I loved TFA too, and TLJ is something I feel like I can never even discuss because it is actually my second favorite Star Wars movie after Empire Strikes Back, but Star Wars fans will drag your ass for saying such a thing.
In my headcanon, the entire franchise ended with broom kid.
I really think Rian Johnson should not have been given part two of three. If we didn’t have TFA and TRoS, his film could have been a really cool “Star Wars Story” exploring some post Episode VI ideas in a single sitting. Johnson’s thing is subversive writing, which isn’t super compatible with an ongoing franchise, much less with the middle part of a trilogy; you’ve got to have that kind of thing baked all the way through.
To me, it felt like a good progression from TFA. In a way, the contrast felt similar to me as way back when I first saw TESB (I’m old). There was a lot that was unexpected and fresh in TLJ, but it all felt like a nice progression and expansion to me. But then, I’ve never really felt like Star Wars has ever had a consistent, solid lore, even back in the 80s. More than any movie since RoTJ, watching TLJ really made me feel the childlike wonder that made me love the franchise so much at one time. My reaction to TFA was, “Pretty good, but a bit too fan-servicey.” TLJ really was set to redeem it for me.
It introduced so much potential, only for it all to be cast aside for the sake of appeasing fans in the (imo, unenjoyable) TRoS. It was a real shame to see so much potential cast aside, especially Rose. What an absolute shame.
Again, all of this is my opinion. Preferences like this are entirely subjective, and I’ve come to understand that what I loved about Star Wars is not what most people like about the franchise, and that’s ok.
Star Wars has long since gotten too big for its own good, I think; every fan has their own idea of what it is and should be, and no one’s going to make them all happy.
Having sat with my TLJ opinions for a while, the biggest complaint I have now, and both times I saw it in theaters is that it’s so long. Lucas had really dialed in 2ish hours as a good length for these stories, and I feel like there’s just too much happening in TLJ. I don’t super dislike any of it (aside from the casino, but probably just cause that’s when I check my watch and realize how much time is left), but I think removing a subplot or three would help it out a lot.
Interesting; I love the prequels (terribly flawed as they are), but they were my first exposure to Star Wars. Not that my dad wanted it that way, but when parents are gone and you want to watch a movie, and you see DVDs labelled 4, 5, 6, 1, and 2, it’s so obvious to start with the first one.
Yeah, you’re quite younger than me. I saw the original trilogy being released in real time. I never liked the “origin story” direction it took after that. Most of these characters were better off with the mystique that spurred one’s own imagination imo. I tried so hard to enjoy the prequels, but they didn’t feel like Star Wars to me.
I remember seeing TFA in the theater for the first time. It was far from perfect, but it felt like the franchise was back on track. I also loved Rogue One.
I loved TFA too, and TLJ is something I feel like I can never even discuss because it is actually my second favorite Star Wars movie after Empire Strikes Back, but Star Wars fans will drag your ass for saying such a thing.
In my headcanon, the entire franchise ended with broom kid.
I really think Rian Johnson should not have been given part two of three. If we didn’t have TFA and TRoS, his film could have been a really cool “Star Wars Story” exploring some post Episode VI ideas in a single sitting. Johnson’s thing is subversive writing, which isn’t super compatible with an ongoing franchise, much less with the middle part of a trilogy; you’ve got to have that kind of thing baked all the way through.
To me, it felt like a good progression from TFA. In a way, the contrast felt similar to me as way back when I first saw TESB (I’m old). There was a lot that was unexpected and fresh in TLJ, but it all felt like a nice progression and expansion to me. But then, I’ve never really felt like Star Wars has ever had a consistent, solid lore, even back in the 80s. More than any movie since RoTJ, watching TLJ really made me feel the childlike wonder that made me love the franchise so much at one time. My reaction to TFA was, “Pretty good, but a bit too fan-servicey.” TLJ really was set to redeem it for me.
It introduced so much potential, only for it all to be cast aside for the sake of appeasing fans in the (imo, unenjoyable) TRoS. It was a real shame to see so much potential cast aside, especially Rose. What an absolute shame.
Again, all of this is my opinion. Preferences like this are entirely subjective, and I’ve come to understand that what I loved about Star Wars is not what most people like about the franchise, and that’s ok.
Star Wars has long since gotten too big for its own good, I think; every fan has their own idea of what it is and should be, and no one’s going to make them all happy.
Having sat with my TLJ opinions for a while, the biggest complaint I have now, and both times I saw it in theaters is that it’s so long. Lucas had really dialed in 2ish hours as a good length for these stories, and I feel like there’s just too much happening in TLJ. I don’t super dislike any of it (aside from the casino, but probably just cause that’s when I check my watch and realize how much time is left), but I think removing a subplot or three would help it out a lot.
Oddly, TLJ felt shorter to me than any of the prequels or TRoS. But yeah, I haven’t watched any Star Wars since 2019.
Interesting; I love the prequels (terribly flawed as they are), but they were my first exposure to Star Wars. Not that my dad wanted it that way, but when parents are gone and you want to watch a movie, and you see DVDs labelled 4, 5, 6, 1, and 2, it’s so obvious to start with the first one.
Yeah, you’re quite younger than me. I saw the original trilogy being released in real time. I never liked the “origin story” direction it took after that. Most of these characters were better off with the mystique that spurred one’s own imagination imo. I tried so hard to enjoy the prequels, but they didn’t feel like Star Wars to me.
I remember seeing TFA in the theater for the first time. It was far from perfect, but it felt like the franchise was back on track. I also loved Rogue One.
Definitely agree that explaining something isn’t always the best narrative choice. Imagination can sometimes be a much better storyteller.