By Jamie Miller
Darth Maul was first seen in “Star Wars Episode I – The Phantom Menace” all the way back in 1999. Maul was iconic from his very first appearance. However, for the longest time, that’s all Maul was. A really cool villain who showed up only to be killed by the good guys, then “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” brought him back as a far more well-rounded villain. And now, Maul gets the chance to be the star.
“Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord” which dropped on Disney+ on April 6, takes place about a year after the end of “Star Wars: The Clone Wars.” The Jedi Order has been decimated by Order 66, the Galactic Republic has been turned into the Empire, and an era of darkness has fallen across the galaxy: the perfect time for Maul to attempt to rebuild his Shadow Collective criminal syndicate. However, things are never that easy, especially with a seasoned police detective on his trail, two fugitive Jedi becoming involved, and the ever-present threat of the Empire looming large. If anyone is to survive these dangerous times, then old grudges will have to be cast aside, and new alliances will have to be forged.
The series stars Sam Witwer, reprising his role as Maul, a former Sith lord turned would-be crime lord, with Witwer also voicing Emperor Palpatine. Vanessa Marshall, known for voicing Hera Syndulla in various “Star Wars” properties, provides the voice of Rook Kast, a Mandalorian subordinate of Maul. Chris Diamantopoulos, known for roles in “Invincible” and “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” voices Looti Vario, a diminutive criminal and former ally of Maul who uses a mechanical suit to make up for his short stature. Gideon Adlon, known from the likes of “Blockers” and “The Craft: Legacy” stars as Devon Izara, a young Twi’lek Jedi on the run from the Empire who Maul takes a special interest in. Dennis Haysbert of “The Unit” and “Lucifer” fame stars as Eeko-Dio Daki, Izara’s Jedi master, a man of calm focus and determination who seeks to protect himself and his padawan.
Wagnar Moura of “Narcos” fame lends his voice to Brander Lawson, a Janix police detective who seeks to arrest Maul before the Empire’s attention can be drawn to Janix. Charlie Bushnell, known for playing Luke Castellan in “Percy Jackson and the Olympians,” voices Rylee Lawson, Brander’s son, who shares a strained relationship with his often-absent father. Richard Ayoade of “The Watch” fame lends his voice to Two-Boots, Lawson’s droid partner who follows protocol a little too much.
I really liked this show, like really liked it. The fight scenes were great, the characters were actually likable and felt like characters with hopes and fears and not just snarky cardboard cutouts cracking jokes when the scene should be serious, and the villains…the villains were actually scary. The inquisitors weren’t the aura-farming idiots that fans have gotten used to as a result of “Star Wars Rebels” and “Obi-Wan Kenobi”. They are an actual threat. They actually feel like they could kill Maul or the Jedi. The writing of the show is also good, as is the voice acting and music.
If I had to lodge one complaint, it would be that the show is a bit predictable at times, though that’s not a huge problem, more of a nitpick, really. Overall, it is a phenomenal show, which I give eight and a half torches out of 10. I highly recommend it, both for diehard fans as well as people just looking for a good show to binge.
