Films for Breakfast

NOTE: Since this is an anthology series of unconnected shorts, I will be doing mini reviews of them individually.

EPISODE 1  – THE DUEL: PAYBACK

A sequel to the very first episode of Visions! I had no idea this was coming, as I don’t really keep up with the production details or rumors surrounding the show – so this was a total surprise. Once again, I fell in love with the striking black-and-white visual aesthetic. The action is absolutely wonderful: super kinetic, perfectly paced, and just thrilling to watch. It’s still deliberately light on story, but it knows exactly what it’s delivering and does it with confidence. As always, I love the blend of samurai culture with the Star Wars universe – it’s such a natural, inspired pairing. Bonus points for the Ewoks, who were fantastic here. A great start to the season.

EPISODE 2 – THE SONG OF FOUR WINGS

This one’s a bit light on story, but it mostly works thanks to its inventive animation. It follows Crane and his droid, R9-TR2, as they encounter a young creature named Woopas and quickly take on the role of his protectors. What follows is a brief but exciting adventure that moves at a great pace. Without giving anything away, the action toward the end gets wonderfully creative and was a major highlight for me. I also loved the fun, poppy score – it really adds to the energy of the piece.

EPISODE 3 – THE NINTH JEDI: CHILD OF HOPE

Another sequel to a first-season Visions episode! The Ninth Jedi was one of the most revered installments in the entire series, so it makes perfect sense that they’d return to it. Apparently, I somehow missed the news that a spin-off series is on the way – I only found that out while researching for this review. As for this episode, it once again expands Star Wars lore in fascinating ways. I really enjoyed Kara as a character this time around, and her dynamic with the lovable droid Teto adds a nice spark. Much of it plays like a standalone side story, but the cliffhanger it ends on is genuinely exciting and sets up the upcoming series beautifully.

EPISODE 4 – THE BOUNTY HUNTERS

This is a pretty straightforward episode, but I’ve always loved when Visions delivers something this self-contained. It follows a bounty hunter named Sevn and her droid partner, IV-A4, as they take on a mission from the mysterious, if not slightly shady, philanthropist Jin-Sim. Without giving too much away, the assignment quickly leads them to question their employer’s motives, putting them at odds with each other. I really enjoy when Star Wars explores the bounty hunting underworld, and this episode ties into that side of the galaxy in a way that feels reminiscent of Solo – which I thought was a lot of fun. Bonus points for the lively, well-staged action sequences!

EPISODE 5 – YUKO’S TREASURE

This episode follows an orphan named Yuko, who lives with his guardian droid, Bily – a giant bear-like companion. The story is simple but surprisingly emotional, as Yuko finds himself in danger when a group of space pirates takes an interest in him. The animation is absolutely adorable, and honestly, it feels like a cheat code for making me care about the characters even more. It’s lush, colorful, and full of inventive touches. A really solid entry!

EPISODE 6 – THE LOST ONES

While the animation in The Lost Ones isn’t quite as visually striking as some of the other entries in the series, I really appreciate when Star Wars ventures into stories told from unexpected perspectives. This episode largely follows characters who align themselves with the Empire, as well as a Jedi who begins to question everything she’s been taught. It’s not exactly a groundbreaking story, but it comes together in a way that’s both satisfying and quietly emotional.

EPISODE 7 – THE SMUGGLER

This is exactly what Visions does best – a fast-paced, fascinating short packed with intriguing lore and lively action. I love how it explores two sides of the fallout from Order 66: a banished royal family hunted for refusing to swear allegiance to the Empire, and a Jedi seeking redemption for her guilt over failing to stop the carnage. And what can I say? I’m a total sucker for Star Wars stories about smugglers (Han Solo is my favorite character, after all). The result is a fun, engaging episode that might not boast the most impressive animation, but absolutely gets the job done.

EPISODE 8 – THE BIRD OF PARADISE

Really unique animation style here. It picks up in the aftermath of a battle between a Jedi, her Padawan, and a Sith. After the Padawan falls during the fight, we follow her Nakime on a spiritual journey to discover whether she’s truly died. It’s a compelling and meditative setup, but the story and structure lose some of their momentum as it goes on.

EPISODE 9 – BLACK

Truly unique and visually stunning animation set amid a battle between the Empire and the Rebellion. The jazzy score gives it an especially distinctive flair. There aren’t really any defined characters, just two figures from opposing sides locked in pursuit, but the ambition behind it carries the piece. I’m not entirely sure it all works, but it’s inventive and engaging enough to hold my attention throughout its brief runtime.

OVERALL:

This is a great season of Visions — the highs are incredibly high, and even the weaker episodes still offer plenty of engaging lore, world-building, and distinctive animation. Altogether, it’s another win for the series, and easily stands alongside the first two seasons in quality.