The LEGO Star Wars saga has long excelled in crafting parody with purpose, and the new four-part sequel, *Pieces of the Past*, masterfully continues this beloved tradition with a delightful blend of humor and heartfelt moments. Directed by Chris Buckley and penned by the inventive duo Dan Hernandez and Benji Samit, the series skillfully delves into the franchise’s fascination with history and legacy, while reminding us that everything in this galaxy can be reconstructed—piece by piece.
Gaten Matarazzo makes a triumphant return as Sig Greebling, radiating infectious enthusiasm that captures the spirit of adventure. Meanwhile, Tony Revolori’s portrayal of Darth Dev and Bobby Moynihan’s Jedi Bob create an engaging comedic dynamic, balancing shades of ominous menace and delightful buffoonery. The witty exchanges between Marsai Martin’s sassy Yesi Scala and Michael Cusack’s clever Servo add a sharp edge to the humor. However, it is Ahmed Best as Darth Jar Jar who truly steals the show, wholeheartedly embracing the absurdity of his character with unabashed glee.
The newcomers to the franchise shine brightly in their roles as well. Dan Stevens infuses his character, Solitus, with operatic gravitas, while Ashley Eckstein playfully deconstructs her own legacy as LEGO BrickHeadz™ Ahsoka. Ben Schwartz’s exuberant portrayal of Jaxxon brings pure comic chaos to the forefront. Additionally, Mark Hamill’s cameo as Luke Skywalker elevates the narrative with a sly charisma and a knowing charm that only he can deliver.
While not every joke hits its mark, the series successfully strikes a delightful balance of nostalgia, parody, and imaginative reinvention, making *Pieces of the Past* a brisk, engaging, and enriching viewing experience. Though constructed from plastic, the joy it imparts is undeniably genuine—solid as ever, and brimming with creativity.
Final Grade: B
“LEGO® STAR WARS: REBUILD THE GALAXY – PIECES OF THE PAST” is available to stream on Disney+ now.
This week’s Second Listen Sunday pick takes us back to 2006 to revisit “So Amazin’,” the third album from Christina Milian. Arriving in stores on April 19 of that year, the project was produced largely by Cool & Dre, sans one song, and saw the singer earn writing credits on nine of the album’s songs.
For this week’s Slow Jam Saturday, I want to showcase love for Rahsaan Patterson and his album track “Can We Wait a Minute” from his self-titled debut album, released in 1997.
For this week’s Second Listen Sunday, I wanted to take a trip back to 2000 and show some love to the R&B duo K-Ci & JoJo and their third album, “X,” which was released in stores on December 5, just in time for a holiday stocking stuffer. Arguably, the group suffered from the sophomore slump with their second album, as only two singles were successful.