Critics are hailing the brand new collection Andor as a extra mature tackle the Star Wars universe that under no circumstances includes wacky musical numbers or CGI aliens stepping in animal poop. However regardless of this distinctly recent new course, in some ways, Andor is paying homage to some of the acquainted and goofiest of Star Wars films: The Phantom Menace.
Whereas Cassian Andor has but to enter a podrace or awkwardly hit on a visiting dignitary (although there are nonetheless a number of episodes to go), he does, to some extent, turn into an Anakin Skywalker-esque determine within the second and third episodes, which retell the important thing story beats of The Phantom Menace. A stranger from one other world (Qui-Gon Jinn and Luthen Rael, respectively) visits a distant planet in the hunt for much-needed tech.
Lucasfilm
Lucasfilm
However the stranger turns into far more within the particular particular person he finds there – Anakin is related to the Power, whereas Andor is ready to handily dupe the Empire and steal crap. So the stranger desires to enlist them to affix their trigger on one other planet. After all, it’s method much less creepy with a full-grown grownup Andor.
Lucasfilm
Lucasfilm
So he whisks them away from the planet, abandoning their buddies and a single mom.
Lucasfilm
Lucasfilm
And in each instances, this doesn’t go properly. Anakin, after all, turns into Darth Vader, whereas Andor goes on to work for the Revolt and turns into the emotionally-detached killing machine we first meet in Rogue One. Furthering the episode’s ominous tone, Andor leaving with Luthen is intercut with flashbacks of when he was taken from his dwelling in Kenari by his adoptive mom – which is a fairly loaded scene. Whereas she is making an attempt to avoid wasting his life from the Empire, this additionally evokes the real-world historical past of compelled adoptions and assimilation of Indigenous youngsters. And inside the actuality of the present, this has clearly scarred Cassian, who practically blew up his life by committing two murders within the pursuit of reuniting along with his sister.
The cardinal sin of Star Wars has at all times been separating youngsters from their households; it’s what led to the autumn of the Jedi and the rise of the Empire within the first place. So it is smart that Andor would thematically shout out the occasions of The Phantom Menace (minus the two-headed alien sportscasters).
You (sure, you) ought to observe JM on Twitter!
Thumbnail: Lucasfilm
Associated: ‘Andor’ Is The Han Solo Spin-Off We Needed
Get the Cracked Film Membership Publication
For film and TV geeks, the Cracked Film Membership is stuffed with nerdom, trivia and suggestions. Subscribe now!
