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Aneesah, I appreciate you so much and I hope you know you’re loved. Luv you <3 -H Gina, Happy Valentine’s Day!! I’m so glad we met last year and I can’t wait for more adventures with you! -Ashley
Dear Juan, every beat of my heart envelops you in love always. Adoringly yours, Bartley Happy two year anniversary Sky! I’m so lucky to have a partner like you in my life. -V
Ismail and Ruthie! I love you two so much and I have so much appreciation for you both. I am so lucky to have the most amazing best friends in the world! Happy Valentine’s Day! -Madison
► FROM MOVIE NIGHT
Students had more than enough room to spread out throughout the lawn. From a casual hangout with friends to a date night, this was the perfect event to spend time with loved ones in a safe way. The event, which had the capacity to hold 250 students, successfully managed to not feel crowded. Before the movie started, the Shrek soundtrack kept everyone in a nostalgic and entertained environment.
The movie started out with some technical diffi culties, but soon enough started to play. While I fi nished my snacks in the fi rst ten minutes of the movie, the entire viewing experience was very enjoyable. ASPB should hold more outdoor events, which are a safer option for students who want to participate in on campus activities. ■ H
THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/ae RADAR
‘The Book of Boba Fett’ brings action and excitement as it creates anticipation for future projects in the season fi nale
DESPITE SOME FALLS IN THE BEGINNING OF THE FIRST SEASON OF THE NEWEST STAR WARS SHOW, IT ENDS OFF ON A HIGH NOTE
KIMBERLY BEJEC Contributing Writer
When the second season of “The Mandalorian” came out, fans of the Star Wars franchise were shocked at the appearance of Boba Fett. The bounty hunter was last seen in the fi nal installment of the original Star Wars trilogy, “Return of the Jedi,” as he fell into the sarlacc pit, thought to have been killed. Fans of the franchise became interested in the character as well as whenever he appeared on other Star Wars shows before his death.
Fans thought Boba Fett’s fall into the sarlacc pit was going to be the last they saw of him, but once they saw his dark green beskar armor, they were fi lled with excitement and questions. It was known that anyone who fell into the sarlacc pit would face a painful death. However, Boba Fett was able to escape and survive. While fans had questions over his survival, they were able to get answers through the new Disney+ series, “The Book of Boba Fett.”
The show starts off with Boba Fett, played by Temuera Morrison, and Fennec Shand, a trained assassin, played by MingNa Wen, as they navigate through the underworld of Tatooine. In a territory once controlled by the crime lord, Jabba the Hutt, they are trying to establish themselves and gain respect from the citizens of this territory. The beginning episodes of the show jump back in time to Boba Fett getting out of the sarlacc pit showing how he got to where he is now.
It is fascinating for the audience to see how Boba Fett was able to survive and get to the position of power that he is in now. Fans are able to get answers to their questions about what he went through and how he experienced it. Now in his time, establishing himself as a daimyo, the audience is able to see a side of him they never have before. Before, Boba Fett was more on the serious, stoic bounty hunter side, but fans see a more personal side to him as he establishes power.
The acting by both Morrison and Wen as Boba Fett and Fennec Shand respectively, is engaging for audiences to see. Their chemistry with each other is enough to establish the two’s loyalty and reliability for each other in the show. The two have a bond that is entertaining and thrilling to see. Both are past bounty hunters with exceptional skills in combat that ties into the show’s action scenes.
The show had plenty of thematically rich moments that upheld the plot and kept the audience engaged. Besides the acting, the show captured a variety of shots that were visually appealing for the audience to see. Throughout the show, there were scenes that were sure to satisfy fans of the franchise and make them excited to see. The show did well in satisfying fans while presenting the story in a way to keep audiences interested. Additionally, the show featured characters from across the Star Wars franchise that got fans fi lled with excitement over their appearance on the show.
A major turning point for the show was the involvement of the Mandalorian, played by Pedro Pascal. The Mandalorian comes into the show to help out Boba Fett and Fennec Shand battle adversaries and save the people in the Mos Espa territory of Tatooine. The involvement of the Mandalorian in the show helps to tie both series together and connect them. Since the bittersweet ending to season two of “The Mandalorian,” fans were anxious to fi nd out more about the Mandalorian and Grogu. “The Book of Boba Fett” gives fans answers to their questions, while also building anticipation for the next season of “The Mandalorian.”
Despite the excitement that came from the Mandalorian’s appearance in the show, his involvement hindered Boba Fett’s story. In the episodes that involved the Mandalorian, it felt more like an episode of “The Mandalorian’’ rather than “The Book of Boba Fett.” It turned the spotlight away from Boba Fett and projected it more towards the Mandalorian’s story, which could have been a ploy to set up season three of the show. Despite the season closing out this way, as a whole, the plot still shined as an overall project.
The season excels in showing Boba Fett’s survival story and his journey through his current situations. Besides the portrayal of the iconic character, the show revealed hints towards the future of the Star Wars franchise. Besides obvious hints towards season three of “The Mandalorian,” there were plenty of signs towards the direction that the franchise will take in the future and in its upcoming projects.
COURTESY OF DISNEY PLATFORM DISTRIBUTION
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VERDICT:
“THE BOOK OF BOBA FETT” HAS SOME FLAWS; IT MAKES UP FOR IT IN OTHER ASPECTS OF THE SHOW THAT ARE SURE TO MAKE FANS OF THE FRANCHISE EXCITED AND EAGER FOR FUTURE PROJECTS. IT EXCELLED IN ITS DEVELOPMENT OF THE ICONIC CHARACTER ALONGSIDE ACTION, NOSTALGIA AND HUMOR.
COURTESY OF NICKI MINAJ VIA YOUTUBE
NICKI MINAJ TEAMS UP WITH CRITICALLY-ACCLAIMED RAPPER LIL BABY FOR NEW RELEASE, TAKING VISUAL INFLUENCE FROM ESPIONAGE-FILM DRAMAS.
ELIAS ALMAREZ-HERRERA
Staff Writer
Whether you know her as Megatron, Barbie, the Queen of Rap or Roman Zolanski, from her controversial hot takes on the COVID-19 vaccine to the many sound bites from her energized Queen Radio bits and Instagram live rants, Nicki Minaj has become one of the most recognizable fi gures in contemporary popular culture.
“Do We Have a Problem?” (2022) marks her return to music with a widespread promotional release. Breaking her three-year hiatus, the trap-infused single demonstrates Nicki Minaj and Atlanta-based rapper Lil Baby’s ear for catchy melodies and lyrical bars. The song was released on Feb. 4 with an accompanying ten minute music video, racking up 15 million views and counting.
Inspired by the Angelina Jolie-led 2010 blockbuster “Salt,” Minaj’s background studying theatre is on full display as she plays the role of a luxurious double agent tasked with assassinating the head of a top criminal organization. Despite its pleasing visual aesthetics and high production value, the video is narratively quite generic. Dim, moody close up shots of Nicki Minaj compliment the trap synthesizers that carry the beat of “Do We Have a Problem?”
Her opening verse memorializes recently-deceased rappers: “This one’s for Pop, This one’s for Juice / I am the one, b— you a deuce.” In the months following commencement of The Nicki WRLD Tour in early 2019, news of the emo-rap pioneer Juice WRLD’s accidental overdose sent shocks across hip-hop fans in December of that year. She has since been vocal about her grief, dedicating her Billboard Game-Changer award in the late rapper’s honor. Sustaining the memory of lost legends is a staple part of hip-hop culture.
Ever since coming onto the rap scene, Nicki Minaj has earned respect from her peers for writing all of her own lyrics. Her seasoned lyrical capabilities ring true with the triple entendre “son your whole set like it’s a round six.” This bar not only asserts her authority over the “sons” who take infl uence from her sound and style, but is also a play on words: she could be referring to the 6 o’ clock sunset or a type of gun which holds six rounds of bullets in it.
While it is not surprising for Minaj to push her pen on a track, one notable point of improvement on “Do We Have a Problem?” is her singing ability. Dating back to her debut album “Pink Friday” (2010), Nicki Minaj has been no stranger to vocalizing, but she has always maintained her position as a rapper at heart. Because of this, her sing-song melodies usually have a distinct, nasally tone. However, she harmonizes impressively on the hook of this track. “There’s no autotune on me, is there?” she subtly boasts in a candid in-studio conversation with her producer at the start of the third verse. Cuts like this bring energy and personality to the song.
Lil Baby makes an appearance on the second verse to outline his goals for the new year. He also pays homage to the groundbreaking Jay-Z album “Blueprint” (2001) with the line “I done really trapped in the carter, I got the blueprint.” His ability to dominate on a track without resorting to fl ashy, over-the-top gimmicks is remarkable. Lil Baby’s subtle, laid-back approach to rap allows for his lyric to speak for itself.
The beat lacks any major progression changes or switchups, placing emphasis on both rappers’ fl ows. There is no mistaking that each of their vocal cadences and bars are the focal points, foreshadowing the dominant sound listeners should expect to hear on Nicki Minaj’s highly-anticipated fi fth studio album.
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