LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy arrives on Disney+, and gives audiences far more than a simple “what if” retelling of the iconic Star Wars saga.
Our next journey into the Star Wars galaxy sees the return of some LEGO animated fun. Unlike the previous LEGO Star Wars “Specials” we’ve gotten over the years, however, Rebuild the Galaxy is an all new story, with new main characters, and spread across four episodes. So if you were expecting something similar to the Holiday/Terrifying Tales/Summer Vacation specials, it’s a bit of a change of pace.
LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy
Directed By: Chris Buckley
Written By: Dan Hernandez and Benji Samit
Starring: Gaten Matarazzo, Tony Revolori, Bobby Moynihan, Marsai Martin, Ahmed Best, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Naomi Ackie
Release Date: All four episodes debut on September 13, 2024 exclusively to Disney+
That’s not a bad thing, however, as the new protagonist, Sig Greebling, is almost instantly relatable and fun to follow around. I won’t be diving into any spoilers (there is at least one major one for the story overall), but the basics of Rebuild the Galaxy are pretty simple. Content with his life on Fenessa (the birthplace of nerfs), Sig balances life on the farm while regaling others with the exploits of the Skywalker family…and secretly being able to use the Force.
Sig’s brother Dev, however, is filled with wanderlust and anxious to see what else is out there. When the pair of them discover a lost Jedi Temple, Sig inadvertently alters the fabric of reality and creates an all new galaxy. One in which the Empire was never defeated, and the heroes we remember are no longer who they were. Desperate for answers, Sig seeks out his brother Dev, only to discover he’s the main Sith Lord in this galaxy who’s seeking the cornerstone (that started all the swapping) to remake the galaxy for his own designs. With the help of Jedi Bob and some other friends, Sig must navigate this strange new reality and discover the hero inside to try and set things right.
There’s quite a bit going on in the story, and it takes some interesting turns I wasn’t expecting. It could have been a fairly predictable adventure, but manages to buck certain cliches while remaining a whole bunch of fun. While Rebuild the Galaxy obviously shares some similarities to the other LEGO Star Wars specials, it’s definitely its own thing.
If anything it has more in common with the older LEGO Star Wars shows than anything else. The animation is a bit different and more in line with what we’ve seen in the LEGO movies (almost stop-motion style). It’s gorgeous. Seriously, this is some stellar animation for a show.
What I love most about Rebuild the Galaxy, is how it isn’t a simple retelling of events with a handful of “what if” scenarios thrown in. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the previous LEGO Star Wars specials that have come out over the years, but those are set up as mini-anthologies. Rebuild, however, does a great job of telling it own, unique story. While the overall premise is about things being swapped around from the story we know, It’s not just a different take/angle on the story and characters we already know.
Instead, it’s a complete shift, as Sig discovers the stories he grew up with (and loved telling) simply never happened. Thus it’s up to him to forge a new story, a new path, in order to try and save this new galaxy he’s become a part of. There are plenty of familiar faces who pop up, but their altered fates aren’t the focus of the show. Rather, they’re used to help Sig discover himself along this journey.
All of the swapped characters are introduced in a way that presents them as a mere “fact of life” within this new galaxy. The show isn’t concerned with delving into their new backgrounds, because this isn’t their story. This makes it easier to connect with Sig, as we’re suddenly sitting in the same boat as he is, trying to navigate the changes made. So we get to look at these characters with fresh eyes and accept their new roles without needing a bunch of exposition. This allows the new storyline and original characters (Sig and Dev) are given the chance to shine.
Despite so many events being flipped around, the show feels uniquely part of the galaxy far, far away. More importantly, Rebuild the Galaxy manages to retain the core themes of the Star Wars saga. More than hope, Rebuild is also about family, the sacrifices heroes must make sometimes, and learning how to trust in yourself. Granted, these ideals are presented in a way that’s easy to grasp for the younger viewers (i.e. some character progression happens illogically fast), but they’re still essential aspects that makes Star Wars so endearing.
Even with all the changes, it felt like I was watching Star Wars. The LEGO style of humor allows the franchise to poke fun at itself while still telling an engaging story that feels self-contained while leaving the door open for even more adventures. Combine all that with some sleek animation and you’ll breeze through these four episodes and find yourself anxious for more.
LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy is another impressive collaboration that everyone in the family can enjoy, while bucking some of your previous expectations. Definitely check it out on Disney+ this weekend.
