Andor: The Grown-Up Spin-Off That’s More Spy Thriller Than Space Western

In my recollection, Star Wars wasn’t strictly a kids’ movie; rather, it was aimed primarily at teenagers. After almost half a century, numerous films and series, the Star Wars franchise (currently under Disney’s ownership) has matured significantly.

In my humble opinion as a film critic, the second season of Andor veers more towards the realm of gripping espionage dramas than the traditional space-faring westerns – and it’s a breath of fresh air. You might recall, dear readers, when the stormtroopers, bearing a striking resemblance to certain historical oppressors, barged into our TopMob office a few years back, they were met not with shock and awe, but with smiles and applause instead.

Originally, they were the ruthless gangsters they’ve always been meant to be. After you’ve delved into the origins of Andor as a spin-off from a spin-off, tracing back to a 1907 bank heist, discover with Matthew Sweet how a once-popular sweet shop in Twickenham played a crucial part in the formation of those helmeted soldiers of the Galactic Empire.

It all starts not in a galaxy far, far away, but in this week’s issue.

Also in this week’s TopMob:

  • Paula Radcliffe explains why this year’s London Marathon will be an emotional one.
  • Jeff Pope and the family of Jean Charles de Menezes discuss the new drama revealing the truth behind his shooting.
  • Christopher Chung is soon to return to Slow Horses, but first up, the Bafta nominee is in Doctor Who.

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2025-04-22 19:13