IR TV Review: THE BOOK OF BOBA FETT - EPISODE 1 (“Stranger In A Strange Land”) [Lucasfilm/Disney+]
The intention of path references maybe a second chance. The essence of "The Book Of Boba Fett" even in the first episode "Stranger In A Strange Land" goes right to the core of what fans want to know right off the bat. It uses a flashback structure to let the viewer know to get the initial thought of what happened the last time he was seen out of the way...and where he is moving now. Jon Favreau did write the first episode so the essence of what it is plays in a very specific way even though Robert Rodriguez is directing. It doesn't feel as dirty as it could be but it does speak to what transformation Boba needs to undergo. It might be neat to see him as a teenager since it does hark back to that time but not in any new footage. There is so much potential but it does depend on which way the team decides to go (and also likely how it will fit back into "The Mandalorian")
Granted what is very interesting is that supposedly the entire episode was shot via Stagecraft in Manhattan Beach. Considering some of the wide shots, it definitely shows that it can look like it is on location when it is not and that the technology is evolving. The fighting is alright but needs to look less posed. Boba as a character is interesting and Temuera Morrison does look like he bulked up for the role. But Boba is a very specific creature and his trauma we don't quite feel yet. You need to see the darkness of the boy that we saw in "Clone Wars" translated to the screen. Ming Na Wen as Boba's right hand has potential as well but we do need to see the way that works. The texture of rule in Mos Espa is an interesting idea but most smugglers only observe one rule and it will be interesting to see how Boba lives up to it.
Certain additions like specific guards and also a unique placement of Jennifer Beals within the structure hints at a bigger idea although in this world, it would be interesting to see certain facets of Solo even in characters. It depends which way the creators and Rodriguez want to go while still towing the line. It can't get too tragic although that would be interesting but the trick is getting a degree of empathy with the character without losing the edge. This transmutation does take place in a certain desert sequence where certain things aren't said but are understood which marks a unique difference in personality between someone like Fett and certain Jedi. B
By Tim Wassberg
