Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		3.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		3.5

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

Reviewed by Martin Liebman August 27, 2016

Star Wars Rebels may have replaced Star Wars: The Clone Wars on the animated TV show front, but it's not a replacement for the fan-favorite show. It's instead a continuation of the broader Star Wars saga and further definition of the sprawling universe, one that intermixes characters, events, consequences, and all of the webs that hold and tentacles that reach throughout the galaxy of George Lucas' creation. Season two of Rebels is certainly very dependent on understanding the greater universe as it was developed in previous shows and films, particularly the prequel trilogy and character introduction and interconnected development from throughout the Clone Wars program. Rebels takes place after all of that and before the original trilogy of films, fitting in there some time around when Rogue One is set to play (it would be cool, and a nice little touch, for one or more of the Rebels heroes to at least make a live-action cameo in that film; after all, movie and Clone Wars characters have crossed into Rebels, so turnabout is fair play). Before going any further, Star Wars fans who may be behind on the animated programs owe it to themselves to go back and start at the beginning with Clone Wars and work their way up to Rebels. Season two will make a lot more sense that way, though it's certainly good enough, fun enough, and familiar enough to stand on its own. See reviews of each Clone Wars and Rebels seasons below:

• The Clone Wars Feature Film
• The Clone Wars Season One
• The Clone Wars Season Two
• The Clone Wars Season Three
• The Clone Wars Season Four
• The Clone Wars Season Five
• The Clone Wars Lost Missions
• Rebels Season One

Rebels.

Official Synopsis: As Ezra Continues his journey to become a Jedi under Kanan's guidance, the crew of the Ghost bands together with a secret rebel cell and ex-soldiers from the Clone Wars to join a fledgeling alliance to restore peace and freedom to the galaxy. But the dark side looms large as Darth Vader dispatches new Inquisitors, setting the stage for a climactic showdown in which terrible truths will be revealed and the lives of our heroes will be changed forever.

Even at seven films strong, the TV format gives the Star Wars universe ample room to breathe, to explore, to tell congruent, finely tuned, and deeply interconnected stories within itself and along the path of the broader storylines of the established universe. That's what Rebels does well, and especially through its second season. The season builds towards, and culminates in, a scene that brings together elements from four phases, so to speak, of Star Wars canon: the prequel trilogy, the original trilogy, The Clone Wars, and, of course, Rebels. Elements established and explored in all four converge in a gripping two-part finale that's as dramatically satisfying as it is emotionally taxing and visually arresting. Action is terrific, too, as it is throughout the season. The animators construct an organic, exciting lightsaber duel that, in classic Star Wars fashion, plays with higher stakes around it than even those at the epicenter of the clash. It's a satisfying journey and a classic conclusion to a very fun season of Rebels.

One of the joys of Rebels, evident in season one, certainly, but also here in season two, is the way the series integrates little touches and winks and nods and maintains canon even in the smallest of ways. It looks different, sure, but beyond its technical construction is a treasure trove of details that give the show a familiar feel while still allowing it to find its own way in the galaxy. Beyond, of course, crude shapes and overreaching details that remain true -- Vader's appearance, Star Destroyer shape, basic sound effects -- the show honors lore in a way fans will appreciate. Lando's theme plays lightly in the background when he makes his first appearance in the season. Some of Vader's movements recall David Prowse's physical performance. The show also brings back James Earl Jones to voice the iconic villain. Every episode, and often each scene or sequence, has some harmonious connection to the rest of the Star Wars universe. Half the fun is enjoying the nostalgia while, at the same time, venturing forward through new missions and stories.

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

Star Wars Rebels: Complete Season Two arrives on Blu-ray with an enjoyably proficient 1080p transfer. Colors are well saturated, particularly some of the brighter shades of lightsaber red and blue, Ahsoka's orange flesh, and plenty of other primary and support hues on display throughout. Details are fine. The show isn't by design all that intricately defined. That sort of blocky Disney Infinity look doesn't leave much room for nuance, but basic character shape, definition, and detail on attire and surrounding objects, like starship hulls, walls, and terrain, are enjoyably crisp and nicely revealing of the finer points the digital artists have created. Black levels hold up nicely in dark shots and scenes. A little bit of aliasing can be seen scattered around the season, though it only rarely rises to a level of noticeable annoyance. Otherwise, the picture is in fine shape, and Disney's presentation does Rebels proud.

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

Star Wars Rebels: Complete Season Two features a usually passable but sometimes shallow Dolby Digital 5.1 lossless soundtrack. The season begins with a disappointingly uneventful presentation. At reference volume, it's timid at best. Movement and detailing aren't lost, but the track has no soul, no sense of purpose, idling more than exploding. Ship crashes, explosions, and other sorts of would-be sonic delights fail to find much energy or oomph. Even dialogue sounds reserved, shy, though placement and clarity are fine. As the show progresses, the track picks up in intensity. By the end, it's still a good bit away from the excellence a lossless track may have provided, but it finds better balanced and engaged volume at reference, superior low end accompaniment to everything from lightsaber swooshes to explosions, and a more noticeable surround compliment. Music fares better, too, enjoying a more assertive presentation. The track is fine when it's on top of its game, not so much when it's shyly running for cover in the early going.

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

Star Wars Rebels: Complete Season Two contains supplements on all three discs. A Disney digital copy code is included with purchase.

Disc One:

• Rebels Recon (1080p): Starwars.com's Andi Gutierrez hosts and, with those involved in the Star Wars Rebels construction process, takes a rather deep look inside the episodes: themes, story arcs, character evolutions, and much more, including Comic-Con panel clips and several charming moments of levity. Included are Inside 'The Siege of Lothal' (8:46), Inside 'The Lost Commanders' (5:53), Inside 'Relics of the Old Republic' (5:43), Inside 'Always Two There Are' (6:14), Inside 'Brothers of the Broken Horn' (5:22), Inside 'Wings of the Master' (5:38), and Inside 'Blood Sisters' (5:52).

Disc Two:

• Rebels Recon (1080p): Andi Gutierrez returns to host more behind-the-scenes segments on various season two episodes. Included are Inside 'Stealth Strike' (5:41), Inside 'The Future of the Force' (5:16), Inside 'Legacy' (7:33), Inside 'A Princess of Lothal' (5:53), Inside 'The Protector of Concord Dawn' (6:28), Inside 'Legends of the Lasat' (5:51), Inside 'The Call' (5:58), and Inside 'Homecoming' (6:27).

Disc Three:

• Rebels Recon (1080p): Andi Gutierrez again presents behind-the-scenes looks at the season's episodes. Included are Inside 'The Honorable Ones' (6:22), Inside Shroud of Darkness' (6:42), Inside 'The Forgotten Droid' (6:52), Inside 'The Mystery of Chopper Base' (6:32), and Inside 'Twilight of the Apprentice' (10:57).
• Connecting the Galaxy: Rebels Season 2 (1080p, 3:30): A quick look at how the show connects to established areas of the Star Wars universe.
• From Apprentice to Adversary: Vader vs. Ahsoka (1080p, 6:08): A look at the season's climactic clash and the narrative details leading up to it, James Earl Jones' voice work in the show, and structural and thematic details.

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

Rebels is a fun show that's grown quite nicely over two seasons. Characters are enjoyable, the universe is rich and detailed with both established Star Wars moving parts and enough novelty to give the series its own identity within an exceedingly well-known quantity. That's not easy to do, but Rebels mixes it up very well. Stories flow well and, even with all that's going on here and across the galaxy, it all fits together easily enough. Longtime franchise fans will more than likely find plenty to enjoy here, particularly with that foundational understanding of season one's establishment, and lore from The Clone Wars, in the viewing arsenal. Disney's Blu-ray release of Star Wars Rebels: Complete Season Two delivers solid video, sometimes iffy but overall passable lossy audio, and a nice allotment of extra content, most of which is made of episode-specific behind-the-scenes shorts. Recommended.