The Book of Boba Fett (TV Mini Series) Chapter 1: Stranger in a Strange Land (2021) User Reviews

Would you like your helmet serviced?

[snoozejonc · 7/10 · 30 December 2021]

Boba Fett reflects on events after his escape from Sarlacc.

This is a reasonably good start to the show, that partially sets up the premise, but it's very early to judge how it will go as an overarching narrative and fit into the franchise.

The best aspect of it for me was the opening sequence. It is exposition, like the majority of the episode, but is done in a strong visual way and answers some obvious questions about the character. There are more questions to be answered about what led him to his current position, so hopefully we get something memorable in the journey.

I found the general pace and feel of it similar to The Mandalorian. Fett has slightly more personality as a lead character, given that you see his face, but Temuera Morrison did not really have much to do other than fight, act tough and look as if he's been through the wringer.

Star Wars fans should like the fan service and references to the movies as there are plenty.

Visually it is great and as you would expect contains plenty of well used landscapes and backdrops in its presentation of Tatooine. The action sequences are well done, but you come to expect this from Disney.

Overall I think it's a 6.5/10 but I round upwards.

Good start could've used more of a hook

[harry-34518 · 7/10 · 29 December 2021]

This episode is well written, directed (for the most part) and acted, however the problem lies in the story not being really pulling me in. I enjoy being with these characters and learning about boba fett more but I just feel the story isn't in the picture yet which is fine but there didn't feel a sense of direction. However I do see other Disney plus shows have a similar problem. There's a nice mystery with the raiders which I hope we get to explore more and more in the show. There's one action scene though that feels slow and not very well directed. But the rest of the show is pleasant it's not bad it's not great it's a fun watch. Star Wars fans however will eat this up and love it.

Pretty cool, while pretty reserved

[tristan_19 · 8/10 · 29 December 2021]

It's nice to see how Boba Fett managed to survive the Sarlacc and earn the respect of the sand people in his flashbacks. We don't get a lot of story, but we can see a glimmer of what's to come. Fennec is awesome as always. I think it was a decent introduction, but nothing that gripping. The music is excellent. The episode definitely could have benefited of 5-10 more minutes to further the plot or set the tone for what's to come, as it is a Series Premiere, but overall it was well done.

Not bad, but not amazing either.

[namob-43673 · 7/10 · 29 December 2021]

This was a good interesting start. Both Boba and Fennec are legends in Star Wars, we sort of know the world they are in and we can sort of figure out what they are up to and what they want to do with not much exposition needed.

Also good that we got the "how he survived" story so we do not need to wonder too much about that.

There was enough going on to keep us entertained and the acting is solid.

The negative is basically that this does not feel spot on. Although acting is solid/good, it is not great. Although the computer graphics are great for TV they are not fantastic. Although we get a sort of set-up story, too little is explained. Basically everything is good, but not much more. Music 7/10, sets, acting, directing etc 7/10. They can do better with all of it.

I am definitely intrigued to know more and watch more episodes, but this far I am not going to be sleepless thinking of the next instalment either. Good solid start, now lets build on this and give us something great or special too.

Stranger in a a strange land.

[dontecullins · 8/10 · 29 December 2021]

Like many I've been looking forward to this series, while I'm definitely more excited about the upcoming Obi-Wan series. The first episode of Boba Fett gives us a little more knowledge about the character. You kinda get a feel of what state the galaxy is in at this point in time. The CGI and special effects are on point. Good first episode, I'm ready for more!

Weak start for Boba Fett

[melwinbauer · 29 December 2021]

The first episode of "The Book of Boba Fett" wasn't all bad, but not very good either. The episode is divided into two main parts, one taking place in the present, and one taking place in the past. The two parts have weak action in common, but also some different issues. The former is a bit short and could've gone into further detail about what happens after the Mandalorian season 2 and how Boba Fett and Fennec get to the point where the show starts. The dialogue during the former is also a bit stale and in general, it doesn't really feel like the space-gangster-epic promised. The latter is a bit better but could've also gone into better detail about what happens to Boba Fett. The way they explain his survival is a bit cheap and not as cool as it perhaps should've been. Throughout the entire episode, the action is pretty slow and poor. It is understandable that Temuera Morrison can't perform fast-paced and hard-hitting combat but they should've done it better instead of trying to make him look more powerful through the use of sound and his facial expressions. On the whole, Boba Fett should've been a lot cooler than he is and the episode should've been a lot better than it is.

5/10.

Fett and Proper

[southdavid · 6/10 · 31 December 2021]

I'm not doing episode specific reviews on anything else at the moment, so I think I'll promote "The Book of Boba Fett" to that status. I really love "The Mandalorian" and was looking forward to this series. This opening episode though had some worrying moments, but I'm assuming that the quality will increase as the show runs on.

Having established himself as the new crime lord of Mos Espa, Boba Fett (Temura Morrison) sets about establishing his legitimacy by taking tributes from local businesses. His plan to rule by respect, rather than fear, is immediately questioned when he and Fennec Shand (Ming Na-Wen) are attacked on their walk-through town. In flashback, we're show Fett escaping from the Sarlaac Pit, only to lose his suit to Jawas and then be captured by Tusken Raiders.

There were some aspects of this episode that was reasonably successful. Visually it's pretty good. A sprawling view of Mos Espa to compare it with any aspect of the town we've seen before is really well done. The multiarmed sand creature, that appears towards the end has some . . . Oddness about it, but I think it's more related to the design rather than execution, the rest of the creatures and vehicles are good though. Matt Berry is in it ! And he continues the fine tradition of comedy actors taking on the role of droids within the world.

More worrying though was the central fight scene, that saw Fett and Shand attacked in the street by a group with shields and energy weapons. I was surprised about how badly this scene was shot and edited. Actions were repeated over and over, and it was especially noticeable with Shand at the back of the scene repeating the same action time and again. Then the parkour scene that follows was unnecessary and, at times, comical as she follows her quarry's route identically, even though they layout establishes shorter less complicated routes that she should follow.

It doesn't derail the episode entirely, but along with a general lack of story, makes this opening episode well below the levels that "The Mandalorian" is operating at.

Good Start, over hyped because it's "Boba Fett"

[ewanerich · 8/10 · 29 December 2021]

Look, I'm a Lifelong Star wars fan. And I always thought Boba Fett was cool, but they didn't need to bring him back in the Mandalorian and they really didn't need to then give him his own spinoff! That being said it was a good opening episode. Ming-Na Wen will always be a standout in anything she's in and this is no exception. Whilst I can't stand here and say there's anything wrong with the episode as I did enjoy it all, there just wasn't enough for me to rank it any higher.

A Good Start, but it's no Mando...

[TRIDENT1745 · 7/10 · 29 December 2021]

Solely based on the first episode, it is indeed worth watching.

Ludwig Göransson composed much of the score (composer from The Mandalorian), so the series sounds absolutely fantastic.

The direction is good, and the flashbacks following Empire Strikes Back is very well interwoven throughout the episode.

The action scenes were full on and Temuera Morrison is GREAT. Fennec's character is even more likable than in The Mandalorian, but there are quite a few downsides.

Firstly, there is literally Boston Dynamics robot dogs walking around in at least one scene as droids... if droids are meant to highlight the SW universe than the real world feels odd.

Secondly, the sand creature near the end of the episode is an absolute abomination.

Thirdly, and I really have a gripe with this one, many action scenes have stuntmen that are EXTREMELY slow and soft in their rehearsed choreography. Especially the lead guy in the rooftop chase scene. His fighting actions does not look convincing. It is slow, and the blows are very soft. This continues a few times throughout the episode.

Overall, a thoroughly entertaining first episode, but don't get me wrong. It's doesn't compare well to The Mandalorian.

Great start for an exciting series!

[dforneas · 8/10 · 29 December 2021]

I think a lot of people are missing the mark with this episode. Its' main objective was to show what happened to Boba after falling into the Sarlacc pit on Return of the Jedi, and give us a small introduction to what is to come for Boba Fett and Fennec Shand.

After Boba's appearance on "The Mandalorian", where we see him full of scars and in a Tusken Raider outfit, the first questions which came up were: How did he survive? & Why is he wearing and fighting like Tusken raiders do? Of course these were the main questions that had to be answered in this episode, since as we saw on the small trailers part of the marketing campaign, the Banca Tank in which Boba is seen, had to be related with his time inside the Sarlacc. Besides, most of the scenes and lines used in those small trailers were seen during this episode, keep in mind this had already been done in "The Mandalorian", meaning so that there is a lot more exciting and unknown stuff coming in the next episodes that they didn't want revealed right from the start.

Regarding the main plot for the series, we only got a small peak of what's to come, being introduced to some of the first decisions Boba has to make as the new Daimyo of Mos Espa. However, I think we could've been introduced to more information / action regarding this part of the plot, since most of it was already seen on the trailers released. Even though this wasn't the main goal of this episode, most of the fans would've been pleased with seeing more of this during this introduction to the series.

Overall, it was great first episode to a series which promises to be filled with action and exciting surprises!

Left wanting more but good

[dpoland-76589 · 7/10 · 30 December 2021]

Felt too much like the Mandalorian in terms of "feel" and pacing. We need to see Bobas motives. We don't actually know who he is at his core. What are his motives for taking over from Bib? I wish we could've been fed some clues as to those things.

Ludwig's choices for the score are a mystery. A few parts seemed ripped right out of a film version of a classic Swedish kids tale which threw me. Other parts are too much like the western style used for Mandalorian. Where's the uniqueness for Boba?

Hated the "monster" in the sand. Everything about it was wrong and took me out of logic and the world of Star Wars.

Looking forward to seeing the show develop but wasn't too impressed with the first episode.

It's just the start...

[alexbigaliy · 8/10 · 29 December 2021]

While it's true that this episode is pretty reserved, I think that it's a nice way to start the show. This filler is exactly what we needed, and it was great to see the different sights of Tatooine so much later in the saga.

The action scene was a mix of great and not-so-great in my opinion (Boba could have used his jet pack to fly over the shields).

The flashbacks to the Tusken camp are a bit too long, but I remain sure the show will develop to higher things towards the end.

It was great to see the all the alien races again throughout the episode, for example the rodian, and twilek running Mos Eisley Morrison is great at playing Boba Fett and Ming Na Wen also delivers a strong performance, so I think this show will only get better from here.

That's it for my review and I'd love to see any characters like Mace Windu returning.

mediocre start

[jack_pearson · 6/10 · 2 January 2022]

I could not tell you what i jus watched. Random incoherent scenes put together, the fights were pretty awful. I don't know if it's the choreography or maybe the old actor insists on doing em but he was terrible. Dude gritted his teeth and stared at the camera in some scenes.... you can tell he is trying to be a "tough" guy so bad. Hopefully it gets better and we see more fennec sand.

Rather 'meh'!

[Voo-Doo · 5/10 · 30 December 2021]

It's a bit like watching a bad '90s Star Trek episode. Albeit this review is based on the first episode only, but the acting is wooden and lazy, the costumes are flimsy and unrealistic. It seems like the gravy-train is chugging along without much thought about the process.

The Mandalorian this most definitely is not. If you're expecting that, or similar, you'll be sorely disappointed.

Review based on independent assessment. Not a bot trying to ramp up review scores.

Ok, but

[jonny3939 · 6/10 · 30 December 2021]

At what point do we stop giving Star Wars a pass just because we starved for more content. I so wanted a Big Bang, and we got an ok episode that was flat. I'm still going to watch cause I'm starved, but wow me at least once an episode. I probably won't rewatch this one.

"My name is Boba Fett."

[wetmars · 8/10 · 30 December 2021]

Not bad, not bad. Interesting setup for about what's about to come. I liked the horror aspect of the beginning with the stormtrooper trapped. It would have been awesome & disturbing if the stormtrooper moved to scream for his life because I love horror. I have waited for a LONG time to see how Boba escaped, and it was truly satisfying. I have to say Boba had a TOUGH life after escaping the Sarlaac Pit like he had his armor stolen from the Jawas, his skin was blistered due to the sun and captured to be a slave for the Tusken Raiders.

I do appreciate the writers giving Boba more emotions as was a serious guy like having a sense of humor plus the moment he was hurrying to cut the ropes wrapped around him as some strange dog-like creature was walking towards him. You can see how uneasy he was. The fight scene between Boba against a Tusken Raider was flipping awesome with Boba getting his ass kicked in brutal hits (( to all complainers, to be fair. He was weak and tired. )), but still fought for his life. He had somewhat of sympathy for a Tusken Kid when a big humanoid four-armed sand monster tried to kill him, but Boba protected him by choking the life of that thing.

I haven't expressed my opinion on Boba's new armor, but I wish that he didn't repaint it because it looked so basic, and the old armor looked amazing. Although there is a lot of problems with the episode with a 38-minute runtime, barely anything epic happens, but you got to remember that it is setting up. I was shy on Fennec first as she wasn't interesting neither in Mando & Bad Batch. All she did was kick-ass, but here. She has an interesting relationship with Lord Boba and a bit more of character. Also, what a surprise that the Jizz fellows are still alive. Always great to see them. Overall, it's like a slow-moving pilot with plenty of action where Boba is always badass.

7/10. I do believe that the show will get better over time. Just give it a chance!

Stilted fight choreography, almost Bantha fodder.

[amesmonde · 29 December 2021]

Boba Fett (haunted by his past) takes over Jabba the Hutt's old territory, along with mercenary Fennec Shand, however he is met with deadly resistance.

The resourceful usually excellent Robert Rodriguez (El Mariachi, From Dusk Until Dawn to name a few) directs this opening episode of The Book of Boba Fett. However, something feels off and it's not just the choreographed fights. Multi-talented Jon Favreau who brought the Mandalorian to life seems unnaturally off his game, with a little too on the nose spoon feeding exposition, the flashbacks particularly don't come across as strong. The cool mysterious Sand People raise an eyebrow but the wonder and excitement is largely missing from the outset. Favreau with his writing hat on goes out of his way to show the Sarlacc Pit escape, uncannily it had already been done in fan made films and in other another mediums. And if not, you can imagine how Boba had escaped.

Unnecessary retro fitting aside and the particularly stilted action fight scenes, it's an entertaining opening episode. However, it felt a little cheaper and/or rushed, right down to the sound mixing compared to the opening episode of the Mandalorian. That said, there is a nice tribute to Ray Harryhausen but again it doesn't hold up to close-ups. There's nods to Star Wars saga throughout including places like Geonosis, Mos Espa, Kamino, there's Jawas, Tusken Raiders, Banthas, a bacta tank to name a few. There are plenty of brilliant callbacks to Return of the Jedi, including locations including Jabba The Hutt's Palace (seen briefly in the Mandalorian finale) and characters, Max Rebo and some band members, Gamorrean guards, even an 8D8 droid. The costumes, make-up and music are the star of this episode.

Temuera Morrison's Boba Fett is still not fully healed, therefore, his appearance in The Mandalorian and here he is not on his peak form. This suggests there is much more to come from the galaxy's best bounty hunter turned ruler of over Jabba the Hutt's (and Bib Fortuna's) criminal empire.

Overall, Boba unmasked (again), Temuera Morrison even with another great gritty performance as Fett can't save Chapter One from its lack of quality or inject that Star Wars je ne sais quoi magic. Let's hope it's just a bumpy start and there is greatness to come.

Not the bounty hunter I remember

[stani_cv · 6/10 · 31 December 2021]

I remember Jango in the prequels and his son Boba in Ep 5 being among the most dangerous bounty hunters in the universe. What we get in this episode is an old dude who almost got his a** kicked by some weird desert ninjas and got saved by his pig guards, the same useless ones in Jaba's palace. Understandably he's recovering from past misfortunes, but seriously how did he get to be the crime boss? He's neither menacing nor ruthless. He's almost got Ben Kenobi's attitude of living in the desert and not caring much about anything. Surprised Robert Rodrigues actually directed this. This episode felt rushed as if they knew how to make it good, but just wanted to get it over with sooner. I'll give it another shot in Ep2.

Was hoping for a bulkier first episode

[ROOKreations · 8/10 · 29 December 2021]

In the midst of this recent Star Wars content drought I was hoping for a longer episode, which we didn't get. Instead get a quick 30 minutes.

That being said, you can't deny how cool of a start this felt. I'm loving the tone! I'm glad they're able to maintain as much of the brutality of Boba Fett as possible despite being limited by Disney's family-friendly restraints.

I can't completely jump on the train of, "Oh my god, this is going to be awesome!" quite yet. But hey, that new theme at the end credits... I love it! I'm optimistic for the future of the show because I trust the creators behind it.

Nothing exceptional but it's just the beginning

[lucafarina · 7/10 · 29 December 2021]

I found this first episode a bit undertone. I didn't appreciate a lot the Temuera Morrison's performance. So good from the technical standpoint. I must say that the last scene was crazy.

Honestly i had the lowest of expectations, but i had second thoughts, even if it's not mind-blowing.

We shall watch the next episode and hope.

Good pilot episode

[Dannyboi94 · 8/10 · 29 December 2021]

This pilot episode was a very well made episode, with stunning visuals, music and sets. I loved how well it fits in after ep6. Without spoiling anything, I would say the best part of this episode is when we see flashbacks of Boba's past. The present time is a little slow in places, but opens up for great future episodes.

The visuals in this are the standout, as you would expect, as well as the set pieces and costumes.

I wouldn't say this pilot hooked me as much as the Mandalorion did, but I'm more interested in seeing where this legendary character is taken next.

Old school and not in the best way

[mrgroom · 6/10 · 30 December 2021]

Robert Rodriguez' directing style feels so outdated, that it almost ruined the source material. Yes, it is supposed to be a western, but a modern one, mind you. John Favreau is the king of Disney at the moment, eagerly waiting for the next episode.

Short, Sweet and Has Potential.

[bbevis-47954 · 8/10 · 29 December 2021]

The Book of Boba Fett's first episode is Star Wars comfort food. Easily digestible and over before you know it. Not much happens with the story in the premiere besides Boba letting people know who's in charge now. I love the mixture of CGI and practical sets/costumes. Learning about what happened to Fett after his fight with Luke was fun in my opinion. If I were to be critical of anything it would be the action only because I'm comparing it to the action sequences served up in the Mandalorian. The fight in the city square is fun but it almost felt like watching a CW show fight sequence. Maybe keep the helmets on so stunt doubles can perform faster movements? Also, the short run time leaved a little desired in terms of the episode's substance but overall, I had a good time watching a Stranger in a Strange Land.

What was that Pokémon doing on Tatooine?

[mejjmurphy · 7/10 · 6 January 2022]

Overall it appears to be a promising start. But one thing that bothered me was during the mid to the end of the episode where Boba Fett is digging for milk or water bulbs. We see them accidentally awaken this creature from underneath the sands, which turns out to be Machamp from Pokémon? Was this supposed to be a Boba Fett x Pokémon crossover? In all seriousness, this creature didn't look like something that would live on Tatooine let alone be in Star Wars. Maybe it would if this creature didn't have 12 pack abs. From previous movies/tv show (Mandalorian)...creatures on Tatooine were more animal like (ex: the creatures in Attack of the clones, one looked like a spider, the other a wild cat, and the last one was like a rhino)...keeping the proportions similar to real animals made it seem more realistic. In the mandalorian they had this ginormous worm creature, and it looked like something you'd find on a desert planet. But the Machamp creature? Absolutely not. It just didn't look like Star Wars to me...made me more confused than invested in the scene.

Star Wars Comfort food

[Couchkik20 · 5/10 · 29 December 2021]

This is a nice and cozy show that's 50% Easter Eggs and 50% fan service. Nothing is remotely original or inventive, everything looks like a scrapped early draft from Star Wars. The "laser shield" fight scene wouldn't be out of place at a Comicon cosplay event or a Disneyland parade.

This is just comfort food and as you watch you wait for the next familiar thing to appear on screen vaguely made exciting by expensive CGI.

There is so much talent involved it's sad that they stick to the most basic exact copy of something that was made more than 40 or 20 years ago (the original trilogy/ the prequels).

I adore Star Wars but they can't push the nostalgia agenda forever!