Ahsoka: Review

The Star Wars universe continues to expand, this time with an extension of the Star Wars: Rebels storylines which may leave some viewers feeling a little left out from the depth of the characters.

Opening very much like the start of Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope mixed with a temple scene from Indiana Jones' first outing, Dave Filoni's live-action take on Rosario Dawson's Ahsoka is a moody and mysterious affair that slowly envelops itself around you.

Jedi Ahsoka is searching for a map that will lead her to the missing Admiral Thrawn who ended Rebels being towed away to mysterious places, along with a Jedi called Ezra. But as ever, nefarious forces are also after the map to Thrawn - this time in the form of two would be Sith who feel very much ripped from a Star Wars: Visions story.

But as Ahsoka finds herself back in the path of her former apprentice, things get trickier for both sides when their worlds collide.

There's a depth to Ahsoka's world that feels, once again, like the Star Wars universe is fleshing itself out, rather than relying on old haunts and familiar planets to set the scene.

It's thrilling to see, given there are plenty of corners of the Star Wars world that have been untouched outside of the likes of fiction but also shows the writers are finally embracing the possibilities of what could be, rather than digging through the old tropes.

On a production level, Ahsoka is stunning.

As well as the aforementioned different take on the narrative, the wealth of new buildings and a punkish almost graffiti edge to the visuals gives it a spark and a vitality that's been missing from the likes of the Mandalorian and the Book of Boba Fett.

Some may take time to warm to Dawson's Ahsoka, given how calmly Zen she is and relatively flat she is in terms of her delivery. Perhaps your affection from the character will come primarily from whether you've devoured Star Wars: Rebels - but in time, over the course of the six episodes, it's to be hoped this dual-wielding Jedi will come more to life.

Thankfully there's a heart between her and her former apprentice Sabine Wren that feels familiar - the over-confident youngster snapping at the tethers imposed by the elder is not a new story, but it's nicely executed here and given some resonance.

While the mystery and search for Ezra may keep some aloof, Star Wars fans will once again enjoy escaping to a galaxy far, far away and delight in the fact that this time, there's something new to devour.

Star Wars: Ahsoka starts streaming on Disney+ from Wednesday August 23.