Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu Movie (No Spoilers)

The Mandalorian and Grogu movie is good and I enjoyed it more than I expected.  I thought they did well adapting it to the big screen and it felt like a Star Wars movie while keeping the feel of the series.  A ton of action in the movie too.  As a Star Wars fan, I'm guarded going into movies now and this one coming from the television series gave me more pause.  But it was just fun.  The grandsons really enjoyed it and they are the toughest critics.  

Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord

 Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord finished up on May 4th and they got it right.  This really had a bit of it all.  It harkened back to George Lucas' initial direction for Darth Maul where he's an underworld warlord.  And of course, a powerful Sith.  We got plenty of new characters and a surprise or two.  Some great fight scenes.  I really enjoyed it and it feels setup for a second season which I can't wait to see.

Star Wars The Black Series Jedi Temple Guard Action Figure

Happy Star Wars Day!  Been excited to show off the Star Wars Black Series Jedi Temple Guard.  He's so cool and was really fun to take photos of.

There is lots of detail on these figures from the markings, mask, armor, sleeves, belt, robes, boots and a double-sided lightsaber.  The second robe underneath the outer robe hanging from his waist is made from cloth.

The heads have almost no movement due to the plastic robe piece.  It's a shame.   A cloth piece there would have been nice and allowed some flexibility.

The look from the back is fine.  No issues here.

Jedi Temple Guards were charged with protecting the Jedi Temple.  They were overwhelmed after Order 66 by Anakin Skywalker and the 501st Legion.  During the animated The Clone Wars, while in the Temple, we see Kanan Jarrus have a vision which shows the Grand Inquisitor was actually a Temple Guard.  One of The Clone Wars' writers, Henry Gilroy, has also stated the Grand Inquisitor, as a Temple Guard, led some of them away during Order 66 and killed them himself as he betrayed the Jedi.

Animated clips of the Jedi Temple Guard from The Clones Wars and Rebels can be seen here.  They are also seen in Old Republic video game footage here.  They never make a live action appearance.

Excited to add this guy to my Black Series collection.  The Jedi Temple Guard may not be as well-known as many characters, but I do believe he has a great look.  I'd love to see him in live action at some point.  The youngest grandson, whose 9th birthday is today, really enjoys his look as well.

Star Wars The Black Series Imperial Praetorian Guard Action Figure

We'll do some Star Wars action figure love today.  This Black Series Imperial Praetorian Guard have a cool look.  Maybe it's the red armor or the cool weapons and vibe but there is something about them.  A good addition to the Black Series line of figures.

This Praetorian Guard is designed to resemble the guards seen in Star Wars: The Mandalorian but are also seen in Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi protecting Supreme Leader Snoke.  The first iteration of these guards is the Imperial Royal Guards who protect Emperor Palpatine in Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi.  That's where I got hooked on the look and coolness of these specialized guards.

This guy is pretty straightforward. They come with a glaive and a chain whip I believe.  It is called a sword in the action figure description but that is not a sword.

Overall, I'm happy with the figure.  The robe is cloth.  They are fairly poseable.  Has cool weapons.  The helmet is reminiscent of Clone Troopers.  

This guy is fun and I'm glad I got the opportunity to show him off.  The red also goes along with the day.  I hope everyone has a good Valentine's Day.

  

Star Wars The Black Series Ki-Adi-Mundi, Star Wars: Attack of the Clones Action Figure

Ki-Adi-Mundi was on the Jedi Council during the prequels.  One of the things I really enjoyed about the prequels was getting to see all the different Jedi and I enjoy collecting them.  Ki-Adi-Mundi was a Jedi Master and member of the Jedi Council.

This figure is a representation of him during the Clone Wars in which he made multiple appearances during the animated Clone Wars series.  His robes aren't cloth, but I do like his Jedi attire which includes some nice detail.

He looks good from the back as well.

Overall, this is a good figure.  I'm not sure how popular Ki-Adi-Mund is.  I know he's shown negatively a few times across the timeline including the prequels and during The Acolyte series.  Still, he has a unique look that always piqued my interest.

The grandson isn't a huge fan of the alien Jedi from the movies and series for some reason.  Though he's a big fan of Obi-Wan, Anakin and Kylo Ren.

A fun figure to post and round out the end of the year.  I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!

Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld

Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld:  This series was released May 4th in its entirety.  There are six total episodes, with three each dedicated to an Asajj Ventress arc and a Cad Bane arc.  I really enjoyed the Ventress arc.  We quickly see how she's still in the Star Wars universe after dying in the Star Wars: Dark Disciple book (good read).  Her tale here is fun and will be easy to follow with additional stories as she takes a different path in her life.  I won't spoil too much but a jedi does play a big part in this arc.  

Cad Bane's story is much different as we see his origin play out.  It is a good story.  I don't think it's groundbreaking but there are some parts that could still play out at a later time.   I highly recommend this series.  It only runs 1 hour 30 minutes in total time, and it'll feel shorter as it's a fun watch.

Rewatch: Rogue One A Star Wars Story

 Rogue One: Rogue One was always the movie we needed in the Star Wars universe.  It gave us fans such hope in the franchise.  Just a great movie leading up to an iconic moment.  Having just finished Andor I had to watch this again, right?  I watched it Friday night and it does hit differently after watching Andor.  Andor is great and perfect lead in to Rogue One.  The movie carries much of the same tone and pays off all that the rebellion went through in the series.  I like this movie so much I've only seen it a few times.  And I'm glad that's the case.  I really enjoyed it and much was like new again.  The way it should be.  I'll stop gushing but it was a fun week for a Star Wars nerd.  

Star Wars Black Series Baylan Skoll and Shin Hati

 

Baylan Skoll and Shin Hati are figures from Ahsoka television series.   These are both excellent characters, so I jumped on the figures when they were released.

I think this is a great figure.  The detail is really good.  It looks like the actor. I like how his armor looks.  Just so good.

Shin Hati's figure isn't bad, but it seems to suffer when next to the Baylan Skoll figure. The face doesn't look near as good comparatively.

 Baylan Skoll is a former Jedi Knight who now serves the remnants of the Empire, specifically the witch Morgan Elsbeth as she tries to bring back Grand Admiral Thrawn.

Shin Hati is Skoll's apprentice.

The backs of each are fine.  No issues here.

While I do like the Baylan figure more, I'm overall happy with both of these figures.  The actor playing Skoll has sadly passed, and his character was recast.  Still, I'm excited for season two of Ahsoka which is rumored to be released next year.

Andor Season 2

 Andor: Just wow.  While season 1 was a bit of a slow burn this season they went all in.  I can't recommend Andor enough.  It is one of the best series or movies in the Star Wars universe.  The characters, the story, the pace, scenes, moments.  At first, I was against them releasing three episodes a week, but it really worked.  While watching episode 9 I texted a buddy and said the boss will have find a replacement for me.  I just sent my resume into the Rebellion.  The series will take you right up to Rogue One which is on my re-watchlist for the weekend.  I could drone on and on about who and what I like about this series.  Needless to say, I highly recommend Andor.

Star Wars: Visions

 Visions: The Star Wars Visions series on Disney+ is animated shorts with an emphasis on what I would call anime stylings.  I wasn't really sure this would be my thing, but I really did enjoy the first two seasons.  Each episode is less than 20 minutes and are easy watches.  The storytelling allows you to get into the story quickly and there's such mix of different stories.  You don't know what you will get into.  Below shows you a bit of the differences in art but don't think they are all children themed.  Lots of adult takes on the universe while some do focus on youth.  Season 3 will release in October.  I'm looking forward to it and so glad I finally got on the Visions bandwagon.

Star Wars: Thrawn Book Trilogies - The Ascendancy Trilogy and The Imperial Trilogy

Thrawn Ascendancy:  More Star Wars on May the 4th.  I recently finished this trilogy which is actually a prequel to the one below which was released first.  Timothy Zahn is a legendary Star Wars writer including these trilogies and the legends trilogy (non-canon) The Thrawn Trilogy. Thrawn Ascendancy is basically an origin story that shows us Thrawn's rise within the Chiss Ascendancy.  It's a good read and for the most part stays away from the Star Wars universe proper.  There's a lot going on, but it gives you a proper background on Thrawn as well as the events which propel him into the Star Wars world that we know and love.  Those events are a war with outsiders as well as the politics of the Ascendancy.  Bottom line is I liked these books.

Thrawn Imperial Trilogy:  I've seen this trilogy listed as "Imperial Trilogy" as well as Thrawn Trilogy.  In these books we see Thrawn join the Empire and what he becomes to it.  His relationship with Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine was complicated of course but his abilities made him indispensable.  This is my favorite of the Thrawn trilogies.  It really shows his immersion into the Empire and gives us more clarity of his role before we see him in Rebels and Ahsoka.  I recommend both of these.  

Random Wax: 2023 Topps Star Wars Blaster

 2023 Star Wars: May the 4th be with you!  Have a great day and I hope Star Wars is part of it.  Darth Maul is one of my favorite characters from the Star Wars universe.  It was announced at Star Wars Celebration that a new Darth Maul animated series will be released and maybe we'll see Darth Talon on screen finally?  

I like this design.  It's fairly simple but works.  The Mandalorian is one of the Rainbow Foil Parallels.  I like the Mace Windu screen shot used on his card.

One of my seven Into the Galaxy cards.  I like these as while we hear of different planets but we don't always have a good look at them.

We get a good cross section of the Star Wars universe from the first movies to current movies, series and animated shows.

I like these and grabbing both the Kylo and Rey vs the Praetorian guards cards is cool.

Felucia is where Jedi Aayla Secura was killed during the execution of Oder 66.  

I like Comic Covers Cover Art inserts.  I don't read many of the comics, but it gives us another look at our favorites.

Jedi Minas Velti is shown fighting off clone troopers while protecting younglings at the Jedi Temple after Order 66.  That Sebulba is one of my three Gold Foil Parallels.  The others are Rainbow Foil Parallels.  

Also known as Mon Calamari, Mon Cala is an oceanic planet home to the species Mon Calamari and Quarren.

The look of the Tusken Warriors in The Book of Boba Fett series is very cool.  I'm really hoping we'll see Quinlan Vos in something soon.  He's confirmed as being alive and part of the Star Wars universe in the Kenobi series.

Who doesn't love the iconic planet Hoth?

Rey is one of my favorite characters and will be getting a new Jedi Order film sometime in the future.

These are Lightsaber Stylings Die-Cut inserts.  Nice looking cards and plenty of Jedi and Sith to choose from.  These are always fun and this is a great day to share.

BREAKDOWN:
70 – Total Cards
7 – Into the Galaxy
6 - Comic Covers Cover Art
5 – Rainbow Foil Parallel
5 - Lightsaber Stylings Die-Cut
3 – Epic Clashes
3 – Gold Foil Parallel