The Book of Boba Fett has a Disney problem

The Volume of Boba Fett has a Disney problem

Temeura Morrison and Ming-Na Wen star in The Book of Boba Fett

(Image credit: Disney Plus)

The Book of Boba Fett is at present more two-thirds of the way through its commencement season, simply critics and viewers (it merely has a 59% Metacritic score) akin have been less than impressed with this extended look at the once-enigmatic bounty hunter.

Expectations were especially loftier given the success of The Mandalorian. (And some people argue that The Mandalorian has saddled The Book of Boba Fett with a large trouble.) While there have been more than one explanation equally to why this latest Star Wars series has fizzled like a busted hyperdrive, I have my own theory. The chief trouble with Boba Fett? He's besides prissy.

Possibly Fett had some sort of awakening while he was being digested in the Sarlacc pit, only where's the guy who was and then cold-blooded that even Darth Vader had to remind him "no disintegrations" when going after Luke Skywalker?

What kind of crime boss is this?

In setting upwardly shop on Tatooine, Fett says "Jabba ruled with fearfulness. I want to rule with respect." With all due, uh, respect, that's non how to run a successful criminal empire. Tony Soprano talked most respect, simply he also had a fair number of his enemies chopped to bits at Satriale'due south.

When hosting all the other crime lords for dinner, he does manage to frighten them past having his rancor poke its claws through the floor. You know what would exist fifty-fifty more than effective? Pulling a Dr. Evil, and having a trap door open under one of their seats. That baby rancor has to be at least a little hungry.

Star Wars as a whole has never been all that dark or graphic — though I was expecting a bit more blood when Black Krrsantan ripped the arm off a Trandoshan — but you would retrieve that a series that deals with the criminal underworld would be at least slightly more brutal.

Where The Volume of Boba Fett could have gone

A more gruesome universe probably isn't in the Sabacc cards now that information technology's a Disney-owned property. Still, information technology would take been far more interesting if Boba Fett broke bad and became, if not a Walter White, then at least a Gus Fring.

At the very least, though, there doesn't seem to exist any ruthlessness to Fett'south grapheme. Yes, he seems to take a code — a man's got to have a code — only he doesn't seem to have the grasping appetite or desire to do whatever is necessary to get the unofficial ruler of Tatooine. He was an amoral character to brainstorm with, and then why not lean into the anti-heroness of it all? Some of the best TV shows of the past 20 years — The Wire, the Sopranos, Breaking Bad — have all had, at their center, very despicable people.

Maybe information technology'south his age. Rather than boot ass each week, Boba Fett seems to exist the 1 getting his kicked, and needing Fennec Shand or some biker kids to save his hide. As Obi-Wan once said, "I'm getting too old for this sort of affair."

Apart from feats of strength, Boba Fett has even so to really face any crunch of faith, or anything that truly tests his grapheme. The Mandalorian followed a like take a chance-of-the-week thread, only at least Din had to question — and in some cases, compromise — his beliefs in gild to accomplish his goals, the repercussions of which we saw in last calendar week'southward Boba Fett episode.

Absent some greater introspection — or more vivisections — the Volume of Boba Fett is in the same tier as Solo: A Star Wars Story: mildly entertaining, only unnecessary.

Michael A. Prospero is the deputy editor at Tom's Guide overseeing the abode, smart home, drones, and fettle/wearables categories, too equally all ownership guides and other evergreen content. When he's non testing out the latest running watch, skiing or training for a marathon, he's probably using the latest sous vide machine or some other cooking gadget.