"Or you can come with me and learn the ways of the force, what it truly means to be a Jedi."
After The Clone Wars spectacularly ended with its bonus content (aka the mid-production-cancelled sixth season) and showed that this show actually was one, if not the, best thing to come after the OT in the saga, Rebels tries to claim its spot by igniting a 'Spark of Rebellion'.
But: did it catch fire?
SHORT REVIEW
Spoilers ahead. But you did already know that, so let's start with the elephant in the room: the animation. While it can in no imaginable way compare to the animation quality that was TCW's it is pretty neat. Remember, this is supposed to be a children-suitable family programme on Disney XD. Not a gritty, sometimes even dark TCW series on Cartoon Network. And once you get past that comparison (which you have to in order to actually be able to enjoy this ride), you'll fall in love with its visual style the moment you see a Star Destroyer or even a planet in space. This show is basing its visual look on the old McQuarrie concepts and let me tell you: they look good, real good. If you cannot like this style, then something must be wrong with you - or you just not that into Star Wars but who in the galaxy isn't?
The pilot is fast-paced, leaving not too much room for the usual 'get-to-know-your-characters'-stuff and delves right into the action which involves a Wookies rescue mission, and graffiti. While the Wookies were animated terribly (sorry), this pilot is one wild ride of enjoyment, blaster fire, some trooper bashing and a love story in the making.
The tension between the characters is set up just perfect (and cliché for that matter) and at the end of the 43-minute long premiere event you are left longing for more action with this crew. You want to see Ezra accepting his destiny, Kanan becoming the Jedi master he is destined to be and Hera, Zeb, Chopper and Sabine fighting the evil empire.
You want to be part of the rebellion that started with this ship, the Ghost, this crew and this story. The plot is easy constructed and yet is so highly enjoyable that you might just think 'woah, a new movie'.
Even the villains are introduced quite well with the viewer (me, in case you were wondering) easily accepting them as true villains and not some stupid joke.
In short: this show starts off on the right foot (or left foot, if you're left-fooded) and just keeps on delivering pure Star Wars fun for the whole family.
Remeber: this is a light, fun, family show with a gripping and almost hypnotizing visual style (minus the character animation) which is destined to become the next big thing now that TCW is over (yeah right, TCW never dies, duh - check out the newly released story reels, they're absolutely worth it).
So: check it out, if you like just the tiniest bit of good old Star Wars fun and action, there is a high chance you'll love 'Rebels'.
Strong pilot, 5/5.
(And if you've missed that: yep, this spark is catching fire rapidly.)
