My Top 10 Favorite Movies of 1989

 

 Time to look back on another year of movies … 1989 … the end of a decade and the transition into a new era of entertainment. On a personal note, this was a very important year for me … it was the year my parents got married. 

As such, even though I wasn’t born yet, I have a sentimental attachment to this year, and as far as entertainment at the movies were concerned, some of my favorite movies came out from 1989. It was a year of hits, including the Oscars Best Picture winning “Driving Miss Daisy”, Kenneth Branagh’s epic movie adaption of “Henry V” and fan favorites like “The Fabulous Baker Boys”. It was also a year of sequels, with “Lethal Weapon 2”, “Ghostbusters 2” and “Star Trek 5: The Final Frontier” being some of the most anticipated ... yet received mixed reactions. Thus, I thought it would be fun to stop and rank my own personal Top 10 Favorite movies from 1989. 

 

#10 “Dead Poets Society” 

Back when I was a kid, Robin Williams was one of my favorite comedic talents, and I was mainly drawn to his goofier, kid friendly outings. The 1989, Best Picture nominated “Dead Poets Society” was the first to introduce me to his more dramatic and passionate side of acting with his Oscar nominated leading performance of schoolteacher John Charles Keating. In this prep school drama, Williams portrays a teacher who encourages his students to view the world in a new light, as a thoughtful yet still quirky father figure. 

While the narrative hits predictable beats, the emotional performances, and positive tone make it a genuinely touching experience. Over the years, it's become a "love it or hate it picture", with many won over by its charm, and others viewing as sentimental to a fault. For me, I'd say it's required viewing for any longtime fan of Robin Williams to see it at least once and then judge for themselves. I'm rather fond of the film, and I feel it holds up as one of his better dramatic offerings.

 

#9 “Back to the Future Part 2” 

Of the many sequels that came out in 1989, I enjoy “Back to the Future Part 2” a great deal. It’s not quiet on par with the original classic, but it’s still an engaging and ambitious sequel in its own right. This is the film that brought variety to the time-travel elements of the story, giving us a colorful future setting, an alternate present reality, and returning to the past to see things from a different perspective. The main leads are still charming, and the villain Biff steals most of the show, securing his status as one of the great 1980’s movie villains. 

Plus, there’s just so many details throughout this film I love, including the future setting of Hill-Valley, and a number of action set-pieces, which makes for an easy experience to enjoy, and occasionally return to. It may not have the same heart as the first film, but it’s certainly an engaging and fun chapter in its own right.

 

#8 “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” 

There’s a number of different Christmas movies and specials I love returning to around the holiday season, and I especially love the variety that comes with them. As far as Christmas comedies are concerned, this late 1980’s Chevy Chase outing is one of my personal favorites. It’s hard to explain, but this one just finds that perfect balance, with lots of slapstick and laugh-out-loud moments, but also some really simple holiday charms and details. It's another one of those perfect little offsets to what we usually get around Christmas, and yet it still feels like a holiday classic in its own hilarious way. 

Chevy Chase absolutely shines in this film, and there’s a colorful cast of memorable family members to boot. Whether you can get into the films slap-stick presentation is certainly an acquired taste, but for me, it just clicks. “Christmas Vacation” packs the laughs, with just enough seeds of heart, and holiday delights to make for a special holiday gift in its own unique way.

 

#7 “Field of Dreams” 

When it comes to my favorite Sports movies, I’m partial to the ones that crossover with other movie genres, and no-where is it better than the 1989, Best Picture nominated “Field of Dreams”. When an Iowa farmer named Ray hears a mysterious voice stating … “If you build it, he will come” … he’s persistent to transform his corn field into a baseball diamond. Following this, it brings about the spirit of one Shoeless Joe Jackson, along with the spirits of other late Baseball players. This film is virtually devoid of traditional sports movie conventions, and yet … it still has that same winning sprit that’s impossible to resist. 

Even though I’ve never called myself a baseball fan, there’s something about the way these characters describe it, and express their feelings toward it, which really get me to respect the sport, and why it stands as one of Americas most celebrated pass-times. 

Also, for such a simple premise, there’s this inviting and warm atmosphere to the experience, brought to life through a solid direction, and a charming cast. Even if you’re not a sports fan, this is one of those special films I’d encourage anyone to watch. It’s an appropriately sentimental mixing of drama and fantasy, resulting in a special kind of movie magic that’s virtually non-existent today.

 

#6 “License to Kill” 

I’m a long time James Bond fan, and Timothy Dalton is easily the most underrated actor to portray 007, giving the character a less jokey, and more intense tone. His second (and only other Bond picture) titled “License to Kill” is also one of the more underrated gems in the James Bond cannon. 

It still has the silly charms, explosive chase scenes, and attractive woman that make the series so fun to watch, but this was one of the first to add a darker layer to both the story and tone. James Bond this time is out for revenge and has even abandoned his organization, which makes things a little more exciting than the usual 007 fair. 

Seeing Bond go rogue is such an intriguing concept, I'm surprised it wasn't utilized earlier, but better late than never ... and the concept is executed masterfully. For me, “License to Kill” has a secure place among my personal favorite James Bond films, and as such, it’s an easy win among my personal favorites of 1989.

 

#5 Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” 

Disney animation had always been a staple of family entertainment, but it was 1989’s “The Little Mermaid” that ushered a new golden age of classic family entertainment, and brought new life to their animated pictures, with glowing animation, and song numbers that can match any great Broadway musical. While I still view the original Hans Christian Andersen novel as the more meaningful peace of work, I just can’t help but adore the animated Disney movie as its own special achievement separate from the book.

It took me a while, but “The Little Mermaid” did eventually climb-up my figurative totem pole of Disney pictures and found a place near the top with all my other favorites. I’d encourage anyone to still read the book, as I don’t want it to disappear under the popularity of the Disney version, but still … both deserve their gold points, and both have endured as classics to be shared with the generations to come.

 

#4 “Batman” 

While Richard Donner’s 1978 classic “Superman” is what kicked off our modern superhero movies, Tim Burton's 1989 “Batman” is the reason they're still going strong today. While there are other Batman and Superhero movies that deliver better character focused stories and superior action, this film has a personality and style all its own, which makes it stand out with its own unique flavor of cool. I love experiencing all the visuals, the sets, the music, the clichés, the film noir, and just the whole artistry of how the film is brought to life.

 It doesn’t need a strong script or intense character depth ... it already makes for a worthwhile film on its own technical merits. Even the characters ... simple as they are ... can leave a memorable impression and are strong enough to anchor the technical strengths of the film. Again, I can't call this a masterpiece ... Tim Burton himself has even referred to this movie as "More of a cultural phenomenon, then a good film". Regardless, I still look back on this movie as a classic, a great start to an outstanding franchise, and it still did its job making an icon out of this character.

 

#3 “The Abyss” 

Along with “Close Encounters of the Third Kind”, I view this as one of the best “First Contact with Alien” films, and features some of the most unique underwater creatures of the genre. Director James Cameron was riding a high of hit Sci-Fi pictures in the 1980’s, with both “The Terminator”, and “Aliens” being preserved as classics. In my view, “The Abyss” deserves the same acolytes, and stands as an important testament to both Science Fiction cinema, and original movie material in general. 

It’s something we’ve lost sight of over the years, as we’re so caught up in fast paced escapes, or familiar franchises. All these years later, “The Abyss” is still an aw-inspiring motion picture, and one that can potentially inspire filmmakers for years to come. The visual effects, while dated by today’s standards, are still quite innovative and breathtaking to look back on. 

The characters are engaging, the claustrophobic suspense is downright thrilling, and the themes are still timely. It’s the kind of film I want Hollywood to challenge itself to make more of, and still to this day, I feel “The Abyss” holds up as one of the best of the 1980’s Sci-Fi pictures.

 

#2 “Glory” 

Despite the growing controversy of Matthew Broderick’s Colonel Robert Gould Shaw being the lead “white star” among a cast of African Americans, I feel “Glory” holds up exceptionally well as a whole, and I’m shocked it wasn’t nominated at the Oscars for Best Picture. As far as movies themed around The Civil War are concerned, this is my personal favorite and contains just about everything the nation stands for … chivalry, patriotism, valor, unity, self-sacrifice, and above all else, respect for one’s fellow man. 

Everything else in the movie ranging from the cinematography, to James Horners sensational music score, to the performances are all first-rate, with Denzel Washingtons Oscar winning performance leading the charge. While the historical accuracy can be a little dodgy in spots, the film hits the right points where it counts for a great movie, getting us to care for these soldiers before they valiantly charge into battle. Colonel Shaw: “If this man should fall, who will lift the flag and carry on?” Corporal Searles: “I Will!”. 

 

Before I reveal my personal favorite movie of 1989, here are some quick Honorable Mentions …

 “Henry V”

“All Dogs Go to Heaven”

“Pet Sematary”

“Honey, I Shrunk the Kids”

“The Phantom of the Opera”

 

#1 “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” 

In general, Indiana Jones was my top childhood movie hero by far, and he still maintains the status as one of my favorite movie characters all these years later. His franchise represents the peak of adventure cinema, and the original 1980’s trilogy will always have a special place in my nostalgic heart. While the 1981 classic “Raiders of the Lost Arc” is a landmark achievement, and still holds up as a quality piece of entertainment all these years later … “The Last Crusade” is that special sequel that just seemed to go the extra mile and has a secure spot as one of my all-time favorite movies period. 

It takes the basic outline of a treasure hunt and transcends it into an epic quest to find one of the most Holy artifacts in history and protect it from an army of evil. Beyond that, it’s an engaging story about a broken family coming closer together through a series of challenges. 

Harrison Forde and Sean Connery make for one of my favorite on-screen pairings ever and make for one of the most dynamic and memorable father/son relationships I’ve seen in a movie. “The Last Crusade” also balances incredible action with a healthy sense of humor and even a small yet welcome amount of substance to anchor the excitement. It’s simply one of the greatest of its kind and has remained my personal favorite adventure themed movie I’ve ever seen.

Thanks for reading my countdown … and continue to enjoy the movies you Love!

Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) (Movie Review)

 

 When it comes to my feelings on Deadpool, I’ve personally only ever been a casual fan. I felt the character had his place among unique comic book characters, and while his first two theatrical movies really weren’t my thing, I felt they did right by the standards of the character and were perfectly okay. In general, I’m far more of an X-Men fan at heart, with Wolverine easily ranking among my favorite comic-book characters. Thus, a crossover movie between these two characters was going to be a unique outing for me to get behind, as I knew it would feature things I love, and things I’d be indifferent to. In general, the 2024 crossover movie “Deadpool & Wolverine” absolutely appeals to me the most, with the strongest enfaces on the world of the “X-Men”, but from a writing perspective, I found it the weakest of the Deadpool movies … so, let’s unbox this package one layer at a time and see how it stacks up among other “X-Men” and comic book outings.

 We catch up with Deadpool, who after being turned down by the Avengers, is bummed and trying to live a quiet life separate from his costumed days. However, between his time travel antics in the previous movie, and Wolverines death at the end of the 2017 movie “Logan”, an organization called the TVA – Time Variance Authority – are threatening to destroy Deadpool’s universe, along with all his friends and loved ones, unless he finds a new Wolverine from a different universe to fill the missing gap. 

After meeting up with a Wolverine who’s branded as the biggest failure of them all, the two end up stranded in a meta-junk yard called “the Void”, which is actually the remnants of 20^th Century Fox before it was bought by Disney. It’s ruled under the aggressive thumb of Professor X’s evil twin sister, Cassandra Nova, who aims to use these new arrivals as a means to escape her prison universe, and unleash havoc everywhere else. Meanwhile, as Deadpool and Wolverine roam the Void, they team up with other rejected Marvel heroes from early Fox productions, and band together to give themselves one last major victory to give themselves closure.

 While I wasn’t the biggest fan of the Deadpool movies, I felt they at least accomplished the bare minimum to get me to care about the lead character, and those close to him. This time around however, even when the character says his world is in danger, I never once felt any urgency in his goals, and when that emotional backbone is gone, his antics and personality get very repetitive and very boring. Honestly, while Deadpool carried himself fine before, he is aggressively unengaging when alone in this film, and even Ryan Reynolds charm in the lead role feels deflated. Also, the whole plot with Deadpool being tasked to save his universe is stupid contrived and really makes no practical sense. Lastly, it’s hard to feel anything for Deadpool’s friends when they’re barely in the movie. His X-Men buddy Colossus was easily my favorite character from his first two movies, and he’s regretfully reduced to a minor cameo in this film. Of all the Deadpool movies, this is the one that should have given him more attention.   

 The good news is that, despite being the tenth movie for Hugh Jackman to portray his iconic role as Wolverine … he delivers one of his best performances yet. There was naturally a draw to seeing him finally adorn his trademark yellow costume and mask, but beyond that, this movie and the actor bring some of the best material out of this character. This could have easily been a paycheck performance for Hugh Jackman, but he gives a million percent, has great chemistry with Ryan Reynolds, and is a perfect counterpoint to the sometimes-overbearing humor and tone of the film. Even Wolverine’s backstory is great and brings the much-needed emotional beats that I felt were lacking from Deadpool’s story. At the end, Wolverine reunites with his surrogate daughter Laura – the X23 – played again by Dafne Keen, and it’s both a touching reunion, and a major relief when these two have moments to sit down and talk, without Deadpool’s goofy antics spoiling the moment.

 Things were certainly uphill with Wolverine’s presence, but what really catapulted me into fan boy Heaven is when the pair meet up with the other Fox Marvel characters. We have Jennifer Garner back as Elektra, Wesley Snipes returning as Blade, Chris Evans back as The Human Torch from the early “Fantastic Four” films, and even Channing Tatum appears as one of my all-time favorite X-Men characters Gambit, after his planed movie was canceled. 

I loved seeing every one of these talents in these roles and it had me craving a movie based around this team of characters alone. Seeing them charge into battle against an army of X-Men foes like Sabretooth, Juggernaut, Toad, Pyro, Lady Deathstrike, Psylocke and others made for one of my favorite set-pieces of this whole franchise. Even though the early 2000’s Marvel movies weren’t the best, it was still a special decade I grew up with and set the groundwork for the Marvel Cinematic Universe to come. I thought it was really sweet how this film played one big tribute to the by gone era, right down to the end credits being a music montage to those early films.      

 The villains of the movie were something of a mixed bag. It was cool to see so many iconic X-Men foes rounded up into one big army, but the individual characters barley get any attention, with the exception of Pyro, who gets a little more focus as a supporting role. The TVA organization did absolutely nothing for me, and I felt they hindered a lot of the films momentum whenever they took center stage. As for the main villain, Cassandra Nova, played by Emma Corrin, she could have been one of the absolute best X-Men villains if she was in a more serious X-Men movie. Due to the film’s goofy tone, it’s hard to take her character seriously, but the performance is suitably creepy, with hints of an emotional side, and some cool powers on display. Also, on a quick side note, this movie commits the unforgivable sin of hinting at a fight between Wolverine and the Hulk ... only for it to cut away and not show anything ... Shameful!   

 One last thing I need to address is the pacing, which is very rocky, with a weak narrative and scenes that drag on for way too long. Thankfully, the film delivers its highlights throughout, which give me a jolt of adrenaline every time. The brawls between Wolverine and Deadpool are white knuckled and fun, especially this one scene with them rearranging the inside of a car. Also, the scene with the two battling an army of Deadpool’s is ridiculously satisfying in the moment, even though its place in the narrative feels pointless, like so many detours in this film. The climax in general, with Deadpool and Wolverine rescuing the multi-verse from the villains overstays it’s welcome, and aims high for a powerhouse moment, but for me, it was a little too self-indulgent and over the top for this movie’s own good.  

 Like the previous “Deadpool” movies, this film frequently threatened to lose me with it’s over the top tone, weak narrative and signature brand of foul hummer … but also like those films, it can be quiet funny, and this time it had the benefit of a certain clawed mutant providing the much-needed support to balance things out. For as outrageous as the film got, it was also a loving nod to an era of Superhero movies that didn’t always get the best reception ... but are still very special in their own right. Also, as a long time X-Men fan, this film gave me high's that I've wanted to experience for years. More than anything, despite having a weak script, this is unmistakably a film for fans to get served. I’m as big a fan as they get, and I got served quality treats that I didn’t even know were on the menu. It’s not one of the all-time great comic-book movies, but I’d say it’s required viewing for any long-time comic book fan to experience at least once.

Thanks for reading my review of the 2024 comic-book movie crossover “Deadpool and Wolverine” … and continue to enjoy the movies you Love!

Star Wars: Visions (2021-2025) (Series Review)

  

  Since the purchase of Lucasfilm from Disney, the door has been wide open for different forms of content to emerge from the “Star Wars” franchise … some better than others … and others fine, albeit safe to a fault. 

Yet, for all the new content that has emerged from the series in the past decade, I think many would agree that the most unique of all was the limited Anime series titled “Star Wars: Visions”, which ran from 2021 through 2025, and may still have more seasons in the years to come. It’s a Japanese anthology Anime series set in different time periods and altered timelines of the “Star Wars” universe. Several different Japanese Anime studios came together to work on this project, which meant each story had a different individual look, style, tone, and different set of original characters. While there has always been some Anime influence on previous “Star Wars” shows, like the 2003 “Star Wars: Clone Wars” micro series, this was the first real Anime we've gotten from the franchise, and for my money … it’s about time!

  For years I've wanted to see this universe brought to life through Japanese Anime ... and here, my wish finally came true. I loved the different animation styles on display, I loved how it broke away from established continuity, familiar faces were seen sparingly, most of the characters were original, and I loved that it just let itself go all out with its own rules. While I admittedly found some of the shorts just a little too outlandish for their own good, the majority of them worked, and it was just really cool to finally see the universe of “Star Wars” get creative and brought to life in Anime form. The unfortunate downside to this anthology is that it's admittedly more of a cool experiment than it is a memorable experience, and I would have liked a little more variety in the storytelling. Also, one can’t help but feel that the majority of these shorts are being used as backdoor pilots for other potential spin-offs.

  Hot Take … but I would have preferred a “Star Wars” Anime series with one set of characters, one narrative focus and one distinct style as opposed to the grab bag we got, but regardless, it’s here, and I can find plenty of enjoyment from this as is. 

Thus far, this Anime series has run for three seasons, with twenty-seven shorts in total. The majority of the shorts were done well, and there’s plenty of great content to highlight. For simplicity’s sake, I just want to discuss and rank my personal top 10 favorite shorts from this series. 

 

#10 “The Village Bride” (Ep 4 from S1) 

When a mysterious female Jedi is drawn to a remote planet, she learns that a bride from a small village, and her groom, are to be handed over to a savage group of raiders. The villains are also using re-programed Battle Droids to occupy the area. She also learns that the planet has a mystical orra emanating from its natural elements. Out of respect for her late master, she goes to the aid of the village bride, and all who she cares for. 

Among these different shorts, this one stands out with its atmosphere, tone, and some really effective music queues. There’s a sense of size and wonder to this short, but it’s all very quiet, and there’s great use of visual storytelling on display. I also liked seeing Battle Droids in this episode, but aside from them, this short honestly felt the least like “Star Wars”, and it could have come from any Anime series, but I mean that in a good way. Unlike many of the other shorts, this one worked better as a self-contained story, and it didn’t feel like a back-door piolet … although, it did get a sequel episode in Season 3 titled “The Lost Ones”, which was another decent offering.

 

#9 "The Pit" (Ep: 17 from S2) 

Set on a desert planet, a large group of slaves are forced to dig a giant pit and unearth crystals for the Empire, who use them as the base for creating a nearby city of light. For decades, the slaves are forced to live in the pit they dug for themselves, while the Empire basks in their glamorous new city. 

One worker tries to escape to the city of light, only for him to meet a tragic end. This inspires the remaining slaves to rebel against their captures and follow the light to a better life they all deserve. Equal parts dramatic and uplifting, this is an effective short that uses the “Star Wars” universe as a backdrop for a story that’s more universal to viewers outside of the fan base. 

 

#8 “The Duel” saga (Ep 1 & 19 from S1 and S3) 

Set in the “Star Wars” version of Feudal Japan, a band of raiders lay siege to a village, and their leader is a ruthless Sith Master who wilds a deadly, red-bladed lightsaber. Just as they make their move on the chief, a mysterious Ronin interferes, wilding a lightsaber of his own … another red-bladed lightsaber. Living up to its title, the lightsaber duel between the two is a thing of beauty, and brilliantly staged, especially with the two maintaining balance on a log that’s flowing down a raging river. 

Of all the shorts, this one stands out with the most unique art-design of all the shorts and visually resembles classic Samori movies in the vein of “The Hidden Fortress” and “Seven Samori”. The sequel short titled “Payback” explores the characters backstory and gives him another sinister rivel to face … this time with a blue lightsaber, making for a unique twist in what we’re used to.   

 

#7 "Screecher’s Reach" (Ep 11 from S2) 

A young girl named Daal has spent her life slaving away in a workhouse, along with her small group of friends. One day, she receives an ominous summon to the mysterious cave of Screechers Reach, which is said to be the home of a ghostly entity. If she can face her fears and defeat the entity in the cave, she’ll be liberated from her life in the workhouse. In the aftermath, the ghostly figure of the cave was revealed to be a living creature, and in defeating it, Daal is recruited by a Sith Master. 

In the end, it becomes a matter of trading one horrible life for one that’s potentially worse, and all at the cost of betraying her friends that she left behind. The final chilling image of Daal’s face as she looks back on everything she leaves behind shows just how bad her choice is. Tonally, visually, and thematically, this is perhaps the darkest episode, with a haunting atmosphere, and a warning of what may happen when one chooses the easy and more seductive path.      

 

#6 “Tatooine Rhapsody” (Ep: 2 from S1) 

Set on the planet of Tatooine, and during the Timeline of the original “Star Wars” trilogy, we see a youthful Rock Band calling themselves Star Waver, who are about to go on a galaxy wide tour. Unfortunately, after being chased by the masked Bounty Hunter Boba Fett, the band’s leader, a Hutt named Gee, is taken prisoner, and turned over to known gangster Jabba the Hutt. One of the band members, a former Jedi named Geezer, purposes to put on a live performance for the slimy crime lord, and if successful, they’ll have their friend back. 

As far as lighthearted animated “Star Wars” anthology offerings are concerned, I found this one to be a real joy. Joseph Gordon-Levitt delivers a committed performance as the lead Jedi band player, and it features a fun ensemble of distinct characters. It’s also the only short to be set in a familiar location, and populated with classic characters like Jabba the Hutt, Boba Fett, and even those attractive female alien dancers from the special edition of “Return of the Jedi”, which is great. I also found it welcoming that Temuera Morrison reprised his role as Boba Fett from the live action shows in this short. 

In general, I’m glad this series didn’t rely on too many familiar characters, but it’s nice to have at least one with recognizable favorites. Aside from that, I simply found this to be the most cheerful episode, with up-beat song numbers, likable characters, and a refreshing break-away from the familiar Jedi formula. I can certainly see some fans being turned off by a band concert episode … but for me, I really enjoyed it, and it’s the only short that just leaves me smiling from ear to ear.

 

#5 "Journey to the Dark Head" (Ep: 14 from S2) 

A former young monk, now mechanic named Ara believes that statues on her home planet, representing both the light and dark sides of the universe, have a degree of control of how much good or evil can roam the galaxy. Thus, along with a young Jedi named Toul, they set out to destroy the dark statue and potentially rid the galaxy of evil force wielders. Along the way, they’re pursued by a ruthless Sith Lord called Bichan, who engages our heroes in a fierce battle. 

In the end, everyone realizes that both light and dark evenly flow between both statues, making it impossible to destroy. As such, while both our heroes defeat their enemy, they must cope with the fact that there will always be good and evil in the galaxy. The message is decent enough, but along with the imagery, characters and lightsaber action on display, I simply find this one of the most comforting shorts, as it just feels like classic “Star Wars”. The animation is wonderful, along with some gorgeous lighting, and the duel is one of the best of the shorts.

 

#4 “The Bounty Hunters” (Ep: 22 from S3) 

An orphan girl named Sevn grows up as a contracted hunter and assassin, and is constantly on the run from enemies, while also looking for a Jedi, who she blames for all her losses. Her only companion is a droid called IV-4A, who has a muti personality problem, switching between a loyal service machine, to an unhinged assassin … which is a great set-up. The two are hired by a seemingly nice businessman, who task the pair with apprehending a group of local Rebels. 

In a twist, the rebels are the parents of children who’ve been captured and utilized as slaves. Thus, our two assassins for higher contemplate between their need to get paid, and their loyalty to family ties. Of all the shorts, I find this the most straightforward and “fun” of the segments, with a colorful group of leading characters, thrilling action, and while the narrative beats are expected … it still makes for a highly engaging outing with some really cool new characters.    

          

#3 “Lop and Ocho” (Ep: 8 from S1) 

During the reign of the Empire, a female alien slave named Lop … who resembles an anthropomorphic rabbit … has escaped her bondage and is taken in by a loving young girl named Ocho, along with her father, the Chief leader of the planet Tau. Seven years later, the Empire occupies their homeland, and the Chief, along with his foster daughter Lop want them off the planet. 

Unfortunately, the once loving sister Ocho has gone bad, and has joined the Empire … oh, and she bites her thumb and uses her blood as new eyeliner … that’s how bad she’s gone. In light of this betrayal, the Chief passes down the family’s lightsaber to his adopted doubter, who leaves on her own personal mission to not only liberate her planet, but to also bring her broken family back together. I never knew I wanted an anthropomorphic girl bunny with a lightsaber in the “Star Wars” universe … but I’m glad I have that now. 

This short boast’s my favorite design of the whole show, as it’s not overly stylized, but it’s rich with detail. The backgrounds look like they came right out of a Makoto Shinkai picture, with character designs that feel like they came right out of a Studio GhibliI film. I also feel this short has the most compelling characters, all of whom I’d love to see explored in other “Star Wars” media.

 

#2 “The Ninth Jedi” saga (Ep: 5 & 21 from S1 & S3) 

Set during a time when the Jedi order is mostly extinct, a mysterious call is made for any surviving Jedi to meet at a secret temple embedded in an asteroid. Seven force wielders arrive, with a young boy among them who’s eager to expand his knowledge of the force. Meanwhile, on the planet below, a lightsaber forger, and his young daughter, have finished crafting seven blades for the arriving Jedi. 

Tragedy strikes when a group of hunters attack their house, taking the forger captive, and forcing his daughter Kara to flee with the lightsabers. These two-story threads collide in a deeply thrilling finale, in which secret heroes and enemies are revealed, and an all-out lightsaber brawl ensues between valiant Jedi and evil Sith Lords. This short was directed by Kenji Kamiyama, and the studio helming this short was Production I.G, the same Anime company that brought us the “Ghost in the Shell” franchise, as well as that animated segment from 2003’s “Kill Bill Volume 1”. 

Had this short been a piolet episode for a multipart mini-series, as opposed to a segment in an anthology, this could have potentially been one of my favorite products in all of “Star Wars”. The set-up was intriguing, the world building was fascinating, and it felt like it was properly expanding on the mythology of the universe, without going too far into outlandish territory. 

Naturally, being a Production I.G segment … it looks amazing, with gorgeous backdrops, and kinetic movement. There’s a beautifully animated chase through the woods, which ends in a fight on a frozen lake, and it makes for a terrific set-piece. This short got a terrific sequel episode in season 3 titled "Child of Hope", which further highlighted that "The Ninth Jedi" saga could very well have its own spin-off.

 

Before I reveal my number one favorite short, here are some quick honorable mentions … 

"Sith" (Season 2)

“The Song of Four Wings” (Season 3)

"The Spy Dancer" (Season 2)

“The Elder” (Season 1)

“The Smuggler” (Season 3)

 

#1 “The Bird of Paradise” (Ep: 26 from S3) 

While many of these shorts are quite enjoyable, this was the only one that made me say afterwords … "Wow, that was something special!”. We open with a young female Jedi and her master in a deadly battle with a ruthless Sith adversary. Taken by rage, the young Jedi overestimates her enemy and makes a mistake resulting in the loss of her eyesight. In the aftermath, she awakens alone in the woods, and spends several days wandering in darkness, slowly succumbing to hunger, fear and anger. 

Each day, she finds herself receiving a mysterious force vision to guide her way and also help her face her faults, regrets, and hopefully … she’ll find a light in her new state of dark surroundings. While this short has things to pick at, like awkward facial features, and inconsistent voice acting, the sheer beauty on display, both from its artistry and themes, are really something to admire. 

A story about someone coping with a new handicap would have been compelling, but it went that extra mile in exploring one’s inner faults and trials, which along with the astonishing animation and music land this short as an exceptional piece of work, and not just a back door pilot for a potential spin-off. It’s easily my favorite short of the series, and if you haven’t watched any of “Star Wars Visions” … this is the short that gets my highest recommendation.  

 Overall, I can’t bring myself to place “Star Wars: Visions” among my absolute favorite “Star Wars” content, but I love that it exists, and I hope this anthology opened the door for future Anime productions to come from this universe. Its reception has been a rousing success, with fans enjoying it, and critics giving it wide acclaim. I certainly liked this anthology series overall, and maybe I’ll even get some follow-ups on the episodes I liked most. For whatever content comes out next in the “Star Wars” franchise … I’m deeply thrilled to say that Japanese Anime has finally become part of the saga.

Thanks for reading my review of the 2021 Anime series “Star Wars: Visions” … and continue to enjoy the shows you love!