Star Wars The Clone Wars: The Final Season (SPOILERS)

To a dark place, this line of thought will carry us...

A long, long time ago, a piece of this franchise had a home on Cartoon Network. Following a shaky start with a not-so stellar theatrical film, The Clone Wars was a show that, like all the great ones, evolved over time. What started as a fun little episodic series bridging the gap between Episodes II and III became a show that dealt with themes that were deeper and darker, even for Star Wars, all the while addressing some of the pitfalls in the trilogy that spawned it. Simply put, this became a treasured item to the Star Wars fandom before not one, but two cancellations as George Lucas signed over the rights to the House of Mouse. While its initial six-season run was something that would always be cherished, it was only natural for the fandom to crave the true conclusion that they expected. For a time, it seemed to be only a dream...until finally, after so long, The Clone Wars returned for one last season! That being said, was it really worth the wait? When things like this happen, it could be crushed under the weight of the hype. Thankfully, the final season of The Clone Wars, while not without its pitfalls, was everything I wanted and more. Now let's get into why that is the case:

UPS

1. The animation and music. The good thing about having this hiatus was that the crew was able to produce all the episodes with the most up-to-date technology, and boy does it show! The last four episodes in particular are just filled to the brim with gorgeous animation and breathtaking music. I mean, that Ahsoka/Maul lightsaber duel, anyone? Or the final moment where Ahoska and Rex built a memorial for their fallen brothers? Or the moment where Order 66 is commenced? Speaking of which...
2. The Siege of Mandalore Arc. This...this right here....is what the whole series was building towards and the whole reason having the final season be released was such a joy to behold. It seemed inevitable, but unlikely, that we would get a whiff of the series addressing the events of Revenge of the Sith. Not only are the events addressed, but they coincide with what happens in this arc, which means that we get to see events like Order 66 happen from the perspective of characters like Ahsoka, Rex, and Maul. This makes for an even more satisfying and powerful conclusion and man, that final scene, a truly perfect way to cap off this series. 

DOWNS

1. The first two arcs, while not bad, are nothing special. This pertains more to the "Martez Sisters" arc than "The Bad Batch" one, but both feel so separate from the last arc that it only felt fair to mention them here. "The Bad Batch" arc was a fun little arc that saw the return of Echo, which is no doubt a plus, but having a tone similar to that of the first few seasons while premiering during the final season just made it feel out of place. "The Martez Sisters" arc, on the other hand, just had no reason to be four episodes long, even if it addressed the whereabouts of Ahsoka and offered a different perspective of the Jedi. This could've easily been condensed into two or three episodes so that time could be spent on another arc that was developed but never saw the light of day.

OVERALL

Star Wars: The Clone Wars concluded with a bang despite a rather rocky start. That last arc was no doubt some of the best storytelling that this franchise has produced in years. I hope that Dave Filoni will continue to be an active voice in pushing the franchise forward.

RATING: 8/10 - B+

And that's it for this post, guys! Tune in for more coming your way :)

Retro-Reviews: The Mandalorian (SPOILERS)

This is the way...

Oh Star Wars. One of the most beloved and successful franchises of all time, it has seen trying times ever since Disney acquired the rights. With a fandom completely ripped apart and a trilogy that didn't have a clear vision going in, there was a lot going against the franchise. With the unveiling of Disney+, Jon Favreau brings the audience a show that deals not with the Jedi, the Sith, or the Skywalkers, but rather takes a look at a different type of character: a Mandalorian. Already, it was indeed refreshing to see this side of the universe, and the result has been quite possibly one of the best things to come out of this franchise in a long time. In this review, I will go over exactly what makes the first season of The Mandalorian an absolute success, and whatever quibbles it may have that could be improved upon with time:

UPS

1. Mando. To start things off, I have to talk about our titular protagonist, who is as great as they come. He's incredibly badass, and yet what really sells him is his heart and humanity. The more the season goes on, the more layers are peeled back to reveal the psyche of this character. Best of all, almost all of it is done with body language instead of dialogue. That right there is enough to sell this show as something that is truly pushing the franchise in a different direction in regards to storytelling.  
2. Baby Yoda. I know, he's all everyone's talking about, but I still think he deserves mentioning. It's not so much about him being so damn adorable (which he really is,) but it's also about what he represents, and that is the personification of Mando's humanity. All that he does is in service of preserving the life of this innocent little creature. The bond these two share is the clear heart of the show, and I hope the show builds upon this relationship in the second season as the child gets older and more powerful. 
3. I really enjoyed how the season was structured. Many had a problem with how the middle three episodes essentially boiled down to being standalone stories that had no bearing on the plot, but I found myself really enjoying them. I thought they worked well in worldbuilding and of course showing us different parts of the galaxy, and I really enjoyed the characters introduced in these episodes. Of course, the series was at its strongest when dealing with the core story, with Episode 3 and the season finale in particular being the highest points of the season. Overall, the show should break away from the standalone episodes going forward, but for the first season, I found them fitting in just fine. 
4. The theme song. It's just...so awesome!

DOWNS

1. This going to be a little controversial, but I wasn't a fan of the premiere. It did pretty much what a premiere is supposed to do, but it felt more like a checklist instead of an actual episode. It didn't have a good flow and it felt like a lot got crammed in just so the producers could move on to the next thing. Fortunately, the first and last scenes are some of the best of the season, and the show obviously got better from there.  

OVERALL

The first season of The Mandalorian is a breath of fresh air for Star Wars. I hope the series only gets better from here and hopefully be something that will be cherished by everyone who has the pleasure of viewing it. 

And that's it for this post, guys! As always, tune in for more coming your way and till then, take care :)

The Best of 2019 (SPOILERS)

Well, we are about to each the end of the 2010s, and what a decade it's been. Before we take a look at the best that this decade has had to offer, let's take a look at some of the best the year of 2019 had to offer first. 2019 was an interesting one in that it started off pretty good before meandering in the middle then blowing me out of the water by the end. As such, this was a pretty hard list to make. Reviews for the movies I've covered will be linked here, and be sure to check out my lists for the best movies of 2017 and 2018 in the links below:

• The Best of 2017
• The Best of 2018

Now let's begin:
 10. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

 9. Once Upon A Time...in Hollywood

 8. Avengers: Endgame

 7. IT: Chapter Two

 6. Toy Story 4

 5. How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World

 4. Doctor Sleep

 3. Marriage Story

 2. The Irishman

 1. Joker

And that's it for this list guys. Tune in for my Best of The 2010s coming up!

Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker (100TH POST/SPOILERS)

The Force will be with you...always...

Well just like that, Jake's Blog of Entertainment has reached 100 posts before we reach the end of the decade. To celebrate this major achievement, why not take a look at the conclusion to the major overarching story that has shaped the foundation of one of my all-time favorite franchises in the realm of fictional media. The Star Wars Saga has, to put it mildly, seen better days. There was hope for the franchise back in 2015 when The Force Awakens graced our screens, with Rogue One coming in 2016 to reaffirm that hope. Unfortunately, come 2017, and all went to Hell. For me, The Last Jedi was a major disappointment in a number of ways, but the worst thing to come from it is the massive uproar that has torn the fandom apart. It is just crushing to see so many people turn away from this beloved franchise and even worse to see the people who work so hard on these projects receive the most venomous of disdain. Fortunately, 2019 has seen the franchise do a bit of course-correction to begin repairing the damage done within the years, particularly with the Disney+ series The Mandalorian and the video game Jedi: Fallen Order. Ultimately though, it all came down to this, the final chapter in the Skywalker Saga. I was cautiously optimistic, wondering exactly what the heck the producers could do to make it so that we'd get a conclusion that brings the fandom together and leaves them satisfied. While the general consensus for the movie is less than positive, I found myself thoroughly pleased with what I saw yet still realize there are some heavy flaws plaguing this film. Now let's get into what makes The Rise of Skwalker work and what makes it fall short:

UPS

1. J.J. Abrams did a good job at addressing some of the problems I had with The Last Jedi. Most notably was the character of Snoke (who was easily one of the worst aspects of that film) essentially becoming a clone used as a puppet in Palpatine's grand scheme. Likewise, Rey, Finn (for the most part,) and Poe feel more well-rounded and interesting this time around after being a little watered down in The Last Jedi and the tone was more optimistic and hopeful, which gave me the feeling I hope for in a Star Wars movie. 
2. Leia. With Carrie Fisher's death, this movie had a very daunting task in addressing Leia's role in the movie, a task which either made or break the movie if nothing else did. I personally found myself content with what they did, especially since she had a much larger role to play than I ever would have expected. There were some issues here and there, but given the circumstances, I am content with what we were given.
3. Sure it's clear that bringing him back was a last ditch effort to please the fanbase, but Palpatine remained a true delight in the movie. Ian McDiarmid provided all the menacing, fiendish glee that he was known for and I think the story did factor him in pretty well. Some of the movie's best scenes involved him and it's nice to see the ultimate villain in this saga shine bright once again. 

DOWNS

1. This movie had major pacing problems. It's clear that J.J. and Rian Johnson had two very different ideas about where they wanted this trilogy to go, and with J.J. taking the director's seat once again, it's clear he wanted to fit in his entire vision. The issue is that what he fits in is enough to fill two whole movies. The beginning in particular is a complete mess, with so many things happening and none of it feeling organic and natural. Likewise, there are several plot threads (particularly revolving around Finn's feelings for Rey, the fact that he may or may not be Force Sensitive, and whatever was going on between Jannah and Lando at the end) that are given some setup before being left hanging with no resolution, which leaves us as audience members feeling like the endgame is not wholly satisfying. 
2. It plays things ridiculously safe. As much as I enjoyed what I saw, I can't help but think that they would work better if they took a few more risks. Say what you will about The Last Jedi (as I already have,) but that film did try to do something different with the franchise, and while the final product didn't come off as well as it possibly could have, the effort should still be appreciated. The Rise of Skywalker, by comparison, tried to go back to basics, and as a result feels like more of the same instead of something that truly broke new ground for the franchise.
3. If you were to provide a singular example of the problems this movie, and by extension the entire trilogy, has, then the sad truth is to look no further than Kylo Ren. It hurts me to say this but the movie really brought this character down for me. Adam Driver certainly gave it his all as usual, but given the great character arc he had throughout The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi, it's disappointing that J.J. ultimately went the predictable route and had him be redeemed before essentially throwing him away to the sidelines. Yeah it was nice to see him have a final moment with a vision of his father, and having him help Rey fight Palpatine and eventually save her life at the cost of his own were indeed great moments, but again, I'm really dissapointed with what they did with the character since it seemed they were going in a different (and better) direction. Oh, and the less said about the kiss, the better...

OVERALL

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker had a similar problem as the final season of Game of Thrones: being a bundle of great, intriguing moments that did not have the proper setup to feel like they were earned or made sense with the overarching story. This also reaffirms the real problem in that the Sequel Trilogy had no clear plan going in, having two vastly different visions clash during a rushed production schedule that clearly affected how the story was to be developed. To say that this trilogy was not the best it could have been is a pretty big understatement. Still, I enjoyed most aspects of the movie and hope that from here on out, Disney will work to ensure that the upcoming projects do not have the same problems this trilogy did. I think we'll all be better off if they do, 

And that's it for my 100th post. Thank you to all who check out my posts and hope you continue to show your support in the years to come. Tune in for lists of the best movies 2019 had to offer before I close out the year with my Best of the 2010s post. Till then, take care and may the Force be with you :)

Solo: A Star Wars Story (SPOILERS)

I've got a good feeling about this...

Well, it was probably happening one way or another, I guess. Whether you like the Star Wars franchise or not, it is safe to say that almost everyone knows who Han Solo is. From shooting down Greedo in the Cantina Bar, to finding himself trapped inside a case of carbonite, all the way to meeting his tragic death at the hands of his own son, he is a character who has more than ingrained himself into the world of pop culture for a while now so it seems quite inevitable that the Star Wars executives would want to capitalize on that success and give it a film that explains everything that happened to him up until Luke Skywalker and co meet him for the first time. The question is, was it really necessary? Honestly, the idea is a nice thought, but alas, this was a film that really had no business being made, serving up a product that really didn't deliver on anything that was truly exciting or fresh in terms of what we expect in Star Wars. That said, it's not all bad, and here is what I enjoyed about SOLO, and what I didn't: 

UPS

1. Alden Ehrenreich was surprisingly solid as a young Solo. I, like many, many others, was quite uncertain about how well he would do with his performance since he had little to no resemblance to Harrison Ford. What certainly didn't help matters was the news of an acting coach being hired for him. All in all, it looked like a recipe for disaster. That thankfully was not the case, as Ehrenreich was able to channel the core aspects of the character to a tee, playing him exactly as Ford did all those years back. All in all, he was certainly a pleasant surprise who was able to carry this otherwise mediocre venture the whole way through. And I do believe it's safe to say that he shot first this time ;)
2. Han's relationship with Chewie was very well handled. I think that if they really wanted to make a Han Solo movie, they would just need to take all the scenes focusing on him and his Wookie pal and go from there, because all of it made for some of the best parts of the film and was convincing enough to show how close these two are to each other and how no matter what happens, they always got each others' backs. 

DOWNS

1. The rest of the cast was, for the most part wasted. Donald Glover, who otherwise was solid as Lando, was not the scene stealer the trailers made him out to be, while others like Woody Harrelson, Emilia Clarke, and Paul Bettany did their very best with otherwise lackluster material. I think they were fine otherwise, but more could've been done to make them and this movie even better.
2. It was boring. SO boring. Like I said before, this movie didn't really offer up anything new and exciting, which would be fine if it didn't feel like such a slog to sit through. The only scene that I found to have any thrills whatsoever was the part where they were flying through the asteroid field and trying to escape the giant space monster, but once that was over it returned to being a snooze fest. 

OVERALL

SOLO: A Star Wars Story was about what I expected while simultaneously being better and worse, if that's really possible. It wasn't as disappointing as The Last Jedi was, but it still isn't very memorable either. 

And that's it for this blog guys. Tune in for more on the way :)  

Star Wars: The Last Jedi (SPOILERS)

This is not gonna go the way you think...

Where to begin? I love Star Wars! Easily one of my favorite franchises in all of media, it has been a huge part of my childhood, and I can't imagine my life without it at this point. I love the originals, and I am not afraid to admit that I do love the prequels as well. As of recent times, the head of executives who own Star Wars made a deal with the executives of Disney to join the two together. After that settlement was made, we have seen two stellar entries produced in The Force Awakens and Rogue One. The Last Jedi is the sequel to the former, and expectations were high, as we were finally seeing the full return of Luke Skywalker, Rey and Kylo Ren learning their places in the world, and how the producers were going to tackle the unexpected departure of Carrie Fisher. Now, if I am going to be completely honest, I was incredibly disappointed by this movie, and honestly it may be one of my least favorite Star Wars movies! And here is why:

UPS

1. Mark Hamill turned in one of his best performances as Luke. For all the many, many faults relating to the character (which I will get to,) I think Mark Hamill did great with what he was given and every moment he was on-screen was usually some of the best.
2. Everything about Kylo Ren! If this movie had one true MVP, it was definitely Kylo. I enjoyed him in The Force Awakens; I enjoy him even more here! His arc throughout the entire movie was deeply compelling, his bond with Rey was incredibly intriguing, and Adam Driver really sold all the moments that encapsulated his emotions, whether he be angry, conflicted, or downright mad. I am so grateful that he wasn't redeemed, and I hope he stays that way.
3. The visuals and action in this movie are spectacular. Certain standouts for the former include Vice Admiral Holdo's lightspeed sacrifice and the final battle on Crait, and the latter has to be that glorious duel between Rey and Kylo versus the Praetorian Guards. If anything else, this was the most visually impressive Star Wars movie by far!
4. BB-8 is still the same lovable little droid he was back in The Force Awakens. That is all!
5. The Yoda cameo was hands down the best scene in the whole movie. This scene brought about some real nostalgic feelings and was also the moment that played the hugest part in developing Luke's arc in the movie (even if its effectiveness was a little hit-or-miss.) It was touching and such a joy to see the little green man again :)

DOWNS

1. It's a good thing Mark Hamill was great for the most part, because I did not care for what they did with Luke in this movie. What I mean when I say that is that it was an interesting concept that went absolutely nowhere. He's mostly dour throughout the entire movie and I don't think his return to faith was developed as well as it should have been. His death ruined any chance of that being rectified, even though the Twin Suns callback was a beautiful touch. Overall, I wasn't a fan of the way Luke was portrayed, and his death only left an extra sour taste in my mouth.
2. SNOKE!!! Sure, he served the purpose of propelling Kylo's arc forward, but MY GOD did his character suck! There could've been so much more done with him; so much more, but in the end, he was just a decrepit, stuck-up asshole with Sith powers and nothing more! Really, the same can be said for any bad guy in this movie that isn’t Kylo Ren; General Hux has now been reduced to a sniveling loudmouth punching bag who is subjected to every form of punishment imaginable at every possible opportunity, and Captain Phasma...what the hell could be said about Captain fucking Phasma? Just a real shame in the end.
3. As much as I love the new lead trio, The Last Jedi has shown that once you take away a little something that makes them special, you realize how much substance they really lack. Case in point, Rey, who is easily my favorite, now really has nothing to make her stand out with the reveal of who her parents are, which I will admit was a very neat twist that was simply overshadowed by way too much buildup; in the case of Finn, you take away Rey and realize that he's, for all intents and purposes, just there; finally, Poe actually subverts the other two in the fact that he really is one-note and can only really work in small doses. As I said before, I love these characters and I think their actors are doing a spectacular job, but this movie didn't do much justice to any of them.
4. They are really, and I mean really, pushing the boundaries of what exactly entails in regards to the Force. The telepathic connection between Kylo and Rey was fine, but things such as Luke creating an astral projection of himself and Leia being able to fucking fly in outer space become too much. It's starting to become less mystical and more outlandish, even for a series like Star Wars!
5. Finally, and this is probably the movie's biggest offender for me, but it just didn't feel like Star Wars. When I think of a Star Wars movie, I usually find a sense of wonder and whimsy surrounding a plot that is equal parts light-hearted and equal parts darkly serious. For some odd, strange reason, this movie didn't have that feeling, almost like there was no soul or substance to speak of, which is pretty crushing to think about. 

OVERALL

Star Wars: The Last Jedi was the most disappointing movie of the year, hands down. My overall feelings on how I exactly feel on it are incredibly mixed, just as much as the fanbase as a whole! I wanted to like this movie more than I did, but unfortunately I don't think that is possible. 

And that's it for this blog, guys. Tune in for more on the way :)

Why Leia Must Die in The Last Jedi (SPOILERS...AND TEARS)

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, a young actress graced the screen to bring one of the most beloved fictional female characters to one of the most beloved franchises of all time. That woman was Carrie Fisher, and her character is Princess Leia Organa. One of the most important central characters of the Star Wars franchise, Leia won audiences over with her courageous spirit and powerful heart. Several years later, she returned to the screen in The Force Awakens, where it was apparent that that heart had not left. Unfortunately, in 2016, a big loss was suffered in the form of Carrie Fisher, and the Space Princess was lost before she could complete the entire trilogy. Despite that, Leia remains an integral part to The Last Jedi, and ultimately this role will have a huge emotional resonance with so many people. Now of course, how can they send Leia off now that she will no longer be with us? While there's always the possibility of writing her off in a way that makes sense, I feel death, as tragic as it may be, may be the most logical course of action. Here are five reasons as to why I feel that way:

5. Carrie Fisher's passing: This was obviously going to make the list, so I figured I'd start off with it. It is tremendously tragic and heartbreaking to know that this phenomenal woman has lost her life, and I can't imagine what it's going to be like with her gone. Ultimately, keeping Leia alive past Last Jedi may do some damage to the final conclusion of the new trilogy because if she's alive, then she must be there; she must have a part to play that isn't alluded to or mentioned through lines. In the end, Episode IX may prove to be a fantastic conclusion to the story, but with Leia alive and not present, something will be missing.

 4. It will be an emotionally powerful moment for Luke: Luke seems to be in a dark place right now. He's lost all faith in the Jedi, his best friend is dead, and he is hesitant to train Rey. What will really throw him over the edge is the death of his sister. All in all, this will truly push the boundaries of the direction Luke takes and it will be intriguing to see where he goes from there.

3. And Kylo: Where to begin with Kylo Ren? He really rocked the fanbase in so many ways, and I think he's not finished just yet. The Last Jedi will be just as much of a deciding factor for where Kylo goes just as much as it will be for Luke, and the tip of that iceberg will be, well, Leia's death. In the end, the death of his mother (whether by his own hand or someone else's) will show where Kylo truly stands in all of this.

2. It will put The Last Jedi in a league of its own: The Last Jedi is highly anticipated, and there are several Empire Strikes Back vibes coming from it. What better way to settle that deal than to kill off one of its most integral characters? It can't get any darker and harrowing than that!

1. It will be the most emotionally devastating moment in the entire franchise: Like I said, it can't get more darker than killing off an important character, especially someone like Leia. Not only will it devastate the fanbase; it will utterly crush them. If Han Solo's death was bad, then Leia's death will add the salt to a gruesomely nasty wound. At least they'll be together again though :)

Ultimately, killing Leia off in my opinion would be the best course of action when dealing with a situation like this. How likely it is to happen is anyone's guess considering the fact that Leia had an apparently huge part to play in Episode IX, but I will wrap this post up to say thank you Carrie Fisher for everything you've done. You are a terrific actress and may you forever live on in the stars.