Review: The ACOLYTE "Lost / Found" | S01E01 (Joining the GRIFT) 

So, you regret not jumping on the hype wagon before, when others put a red carpet under your feet, uh? Sorry dude, you had your chance. Instead, you decided to be an entitled person

As someone who has suffered my way through the episodes so far, I appreciate your sacrifice.

Yes! Thank you for this content! This is the kind of opinion that should matter. Appreciate what could be given compliments and show criticism on what’s bad(writing). Mindless positivity be damned cause that does not help SW to become better.

I've watched many of the reviews. Your review brought a unique perspective that no one else had. Thanks for your content.

This was a fascinating set of observations from someone in the know. I just watched another writer talking about how she felt the characters were a mystery because their motivations were .. unclear and they didn't bother to develop anyone, but suddenly they're all hot for each other out of the blue. The whole series seems like it was written by GPT1.

You're an interesting guy Knee Payne. I've worked in the industry and know it's toxic but every job is. I've always worked and done my best to tolerate everything. Being professional that's the job. Take it and don't quit. Can't always talk to the boss or he can't get nothing done. And there's nothing wrong being a company man. I can see you're very passionate as am I. I enjoy your insight and enjoy your channel, but like to hear how you tolerated and stayed strong in your career.

Great indepth analysis. Thank you for taking the time to do this. Refreshing to have a different angle of perspective with all the issues and problems with this production.

I can believe that a dark side trainee might be made to believe a Jedi doesn't draw their weapon without the intention to kill, but - and it's something that keeps happening throughout the series - the Jedi responding to it as though it's true is ridiculous and it actually gets worse. So, good luck sitting through the rest of the show!

Great rundown, really appreciate you taking the time

Glad to have you in "The Grift!" Your perspective is INVALUABLE, appreciated and offers up a piece of the legacy man of us not only MISS, but would be so appreciative of were it ever somehow offered again. Thank you so much!

This is a superb tech/drama/editing breakdown. So glad you haven't gone overboard on lore/canon consistencies. Looking forward to more. Looking forward to your dissection of episode 3.

Knee Payne I love your level headed takes on tech and former Lucasfilm employee/insider. Lets see where this goes.

I love your takes mate, it’s an honest rundown. Many things can be true at once, a bad show can have ok or cool looking elements but for us the overall story which started with sequels, and most of the storylines are stupid, lore breaking, disdainful to legacy characters etc. You pick up on it in a more natural way because you’ve missed everything since the sequels. But your breakdown is a microcosm of what we’ve endured since 2012. Olive branch, Clone Wars & Rebels though breaking EU continuity are cool, Rogue One is ok till last act which is awesome. And that’s really it. But just so you know why fans don’t care about the isolated cool elements like some of the visuals here, for us nothing is more important than the story.

The "sparing" of the Bartender is simply a feeble effort to show humanity of someone that was supposed to have had the humanity stripped from her. I've no idea why that's there other than to satiate a number of higher-ups in a variety of organizations that have a tether to budget.

So sorry that you're having issues with copyrright. One of the LARGEST speedbumps in creatordom currently. Eager to watch your video and MANY THANKS for your contributions over the years to our enlightenment!

The "Escape Plan" on the original Prisoner Ship: Jumping into escape pods, wouldn't allow the escaped prisoners to get anywhere of any consequence, much less any time soon. I'm guessing that there are little/no provisions in them either and we don't have replicators here.

Lack of Emotion for Vernestra: Whomever thought that the Jedi are ALL AKIN to VULCANs in Star Trek, in that they have NO EMOTION = giant fail. The harnessing of the emotions is not only a huge trait in the realm of the Jedi but an even MORE IMPORTANT ONE in STAR TREK for Vulcans. There are even episodes dedicated to showcasing this.

Not Giving It All Instantly: Totally agree, unfortunately - after any time listening to the "stars" and "creators" of this series, you can see why patience, anticipation and suspense are not only ALIEN - they are never seen inside the series.

I'm just sitting here commenting at the beginning.. gonna be fun watching you give your perspective. Lol

Uh oh… another Acolyte-review video I have to look forward to! 🤩 - It’s going to be fun watching your patience grow thinner and thinner with each episode. 😂 I appreciate your unbiased opinions and professional take on it!

Love your perspective. Hadn't thought about the set extensions and the small feel of the Jedi Temple, and it's a good explanation for why things felt so 'small' that I couldn't explain. It's tragic because Dafne Keen was in the *amazing* His Dark Materials which I highly recommend. The Acolyte is just... well, I think a lot of folk's last straw. ALTHOUGH, please watch Andor. You'll get brilliant acting, visuals AND storytelling, even if it is a bit more gritty than folks want in their Star Wars.

Thank you for your insight, it really helped me understand the filming aspect a lot better 🤔 truthfully, I think I prefer the screenshot to screenshot, especially for this show, because I’ve seen enough reviewers who always play clips 😅 sometimes I can’t watch anymore because the clips annoy me-so it’s nice to be able to just hear someone talk about it without the *noise* 😌

Public Assassin Process: No Assassin would do anything that Mae does inside the series. While seeing Trinity again was an elation, the KILLING OFF of her 6.5 minutes in was a giant gut punch.

Excellent review. Great blend between technical and plot analysis with a ressonable demeanor.

Fascinating take on this triple B (Big Budged B movie). I actually appreciate your late take. Acolyte seems like one of those things movie students will be studying years from now. I think this franchise is going into the "troll 2" direction or something like that. Maybe one day I'll watch it for a laugh. Looking forward to your other takes.

I'm 2min in your video and what you propose is a 1000 better than what we got...

@Knee Payne I discovered you via EBN. I have watched so, so many Acolyte reviews and so far, your review is the only outstanding one to me. I enjoyed listening to your takes and perspective as you picked up on things that I didn't notice. I learned so much from this review regarding camera shots, effects , depth and lighting. I absolutely agreed with you in what you discussed about this show. Like you, there were some scenes that I liked in terms of lighting etc but overall it wasn't consistent production quality wise. The one thing I noticed about Coruscant was that it didn't appear as busy with air traffic like what was seen in the PT. You are so on point how it all felt small with the background. As for the storytelling, I didn't understand how Indara couldn't have sensed Mae throwing a knife at her. I didn't understand why Osha, being regarded as a Jedi killer, was placed on a prison transport trip , not under heavy guard. Why didn't Yorde personally escort her back to Coruscant? I also felt like I watched a bad version of Star Trek, especially with the usage of permission to speak freely. The music during the fight scenes really annoyed me and it was terrible. I felt like I watched a Kung Fu movie soundtrack, taking me right out of Star Wars. The kung fu/force fu aspects appeared out of place for Star Wars. I am looking forward to your review of episode 2. Cheers from Aussie land🦘🐨

Very well done. This was a fair review, and in my humble opinion very honest and accurate. Thanks for the breakdown, looking forward to the next one.

I liked the analysis and your take on the first episode.

I really like your approach to this with the still shots and commentary instead of a series of distracting cut scenes and dialog that everyone else does, yours is totally unique and I hope you continue this approach. Your approach is also much more focused and informative without overloading the viewer with needless information. It's refreshing to see a different perspective instead of the constant beating of a dead horse that most other channels do. Some channels are so predictive with their reviews because all they do is rage rant that I no longer watch them. I think you did an excellent review with both positives and negatives in a very professional manner that's very lacking from the other channels. One question. Did you notice the lack of air traffic in the Coruscant scenes? In the prequels, Coruscant had a very busy airspace and there were many more buildings in the cityscape. The Coruscant shots in this series look just like the ones they used in the Kenobi series which looked nothing like those in the prequels. Looking forward to your next video.

It ain’t a Grift if you sincerely believe what you are saying, which you do. Loved your analysis. 😊

Influence the influencers. I'm glad you joined the battle. Never look at a silhouette scene like that before. Never looked at a lot of things you pointed out.

Thanks for a more technical view of the show, most reviews have been more emotive. It's fun to know about motivations and problems with shots, problems with continuity etc. You bring a interesting viewpoint on the show, thanks. I only watched some of Ahsoka, left me wondering what the demographic target was. To slow for kids & to child like for adults, some nice slow shots that nod to old Samurai film's but lacking the story to appeal to that audience.

That was an excellent job. A well balanced honest critique of the show. I look forward to seeing your next videos. I wonder if you would enjoy some of the Mandalorian or Andor. Well done mate. Cheers from Adelaide Australia

Watched your "debut" lol on EBN and have enjoyed watching your time in the spot light. I dont subscribe to very many people but I felt you most definitely deserved the click on my end. I ll be awaiting your watch along on the other eps. I dont like this show or Disney Wars in general but I found that your kudos given to some of the specific shots in the ep was very professionally given.

Overall, I've only enjoyed this show a little. Some moments have been great, while the majority has fallen flat, for me. I'm interested enough to want to see how the story turns out, but I don't think I will return to this show like I do with the Star Wars films and other series. There's just something off about the whole thing. It doesn't feel right, to me. Something isn't landing. I am hoping for some potential connections that might happen in the final 2 episodes, but I'm worried about how they would be handled. Excellent break down of the first episode. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the rest of the episodes.

I agree, the first posture Mae strikes is immature. After the Jedi doesn't pull her sword unless...garbage a witty quip would have put that in frame better i think. I appreciate seeing what you liked. I think I could have injected that into my overview of the light saber scenes in my video. My disappointment in this show frustrated me. lol. Have you watched Mars Express yet?

Lack of Evidence/Common Sense in Original Osha Investigation: Too true. Add on bringing in a witness in PERSON, to the ship wherever the hell they are = yet another bridge too far.

Thanks for the review.

Love your takesreally great insights

hail those who pay the ultimate price, watch TA.

Haven't watched your review yet but looking forward to it. You've been a reasonable critic. I've become a fan of the Acolyte if face of all the RU-vid haters. The first two episodes were a little confusing to me. They lost Trinity too fast. Watch for Manny's performance later.. The best since Disney took over. Just watched a little before work. Your technical evaluation is enjoyable!. I'll post a link at some fan groups.

If you create a playlist of art design/direction content your channel will blow up.

Performance Improvement Plan! Hahahaha yeah that triggered me too.

I feel everything you just said is what should have been said during the writing process and during filming AND during editing AND reshoots. You should watch an original trilogy film as a palette cleanser between each episode.

Hello. If you're going to "grift", I recommend also following up on the recent Film Theorists video, "Star Wars Is Dead", and offer your perspective on their thesis that a lack of organization is at the core of Disney/Lucasfilm's troubles on the matter. Don't just lock in on the largely oldschool and anti-DEI fanbase that you've attracted. Your experience is worth more than just catering to them.

Thanks for this review. Can't bring myself to watch the show.

cool breakdown! take some Tums for the heartburn!

Yup... the dialogue is bad, though I've always been more critical of plot inconsistencies. That Osha 'trusted' her fate to the Jedi, only to try and run from them is a common issue throughout this show's current episodes. Characters will say one thing, do something else, or essentially beg the question: are half the cast suffering schizophrenia/multiple personality disorders?

I really wish you a good luck. If you love Star Wars, this show is gonna be painful to watch. Edit: Watch EP3 with the lowest expectations you got.

Cool review. Really nice to hear a pro's angle on this. So far, I'm with it. At first, The Acolyte seemed half-baked, with some basic inklings about where the accents of the story should lie and what should look impressive, with the rest of the dots vaguely connected. I'm not the 'what would a Jedi normally do in a situation like this' kind of viewer, but I'm always hoping for scenes that get under your skin, provided the SW vibe is there (and a solid, compelling story, of course). Still, there were many red flags for the clunkiness that was coming our way, and I'm not even talking about the wokeness, but the ever-increasing level of amateurishness, which peaked for me in episode 4. I'm curious what you think of that one and what your explanation is for the constant variation in the quality of the scenes and where the money went. Anyway, it would be great if you continue-we are all suffering through this together ;)

Appreciate you for this Mr. Payne. I had high hopes for this show and it's been an utter disappointment.

Since KK transitioned Lucasfilm into Pukeusfilm, the goal is not consistency. The goal is to scrub Star Wars of every detail that made it Star Wars, and break the magical enchantment that was accidentally bottled back in the 70s. The standing around and staring off, or looking at each other silently for far too long is a big part of current feminatography. The contradictions from scene to scene too, for some reason. Well, not "some" reason. It's incompetence. 180 million dollars worth, last I heard.

Carrie-Anne Moss is too good to be a pincushion. Imagine all those red carpets..... parrying questions, not knives.

Nice

I hope it's worth it (financially) because it certainly won't be worth it entertainment wise (never thought I'd say that about SW before Disney bought it).

Good luck 😂

Episode 1 and 2 isn't even where it really gets bad. Yeah, right now at this point, there is potential. In later episodes they burn it all down. But hey, have fun. I am sure that yes with better writing and planning this show could have been decent? Eh decent enough.

Please review "Andor" for comparison

You poor man.

It takes a team to make this mess. Sure the director is responsible because it’s her vision. I can get over the fact that everyone else above her let this show go out because it’s obvious this is what Disney wants. My hope is all Disney Star Wars will completely die & people who care will eventually take over the brand.

I don't think you'll make it through this.. it only gets worse... sooo much worse

I refuse to pay money to watch the Acolyte.

The whole Jedi no kill rule is dumb it was never a thing in Star Wars at most the Jedi would disarmed their opponents and by “disarming” I meant cutting off their arm or limbs. In hindsight the Jedi master could end the fight easily if she just pull out her lightsaber early no need to prolong a pointless kung fu fight.

i once was aadventurer like u but now kneepayne

Good luck with the rest of the episodes especially the 3rd one. And please PLEASE do some mental yoga exercising and fill up with some vitamins before watching the rest of the shit show, cause it's gonna hurt and you're gonna loose a lot of brain cells.

HAHAHA! You tasted fame.... now here we are.

Darth Joker's initial soliloquy to Mae was just dumb. I would have appreciated just about anything more than what was offered there, mostly because it's the LAUNCH of the relationship not only between him and her but between HIM AND US, the audience! Grrrrrrrr. It's supposed to be a series featuring "the other side of things involving the Sith" and this corny, outrageous, incongruent drivel on the front end is what you get?

"The Acolyte" kills without a weapon. It kills... with a lousy script.

Wow! Horribly bad writing. Heartbreaking for an actual Star Wars fan. Nothing feels right at all.

No need all those explanations what you do and why you do to edit the videos. Nobody cares and it's bad TV. Just straight into it (similar to people streaming, their explaining all their faults, or why they're late, or why the edit this why or that, or keep asking the chat 'how is it, how is it'. Quite annoying But I like this type of explanation using the screenshots