What is “Andor”, the new Star Wars series available on Disney +, derived from the spin-off film “Rogue One” worth?
WHAT IS IT ABOUT ?
In this dangerous age, Cassian Andor walks a path that will make him a hero of the rebellion.
Andor created by Tony Gilroy with Diego Luna, Stellan Skarsgård and Genevieve O’Reilly. Available on Disney+.
WHO IS IT WITH?
In the Star Wars timeline, Andor is the prequel to the movie RogueOneitself considered the prequel to the original trilogy of george lucas. Already present in the credits of the feature film by Gareth Edwards, Diego Luna return to the role of Cassian Andor, this lawless mercenary destined to become one of the pillars of the future Rebellion.
At his side, we find a cast of newcomers to the Star Wars galaxy: in particular Stellan Skarsgardas Luthen Rael (Andor’s mentor), Kyle Soller in the skin of Syril Karn, an ambitious officer of the imperial army, or even Fiona Shawwho plays Maarva, the spiritual mother of the hero.
But faces well known to fans of the Star Wars universe are also making a comeback. In particular the rebel senator Mon Mothma, embodied by Genevieve O’Reillyor even the emblematic Saw Gerrera, performed by Forest Whitaker.
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THE BEST STAR WARS SERIES?
Let’s say it straight away: Andor is undoubtedly the best series produced to date. Like Rogue One, considered by many fans to be Disney’s most successful Star Wars film, this new production stands out from other series. live-action previously broadcast (The Mandalorian, The Boba Fett Book, Obi-Wan Kenobi) for its darker and more mature sound.
The series opens in the slums of a disreputable neighborhood on a distant planet. After a clash with several customers of a brothel, Cassian Andor does not hesitate to seize his weapon to kill the two acolytes in cold blood; Bad luck for him, the latter were none other than imperials determined to have a good time during a leave.
Never before have we seen such a Star Wars version, neither in cinema nor on television. A real tour de force because it must be admitted, Andor was not – on paper in any case – the series that we expected the most among all the Star Wars projects developed by the Disney + platform.
Obviously, the creator of the series Tony Gilroy (who previously oversaw Rogue One’s many reshoots) was given complete freedom, notably being offered the opportunity to write a story dedicated to new characters, without being forced to have more iconic heroes for the only pleasure to satisfy the fans.
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In many ways, then, Andor doesn’t feel like your average Star Wars series. Bringing complexity to its plot, and nuance to the notions of good and evil, the series chooses not to follow a single hero, but on the contrary several characters, and thus to explore both the premises of the rebellion than those of the imperial army.
After four episodes, Andor therefore appears to us as everything we could hope for it to be, and perhaps even more. In addition to its absolutely enthralling plot, the series is also more visually accomplished than previous Star Wars television productions, due in particular to the choice made to shoot it in natural settings (and not exclusively in studios, with LED screens to recreate exterior decorations).
We have to admit it: we had lost hope that Star Wars would once again become a saga not limited to stories of Jedi and lightsaber battles. It is therefore an understatement to say that Andor will offer new hope to those who thought they could no longer be surprised by the saga since its acquisition by Disney. There is no doubt that the most unconditional Star Wars fans will therefore not shy away from their pleasure in front of this series which one would almost dare to describe as a little television gem.