Delicieuxz said:
I can’t accept TFA as a real entry in the SW saga because it devalues the events in the original trilogy, and renders all those trials, lessons, and victories as nullified, by the very people who achieved them.http://www.giantbomb.com/articles/off-the-clock-space-opera-millennials-and-their-gr/1100-5371/
This article is an excellent explanation of why some fans may be struggling with Lucas’ fairy tale ending being erased. Real life doesn’t always end with dancing plush toys.
This is an excellent read and Austin Walker is a treasure. I’m so glad Giant Bomb hired him.
I see so much being made out of the fact that TFA takes so much of its story beats and imagery from the first Star Wars movie, but never really much discussion about the context in which it does so. TFA focuses on protagonists who are living in the shadow of larger than life figures.
Rey has a Rebel Pilot doll. Kylo Ren seeks to follow in Darth Vaders footsteps. All of them have missing parent figures. There’s that wonderful scene where Fin recognizes Han as a war hero, and Rey recognizes him as a smuggler. Heck, at one point in the movie there’s a shot that frames the deactivated R2-D2 as a rather imposing and statuesque figure over the smaller BB-8. All of this colors the new character’s decisions and attitudes in a way that isn’t seen in the original trilogy.
TFA sufficiently retells the Star Wars myth in the way that the original Star Wars retold the old space adventure serials and the classic hero’s journey.