Ahsoka, the latest Star Wars live-action series, is set to stream on Disney+ on August 23, 2023 with the first two episodes already made available to select critics.
The latest Star Wars series has garnered positive feedback from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, earning a solid “Fresh” rating of 85% based on 53 reviews. Rosario Dawson’s portrayal of the former Jedi Knight, Ahsoka Tano, has been particularly praiseworthy, while the late actor Ray Stevenson’s charismatic performance, recorded prior to his passing in May, has left a poignant impression on reviewers.
Penned and helmed by writer and showrunner Dave Filoni, the narrative unfolds in the aftermath of the Galactic Empire’s downfall. It trails Ahsoka’s journey as she embarks on a pursuit to capture Grand Admiral Thrawn, portrayed by Lars Mikkelsen, who reprises his role from the animated series Star Wars: Rebels. Ahsoka, a Togruta, was introduced in the animated theatrical film of Star Wars: The Clone Wars as the Padawan student of Anakin Skywalker. Subsequently, the character’s evolution into a formidable Jedi Knight was chronicled in an animated series of the same title. As Rebels took center stage, Ahsoka became deeply intertwined with the Rebel Alliance’s inner workings in their preparation for an impending clash with the Empire.
Transitioning the character from animation to live-action, Dawson took the role of Ahsoka in the popular Disney+ series The Mandalorian, which was created by Jon Favreau and stars Pedro Pascal. Dawson’s portrayal also extended to Favreau and Filoni’s spin-off series, The Book of Boba Fett, a part of the Mandalorian universe, alongside Temuera Morrison and Ming-Na Wen.
Here’s what critics are saying about season 1 of Disney’s Star Wars: Ahsoka:
Cristina Escobar from RogerEbert.com said, “the myth of the character and Dawson’s performance gives enough reason to tune in. We’ve been waiting for it long enough.”
Aramide Tinubu from Variety seems to agree and said, “Like The Mandalorian, Ahsoka soars because it’s not afraid to hone in on a singular serialized adventure while allowing the audience to savor its many exquisite details. Hayden Christensen is set to reprise his role as Anakin Skywalker in the series. Also, Mikkelsen’s casting as the once high-ranking officer of the Galactic Empire, Thrawn, is equally enticing. Mikkelsen previously voiced the character in Rebels. These Easter egg-like choices work like catnip for lifelong Star Wars fans, at least in the two episodes that critics screened, without alienating those who don’t know a thing about galaxies, empires, Jedis or Padawans.”
Brian Truitt from USA Today had this to say, “The two-episode premiere is filled with deep-cut personalities and fan service brought in from the animated series Star Wars Rebels but takes its sweet time getting the figurative starship off the ground. Given the storyline and characters, Ahsoka might as well be the fifth season of Rebels, so if you’re not caught up with that, may the Force be with you.”
Brian Lowry from CNN.com said, “Ahsoka gets so much right about the look and action of Star Wars that its shortcomings – an overall stiffness slowed by long, pregnant pauses – feel more pronounced. There’s still hope for this showcase featuring Rosario Dawson as Anakin Skywalker’s all-grown-up Padawan”
Bob Strauss from San Francisco Chronicle attests, “Ahsoka creator Dave Filoni, who worked with Lucas to develop the character, has stated his intent to steep the series in propulsive kineticism. The first episode, which he directed, certainly achieves that, as does the second chapter helmed by San Franciscan TV veteran Steph Green — though after a lot of exposition. Still, both hours go easy on the lived-in grunge that’s dulled too many Star Wars productions, with this series showcasing cleaner, classic science fiction art direction. The first few scenes even begin on what looks like a well-ordered Starfleet bridge rather than a cramped Millennium Falcon.
All of this gives Ahsoka a fresh feel. It would be fresher, though, if Star Wars could just find new themes to explore, and do so in ways that don’t require so much standing around talking.”
Dan Jolin from Empire Magazine said, “Fans of Clone Wars and Rebels will appreciate this live-action continuation of Dave Filoni’s saga, while newcomers should dig its promise of a different kind of Force clash.”
REELated:
Zaki Hasan from TheWrap had this to say, “Ahsoka is more of a return to form, but that’s not so much a ding as an acknowledgment of a very different mission statement. It works by building connective tissue between different branches of this universe while telling an old-fashioned adventure story situated within it.”
Mike Hale from New York Times said, “With capable help from Stevenson (who died in May) and the always welcome Mary Elizabeth Winstead, who plays a New Republic general, Dawson lifts your attention above the Star Wars of it all.”
Of course, you can’t please everyone and Ahsoka received a few “rotten” reviews:
Dan Fienberg from Hollywood Reporter wasnt a fan, “If I had to say what Ahsoka was about, on a bigger thematic level, it’s that if you don’t fully address the regrets and traumas of your past, you can’t forge a new future. But only hearing about these backstories cheapens the resonance. Take away any richness from narratives that unfolded over dozens of episodes, and you’re left with a series that’s primarily bland, albeit packed with potentially interesting characters, plus an exceptional anchoring performance from the late Ray Stevenson, whose charismatic presence here left me moved.”
Ben Travers from indieWire said, “Despite dwindling returns from previous entries (Mandalorian of late and Boba Fett from the beginning), Ahsoka follows a similar template with shared setbacks: thin storylines, stock action scenes, and massive special effects serving sequences absent any emotional heft. Characters feel cut from the same cloth as so many others in the franchise, as does the overarching premise: something the Empire is up to no good, something the dark side is rising, something small band of rebel resistance”
Perri Nemiroff from YouTube said, “The MVPs of the first two episodes? Kevin Kiner, the droids, and the Loth-cats. Ahsoka is quite stiff to start but given the wealth of rich characters and story details in play, hopefully the show will find its groove as it progresses.”
The cast of the new series also includes Natasha Liu Bordizzo, Eman Esfandi, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, David Tennant, Ivanna Sakhno, Genevieve O’Reilly, Diana Lee Inosanto, and Hayden Christensen.
See the trailer here:
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