Review: ‘Andor’ may be best ‘Star Wars’ series yet

In the opening moments of the new Disney+ series “Andor,” a feeling of déjà vu envelops the viewer. Given the show’s “Star Wars” pedigree (it’s a prequel to the prequel film “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”), that certainly makes sense.

However, those moments aren’t like anything seen in “Star Wars” prior. In fact, I got definite “Blade Runner” vibes while watching the story of Cassian Andor (Diego Luna), one of the spies who stole the plans to the Death Star in “Rogue One.”

The shadows, the overall grittiness and the bleak tone remind me of Ridley Scott’s sci-fi classic. The two properties couldn’t be further from one another, which makes “Andor” look jarring.

‘Andor’ is different ‘Star Wars’

In that respect, the message is clear: This isn’t your grandfather’s “Star Wars” nor your mom’s. In the case of “Star Wars” on Disney+, it is apparently growing up. What other conclusion can be drawn from the likes of “Obi Wan Kenobi” and now “Andor?” The new series began streaming Wednesday.

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However, even the latter, which was created by Tony Gilroy, is a step beyond the thoroughly enjoyable “Obi-Wan” in that there are no cute, scene-stealing children or droids to take the focus away from where it should be — the characters.

And “Andor” certainly does that by delving deep into the background of the title character, a terrorist who makes the ultimate sacrifice for a cause he believed.

That’s no secret. But there is an inherent risk in exploring a character that was so embraced by fandom in “Rogue One.” The fact that he now appears in his own series is a testament to that popularity. It is not misplaced.

'Andor’ explores a man’s evolution

Initially told in flashbacks, we meet Andor after he’s taken in as a boy by Maarva (Fiona Shaw from the “Harry Potter” series), a woman who makes her living scavenging. But she inadvertently removes him from his people and family. Growing up under Maarva’s tutelage, he acquires a reputation as a man who doesn’t pay his debts when actually there is a reason for that.

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He wants to find his sister and that desire drives everything he does — to his detriment or advantage. It’s that need that leads him to a brothel-like establishment (yes, a brothel in a “Star Wars” property) away from his home planet.

As he’s trying to leave the planet after having no success getting information from the business’ host, local law enforcement harasses him. Two officers start to poke through his possessions — one lays hands on him and he defends himself. That officer ends up dead. Although that officer’s partner begs for his life, Andor realizes that he’s damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t. He makes a calculated risk and shoots the other.

Soon he is a hunted, desperate man. After making his way back to his home world, he works to acquire the means to go on the lam. He has one prized possession, something acquired from an empire ship years before, that could serve as the currency for his trip. A friend introduces him to Luthen (Stellan Skarsgard), a man who would help set him on an entirely different path.

Is Disney taking a risk?

“Andor” could be a significant risk for Disney+ in that it veers from the formula — at least for series on the streaming service — with which many are familiar. It, along with “Obi-Wan Kenobi,” however, may be the first fully realized series on the platform.

“Andor,” like the film that spawned it, shows there are plenty of stories worth telling in the “Star Wars” universe if the right person is allowed to do so.

Gilroy, a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, also penned “Rogue One,” so he obviously knows the character. But he also creates an air of mystery to create a compelling story that draws the viewer in. Additionally, the collaboration with Luna allows the duo to take Andor beyond brooding rebel with a cause to seemingly show how he evolves into the man willing to make such a sacrifice.

Luna fleshes out more of the character in the episodes provided for review. Yes, the character does have more than one expression and one emotion. It certainly helps that Luna has a supporting cast that includes Skarsgard.

With “Andor,” the “Star Wars” franchise is elevated.

George M. Thomas dabbles in movies and television for the Beacon Journal. Reach him at gthomas@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @ByGeorgeThomas

Review

Show: “Andor”

Cast: Diego Luna, Stellan Skarsgard, Fiona Shaw

Where: Streaming on Disney+

Rated: TV-14

Grade: A-

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Review: With ‘Andor,’ Disney+ elevates ‘Star Wars’ on television