Star Wars: Visions

It's true that not every episode is gold, but there are plenty of good ideas here and I am all for good ideas! Some really outstanding episodes and great animation!

The biggest problem here is that it's not clear who the audience is. I get the sense kids would love this stuff, but some of the dialog is just painful. Beautiful visually, though. About every other one is worth watching. Some good voice work, too, though not all.

First, do the negative reviewers understand this is a DIFFERENT look at Star Wars? Since each episode is a stand alone, each must be taken as a separate film. Some episodes, 1, 4, 5, 7 are superb. 1 is like a Kurosawa film. 7 shows the bond between Jedi and Padawan. The other episodes vary. 6 is a clear homage to Osamu Tezuka and is just on. Episode 2 is the worst. This should be watched with an open mind-something Star wars fans don't have anymore.

Most of the First season was above average,there were some hit or miss episodes but mostly the stories were fine and diverse. On the second season most, if not all of the episodes are the based on the same principle. A Girl (shocking I know) is oppressed - taken down etc finds she has inner strength and rises above the situation. When I read from other reviewers that most of the episodes were like this I thought, no chance they are just nitpicking. Turns out they were right. So from hundreds of plot pitches and ideas from studios around the world somehow the same pattern was chosen time and time again. This is deeply problematic.

A very unique and original series showcasing a slew of different animation and stylistic interpretations. I very much enjoyed the of anime aesthetic. As well, the music and sound design. With so many new and original characters and stories. The spirit of what makes Star Wars, feels very alive in this series. I love that Disney was willing to create something so artistically unique.

Unfortunately, the series is not without it's faults. Being a series of anime, it brings with it many tropes and cliches anime is often known for. This may not detract for more hard-core anime fans, but may be a turn off for more casual viewers. For me the dialogue often felt cringe and ridiculous. Even for Star Wars. Along with a few moments that just felt absurd, like characters fighting and talking in the void of space. If you can forgive this, this is a fun series to sit through.

Each story is self contained and original. None of this is canon and has no affect on previous or future shows and movies. Although I would have liked to have seen some "Legends" material explored or known characters given new life in anime style. But at least they aren't retreading the same popular characters, stories, and timelines. If you were expecting any legacy characters, sorry.

All that being said, I did enjoy Visions and hope for a second season. And hats off to Disney for releasing the entire series at once. I have NOT been a fan of their weekly Marvel shows release pattern. Each episode is less than 20 minutes and the entire thing is easily watchable in a single sitting.