IR TV Review: STAR WARS - VISIONS [Disney+-S2]
The beauty of something like "Star Wars: Visions" is seeing the perspectives it gives that perhaps blend cultures and perceptions. All of these shorts here do this in their own way and are able to take the lore of "Star Wars" and make it their own. Because the length doesn't have to be consistent (normally under 20 minutes), it is able to make itself more specific depending on what level of animation being used.
The collection does start out with a bang with "Sith" because the use of boundaries and lines is really well used until it descends into darkness. The play between those two is really what makes it jump. The approach may be more esoteric and less mainstream than some of the others but it really leaves an impression. "Screecher's Reach" with its odes to the idea of a slave planet which is where we have seen some of the more central characters come from (Han and Anakin for example) shows the draw of the Force to a young girl. The story is more about recruiting than anything but the inclusion of Angelica Huston as the Force being (whether light or dark) simply points to the aspect of wanting more but not knowing the ultimate result.
"In The Stars" has more in common with "Avatar" than likely it will want to admit. It takes a little bit to get going but once its establishes itself in the story of the two sisters and their quest, it takes on a life and energy of its own which gives it among (if not the best) 3rd acts of the shorts in this collection. "I Am Your Mother" (which was done by Aardman Studios) plays a little bit lighter (much like "The Phantom Menace" did) and is a good entry point for younger viewers because of the pod race essence...and it is still able to teach a valuable lesson. "Journey To The Dark Head" is much more anime based which sometimes makes it feel like it is trying too hard. That said, the story it tells of a young Jedi trying to faze off the lure of the Dark Side is a specific one. And the lightsaber battle on the top of a ship into a floating head is quite cool.
"The Spy Dancer" is little bit more peripheral in what it is trying to do though the fluidity of the animation is quite something. This is one of the shorts that could have skewed a little darker to make its point much like in "What If..." when Doctor Strange sees all the possible outcomes but cannot do anything to prevent it. "The Bandits Of Golack" seems to be the one that is the most culturally relevant but also the more insular. The animation is vivid but not overly so and the resolution makes one think of the recent Bollywood interpretation of "Captain America". It has its points but is not quite what it needs to be. Same here with the "Star Wars" interpretation.
"The Pit" is more Boondocks and social justice influenced (which is not a bad thing) but the aspect of a martyr and sacrifice works much better with "In The Stars" because there is a balance of loss and wonder at the same time. "Aau's Song" (like "I Am Your Mother") skews a bit younger but has a greater world it is trying to show, though the design at times is a little too jarring while still angling the notion of culture (much like "Into The Stars") as a backdrop.
"Star Wars: Visions" in its 2nd volume is a great outlay of the Universe in letting artists make their own vision of the Star Wars Universe without affecting the greater canon. Hopefully, this kind of content, only really possible in the streaming model continues because this kind of innovation and voice, especially with an IP like this is needed and appreciated. A-
By Tim Wassberg
