– Slight Spoiler Review –
Every short in Star Wars Visions has a unique take on the galaxy far, far away, though out of all of them, Studio Colorido’s “Tatooine Rhapsody” seemed like the biggest swing: the band Star Waver must rescue one of its members from Jabba the Hutt and Boba Fett. For me, it worked better than expected and provided a good uplifting time, even if it all felt surface deep.
Hearing a rock band of sorts in the Star Wars setting was probably the biggest thing for me to get used to for “Tatooine Rhapsody,” even if John Williams incorporated the guitar before in Attack of the Clones while Ludwig Göransson expands the musical cues in exciting new ways, but the designs of the characters and their solid final tune made me want more once it was done. I was thumping my feet alongside Jabba the Hutt’s tail as Star Waver reached for the stars with its big performance, especially as it featured a Jedi finding his way to carry on and help others with his own style, while the comradery between the band members builds into the Saga’s found family roots. Those roots are important to the short’s story, as their Hutt bassist Geezer is taken by Boba Fett due to Jabba’s bounty on him, while it’s Geezer who takes in Jay when he’s at his lowest, on the run from a battle during the Clone Wars, with Jabba exemplifying the bonds you’re born with and the band the family you can find.
Jay isn’t like most Jedi we’ve dealt with, as he’s not quite battle brave, fizzling out when combat is necessary, a frustration he feels with himself considering the lightsaber he holds and all the expectations it comes with. It was neat to see him come to find how he can use his specific talents as a Jedi to help save others, specifically Geezer and the rest of the band to start, and with all the High Republic reading I’ve been doing, it’s hard not to wonder if his specific mindset would’ve been better served in that era. That’s the fun of these shorts, even if they aren’t canon, they are still Star Wars at their heart, so it’s easy to think of these shorts put into different parts of the Saga: the High Republic Jedi Order was more likely to foster Jedi’s connection to the Force, while the lack of them being part of a larger war, besides the threat of the Nihil, combat wasn’t always a thing Jedi would have to encounter and Jay probably wouldn’t had to worry about his doubts or had the opportunity to grow more comfortable in his own time. The pressure of saving Geezer’s life helps him connect with the Force and his Jedi past in the right way, leading to the rousing, rocking conclusion.
As exciting and fun as “Tatooine Rhapsody” can be, it felt the least layered of the shorts, which is fine for what it wants to be and it’s okay not all of these vastly and deeply explored the themes of the Saga, so for some your mileage may vary. For anyone looking for a good easy time, you’ll never be disappointed in any of Star Wars Visions’ shorts, least of all this one.
Here are a few other things:
- I particularly loved the montage during the closing song with its various Easter Eggs!
- The chibi style of animation was also something I’m not used to, which probably led to some of my disconnect with Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s take on Jay vs Hiroyuki Yoshino’s, but I really loved they style’s look for the overall tone of the short, especially the levity it was aiming for, which is what I expect from something titled “Tatooine Rhapsody.” The team at Studio Colorido managed to make a chibi Fett still menacing, while they gave us a Hutt styled like a Scene Kid and it’s probably the most wild yet wonderfully perfect combination no one ever knew they wanted.
- For the English Dub, it was great to have Temuera Morrison return for Boba, which helped make his shorter, compact look in chibi style all the more menacing, but Akio Kaneda’s Fett was just as threatening. Bobby Moynihan, who has voiced characters in Star Wars Resistance and Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge VR game, did a great job as Geezer, but there was something about Kōsuke Gotō’s delivery I found more appealing for the Hutt Scene Kid.
- I’d love to learn more about Kuyti, the guitarist droid, why she’s want to play in a band and how she got there, while the three upper torso-ed alien on the drums, Lan, is a fun design and the perfect drummer for sure.
- I really have to give “Tatooine Rhapsody” a lot of credit for having its story not heavily involve violence and for it not be resolved by it. Sometimes that’s in short order for the Saga.
Studio Colorido’s “Tatooine Rhapsody” is an anthem all of its own in the wonderful series of shorts for Star Wars Visions.
+ Star Waver’s big show
+ Found (band) family
– Surface Notes
Ryan is Mynock Manor’s Head Butler. You can follow him on Twitter @BrushYourTeeth. You can follow the website on Twitter @MynockManor and Instagram @mynockmanor.
STAR WARS VISIONS REVIEWS
“The Duel” | “The Twins” | “The Village Bride” | “The Ninth Jedi”