A new Television series is arriving on Disney+, and this 1 is set a definitely extended time ago in a galaxy far, far away. The Acolyte is the newest show set in the Star Wars universe and has anything rather new to provide. While just about every reside-action Star Wars film and show has been set in the identical common time period (all surrounding the Skywalkers), this show is set 100 years ahead of the rise of the Galactic Empire. It is a time of peace for the duration of the High Republic era, and the Jedi Order and the Galactic Republic have coexisted without the need of war for centuries. But a series of crimes threatens to unravel it all in this completely watchable series.

The 1st 4 episodes of The Acolyte typically present what we are expecting from this show. It’s good to have a show that is set so far away from the Skywalker Saga that it cannot rely as well heavily on familiar faces. All this show can do is present a decent story. Leslye Headland, director of films like Bachelorette and Sleeping with Other People and the Television show Russian Doll, tends to make her Star Wars debut right here. She brings a exclusive viewpoint to this galaxy, taking a somewhat familiar thought and bringing it into this globe.

The show starts with a crime that kicks off the events of the rest of the episodes. The fight scene at the starting is nicely-choreographed. It’s clear that there was a lot of care that went into crafting engaging fights, which was sometimes missing from Obi-Wan Kenobi and Ahsoka. It’s filmed in wides and there are components of martial arts in it, whilst also drilling residence Yoda’s lesson: “A Jedi uses the Force for knowledge and defense, never for attack.” From there, we adhere to Osha (Amandla Stenberg), a former Padawan who left the Jedi Order. She is the prime suspect for the crime and finds herself on a prison transport.

Afterwards, we have an entertaining prison break sequence that feels somewhat a lot more fresh for Star Wars. There are a handful of components that operate nicely, like the occasional psychological thriller components that may possibly remind 1 of the cave sequence in The Empire Strikes Back. The ending of the 1st episode attributes a sturdy hook and sets up an great premise for the rest of the show. Even although there is an element that we have noticed ahead of in other films and shows, it is an thought that fits incredibly nicely into this galaxy. The Acolyte is a lot more of a mystery crime drama than any other Star Wars show.

At the starting of the show, it can really feel a bit like The Fugitive set in the Star Wars galaxy. However, as revelations are created, some of these components get lost a bit as well early. We are also introduced to Sol, a Jedi Master who utilised to train Osha. Sol is portrayed by Lee Jung-jae, a South Korean actor who not too long ago gained international recognition for his lead part in Squid Game. He fits into the galaxy incredibly nicely and he portrays a tenderness that is needed for the character. Each of the 1st 4 episodes are fine, but none attain a level of greatness that can be anticipated from 1 of the most nicely-identified media franchises of all time.

There are a number of crimes committed and we know they are all driven by revenge. But the weight of these crimes can ring hollow mainly because we do not see what led to the revenge 1st. Episode 3 is essential to creating the backstory of the characters we see on screen, with the majority of the runtime becoming a flashback. There’s a sequence surrounding witches that feels a small bit wacky for this universe, but it is not a poor thought. Furthermore, the visuals can be a bit bland and desaturated at instances. Some of the character relationships do not really feel as lived in as they could, and some of that lies with the writing and path.

The Acolyte functions least when it is going for comedy. It’s not a comedy show, of course, but all Star Wars has its moments of levity. This 1 does not operate. One episode attributes possibly the least funny execution of a Gilligan reduce I’ve ever noticed. To define the term, this is when a character says, “there is no way I’m doing this!” and then we reduce to them undertaking it with the occasional accompaniment of “I can’t believe I’m doing this!” It does not operate mainly because it is such a comedic cliché that the punchline is predictable, and rather than a tough reduce, there’s an establishing shot in between setup and punchline. Another moment nearby is not incredibly funny, but the light music appears to be signaling the audience to laugh.

There’s a bit of a compelling mystery surrounding who the major poor is. We have a handful of antagonists that we adhere to, but substantially like the Emperor, there is a looming villain in charge of anything behind the scenes. My only guess is that the villain is Darth Plagueis, but that is the mystery that will get Star Wars fans like me to hold watching. This is not the worst we’ve noticed from Star Wars Television, nor is it the most effective. There are some sensible sets, but a handful of of the character relationships and backgrounds are not as compelling as they could be. It’s not the most impressive issue we’ve noticed in this galaxy, but it is got anything going.

SCORE: 6/10

As ComingSoon’s review policy explains, a score of 6 equates to “Decent.” It fails to attain its complete prospective and is a run-of-the-mill encounter.

Disclosure: ComingSoon received screeners for our The Acolyte Episodes 1-4 critique.