Animation
Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord
‘Maul – Shadow Lord’ is darker than previous animated Star Wars fare. It’s still clean, but it may be best suited for older viewers.
Dak and Leyla, the dragon-riding Viking twins, are back again … or rather, still.
This Peacock original is a continuation of Netflix’s DreamWorks Dragons: Rescue Riders, which itself was a spinoff in the How to Train Your Dragon universe.
Kristin Smith wrote in her review of the first show: “Each episode is packed with clean humor, cute dragons and a handful of tangible life-lessons. Although there may be a few slightly scary dragons that breathe their way across Huttsgalor, there’s nothing truly terrifying or problematic here. Kids learn about teamwork, bravery, forgiveness and inclusion. And, most importantly, they’re drawn into a world that places a high value on family and reconciliation.”
So really, the only thing that’s changed here is the streaming platform and title.
The Rescue Riders stop their village from rekindling an old rivalry when Chief Duggard is away.
A few people get bumped around. Dragons stop catapulted rocks (hurled by Viking ships) from harming anyone. A rival chief threatens to battle Huttsgalor.
Magnus Finke, the Rescue Riders’ arch-nemesis, undermines Duggard’s authority while he is away. [Spoiler Warning:] And we learn he lured Duggard away on purpose in a plot to become the new chief.
Someone sabotages the village’s annual Clam Week. Could it be the new dragon the Rescue Riders discovered?
The Rescue Riders fend off dangerous plants in a jungle. A few dragons get headbutted.
[Spoiler Warning:] We learn that Sparkle, a unicorn-rainbow dragon, destroyed decorations and tried to lure the village to a dangerous location so she could make herself look good by “rescuing” them. She also tries to get Cutter, who has similar powers to her own, kicked off the team to make room for herself. But when Cutter and the Riders discover this, they forgive her. They teach her about teamwork and how to make friends (since she’s never had one before), and Sparkle turns over a new leaf.
Emily studied film and writing when she was in college. And when she isn’t being way too competitive while playing board games, she enjoys food, sleep, and geeking out with her husband indulging in their “nerdoms,” which is the collective fan cultures of everything they love, such as Star Wars, Star Trek, Stargate and Lord of the Rings.
‘Maul – Shadow Lord’ is darker than previous animated Star Wars fare. It’s still clean, but it may be best suited for older viewers.
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