This review contains spoilers for episode 7 of The Book of Boba Fett, 'In the Name of Honor’, now available to view on Disney+. To remind yourself of where we left off, check out our review of The Book of Boba Fett episode 6.
Anyone who’s watched an early Robert Rodriguez film is fully aware that the director knows his way around a cinematic stand-off, and if there’s one thing Jon Favreau has proven during his Star Wars tenure it’s that he knows how to write a killer finale. With the arrival of The Book of Boba Fett's final episode, that creative combination has turned out to be especially fruitful. How do I love Chapter 7: “In the Name of Honor”? Let me count the ways.
First off, let me say the humor in this chapter provides exactly the right sort of tension-breaking required for such a high-octane episode. From Temuera Morrison’s dry delivery as he tells Cad Bane “I thought I smelled something,” to Amy Sedaris’ local gal Peli Motto throwing a hammer at her droid and screaming “Go faster you bucket of bolts” while trying to escape battle droids, this is a notably funny slice of Star Wars. Even the usually firm Fennec Shand offers a wry grin when the Mods thank her for sharp-shooting their way out of certain death – this episode serves up as many giggles as it does gasps.
The stakes have never been higher for our guy Boba Fett, and this almost exclusively battle-ridden episode manages to deliver some riveting life-or-death moments that really do have you worrying just who might survive until the end. Sound plotting plummets our heroes’ odds as an expected double-cross from the local leaders – who had promised to remain neutral – cause a somewhat panicked viewing of the near-overwhelming attacks on the Mods, Black Krrsantan, and the Gamorrean guards. The latter’s brutal murders by canyon drop is certainly a harrowing image but a necessary one in terms of the violent brutality of these lawless times. Casualties cannot just be one-sided – as we learned the hard way with our dearly departed Tusken friends – but as the Gamorreans were given the least screen-time and narrative investment out of Boba’s crew, it makes sense that they had to go. Thank you for your service!
The show’s usual stylistic nod to Westerns is upheld once again by Rodriguez, but he manages to infuse some other compelling genre elements at key moments when danger is closing in faster than Garbage Compactor 3263827. The Mod Skad (Jordan Bolger) probably didn’t have to whip his coat and spin on his heels to protect Black Krrsantan from gunfire, but that Matador flair made sure he looked good doing it, and it emphasizes the stylistic nature of this final stand. The sequence in which Mando and Boba hover like angels of death while dishing out red pew pews of justice against the Pyke Syndicate forces is another compelling piece of imagery, but the biggest, fist-pumping thrill comes when the people of Freetown turn up like Gandalf coming in from the East. Honestly, this whole episode has a real Two Towers/Return of the King energy, with different factions uniting to defeat the oppressive Pyke power. Talking of Peter Jackson vibes, it would be remiss to not mention Boba showing up on Chekhov’s Rancor, clambering over (and through) the city’s buildings like King Kong. With this outrageous sequence Rodriguez offers a cheering nod to the kaiju movies of old, with an iconic image of the beast climbing a tower thrown in for good measure.
But among the uniting factions and heroes, it is Grogu who proves his warrior worth by strutting in like a fancy gentleman and using his powers to protect his Daddy Din twice. Star Wars history has frequently shown the devastating ramifications of when a Jedi is required to suppress their feelings in order to wield further power over the Force. To have this so-called “Baby Yoda” choose the opposite way of his nicknamesake is a powerful, heartfelt statement of intent for where his and Din’s storyline will go. Grogu’s link to the Force and Din’s ownership of the Darksaber makes for a daunting duo who might just inspire further allegiance to their hybrid Jedi-Mandalorian way.
Every actor brings their A-game to this finale - even David Pasquesi is especially snivelling as the Mayor’s majordomo – and the collaborative nature of the episode means everyone has a moment to shine. But despite being a story of endearing teamwork, it makes a lot of sense to his character that Boba’s ultimate defeat of Cad Bane would be on his own merit. Bane’s live action version provides the perfect foe; the combination of voice actor Corey Burton’s growls of callousness with stunt performer Dorian Kingi never entering a scene unless it’s in slo-mo, ensures the ominous mystique of this bounty hunter is not lost from the Clone Wars animation. Despite a lack of context for the grudge between the two for viewers not well versed in the wider Star Wars landscape, their showdown is dripping with unresolved tension and serves as a reminder that Boba’s benevolence only goes so far. That he kills Cad with his gaffi stick only adds to the poetic justice of the duel, Morrison’s formidability in this role, and the climax of the series.
Before his death, Cad asks Boba, “what’s your angle?” and this episode answers the question better than any prior installment. The angle of this series has long been for its characters to find purpose through tribal solidarity. Although much of this comes through battle a significant amount is delivered through sincere simplicity, whether it's the affectionate reunion of Grogu and Mando, the mutual respect of Mando and Boba connecting through their shared Mandalorian heritage – even if the latter is still on the fence about it – or Boba using the lessons he learned from the Tuskens to courageously lead the outcast friends he’s made on the way. Boba Fett has finally found his tribe and this episode puts him back in the center of his own story.
from IGN Reviews https://ift.tt/7WM1c8F
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