I've finally been able to watch the new episode of The Book of Boba Fett and I've never been punched and kissed so much in so little time. I have the intention of keeping this review short so we'll have to see how long it gets.
Starting off though, I'd like to pat myself on the back for being a genius, as my predictions came true, all In one episode! Only joking anyone with the slightest bit of sense could see it coming. If you've made it this far I assume you've watched it so I'll be speaking freely with spoilers from here on.
The Tuskens are dead, most likely as retaliation from the pykes. I know there were speekerbike gang (I don't know their name.) signs at the camp, but, I think it was the pykes and it'll come out within the next few episodes. Also directly after that, the Twins wookie shows up to beat up Boba, but luckily with the help of some (generic clothing brand models), the twins Wookie is beaten and thrown into the Rancor pit. Which, wasn't obvious at all. Although, my prediction wasn't completely right as a few minutes later the Wookie is taken from the pit and given his freedom... leaving it open for him to come back to work for Boba Fett. Which I hope he does because he seems like a cool character and a tough fighter.
Speeder Punx
In episode 1 I said that the fight reminded me of the power rangers, well in this episode that came across again and much harder, no not in the fighting. In the Speeder Punx hover Vespas. Wtf.
When the water monger said he's been robbed by some cybernetically enhanced street gang, I was thinking cool, wonder what these badasses will look like. Then we see the cleanest looking bratty punx in the world, I know it's a Disney show, but, come on. Really? Their nifty and spotless new speeders don't look cheap and thanks to some well written dialog we know their enhancements aren't cheap.
Boba Fett - "Go keep an eye on them. (Beat) No offense.
Robot Eye - "None taken. I love my robot eye. It was really expensive."
Okay, well if you's are so rich. Where'd you get this money? They said earlier they didn't have jobs and they were that desperate they had to rob water. Silly. They could of just left the line, "keep an eye on them." Hard cut to Robot Eye looking a bit awkward. Boba shuts off the hologram. Bit of a joke, no chunkiness. Job done.
I also don't really get why Boba hired them, he said something like "You've got courage kids, come join me." But they didn't do anything to earn his respect. Wow you really showed that water monger, you stole his water and drank it outside his shop, you're hired. Nah. At the very least they should of fought, or done something which could earn one of the greatest bounty hunters respect.
The Chase
Also, I'm all for "Fan Service." I don't see it as fan service when we see aliens, ships or droids in star wars, as they're all things that exist in the world of Star Wars. What I don't like is blatant. Member this thing? During one of the most boring speeder chases, I've ever seen we see a protocol droid. Then an R2 Droid. Then mouse droids scatter. Then one of those phantom menace droids that fold into themselves. Then one of those droids that pull the carts and on the cart we see two aliens from the cantina band. All within 30 seconds. It didn't feel like a dynamic chase and these are all just things populating the world, each thing gets centre shot and enough screen time singly to make sure you're paying attention to them. It just felt like, member this, member that. Stupid. Then to top it off Boba drops in to say hello to the mayors assistant. Bit of a weird reference, but does anyone remember the Simpsons when homer joins itchy and scratchy as the new dog character? Poochie I think he was called, but at the end of the episode they write Poochie out and he says "I'm going away now." and he floats off, up out of frame. Boba hovering down into Frame felt like that to me.
The cameras aren't dynamic and the cinematography feels boring and too static. Which then makes any kind of action scene feel static and boring. I don't want a million angels of what's going on and quick cuts that make your head spin, but they have to try and let them move a bit more freely.
I know I've ranted on a bit, but I don't like being messed around. I was excited about this show, the first episode was meh, the second was really good and this is full of clunky lackluster plot points which feel cheap and badly written.
Show Don't Tell
I just want to talk briefly about Snooty McGee, oh I mean Fennec Shand. We've been told she's a badass assassin, sadly though they haven't shown any badassery. I think she's a cool character but they need to stop telling us what she is and just let us see what she is. All she's done is a bit of a parkour chase, woopdy doo. I think the show suffers a little from telling us too much, I mean it's writing 101, just let the story play out and stop trying to narrate it. It's like they prepare us for what's about to happen just in case we get lost. We're not dumb I'm sure we can keep up. Like the street punx, if the water monger didn't tell us they had cybernetic enhancements I wouldn't have been expecting much and therefore I probably wouldn't dislike them as much as I do.
The Rancor
I like the Rancor, cute lil fella reminds me of my dog, I think he'll be like the dragons in GOT. The dragons are coming everyone. Just be patient. lol. Also, I like how the Rancor was given some lore, can't wait to see how it goes for Boba. One thing though, if the Wookie came to kill Boba sent by the twins. How long did they wait before deciding to go get Boba a gift and apologise? I know time was meant to have passed after the fight, but it feels almost instant. If the episode was longer maybe we could have had a quick scene with them licking their wounds before the twins arrived. Just a pacing issue caused by the short runtime.
Anyway, the review has gotten too long and I'd like to talk more, but, I'm tired.
This episode took my breath away and I want it back.