A cute episode that did not really need that much of a story since Aardman Animations clearly wanted to showcase their animation (no pun intended) with a slice of Star Wars. Although everything about the short is cute, this really was a rather simple short for fans of Aardman. I have only seen the first episode and this one, and I have at least liked both of them so far. The first season probably had one good episode arguably, and I expect this season to be better since the animation in all the shorts vary, and it is not just one animation genre which was anime in the first season. I give this episode a 7/10 for a simple story with an animation that you will like if you are familiar with the studio.
8 Reviews
Lighthearted fun for all ages
tristanmilner-535165 May 2023
The first of three shorts that don't feature Force users! Which was a criticism of season 1.
A tale for all audiences, a pilot-in-training- tries to get out of a family race due to feeling embarrassed by her Mum. Haven't we all been there? Pretty straightforward plot, beat the stuffy posh family who look down on everyone else. Nice to see a lot of alien races here from all over Star Wars too.
Aardman is just lovely with the whimsy and cute here and it's got a few little Easter Eggs tucked away as well. Totally going to watch the making of stuff after posting. Look at the posters in the room to see who inspired this Twi'lek to join the Rebellion.
Overall, something the whole family can watch and enjoy.
A tale for all audiences, a pilot-in-training- tries to get out of a family race due to feeling embarrassed by her Mum. Haven't we all been there? Pretty straightforward plot, beat the stuffy posh family who look down on everyone else. Nice to see a lot of alien races here from all over Star Wars too.
Aardman is just lovely with the whimsy and cute here and it's got a few little Easter Eggs tucked away as well. Totally going to watch the making of stuff after posting. Look at the posters in the room to see who inspired this Twi'lek to join the Rebellion.
Overall, something the whole family can watch and enjoy.
This short gave me the PM and Aardman movies vibes!
samog-982893 July 2023
Before I continue watching episodes V & VI of Star Wars: Visions Vol. 2 here's my spoiler-free review of episode IV: I Am Your Mother! As usual, I'll be talking about my thoughts, favourite moments and my conclusion/rating! The story is simply sweet, I loved the claymation especially when it comes to Aardman's movies like; Wallace and Gromit, Shaun the Sheep, Early Man & Chicken Run (which is getting a sequel this year called Dawn of the Nugget coming to Netflix in December). My favourite moments were the familiar characters returning some classic and some new! This short felt like Phantom Menace where there were similar plot points! Overall this was an enjoyable episode from Vol. 2 that's good for kids & the whole family to love! That's why I'm giving this a 6/10! Looking forward to watching more of this! ;-)
The Carnforth is strong in this one.
southdavid28 July 2023
Well, for an Englishman such as myself, this was around the most unlikely "Star Wars" content ever produced. Perhaps not the Aardman of it, that makes sense, but Northern accents, a touching story of maternal embarrassment, written by the writers of "Motherland"!
At the Wedge Antilles (Denis Lawson) flight school a gifted young pilot, Anni Kalfus (Charithra Chandran) is embarrassed by her modest upbringing, and especially by her mum Kalina (Maxine Peake). She's so embarrassed that she's decided not to tell her mum about the family day race, and instead sit it out. However, that day she forgets her lunch and as Kalina delivers it, she learns the truth.
You might think from that plot summary that the film would explore the embarrassment but to its credit, Kalina knows that parents are supposed to embarrass their kids, so just runs with it and the film barrels on into the race. Plot is perhaps the weakest element of the short, it is a relatively straight forward and uncomplicated. The vocal performances are really good, particularly if you're from the UK and have known Maxine Peake as one of the best actresses there is. She's joined in this by Daisy Haggard, who takes a role as a rival parent who is used to winning this race and will stop at nothing to ensure that her daughter carries on the tradition. There is something odd but interesting about hearing regional accents in "Star Wars" though.
And of course, visually it's very strong. With Aardman having years to perfect their Claymation style and using it to good effect here. There are a number of visual gigs about both "Star Wars" and their own previous output.
It's not perhaps a particularly memorable or inspiring addition to the series, but it's certainly a charming and humorous one.
At the Wedge Antilles (Denis Lawson) flight school a gifted young pilot, Anni Kalfus (Charithra Chandran) is embarrassed by her modest upbringing, and especially by her mum Kalina (Maxine Peake). She's so embarrassed that she's decided not to tell her mum about the family day race, and instead sit it out. However, that day she forgets her lunch and as Kalina delivers it, she learns the truth.
You might think from that plot summary that the film would explore the embarrassment but to its credit, Kalina knows that parents are supposed to embarrass their kids, so just runs with it and the film barrels on into the race. Plot is perhaps the weakest element of the short, it is a relatively straight forward and uncomplicated. The vocal performances are really good, particularly if you're from the UK and have known Maxine Peake as one of the best actresses there is. She's joined in this by Daisy Haggard, who takes a role as a rival parent who is used to winning this race and will stop at nothing to ensure that her daughter carries on the tradition. There is something odd but interesting about hearing regional accents in "Star Wars" though.
And of course, visually it's very strong. With Aardman having years to perfect their Claymation style and using it to good effect here. There are a number of visual gigs about both "Star Wars" and their own previous output.
It's not perhaps a particularly memorable or inspiring addition to the series, but it's certainly a charming and humorous one.
Cliche, but the execution redeems it
sevskirita5 May 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Is the whole "trying to hide my mum, accidentally reveal I find her embarrassing, then use family memories to beat bullies in race/contest" thing done to death? Oh for sure.
But the humor (like the mini-death Star joke and the exaggerated evil colors of the bully ship), art style, voice acting, and framing like with the fireworks hug make up for it. This isn't the best of the stories Vision has to offer, but it's a worthwhile addition nonetheless. Because it turns a way overused cliche into a fun ride and good story, I give it an 8/10, although maybe the cliche should bring it down a little more.
But the humor (like the mini-death Star joke and the exaggerated evil colors of the bully ship), art style, voice acting, and framing like with the fireworks hug make up for it. This isn't the best of the stories Vision has to offer, but it's a worthwhile addition nonetheless. Because it turns a way overused cliche into a fun ride and good story, I give it an 8/10, although maybe the cliche should bring it down a little more.
There are no bras in space
jonathanmairamhof4 May 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This episode feels more like a parody of Star Wars than an anthology Episode.
In one scene you can see a bra flying through the air, even though George Lucas said, that there are no bras in space. This clearly show that Disney doesn't care about anything that George Lucas said and is only milking it to the fullest.
The story is just another lame underdog wins a race story. Is it really that hard to write something intriguing? In my opinion the whole series is a waste of budget that could be spent on better stories that fans really want to see, like Andor.
But this is what we have now, and what we most likely will get in the future: lame childish Star Wars Stories no one cares about...
In one scene you can see a bra flying through the air, even though George Lucas said, that there are no bras in space. This clearly show that Disney doesn't care about anything that George Lucas said and is only milking it to the fullest.
The story is just another lame underdog wins a race story. Is it really that hard to write something intriguing? In my opinion the whole series is a waste of budget that could be spent on better stories that fans really want to see, like Andor.
But this is what we have now, and what we most likely will get in the future: lame childish Star Wars Stories no one cares about...
A wedge better than the last
Trey_Trebuchet18 May 2023
Sue me I liked it.
This is one of the least-original stories in the series so far, but I thought it was query enjoyable.
Maybe I'm adding an extra star because I like Aardman's stuff, but I thought this was really cute and heartfelt. I would almost watch a short film with these characters and setting, so that must speak for something at least.
It's also pretty funny. The physical gags as well as the jokes were great. And I want that dog/droid.
Not one of the stronger episodes of the show, but still pretty good. I don't care that it's a little silly or whimsy and I don't care that there's a BRA in it.
This is one of the least-original stories in the series so far, but I thought it was query enjoyable.
Maybe I'm adding an extra star because I like Aardman's stuff, but I thought this was really cute and heartfelt. I would almost watch a short film with these characters and setting, so that must speak for something at least.
It's also pretty funny. The physical gags as well as the jokes were great. And I want that dog/droid.
Not one of the stronger episodes of the show, but still pretty good. I don't care that it's a little silly or whimsy and I don't care that there's a BRA in it.
If you like annoying voice actors and Wallace and Gromit, this episode is for you.
FloppingSeal4 May 2023
Warning: Spoilers
In a season ranging from mostly 7/10 to 10/10 episodes, this is the standout for the worst one. I will never understand why people enjoy this animation style, but I will chalk that up to preference.
Sadly, the problems don't end with preferences. The voice acting is atrocious. The "mom is embarrassing, but wait she knows she is, but she's also, like super cool" plotline has been done to death and feels very out of place even in a series experimenting with unique ideas. It's also jarring following the extremely dark tones of the first three episodes. It's nice to have a levity break sometimes, but the levity falls extremely short. It tries to be funny, but fails. It tries to be heart warming, but fails.
Every other episode in the season is worth watching, but this is an easy skip. Not missing out on any entertainment or lore. Don't subject yourself to this one.
Sadly, the problems don't end with preferences. The voice acting is atrocious. The "mom is embarrassing, but wait she knows she is, but she's also, like super cool" plotline has been done to death and feels very out of place even in a series experimenting with unique ideas. It's also jarring following the extremely dark tones of the first three episodes. It's nice to have a levity break sometimes, but the levity falls extremely short. It tries to be funny, but fails. It tries to be heart warming, but fails.
Every other episode in the season is worth watching, but this is an easy skip. Not missing out on any entertainment or lore. Don't subject yourself to this one.
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