Before "Star Wars" heads back to the big screen for the first time in seven years with "The Mandalorian & Grogu" next month, Disney+ has taken us back to a galaxy far, far away for a new chapter in one of the dark side's most iconic faces: "Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord."
- Rating: 3.5/5 stars
- Verdict: "Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord" gets off to an engrossing start, but one that doesn't feel overwhelming for fans who've only seen the live-action series and/or the movies, and it's buoyed by menacing voicework from Maul performer Sam Witwer.
- Premiere date/time: Available to stream now, new episodes premiere Mondays at 12 a.m. PT/3 a.m. ET/ 8 a.m. BST
- Where to watch: Disney+
Full disclosure: The animated "Star Wars" shows have always been something I meant to get around to streaming, but I've just never found the time amongst keeping up with everything else I need to stream each week, so my "Star Wars" experience to date has been limited to live-action and an occasional comic or book.
That said, since the trailer looked cool, and voice actor Sam Witwer promised over on X that you didn't need to do any "Star Wars" homework to enjoy this new release, and seeing as I always thought Maul was an intriguing figure, I decided this would be the time I'd finally take the plunge.
Having had the opportunity to stream the first two episodes ahead of the show's two-part premiere on Disney+, I'm pleased that I finally did — you can read my "Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord" review below to find out why.
What is 'Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord' about?
"Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord" is set after the events of "The Clone Wars" and sees the former Sith Lord (voiced by Sam Witwer) touching down on a planet untouched by the Empire, bent on rebuilding his criminal syndicate (and searching for a new apprentice). There, he crosses paths with a disillusioned young Jedi Padawan, who could well be the perfect person to help aid him in his relentless pursuit of revenge...
In addition to Sam Witwer, the "Maul - Shadow Lord" voice cast also features Richard Ayoade, Gideon Adlon, Wagner Moura, Vanessa Marshall, and Dennis Haysbert, among others.
'Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord' has me hooked already — here's why
When I finished watching the second episode, the first thought I had was simply that I must have been missing out by not checking out the animated "Star Wars" stories, as this two-episode premiere was engrossing stuff.
These first two chapters seemingly have two primary functions: set the story in motion, and dole out some eye-catching action — and the show does both well. The breezy half-hour episodes pack in a decent amount of story and action, and despite not being up to speed on "The Clone Wars," I think I've been fed enough about Maul's machinations to know for sure that I want to see what's coming next.
It helps that the show looks as nice in motion as it does, too; even if things had gotten off to a slower start, I'd still be recommending the show on the strength of its atmosphere and visuals. The team has succeeded in placing us within a seedier-feeling corner of the galaxy, one that's dramatically lit, dominated often by striking, Sith-red imagery, and boasts a brooding, droning score to match. It looks great in motion, too, especially in the bursts of blaster fire and lightsaber swinging.
Beyond the show's presentation, though, the single biggest thing I want to point out is how I've become an instant fan of Witwer's performance. Given my experience of Maul is basically limited to thinking the character was damn cool when I saw that "The Phantom Menace" brawl as a kid or being surprised to see him during that "Solo" cameo, I wasn't sure how much I'd be interested in him as a lead character — but I couldn't have been more wrong.
Witwer's Maul makes a very strong impression from the jump, matching the character's grandiose presentation with a performance that feels confident, grandiose, and menacing. That "Solo" appearance aside, this is the first time I've spent any time with his performance, and I couldn't not praise it.
All in all, then, I'd definitely recommend checking the first two episodes of "Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord" out now that the show's available to stream on Disney+. Even lacking the context of "The Clone Wars" storyline, I found it involving purely on the strength of Maul's personality alone.
"Maul - Shadow Lord" seems to be off to a strong start; whether you're at all curious about the former Sith Lord, or you're just in the mood for some more action from the galaxy far, far away, I think you might enjoy Disney+'s new "Star Wars" story.
"Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord" is now streaming on Disney+. New episodes premiere weekly on Mondays through May 4.
