Ever since Disney bought LucasFilm I have been awaiting new StarWars content. Immediately Disney queued up Star Wars VII with JJ Abrams directing as well as Star Wars: Rebels a new Disney XD animated show. I wasn't terribly interested in Star Wars: Rebels but after seeing episode one available for a free download in iTunes, I decided to give it a shot.
The first episode contains so many Star Wars references and I was happy to have noticed them. First thing that might be of note is that the characters take a chartered flight on "Star Tours." They base the ship and Rex pilot after the old Star Tours ride before Disney refurbished it a few years ago.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Tours
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HVuZ_EI0h0Q/UUIvlvc4iiI/AAAAAAAANrg/1Q5HrcvvZ9I/s1600/rex+star+tours.jpg
One of the Driods in the pilot is based on an original Ralph McQuarrie Star Wars concept painting.
http://a.dilcdn.com/bl/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/01/03-Droids_a.jpg
The characters based on McQuarrie concept paintings doesn't stop there, one of the main characters Zeb is based on the original concept for Chewbacca.
http://cinetropolis.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/star-wars-early-chewbacca.jpg
That said, references alone don't make a show great and i'd say the show stands on it's own in terms of likable characters and a serviceable plot. They do a very good job in the first episode and based on it, i'd love to continue watching it. My only gripe is that they only have 22 minutes and i'd like a bit more time in the universe with the characters. That said, if you are looking to get a fun Star Wars fix, the new Rebels show is worth looking into.
First episode of Star Wars: Rebels Droids in Distress is free for download on iTunes.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/tv-season/star-wars-rebels-vol.-1/id920938545
The first episode contains so many Star Wars references and I was happy to have noticed them. First thing that might be of note is that the characters take a chartered flight on "Star Tours." They base the ship and Rex pilot after the old Star Tours ride before Disney refurbished it a few years ago.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Tours
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HVuZ_EI0h0Q/UUIvlvc4iiI/AAAAAAAANrg/1Q5HrcvvZ9I/s1600/rex+star+tours.jpg
One of the Driods in the pilot is based on an original Ralph McQuarrie Star Wars concept painting.
http://a.dilcdn.com/bl/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/01/03-Droids_a.jpg
The characters based on McQuarrie concept paintings doesn't stop there, one of the main characters Zeb is based on the original concept for Chewbacca.
http://cinetropolis.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/star-wars-early-chewbacca.jpg
That said, references alone don't make a show great and i'd say the show stands on it's own in terms of likable characters and a serviceable plot. They do a very good job in the first episode and based on it, i'd love to continue watching it. My only gripe is that they only have 22 minutes and i'd like a bit more time in the universe with the characters. That said, if you are looking to get a fun Star Wars fix, the new Rebels show is worth looking into.
First episode of Star Wars: Rebels Droids in Distress is free for download on iTunes.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/tv-season/star-wars-rebels-vol.-1/id920938545
