Do I have to say that now is the perfect time to be a “Star Wars fan?” I don’t think I do. We have a new film trilogy on the horizon starring our favorite heroes from the originals blended with new characters to carry on for years to come. New books are being released in a renewed canon. Fresh toys are hitting store shelves for collectors to scoop up. On top of all that, there’s a fantastic new animated television series that evokes the sentiment and excitement of Episodes IV through VI. “Star Wars Rebels” is that show and it’s now available on Blu-ray and DVD for generations of enthusiasts to enjoy.
In “Star Wars Rebels: Complete Season One,” Imperial forces rule a galaxy far, far away with an iron fist. A clever, disparate crew aboard the starship Ghost takes a stand against the Empire, facing new villains and colorful adversaries. The rebels on the Ghost include leader Kanan, ace pilot Hera, feisty heroine Sabine, tough guy Zeb and 14-year-old con artist Ezra.
Although there are complaints from some about certain aspects of the animation for “Star Wars Rebels,” I don’t have a problem with it. I appreciate it for the fact that it pays heavy homage to the original concept artwork for the original trilogy by Ralph McQuarrie. The character design of Zeb is a perfect example of how old concepts were used for the look of new aliens. The Wookies were originally supposed to all look like Zeb before they took on the hairy persona they’re famously known for now.
The release of “Star Wars Rebels: Complete Season One” is loaded with bonus material that will thrill fans of the show. A Blu-ray exclusive you can look forward to is “’Rebels’ Infiltrates ‘Star Wars’ Celebration, which delivers coverage of the event from Anaheim, CA. “’Star Wars Rebels:’ The Ultimate Guide” is a 22-minute recap of Season One brought to you by Jedi Kanan Jarrus.
Executive Dave Filoni reveals footage, concept art, and some secrets in the featurette “’Rebels’ Season Two: A Look Ahead.” All 14 of the 5-minute behind-the-scenes “’Rebels’ Recons” companions are included for the episodes as well. All four of the teaser “mini-episodes” wrap up the special features to make this the complete Season One package collectors must have.
“Star Wars Rebels” feels like an extension of the original trilogy. The characters, spaceships, and environments we see were obviously fashioned by showrunners to evoke that emotion. It has a sense of swagger and adventurous charisma that will appeal to die-hard fans of Episodes IV through VI who loathe the Prequels as well as those who were raised on Episodes I through III. The bottom line is the series is perfect for any and all fans of a Galaxy Far, Far Away.
“Star Wars Rebels: Complete Season One” is available now on Blu-ray, DVD, and as a Digital Download.