NFBisms said:
I don’t even think it’s the same situation/plot. Maybe you disagree with the decision to have Luke cut himself off from the galaxy in the first place, but that alone is enough to be a different story with different themes. Maybe TFA set up a trajectory like the one you describe, but even Ben’s First Order is now motivated by burning down all the old institutions to begin a new world order, as opposed to the OT Empire just wishing to maintain its hold on the galaxy. It looks the same on a superficial level, I guess, but I do think it is a “different problem that the old solution can’t fix.”
I don’t really see where the FO is that different from the Empire presented in TESB after the destruction of the Death Star. They’re a military power controlling most of the galaxy. I’ve heard very little about a new world order, and how that system is supposed to be so different from the previous dictatorship that ruled the galaxy.
Obi-Wan and Yoda were hiding to watch over Luke until he was ready to begin his Jedi training. On the other hand, Old Luke at the start of TLJ has no intention of doing anything for the galaxy anymore. He doesn’t even know Han is dead or even what is happening in the galaxy. That it even needed his help.
I think the entire scenario surrounding Luke’s abandonment of his ideals and values are in part why this trilogy betrays the spirit of the earlier films. In order for the new hero to replace the old one, the old one has to take himself out of commission contrary to everything that character represented for four decades, a cheat of sorts. It sacrifices the old solution to the problem of a galaxy wide dictatorship, namely Luke and the New Republic for the new solution represented by Rey, and whatever might become of those few dozen rebels flying off in the Millenium Falcon at the end of TLJ.
I guess I just don’t think new additions to the franchise can ruin what came before it for me. The prequels didn’t ruin the original trilogy to me. And while I am welcoming of the ST’s new direction, I don’t even think it takes away from the OT. If anything, it’s just an expansion of it. Just another way to look at it. Doesn’t make what those movies have to say any less important.
I don’t know. If a creator writes a story with certain themes and messages, and then another creator claims to expand on, and eventually finish that story (it’s all supposed to be one nine part saga, no?), but actively undermines those themes and messages (IMO), I think that presents a problem. I think a creator should be true to the material. If RJ wanted to take things in a completely different direction, I think he should have used his own vehicle, the new trilogy, to do it, and even then not all bets are off. If he really wants to do his own thing, he should create his own universe.