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!

My Top 10 Boba Fett Episodes (from various Star Wars programs)

 When it comes to iconic characters in the “Star Wars” franchise you have the directly recognizable leads from the movies, and then you have the ones that have become fan favorites through other outlets. Case in point for today, the masked bounty hunter Boba Fett began his carrier as a smaller supporting character in the original films … but then took on a life all his own through various comics, video games, novels and has made multiple appearances across several shows. 

Just for fun, I wanted to stop and rank my Top 10 personal favorite Boba Fett episodes from across the various “Star Wars” programs (No Movie Appearances) and see which select Fett outings have meant the most to me as a longtime fan of this frequently reoccurring character.

 

#10 “A Race to the Finish” 

from (Star Wars: Droids) (S1 - Ep. 4) 

Kicking things off is one of Fett’s early 1980’s cartoon appearances, and the last time he’d be voiced by Don Francks … who’s personally my favorite vocal talent to bring life to the character, but I'll talk more about him in another episode. In this show, C-3PO and R2-D2 are in league with a team of Speeder Racers, who are preparing for their biggest race yet. Unfortunately for them, a rivel gang is out for revenge, and higher none other than Boba Fett to sabotage the event. 

I love his introduction scene as a shadowy silhouette in a doorway before revealing his identity, and it was cool to see him take part in the episodes climactic race sequence. While this isn’t exactly one of Boba Fett’s all-time great appearances in the “Star Wars” franchise, he nevertheless shines in this episode and has some cool moments. It’s also the only appearance he makes in this show, which is a novelty, and like I said, it would be his last time with this distinct early design and tremendous vocal talent.  

 

#9 “The Gathering Storm” 

from (Star Wars: The Book of Boba Fett) (S1 – Ep. 4) 

After making so many appearances in other “Star Wars” programs, it was finally time in 2021 for the famed hunter to take the lead in a series of his own … with admittedly mixed results. While the show as a whole was a disappointment, it still had its select episodes and moments that felt worthwhile. In this fourth episode, we see Fett in his post “Return of the Jedi” days aiming to chart a new direction after nearly dying in a monster pit. First up is recruiting a new partner called Fennec Shand, who's a fellow hunter also left for dead in the desert. 

Next, the two set off on a mission to retrieve Fett’s stolen ship, which results with an exciting heist sequence. The meat of this episode comes from the on-screen chemistry of leading actors Temuera Morrison and Ming-Na Wen in their respected Bounty Hunter roles. While the two remained the leads throughout the series, this is the episode that highlighted them as a dynamite pair, and a worthwhile outing in this lopsided spin-off series.  

 

#8 “Tatooine Rhapsody” 

from (Star Wars: Visions) (S1 – Ep. 2) 

Easily the most unique animated appearance Boba Fett made was in this Anime anthology series. For this outing, we see a youthful Rock Band 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. In retaliation, the band 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, and the only time you’ll see Boba Fett crowd surfing. 

I also found it welcoming that Temuera Morrison reprised his role from the live action shows as the voice of Boba Fett in this short. In general, it’s one of Fett’s sillier outings, but a nice change-up from what we’d typically expect from the character. While the tone of the episode is light and fluffy, the character remained just as intimidating and cool as ever.

 

#7 “R2 Come Home” 

from (Star Wars: The Clone Wars) (S2 - Ep. 43) 

As the title suggests, this is another light-hearted animated outing, with an adorable franchise mascot at the center of attention. However, this episode has some strong character nuggets to chew on, and make it stand out. Set during the Clone Wars, the young child version of Boba Fett is out for blood against the Jedi member Mace Windu, who previously killed his father Jango Fett back in the movie “Attack of the Clones”. 

After springing an ambush, both Mace Windu and fellow Jedi Anakin Skywalker are trapped under rubble, and it’s up to our faithful droid R2-D2 to protect them from the approaching hunters. The strength of this episode comes from seeing other characters react to the actions of Boba Fett, especially with Mace Windu lamenting his actions that created this new danger. It’s a solid character piece, laced with a fun little adventure for R2-D2 to shine in.

 

#6 “The Tribes of Tatooine” 

from (Star Wars: The Book of Boba Fett) (S1 – Ep. 2) 

Getting back to Fett’s live-action show, his second chapter gave him a most unusual … yet very well-made outing. After surviving his fall in the monster pit, we get a “Last Samuri” inspired story of Fett being captured by the sand people of Tatooine and gradually becoming a welcomed member of their tribe. Afte gaining their respect, he leads the tribes in a revolt against an armored train terrorizing their village. 

Afterwords, we see Boba Fett go on a spirit quest to find his new identity and sense of belonging. This culminates into an awesome montage vision sequence through the years, where he is now and the new man he’s emerged as. For all the shortcomings of this series, this chapter at least marks one of Boba Fett’s shining moments. 

 

#5 “Bounty” 

from (Star Wars: The Clone Wars) (S5 – Ep 86) 

We’re back with another offering from the animated series “The Clone Wars”, except this time we follow the former Sith assassin Asajj Ventress who’s roaming the galaxy searching for a purpose. She falls in league with a team of Bounty Hunters, led by who else … Boba Fett, who’s still a kid, but packing heat as an armored fighter. This also marked Fett’s final appearance in the show, and while the character himself is simply part of an ensemble … everything surrounding him is awesome. 

Together, Fett, Ventress and their team of Hunters set off on a mission to protect valuable cargo on a train from a lethal band of raiders. What follows is one of the most entertaining Bounty Hunter themed action sequences in all of “Star Wars”. The energy, fighting variety, and loving nods to classic action pictures like “Hardboiled” make this a “Must-See” Bounty Hunter themed outing for any long time “Star Wars” fan.   

 

#4 “The Faithful Wookiee” 

from (Star Wars: The Holiday Special) (Animated Segment)

Here it is, Boba Fett’s very first appearance in the entire “Star Wars” saga, and it’s from a segment of the openly disliked “Star Wars Holiday Special”. Despite the weak animation on display and being connected to one of the worst “Star Wars” offerings, this little episode on its own still stands as one of Boba Fett’s all-time greatest appearances. It’s one of the rare times to see him interacting with our heroes Luke Skywalker and Han Solo from the classic movies and trying to win their trust. 

Naturally, he’s on a mission from Darth Vader to seek out their hidden base, but Chewbacca, R2-D2 and C-3PO discover his true intentions before they take him in. A very simple premise, but it’s such a treat to finally see this character take center stage and really steal the show with his signature cool factor. I especially love it when Darth Vader refers to him as the best bounty hunter in the galaxy, which further illustrates that even he has respect for Boba Fett. 

This episode marked the first time voice actor Don Francks portrayed the character (and he also voiced another noteworthy animated villain called Mok in the 1983 movie "Rock & Rule"). As Boba Fett he gave the hunter one of the coolest, laid back, sinister villain voices I've ever heard. For as bad as “The Star Wars Holiday special” is, Boba Fett is still awesome in this cartoon segment and for any longtime fan of the character, it's worth seeking out.

 

#3 “In the Name of Honor” 

from (Star Wars: The Book of Boba Fett) (S1 – Ep. 7) 

We now segue back to Fett’s live action series for one last all-out action spectacle. At the end of Boba Fett’s series, he and the Mandalorian join forces to fight back against an onslaught of enemy forces … leading up to a confrontation with Fett’s long-time hunting rivel Cade Bane … who is personally my favorite of all the Bounty Hunters from “Star Wars”. 

While this episode has its faults in the script and threatens to get redundant with its non-stop laser shooting, director Robert Rodriguez injects the experience with high energy, and a number of novel highlights. We have Boba Fett riding a giant monster, our heroes flying about on jetpacks, war wagging in a close quarter city setting, giant spider-robots fighting giant monsters, a “King Kong” inspired climax, and the novelty of seeing my two favorite bounty hunters Boba Fett and Cade Bane in combat. 

While this season needed to do more to set up their rivalry, it’s unmistakably a riveting highlight in the moment. All around, this is perhaps my biggest guilty pleasure episode, as I know it’s flawed, and doesn’t have much substance … but for straight forward enjoyment, this is a very fun episode to watch.

 

#2 “Death Trap” 

from (Star Wars: The Clone Wars) (S2-Ep 42) 

Time for one last visit to the animated series “The Clone Wars”, and it’s not only Fett’s first appearance in the series, but as far as I’m concerned … it’s his best appearance in “Star Wars” animation. Before the young Boba Fett can take his revenge on the Jedi Mace Windu, he infiltrates a team of young troopers, who are in training to become soldiers. 

While under cover, Fett archives success during their training and earns friends among his fellow clone brothers. Unfortunately, his anger and need for vengeance can’t be dismissed, which forces him to take desperate actions … like bringing down an entire ship from within. 

It’s both an epic and tragic outing, as we see the conflicts and regrets racing through the character, while also highlighting him with his most dangerous act of destruction. Lastly, Actor Daniel Logan previously portrayed the young Boba Fett in the 2002 movie "Attack of the Clones" and continued to voice the character through all his appearances in "The Clone Wars" series, which was very novel. 

 

Before I reveal my Number One favorite Boba Fett themed episode, here are some quick honorable mentions …

“Stranger in a Strange Land” (The Book of Boba Fett)

“The Rescue” (The Mandalorian)

“Lethal Trackdown” (The Clone Wars)

“The Believer” (The Mandalorian)

“From the Desert Comes a Stranger” (The Book of Boba Fett)

 

#1 “The Tragedy” 

from (Star Wars: The Mandalorian) (S2 – Ep 14) 

In this show, we follow another iconic hunter character in shiny armor called Mando … and as the title suggests, he’s tragically lost someone personal and is at the mercy of the Empire. Fortunately for Mando, backup comes in the form of our other favorite masked Bounty Hunter Boba Fett, who makes his first proper live action return here with Temuera Morrison back in his iconic role. Along with fellow Bounty Hunter Fennec Shand, they turn the tide in our hero’s favor. While this series hinted at Boba Fett before, this is when he became a main stay character, and ally to Mando and his cause.  

As far as I’m concerned, this episode right here is the coolest the character has ever been, as he's highlighted as a ruthless fighter, but also as a man of honor. Seeing him go beast mode against an armed battalion of Strom Troopers is nothing short of sensational and made for one of the best action sequences in the series. This episode was directed by Robert Rodriguez, whose known for stylized action films, and would be a reoccurring director on “The Book of Boba Fett” crossover season. While re-imagining Boba Fett as an anti-hero of sorts is a controversial topic for some fans, I still feel this episode captured the sheer intensity and cool factor of the character masterfully ... and thus far, it’s my personal favorite episode appearance he’s ever made in a “Star Wars” program.

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