The latest Star Wars IP project has just dropped on Disney, and there’s also a sequel to Vacation Friends - the question is, do we need them?

Ahsoka (Disney+) - The latest Star Wars IP Limited Series has debuted on Disney with two episodes. The series revolves around one of the more popular Star Wars characters, Ahsoka Tamo. If you recall, Ahsoka is best known for being a padawan (Jedi apprentice) to Anakin Skywalker. She represents 15 years of backstory, has one of the most significant character arcs, and dates back to The Clone Wars. Rosario Dawson takes on the role of Ahsoka, and if you ask the Star Wars faithful, this is one Limited Series they’ve been waiting for, excited at the prospects of where a live-action narrative can take this well-loved character. Mandalorian Sabine (portrayed by Natasha Liu Bordizzo) is Ashoka’s padawan.

My issue with some of the Star Wars content of late is how the creators seem too enthralled with the franchise from the start and feel that the mere fact that it’s a Star Wars product automatically elevates it to exciting status. We saw this with Mandalorian and Obi, how things would drag, or the narrative would slip and lose focus. Andor righted the ship as it demystified the narrative, making us consider grunts and everyday people as our protagonists. After two eps of Ahsoka, I have to confess that the most exciting character seems to be Shin (Ivanna Sakhno), a nemesis of Sabine. Hera (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) is the third member of the triumvirate of women we're supposed to be rooting for, but she lacks depth and texture so far. Even the droide Huyang, voiced by David Tennant, seems to be an afterthought. 

Vacation Friends 2 (Disney+) - When the first Vacation Friends dropped on Hulu in 2021, the comedy adventure came out of left field and was a lightweight but enjoyable situational comedy. The chemistry between the cast was palpable, even if it was the clichéd straight-laced couple who befriends a couple dangerously close to being certified lunatics. Portraying the straight couple were Lil Rel Howery (as Marcus) and Yvonne Orji (as Emily), and then there were John Cena and Meredith Hagner as Ron and Kyla. Taking place a few months after the first installment, we have Marcus and Emily as a newly married couple, about to embark on an all-expenses paid trip to a Caribbean resort. The first mistake is inviting Ron and Kyla to tag along.

The new pimples on the complexion of this film are Kyla’s father, ex-con Reese (played by Steve Buscemi), and a resort boss, played by Ronny Chieng. To keep us in our comfort zone, they even bring back Carlos Santos, the concierge Maurillo in the first film, as the hired babysitter of Ron and Kyla’s baby. The issue with me is that it all seems too bland and predictable. Buscemi tries to inject something new with his well-honed gifts for sarcasm, but that only takes us so far. After a first half that merely extends the first film, we get this abrupt shift to trying to be an action film, and honestly, this does not work at all. Cena is still the funniest thing in this film, but it’s a poor excuse for a sequel, and you’re better off watching the first one again.