Whew, even in the most heated debates, I think it is all great we can talk about Star Wars, a thing we all love both in similar and different ways, but reading through this thread is exhausting.
I totally empathize with a lot of the issues people have with the new films, I also have my own issues, like the lack of political context. I feel like I could discuss all of these issues and explain my own perspective in hopes it could address the issues many of you have, but I also feel like we’ve had similar discussions enough times before to know that none of us will probably leave with our minds changed, at least not anytime soon. Not trying to say the haters are just hard-headed or something like that, not at all.
I just want to share my thoughts for a second.
A few years before TFA came out, I came to really dislike the prequels, movies I grew up loving. I even outlined, recasted and rewrote a different version of the prequels based off the Star Wars Ring Theory.
Sure, it was fun to do, and it still is fun to imagine what the Clone Wars would’ve been like if had been a war against Republic Troopers and Mandalorian Clones, but in retrospect it sort of felt like a waste of time.
Regardless, I think going through that process made me really think about what those movies were trying to say, and in the end it made me appreciate the prequels we already have even more. And while the movies clearly have problems (enter fan edits), I love the overall story they tell.
Maybe you won’t ever come around on the new films, and if you ever want to talk about them with me I would be happy to share my opinion, but I think for all of the people it is just going to take time for them to really get into them. I’m not saying they’re perfect, I’m over on the fan edit threads all the time trying to think of ways to improve them, but I think the overall story fits appropriately with the saga as a whole.
I just think saying the franchise is dead to you is a little melodramatic. Come on, try to have fun with them and be a little open-minded!
I know all of the criticism is coming from a place of love, we have a high standard for these movies and want them to be great. I still think there’s room for improvement, but I also think there is also a lot to love already too.
I just wish people didn’t worry so much and just try to go with the flow more. Try to understand rather than tear apart.
Now if the new Star Wars shows, Benioff & Weiss’ movies or Rian trilogy all turn out to be mediocre, then by all means hand me a pitchfork and let’s vote with our wallets, but I think we just have to be a little patient. Patience not only to come to understand the films we already have, but also to get more stories that we want, fresh adventures away from what we know, maybe even Old Republic stuff, but these things take time to make. They’ve been planning these new stories for awhile, but all of this can’t come out at once. Just give it time, they’re working on it. Hopefully since they’re not rushing, that will reflect on the story. I guess we’ll find out though!
Anyway, sorry to ramble. I don’t think everything in this new era of Star Wars is perfect, but there is a lot to enjoy, and I think they’re still figuring everything out and the best may be yet to come. I think us living in an age of instant gratification, we’re quick to forget the past and slow to try and really see the big picture. I just feel like the same people who say Star Wars is dead will be praising how much they love Star Wars years from now if Filoni was ever made president of Lucasfilm or if he got his own Old Republic live-action series or something.
I dunno, not trying to be too harsh, I think as fans we should be critical, but I also wish you guys would try to enjoy the ride a little bit more too!