Star Wars: Visions is an interesting project to write a review for because it’s an anthology series. Along with that brilliant concept, each episode comes from different animation studios from around the world. It has provided an outlet for new voices to join the world of Star Wars and tell the stories they want to see. While some episodes stand out more than others, Star Wars: Visions, Volume 2 is even better than its first season with many more memorable episodes.
The Plot
Star Wars: Visions is an anthology series, so it doesn’t have one major plotline throughout the season. Each episode is an individual story set within George Lucas’s expansive universe. Along with that, some stories fit into the “traditional canon” while others are inspired by and could fit in anywhere.
Also Read: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 Review – A Fun Yet Bumpy Ride
The Critique
I can’t critique Star Wars: Visions the way I would normally critique a film or series because of its anthology format. Instead, I’m going to highlight what I feel are the best episodes of the second season:
5. The Spy Dancer comes from Studio La Cachette, a French animation studio that has worked on Love Death + Robots and Primal. It tells the story of a premier dancer who uses her skills to spy for the Rebellion at a cabaret frequently visited by Imperial troopers. It features beautiful animation for the dance and combat sequences and has surprising emotion in the second half of the episode.
4. The Bandits of Golak comes from 88 Pictures, an Indian animation studio that has worked on Trollhunters. It tells the story of a boy and his force-sensitive sister as they are on the run from Imperials on a train to a secret refuge. I loved seeing Indian representation in Star Wars, from the music to the action sequences; it felt like something right out of the Telugu industry, which is another reminder to watch RRR if you haven’t yet.
3. I Am Your Mother comes from Aardman, the British stop-motion animation studio behind Wallace & Gromit. This was the one I was most looking forward to because I love stop-motion animation and it didn’t disappoint. It tells the story of Anni, a young pilot, and her embarrassing mother who participates in a family race at the academy. It has the classic Aardman-style humor along with a hilarious appearance by Denis Lawson, who reprises his role as Wedge Antilles from the original Star Wars trilogy.
2. Screecher’s Reach comes from Cartoon Saloon, an Irish animation studio behind films like Wolfwalkers and My Father’s Dragon. It tells the story of a young girl and her friends who go on an adventure into a legendary haunted cave. The animation is beautiful and features a terrific lead voice acting performance from Eva Whittaker, who also starred in Wolfwalkers.
1. Sith comes from El Guiri, a Spanish animation studio that is relatively new to the industry. It tells the story of a former Sith apprentice who is tracked down by her former master while trying to lead a quiet, peaceful life. While the animation is 3D style, the paint-like effect of the animation is mesmerizing and unlike anything I’ve seen before. It’s the first episode in the series and it is deserving of that spot in my opinion.
In Conclusion
Overall, I would absolutely recommend watching Star Wars: Visions, Volume 2 with the entire family on Disney+ tomorrow to celebrate May the Fourth. Lucasfilm made a brilliant decision when they greenlit this series and I hope it gets many more seasons to come. There are tons of animation studios around the world that deserve to have their work seen; what better way to do that than a galaxy far, far away?
Rating: 8/10
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