During
the film- “Woo hoo!!!!!” *repeat*
After
the film- “Heeeeey…wait a minute. How…
What…?”
During
subsequent viewings of the film- “Woo hoo!!!!!”
*repeat*
In
other words, it is a Star Wars film.
Slightly
longer spoiler free review:
The
film had to simultaneously finish up the three film story they were telling
now that belongs firmly to today's children, and act as a capstone to the episodes of the 42 year old year old
franchise in a way that would appeal to crusty old fans like myself. It did both remarkably well, keeping in mind that Star Wars should truly belong to the kids, and anything us old farts get counts as gravy.
We did get a lot more than gravy, I just enjoy beating this dead tauntaun.
We did get a lot more than gravy, I just enjoy beating this dead tauntaun.
While
the choices made to launch the new trilogy didn’t all line up with the original
stories and characters, closure and connectivity was achieved on both levels. The return of Palpatine, which sounded like it came completely out of left field, is tied in with the new story and provides a strong link to the other eight movies.
The
leads introduced in The Force Awakens completed
their arcs. And for us old
guys, the original trilogy individuals got fitting tributes, along with some surprise ones. This applies to
both the characters and the actors.
Some were acknowledgments of real world, and fictional story endings. Because of the previous two films refusing to shy away from major deaths, this one could tease situations providing tension and leaving the audience unsure about what happened. There are tragedies, but there are also happy surprises.
In other words , there were manly tears in certain scenes. There was also the uncontrolled bawling of a seven year old in others. But there were far more cheers of the kid who was introduced to myth arcs through this series that has grown up into an excited adult (in appearance) audience member.
Some were acknowledgments of real world, and fictional story endings. Because of the previous two films refusing to shy away from major deaths, this one could tease situations providing tension and leaving the audience unsure about what happened. There are tragedies, but there are also happy surprises.
In other words , there were manly tears in certain scenes. There was also the uncontrolled bawling of a seven year old in others. But there were far more cheers of the kid who was introduced to myth arcs through this series that has grown up into an excited adult (in appearance) audience member.
I'm
sure I’ll have a lot to say about spoilers after digesting it a bit more…
And
likely seeing it in the theater a few more times. (Woo Hoo!!!)
This one brought home how the Sequel Trilogy lined up with the Original Trilogy in my head:
The first one stands alone the best as a complete story, though bits don't align with what comes after.
The second one has the most character development and is very well made, because it could spend time on things other than a beginning and an end.
The third one is cheer filled, makes me feel the best after watching it, and has the most things that don't make sense when you stop cheering and think about it. (But who cares? Woo Hoo!)
This one brought home how the Sequel Trilogy lined up with the Original Trilogy in my head:
The first one stands alone the best as a complete story, though bits don't align with what comes after.
The second one has the most character development and is very well made, because it could spend time on things other than a beginning and an end.
The third one is cheer filled, makes me feel the best after watching it, and has the most things that don't make sense when you stop cheering and think about it. (But who cares? Woo Hoo!)
As
always, with the new fully interconnected franchise mind set, there were many openings
left for story branches in novels, comics, movies, TV shows and lawn sock puppet performances that could take place
both before and after Star Wars Episode
IX the Rise of Skywalker.
Oddly,
the two movies I would most like to see will most probably never be made:
1)
The Episode IX made logically following
the deviation from typical Star Wars expectations set up in Rian Johnson’s The Last Jedi that would have led the
franchise into unexplored territory.
2)
The Episode VIII made that logically connected the far more classic, "feel don't think" leaning J.
J. Abrams made The Force Awakens and The Rise of Skywalker using.
The new ones are all fun, they all feel like Star Wars, and they mostly fit together in a zig zagging of expectations way …but the alternate universe fan that I am would love to see how
a single cohesive vision (or both of the single cohesive visions) would have constructed the story.
In closing, don't forget to stay to the end of the credits.
No, there's no scene, nor should there be since this is Star Wars, not Marvel.
The reason to stay is more artistic and indeed more important. It will be the last chance to hear new Star Wars music composed by John Williams on a theatrical sound system after over four decades of his awesomeness. Fittingly, he gives the appearance of his name an appropriate flourish.
In closing, don't forget to stay to the end of the credits.
No, there's no scene, nor should there be since this is Star Wars, not Marvel.
The reason to stay is more artistic and indeed more important. It will be the last chance to hear new Star Wars music composed by John Williams on a theatrical sound system after over four decades of his awesomeness. Fittingly, he gives the appearance of his name an appropriate flourish.
Spoiler thoughts start here
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