Common Sense Media Review
By Emily Ashby
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Exciting movie boasts strong characters, positive messages.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion
What's the Story?
STAR WARS REBELS: SPARK OF REBELLION is set between live-action movies Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope and centers on Ezra Bridger (voiced by Taylor Gray), a solitary orphan who lives on the streets of the Empire-controlled Capital City, sticky-fingering his way to a meager existence. All that changes when he intercepts a robbery already in progress and makes off with part of an empirical shipment that marks him as a target for Storm Troopers and a mysterious ragtag group of freedom fighters, who eventually take him in. But fitting in with Hera (Vanessa Marshall), Sabine (Tiya Sircar), and Zeb (Steve Blum) is no easy task, even for this smooth talker. As he joins them on rebel missions across the galaxy, Ezra learns about the Empire's recent purging of the Jedi that nearly cost the rebels' leader, Kanan (Freddie Prinze Jr.), his life, and begins to feel a strong connection to the Force himself.
Is It Any Good?
This action-packed movie serves as a pilot for the Disney series Star Wars Rebels and introduces an entirely new team of self-deprecating heroes to appreciative fans. Those who know the live-action movies' progression will appreciate the careful touches of imagery and sound that fit neatly between episodes 3 and 4, no doubt thanks to Lucasfilm's involvement in the project. The story sets just enough context -- including a cameo by Obi-Wan Kenobi (James Arnold Taylor) -- to satisfy the purists before launching into its own uniquely enticing plot.
Although the graphics' tendency to create slightly odd body forms and features leaves a little to be desired, Spark of Rebellion rarely falls short in any other regard. The story moves quickly enough to pack a lot of plot into its 43-minute block, and there's plenty of action to satisfy young adventurers in the audience. There's also a surprising depth to many of the characters, particularly Ezra and Kanan, and the fact that their personal stories are merely hinted at in the movie bodes well for interest in the follow-up series.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about right and wrong. Kids: Who gets to decide the difference between right and wrong? Do laws always make that distinction clear? Is it ever OK to break the law? If so, what sort of circumstances might make that OK?
Are Ezra and Kanan positive role models? In what ways? How does each use the challenges of his past to inspire what he does now?
Why is the Star Wars franchise so popular among fans? Is its story of good vs. evil any different from others you see on TV shows and in movies? If you've seen other offerings in this franchise, how does this one compare?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : October 14, 2014
- Cast : Freddie Prinze Jr. , Taylor Gray , Vanessa Marshall
- Directors : Steward Lee , Steve Lee
- Inclusion Information : Latino Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Disney Channel Original Movies
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Adventures , Robots
- Run time : 43 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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