David Bridges
Everybody’s favourite toy/movie model crossover, Lego Star Wars, has returned for an additional particular at Disney+. In a subversion of the at present well-liked multiverse narrative, Rebuild the Galaxy as an alternative topics its Lego-rendered Star Wars universe to an apocalyptic disaster, one by which the very constructing blocks of actuality are dramatically reshaped. Not merely set dressing this time round, the thought of a galaxy made from rearrangeable Lego blocks turns into integral to the narrative in a means the movie franchise solely alluded.
The four-part miniseries issues Sig and Dev Greebling, a pair of nerf-herding brothers with various opinions of their rural dwelling world, Finesa (pronounced just like the title “Vanessa,” however with a “F”). The Pressure-sensitive Sig (Gaten Matarazzo) appears content material together with his humble existence, whereas the contemptuous Dev (Tony Revolori) longs to depart the planet behind. Complicating issues, they’re each in love with the identical younger lady, a “cool” farmhand named Yesi Scala. Additional complicating issues, the 2 brothers and their Gonk droid, Servo (Smiling Mates‘ Michael Cusack, following a vocal improve in episode two), uncover a mysterious Jedi temple housing a clear, single-stud Lego brick referred to as “The Cornerstone” with the power to reshape the universe brick-by-brick. Entranced, the brothers take away the piece, a lot to the chagrin of Bob (Bobby Moynihan), a Jedi temple guard from a earlier incarnation of the Star Wars universe who’s taken it upon himself to make sure nobody else repeats the identical mistake he did years earlier than.
Dev and Sig’s transgression causes the entire of the Lego Star Wars universe to reshape itself, leading to adjustments each main and minor: the salty floor of Crait is now made from pepper, whereas the desert planet of Tatooine turns into a seashore and well-liked trip spot (this new universe reinterprets Luke Skywalker as a surfer bro who spends his days racing Max Rebo on alien ski-doos.) Although the thought isn’t strictly adhered to, previously good characters are actually introduced as being evil, and vice versa. Admiral Ackbar has develop into the template for the Empire’s Clone Troopers, whereas Salacious B. Crumb holds Yoda’s seat on the Jedi Excessive Council. The insurgent resistance is comprised of “good” variations of Sheev Palpatine, Darth Vader, Jabba the Hutt, Rely Dooku and IG-88- but additionally Jannah (as soon as once more performed by Naomi Ackie) and Lobot. There’s even a joke about Greedo “taking pictures first” that essentially alters the character’s relationship with Han Solo.
Whereas Darth Jar Jar is closely featured within the miniseries’ promotional supplies, one of the best remixed characters need to be Darth Rey (Helen Sadler) and Darth Tico (Kelly Marie Tran), cementing both character’s teased-but-vetoed heel turns in The Final Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker as missed storytelling alternatives, certainly. Anthony Daniels’ return as a psychopathic model of C-3PO moreover confirms the comedian book-exclusive 0-0-0 can’t make his leap to live-action quickly sufficient.
Nonetheless, for all of the enjoyable the sequence has exploring these alternate takes on beloved characters, Rebuild the Galaxy additionally ponders the karmic ramifications of enjoying god in a universe comprised of sentient Lego minifigures. Yesi’s father not exists on this new universe, for one, and although its been rearranged with a handwave, the dramatic thrust comes from stopping both Sig or Dev from utilizing the Cornerstone to place it again to the way it as soon as was. It ponders the identical “what’s achieved is completed” thought experiment introduced in Star Trek: Voyager‘s divisive “Tuvix episode,” and even turns into one thing akin to a kids’s tv model of Darkish Metropolis at one level. Nevertheless, as Surfer Luke opines, this new universe is “in some methods worse,” than the one previous it, “however in some methods higher,” additionally, and “perhaps that’s value combating for.”
Within the specials’ ultimate moments, our new solid of characters got down to discover this courageous new world they created collectively, teeing up a possible sequel sequence. A pre-credits teaser additionally reveals the Empire has employed a brand new bounty hunter, as soon as once more remixing two acquainted characters into a brand new (pun-based) one I wouldn’t thoughts seeing extra of. Very like Rebuild the Galaxy‘s overarching theme of questioning how accountable it’s to make one thing new from pre-existing supplies, although, the reply as to whether any of this was value it will rely solely on private style, however for probably the most half, Rebuild the Galaxy has a variety of enjoyable asking some sudden questions of itself.
Lego Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy is now streaming on Disney+.
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Daniel Mercer
