Empire crumbles to a race of huggable teddy bears (they’re called Ewoks, if you didn’t know). Fun doesn’t have to be reserved to children, after all.
“Rebels” brings the excitement of this classic adventure back to a television scene littered with directionless darkness. It feels like an organic part of the universe we’ve grown to love over the past 38 years. And trust me, if you let go of your pride and watch it, the Force most certainly will be with you. Always.
“Star Wars Rebels” returns to Disney XD for its second season on October 14.
