Phil Roberts 
With its engaging storytelling, outstanding cinematography, stunning visuals, orchestral soundtrack, and a directorial style on par with the maker himself, Star Wars: Ahsoka is Dave Filoni’s magnum opus.
Ahsoka Tano is a cultural icon adored by millions of devoted fans the world over. Her exploits are legendary. And her live-action debut in the second season of The Mandalorian was enough to send fandom into raptures. Now, the creative collaboration behind the series is back with STAR WARS: AHSOKA. An all-new standalone series that follows Ahsoka on her quest to prevent the rise of Grand Admiral Thrawn as heir to the empire. But can Dave Filoni, in his first major live-action project, capture lightning in a bottle and solidify the character’s legacy?
Of course, he can. One should never doubt Dave Filoni. George Lucas’ star pupil has delivered the definitive Star Wars series here. The premiere episodes are almost flawless. The combination of an engaging story, glorious cinematography, stunning visuals, a sensational orchestral soundtrack, and a directorial style on par with the maker himself, makes Star Wars: Ahsoka Dave Filoni’s magnum opus. And if this is a glimpse at what Filoni is capable of, then Star Wars can look forward to a promising future. One that has all the hallmarks and visual flair of George Lucas’s influence.
REVIEW
Here, I will unpack this new masterclass without dipping into spoiler territory. But needless to say, Dave Filoni has stuck the landing here. There are a few niggles here and there, after all, no series is perfect. But overall, we are left with a gripping pair of debut episodes that deliver everything a Clone Wars, Rebels, or even original trilogy fan could ask for. More of an ensemble piece than the title suggests, the Rebels crew are reunited in the finest way possible to deliver a familiar tone. But the characters are enveloped by the compelling new story that has been propagated from the breadcrumbs left over from past exploits. And the saga is left all the richer for it.
The story follows Ahsoka as she begins to pick up the breadcrumbs left over from the finale of Rebels and her exploits in The Mandalorian. After apprehending Morgan Elsbeth and turning her over to the New Republic, Tano is searching for clues to the whereabouts of Grand Admiral Thrawn. After his disappearance at the end of Rebels, rumors have begun to circulate that his return is imminent. And if it comes to fruition, many fear that his reemergence will plunge the galaxy into another conflict.
DAVE FILONI
After a breathtaking opening sequence that introduces us to the antagonists that will carry the show forwards, Filoni gets down to business and sets the tone for what will follow. And his visual flair comes to the fore in spades. It is well known that the visionary director studied under the watchful eye of George Lucas and it shows. Filoni has adopted Lucas’s directorial style and used it to formulate his own techniques. But he treats the project with so much respect that this series almost feels like it could have been helmed by Lucas himself. From the traditional screen wipes to the multitude of Lucas-esque camera angles, the master’s hallmarks are here for all to see. And the project feels like quintessential Star Wars as a result.
From the opening moments, Filoni establishes Baylan Skoll (the late Ray Stevenson), and Shin Hati as legitimate villains. Their screen presence is on par with the greatest Force users in franchise history. And their relationship is as fully realized as it gets. Instead of being disposable villains, their multilayered backstory is compelling and yearns to be explored. And one can only hope that Filoni continues to dig into their past as the series unfolds.
ROSARIO DAWSON
With the villains established, we are quickly reunited with Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson) as she begins her search for Thrawn. One that leads her into a gripping confrontation with a slew of assassin droids. And it is here that Dawson finally unleashes Tano’s full fighting style. Within seconds, Dawson cements herself as the character with some much-needed Jedi action. And the subtle nuances of Tano’s character come to the fore as she wields her dual lightsabers to perfection.
From the subtle head tilts to the traditional fighting stances, Dawson sticks the landing and slips into the character’s shoes. It is a triumphant return, one that only Filoni could have helmed. But it underpins the reasoning that Dawson was the right performer for the role. And as the opening episode unfolds, she grows into the role with zeal.
SUPPORTING CAST
Of course, the success of this series hinges on the performances of its cast. And it is here where the true star of the show emerges. The casting of Natasha Liu Bordizzo as Sabine Wren raised a few eyebrows at the time. But believe me, Filoni has found a diamond in the rough here. Right from the off, Bordizzo inhabits the spirit of Sabine and delivers an infectious performance that will make her adored by legions of fans. She owns this role. And the biggest compliment I can pay her is that Sabine feels one hundred percent true to the character. There isn’t a single moment when the performance slips. And I suspect Sabine will have a more pivotal story arc than that of her co-stars. But given the nature of the story and the brilliance of Bordizzo’s performance, that is a welcome bonus.
Rounding out the main cast is Diana Lee Inosanto’s Morgan Elsbeth, who despite having limited screen time delivers an engrossing and multilayered performance. Elsbeth is going to play a pivotal role in this series and throughout the opening episodes, we get to discover more about her true identity. These revelations will have fans licking their lips in anticipation. Mainly because her lineage links back to one of the most crucial species of The Clone Wars, which will have a major impact on the series as it unfolds. And Inosanto oozes with menace every time she’s on screen.
HERA SYNDULLA
Last but not least, Mary Elizabeth Winstead brings Hera Syndulla to life in live-action. And here is one of my only issues with the series. Winstead is a phenomenal actor, but the character doesn’t quite feel as polished as I’d hoped. Unlike Sabine, Hera feels like a shadow of the character we love. And at first, the disconnection is jarring. But thankfully, Winstead grows into the role and banishes most of my issues by the time we meet her again in the second episode. So these are minor concerns. But the transition from animation to live action is far from seamless. However, the addition of Chopper helps to dispel these issues and tethers us back to the character with some much-needed camaraderie.
SOUNDTRACK
I said at the top of my review that the soundtrack for the series is an orchestral triumph. But this is an understatement. Kevin Kiner’s soundtrack is nothing short of phenomenal. Making the transition from animation to live-action was always going to be a challenge, but Kiner slips into John Williams’ shoes with ease. Throughout the opening episodes, Kiner’s music feels fresh, vibrant, and hauntingly familiar. From Ahsoka’s regular theme to the punchy new material, Kiner’s score hits all the right notes. In places, his work resonates with the hallmarks of John Williams making Kiner the natural heir to the orchestral throne.
At times, this masterful score oozes with the nuances of Williams, all the while showcasing the brilliance Kiner is renowned for. And on the strength of this performance, the composer should be elevated to Star Wars’ theatrical endeavors without delay. His understanding of the source material, coupled with his incredible talent deserves no less. In short, his soundtrack sounds like Star Wars and more importantly, harnesses the essence of Star Wars. And that is the hallmark of a truly standout composer. His work on The Clone Wars and Rebels was legendary, in comparison, his work on Ahsoka is iconic.
VERDICT
I make no apologies for declaring Dave Filoni’s foray into live-action a resounding success. His interpretation of the franchise is truly unrivaled making AHSOKA the definitive Star Wars series. No disrespect to the debut season of The Mandalorian, but it has been effortlessly surpassed here. Filoni’s expert hands have crafted an extension of the universe he helped to create, and in doing so has constructed a series that feels more in line with George Lucas’ original vision than all of its predecessors combined.
It’s an engrossing story, boasting glorious cinematography, stunning visuals, a sensational orchestral soundtrack, and a directorial style on par with the maker himself, making Star Wars: Ahsoka Dave Filoni’s magnum opus.
Lucasfilm needs to reward Filoni with a Trilogy because THIS IS STAR WARS as it was meant to be!
As always, Future of the Force will cover the series from every angle. And that begins with our customary in-depth review that will drop within hours of each episode. And if that isn’t enough, our traditional poster and concept art coverage will keep you entertained as we build the hype for the latest episode. Subscribe to our newsletter at the top of our homepage to stay up-to-date with all the latest news and reviews from Future of the Force.
Star Wars: Ahsoka launches with a two-episode premiere on Disney Plus tonight!
Phil Roberts is the Owner, Daily Content Manager, and Editor-In-Chief of The Future of the Force. He is passionate about Star Wars, Batman, DC, Marvel, Star Trek, Indiana Jones, Ghostbusters, King Kong, and the Ray Harryhausen movies. Follow him on Twitter where he uses the force and babbles frequently!
