For fans of science fiction, superheroes and the supernatural, the arrival of summer brings a feast of streaming options. But while studios rush to create content to keep us clicking, some shows fail to satisfy while others delight. Here’s what’s worth bingeing on or skipping entirely.
Obi-Wan Kenobi
The power is strong, but it’s nothing compared to the power of nostalgia. Once derided, the Star Wars prequels have become beloved, especially among the generation that grew up with them. Thus, there was much excitement when it was announced that Ewan McGregor would return to the mantle for a six-part miniseries as Obi-Wan Kenobi. But we didn’t get an elegant “Hello“Jedi master of the backstory, but more of a broken guru who hides in the desert until called into action to save the young Princess Leia.
The new series, directed by Canadian Deborah Chow, introduced some new faces to the Star Wars universe. Vivienne Lyra Blair as young Leia was a fantastic find, capturing the presence and determination of the iconic character.
The initial reaction to Moses Ingram as Inquisitor Reva showed the frustrating side of Star Wars fans, as McGregor himself responded after Ingram revealed she had been the target of racist attacks. Fans who stayed with the show will find that Riva is a more layered character than the initial episodes suggested.
Of course, this was all just a prelude to what many expected from the first moment it was announced that Hayden Christensen would be returning. It was the final reunion: Obi-Wan Kenobi faced his greatest failure, Anakin, the apprentice turned Dark Lord Vader.
Moses Ingram as the dastardly Inquisitor Reva in Obi-Wan Kenobi. (Disney+)
After all the waiting, the initial impact was overwhelming, and what followed was slow and agonizing. A recent interview in Variety may shed some light on why. Screenwriter Stuart Beattie told the publication that he wrote a feature film that was supposed to be Obi-Wan Kenobi, the movie. After the poor performance of the Solo movie, however, Beatty’s feature story became the basis for the six-part series.
Rating: C for streaming content mishap.
Watch on: Disney+
Eli Glassner’s Summer Streaming Report
As some shows end and others near their finale, CBC’s Ellie Glassner reviews the new seasons of Stranger Things, Ms. Marvel, The Boys and Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Ms. Marvel
Four episodes in, this is the Marvel show where the superhero stuff is almost a distraction. Iman Velani of Markham, Ontario continues to be the strongest element of Ms. Marvel as Kamala Khan, the Peter Parker of Generation Z. She infuses the character with a sense of wonder and authenticity. The Pakistani-American family around her is also strong – notably Zenobia Shroff and Khohan Kapoor, who are perfect as parents.
As with Spider-Man, in the comics, Ms. Marvel has more of a neighborhood vibe. But recent episodes have plucked her from New Jersey to Karachi, Pakistan. Watching Kamala get drawn into a power struggle between a group called The Clandestines and the Red Daggers might make some wish they could go back to the simple stakes of high school. However, the intertwining of Kamala’s interstellar roots with the dark days of India’s partition is impressive.
Grade: B for better build to big gain.
Watch on: Disney+
Stranger Things – Season 4 – Part 1
Watching the new season of Stranger Things brings a sense of too much of a good thing and sometimes a sense of disappointment. Like too many series in the streaming age, the story seems stretched out where it could be condensed, but that would mean fewer clicks.
On the menu for Season 4 is a story from a Russian prison, a twisted trip down memory lane for Eleven, plus the teenagers in Hawkins are once again under attack by a mysterious killer that has the town targeting the local Dungeons and Dragons club.
With a budget of around US$30 million per episode, the show spares no expense while introducing new characters. Many of the fan favorites remain (the stoic Hopper, the endlessly funny boy-genius Dustin), but I liked some of the new faces the most, like Joseph Quinn as Eddie, the D&D master metaller who is now trapped in a life Iron cover Maiden. Or Argyle, the pizza delivery guy played by Eduardo Franco and Brett Gellman as the infinitely adaptable Murray.
Stranger Things is the kind of show where it’s hard to pick a favorite character, but jumping from plot to plot was a test of patience. Hopefully the various threads will come together for part 2, which will be available on July 1st.
Grade: B+ for getting the gang back together.
Watch on: Netflix
The boys
A scathing look at a world where superheroes and corporations battle for supremacy, The Boys shocks with smarts and style (and exploding bodies…so many exploding bodies).
While some other shows suffer from weak villains, what elevates this super satire is Anthony Starr as Homelander, a fascist version of Superman who is the most powerful man on the planet. The new season was a masterful slow burn, as Starr hints at how Homelander’s carefully maintained facade is beginning to crack. What precipitated the collapse was the return of Soldier Boy, a foul-mouthed riff on Captain America and perhaps Homelander’s only weakness. While there was plenty of attention paid to the X-rated shenanigans at the heart of last week’s episode, it also provided a brief but satisfyingly brutal fight where Homelander nearly lost his head.
Rating: A for always exceeding expectations.
Watch on: Prime Video
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