They werent exactly easy to come by for a while but when they dropped on DVD in 2004…
I still never got around to it.
Nowadays the made-for-TV films are struck from canon, if they really had a place there to begin with.
I was doing aStar Warsmarathon, so why not?
The first film,Caravan of Courage, didnt leave me feeling like Id missed anything.
A bland take on aLord of the Rings-esque story starring Ewoks with way too much talking and some kids.
I was expecting about the same for the sequel.
I was not prepared for what I was getting into.
Allow me to explain.
They kill anyone in their path, including Cindels entire family.
Id be messed up too.
TheStar Warsbrand has become too codified.
Well never get something like this in the franchise ever again and that makes this all the more special.
On the one hand, this is very much a kids movie.
Cindel sings a little song to Noa.
Theres giggling and pie eating.
Its all right out of a childrens fantasy novel.
The gang even sneaks past some guards by pullinga Muppet Man!
On the other hand, this movie goes so much harder than it needs to.
Cindel watching her family die and the nightmares that plagued her are shocking and unsettling.
Charal is forced to live the rest of her life as a raven.
Some might call this tonal whiplash or inappropriate for children, but it really works.
And come on, if I saw Terak get smoked like that as a kid?
I would have cheered or delightfully screamed, gross!
CouldStar Warshave become the sort of franchise that rides the trends of popular culture instead of setting them itself?
Maybe the franchise as a whole would have pivoted into a moreWillowstyle direction for its next trilogy?
Whatever the case, the film delights in its fantasy setting.
The matte paintings are lush and gorgeous.
And Charal has magical powers that are wonderfully free of any connection to the Force in the film.
The element that really makes the movie such a joy to watch is Wilford Brimley.
It makes the more bog standard rescue from the castle plot come alive with wonder and joy.
When he helps Cindel focus on the happy memories of her dead family?
The bigger problem is when elements ofStar Warsproper do creep in.
Its far too close to Han and Luke using the Falcons turret guns inA New Hope.
