Star Wars Rebels: Complete Season Four Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		3.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		3.5

Star Wars Rebels: Complete Season Four Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman August 4, 2018

Even if the rebellion is really just getting started, there had to be a time for Rebels to come to an end. This fourth season marks the finish line for the hit Disney XD show that bridged the gap between the previous Star Wars animated series The Clone Wars and the timeframe around Rogue One and Episode IV. Having introduced a number of compelling characters, delivered unique storylines, crafted first-class action, and unearthed so much of the emotional core within the Star Wars universe, the show has been nothing less than a success as both an entertainment vehicle and a critical add to George Lucas' sprawling universe. Season four delivers a number of emotional blows but also enjoys several arc fulfillments and plot resolutions that tidy up this show while helping to set the stage for future live action installments to come on the Star Wars timeline.

Official synopsis: As the Rebellion struggles against the might of the Empire, Ezra leads the 'Ghost' crew back to his home world to defeat the oppressive forces under the command of cunning Grand Admiral Thrawn. Old friends are reunited and new alliances are forged as the critically acclaimed series builds to a transformative conclusion that reveals our heroes' destinies.

Through four seasons, Rebels has opened up Star Wars lore in a way none of the movies have been able to. The show’s length is of course a key factor in that, allowing for much greater breadth of narrative exploration and universe expansion, to not just fill in a few background gaps but to become intimate with ideas and places and events while presenting a scale that is beyond the feature films. These shows are more like the universe novels that exist, focused yet sprawling and keying in on small details that may have been mentioned in the movies and expanding them into major components of the rebellion against the Empire, or crafting entirely new people, places, and ideas with established context in mind. Season four is of course a combination of all of that and a culmination for this chapter in the Star Wars saga. It’s exciting, it tugs on the heartstrings, and the somewhat condensed season crams in plenty of risky but rewarding character arc resolutions en route to setting the stage for the familiar, but suddenly in a new perspective, saga of the rebellion against the Empire.

Season four doesn’t so much introduce but certainly reveals the origins of (or, at the very least, reveals the first use of) some key places, characters, and vehicles from the Star Wars saga. These include Yavin Base, the introduction of the X-Wing and TIE Defender ships, and a thorough exploration of Trandoshans and the legendary Mon Mothma, revealing a side of her not seen in the films and taking the opportunity to put a personality and backstory to an otherwise prominent but static character in the films. And what makes Rebels such a standout is that these aren’t just fan service moments, people and places and things wrenched in just to check off a list. The writers have made them all, to some degree, integral parts of the larger story that allow fans to soak in new content and come to better understand the Star Wars universe, not simply enjoy a random appearance of something familiar.

The season delivers some terrific action. “Rebel Assault” offers a classic space battle, reminiscent of those from movies like Rogue One and A New Hope, in the skies above Lothal, which is also the episode that introduces X-Wing fighters into the show. The season ends with a doozy of a battle, too, but it’s more the show’s resolving character arcs that make it so satisfying. Kanan and Hera’s relationship takes a major step forward, as does Kanan as a Jedi, which will pull on him and guide his arc on through to the series’ conclusion. Ezra’s growth takes its final steps, and the season sees the characters' bond reach new heights, bonds that have grown from togetherness through a common cause, shared ideals, and the strains and disasters of their adventures. The season has more than a few heart-tugging moments. It’s been a fun ride.

Star Wars Rebels: Complete Season Four Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Star Wars Rebels: Season Four's 1080p transfer delivers a pleasing experience with irregular flaws. Banding, aliasing, and noise are infrequent but present and only rarely to even a noticeable, never mind distracting, level. Details are sharp. The animation's textural intricacies are revealed with ease. Whether character models, vehicles, or environments, this 1080p presentation brings out the best, particularly on more complex models where fine variations and structural variables appear tangible and tactile, which is a bit different from the smoother, more precise character renderings and rounder shapes. Colors are healthy, never particularly bold but finding a nice level of saturation and accuracy, whether considering irregular character skin tones (blue, green), laser blasts, explosions, or planet terrain. Black outer space shots hold very deep. This is a very satisfying visual presentation from Disney.

Star Wars Rebels: Complete Season Four Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Star Wars Rebels: Season Four lacks the definition, engagement, and power that the material demands. Laser blasts and explosions are not particularly stout. The space battle in "Rebel Assault," for example, is fairly described as a disappointment. The sequence presents basics well enough but struggles to engage with any sort of vitality and stage-commanding intensity. Still, surround engagement and directionality are prominent, but the lack of volume and weight fail to bring a greater sense of sonic grandeur to action. This Dolby Digital 5.1 presentation is a Disney track, though, and cranking the volume upwards helps to even it out, but the absence of a tighter, more potent low end keeps the material from shining. Music follows, never wanting for more spacing but struggling with volume and depth. Support effects are nicely balanced within the stage but also come up lacking. Dialogue is center focused and well prioritized but needs that volume boost as well.

Star Wars Rebels: Complete Season Four Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Star Wars Rebels: Season Four contains supplements on both Blu-ray discs. No DVD or digital versions are included. The release ships with an embossed slipcover.

Disc One:

• Audio Commentaries: For "Heroes of Mandalore, Part 1:" Executive Producer Dave Filoni. For "Heroes of Mandalore, Part 2:" Executive Producer Dave Filoni.
• Rebels Recon (1080p): As always, Andi Gutierrez hosts a collection of brief but insightful glimpses into each episode. The pieces follow her behind-the-scenes at LucasFilm headquarters. They include episode plot recaps, cast and crew interviews that pull back the veil on the characters and story, answer fan questions, and offer a few humorous interludes. Includes Inside 'Heroes of Mandalore, (6:42), Inside 'In the Name of the Rebellion' (7:46), Inside 'The Occupation' and 'Flight of the Defender' (9:02), Inside 'Kindred' and 'Crawler Commandeers' (8:33), and Inside 'Rebel Assault' (7:54).

Disc Two:

• Ghosts of Legend (1080p, 1:01): A seven-part feature that more closely examines several of the key characters from Star Wars: Rebels. Included are The Lost Boy: Ezra Bridger (2:35), The Fallen Knight: Kanan Jarrus (5:00), The Captain: Hera Syndulla (4:48), The Broken Girl: Sabine Wren (4:13), The Survivor: Zeb (2:21), and The Veteran: Chopper (1:00). The supplement also includes In the Beginning (1:01), which offers a very quick overview of where the show started and the sense of family amongst the characters, and The End (5:58), an exploration of the series' endpoint.
• Force of Rebellion (1080p): A four-part feature that explores Ezra's character growth with a broader context of what the show has to offer on a deeper, more contemplative and intimate level. Included are Temptation (2:52), Everything Is Connected (4:32), Between Worlds (3:46), and The Choice (2:07).
• Audio Commentaries: For "Jedi Knight:" Executive Producer Dave Filoni. For "Wolves and a Door:" Executive Producer Dave Filoni. For "A World Between Worlds:" Executive Producer Dave Filoni and Re-Recording Mixer & Sound Editor Bonnie Wild. For "Family Reunion - and Farewell:" Executive Producer Dave Filoni.
• Kevin Kiner: The Rebel Symphony (1080p, 9:38): A closer look at the composer's contributions to Star Wars' sonic landscape.
• Rebels Recon (1080p): Andi Gutierrez returns for more episode-by-episode breakdowns. Included are Inside 'Jedi Knight' and 'Dume' (9:26), Inside 'Wolves and a Door' and 'A World Between Worlds' (12:34), and Inside 'A Fool's Hope' and 'Family Reunion - And Farewell' (18:23).

Star Wars Rebels: Complete Season Four Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Rebels wraps up to satisfying conclusion. Character arcs are completed, action scenes are intense and invigorating, and the series' emotional draw is at its highest at several points throughout. It's a fitting end to the show and the show is a fitting middle time frame exploration in the most beloved period in the Star Wars universe. Star Wars Rebels: Season Four features solid video and audio and offers a quality array of engaging bonus content. Highly recommended along with seasons one, two, and three.