Star Wars is back. We’ve been waiting quite some time for Disney’s Andor which follow’s Diego Luna’s Cassian Andor, but it is finally here. Not only is it available to stream right now on Disney+, we actually have three episodes to enjoy. Prepare yourself for the ultimate binge. Andor has arrived. You can watch the first three episodes right now with new episodes airing every Wednesday.
Synopsis
The Andor series will explore a new perspective from the Star Wars galaxy, focusing on Cassian Andor’s journey to discover the difference he can make. The series brings forward the tale of the burgeoning rebellion against the Empire and how people and planets became involved. It’s an era filled with danger, deception and intrigue where Cassian will embark on the path that is destined to turn him into a rebel hero.
Review
What’s interesting about Andor, certainly from my point of view, is that it’s a show that… I was originally on the fence about. In a universe full of magic, what is so special about this one rebel fighter that warrants two seasons? Don’t get me wrong, I fell in love with Andor in Rogue One. It’s still one of the best Star Wars films out there. The seeds of something truly fascinating were planted but I never really thought a series would be part of Disney’s grand plan. However, the more I saw of it online or on social media the more I realised that the higher powers had tapped into something incredibly special. After watching the first three episodes of Andor on the big screen, I can say with an absolute certainty that if the quality and dedication to telling this riveting story of the rebellion’s darker days persists, then Andor will be the best Star Wars series to date. Potentially even the best series on Disney+. I genuinely believe that even with nine episodes left.
Andor very much fits in with the style established in Rogue One. It’s grittier, more politically driven, and very grounded… Which is such an odd thing to say when you’re dealing with Star Wars. However, the series goes one step further by separating itself from what we know of the Star Wars universe. Sure, there are small easter eggs and familiar species that make up the background crowds, but almost everything in these first three episodes is completely new. We’re dealing with new planets, systems, regimes, characters, droids, environments, and stories. It’s a lot to absorb and take in but Andor absolutely nails it. There’s this perfect balance between endulging in classic Star Wars exploration and focusing on a narrative that has so much to offer in terms of world-building and character-building. It was hard to walk down those cinema steps after three episodes without being hungry for more.
While Cassian Andor is the absolute highlight of the series so far, with his witty charm and dark disposition, Andor does an amazing job at introducing new and complex characters; Bix, Maarva, Luthen and Syril are just a few that stood out. There’s a gravitas to them. Each new character has a role to play in this premiere, yet they have so much more to offer and I simply cannot wait to see where they go next. Out of all of the characters, I’m particularly interest in Maarva’s relationship with Andor. There’s a lot of history there and we only see glimpses, but it becomes clear that Maarva is pivotal in Cassian’s evolution. She brings the rebellious and adventurous side out of Andor, it gets him into all kinds of trouble but he learnt from the best.
In stark contrast to the relationship between Andor and Maarva, there’s Andor and Stellan Skarsgård’s mysterious Luthen. In a way, he is very similar to Maarva. It seems as though he’ll nurture Cassian’s rebellious spirit but actually give it aim. Cassian spends a lot of time fully dedicated to these small time jobs… Luthen offers a platform where Cassian can do some real damage. It’s an interesting relationship and the premiere really builds on that potential. Luthen is going to be a really cool character and there is definitely more to him than meets the eye. What that is though… Well, we’ll find out in time.
During Andor‘s production, one of the things that really stood out was the show’s practicality. We’ve entered a stage where creators can digitally render any background in real-time. In terms of SFX, we’ve seen what animators are capable of especially when they are given the freedom to explore the galaxy. The fact that Andor decided to focus on creating these environments and make them a reality only furthered my enjoyment. There’s depth and detail in every frame and it makes Andor shine. It’s a fully immersive show that allows you to truly experience Star Wars. Not only do you get to embark on a journey through different planets and cityscapes, you get to experience life and the practical sets really sell it.
Trying to cram three episodes into one review felt like a behemoth task. However, much like Obi-Wan Kenobi, the first few episodes are absolutely seamless. They blend really well together so it’s almost like you have to watch all three in one go. It’s an experience, so watching it as one large event just makes the gradual escalation and tension feel so much more gripping since there is no room to breathe. As a two hour endeavour, the premiere of Andor is pretty much a movie. With how this first batch of episodes is formated, I think you would have lost a lot if they were spaced out weekly. If you can, set aside an evening and just enjoy the journey that Andor takes you on. Compared to other Star Wars properties, Andor is unlike anything we’ve seen. We may be surrounded by the familiar, but everything about Andor is immensely refreshing. Can we have episode four now, please?
Verdict
Andor is a dark and gritty return to a galaxy far, far away. It’s building up to be a fantastic origin story for a beloved character, as well as an interesting dive into the slow ignition of the rebellion. At the moment, the resistance is non-existent. People are oppressed, desperate and scared, but Andor explores the other powers at play outside of the Empire. Andor has so much more to offer, but as an introduction… You can’t fault it for it’s commitent to showing a different perspective, its dedication to crafting a realistic world for us to explore, and its abilty to make us as an audience immediately invested despite already knowing the inevitable outcome that awaits Cassian. Andor is going to surprise a lot of people by, rather than obsessing over cameos and details, honing in on the political landscape that is born as a result of the Empire’s rise to power. There is a lot of potential there and Cassian is the perfect character to navigate us through these changes.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Diego Luna returns as Cassian Andor and is joined by cast members Genevieve O’Reilly, Stellan Skarsgård, Adria Arjona, Denise Gough and Kyle Soller. The executive producers are Kathleen Kennedy, Sanne Wohlenberg, Diego Luna and Michelle Rejwan. Tony Gilroy is the creator and showrunner.
Star Wars original series Andor is streaming on Disney+ right now with a three-episode premiere. Episodes will then drop weekly. Have you watched the first three episodes? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
