Sick of Star Wars

So, when called upon, I feel I must answer.

I thought Rogue One was decent, if failing at a lot of points. It definitely felt like a Star Wars movie, which is about the highest praise I could laud upon anything, so for that I give it props. Gareth Edwards did a decent job on it, and I certainly appreciated the different - but appropriate - filmmaking style he brought to the project, and the SW universe. There are a number of things it did get right, but ultimately I can appreciate the 'lukewarm' feelings a lot of people might have. In the end, on balance I think it was okay, but could have so easily been improved by small changes. I spoke it to a few other people, but by far my biggest gripe with the movie was that I felt it was a story that didn't need to be told. I think, in the massive world of Star Wars that they have tried to build - a very admirable endeavour - going back to the well for a 'prequel' to the original trilogy immediately hampers whatever you are going to attempt, and at the same time lessens the impact of the first film - which is the real travesty here (and something that really aggravates me with prequels in general). I don't want to be spoon-fed or told every detail; that mystery that surrounded the first three films when they came out, and the gaps that allowed for your imagination to fill in, is EXACTLY what I would argue made the franchise so successful. In those days, you could imagine all sort of adventures and backstories that you liked, and this is precisely why I think the marketing of all the merchandise, comics, etc., worked to generate the massive machine of Star Wars as we know it today. But anyways, getting back to the film for a minute, it was enjoyable for what it was, but I guess I will admit to a sense of disappointment, if not in the film, then for what I think as an major opportunity missed. I have to cite a few critical reviews that I think aptly sum up some aspects of it:

from the NY Times:

from the New Yorker:

and from the Washington Post:

So, in that sense, I agree. I admit to being very excited, tentatively hopeful, before its release, as the trailers really seemed to capture the magic and feel of the OT, and did a great job pulling you into the film. And I definitely felt that leaving, still, much more than I did with The Force Awakens. And yet, I wish they could have done things a bit differently. But what can you do? Perhaps fans (or just me) will never be perfectly satisfied, and there are some arguments to be made for that. But still, I do feel like films these days are trying to be a little too general, in an effort to pander to the widest audience (e.g. box office $) possible. So, is that a fair review?

Spoiler: More thoughts herein for the non-weary of my rambles

Couple specific points of note to add review-wise:

- oh god, please no more blind Asian 'master' tropes, I have really had enough
- trying way too hard to avoid the whole issue of the Force and lightsabers, while at the same time referencing them constantly throughout the entirety of the film; you can't have it both ways
- I am equally tired of the whole Mary Sue aspect of Jyn, and it only got worse the more the movie progressed
- speaking of which, the convenient plot coincidences in the film really required a strong suspension of disbelief and seemed a bit too lazy on the storytelling
- while I think they tried to make an ensemble piece, they never seemed to be able to decide if that's what they wanted or really a story about Jyn (and maybe Cassian partner flic). This really makes you suffer as they never seem to develop properly the characters or the desire to root for them; and this is even worse when it comes to Bodhi - supposedly an audience surrogate - whom I felt was never really sold for me
- aargghh, ANOTHER example of criminally under-using the brilliance that is Mads Mikkelson!
- I thought the way they handled Peter Cushing's appearance was surprisingly well achieved. It shows how far we have come with CGI, when properly dedicated to it. This should really be the focus for me - detail - rather than just channeling more planet destruction and explosions, etc. It never ventured that much into uncanny valley territory, though I did find it inconsistent. The ending though with Carrie Fished I felt was much worse, for whatever reason, and am not sure it was appropriately handled (and definitely was not necessary)
- generally disappointed with the handling of Darth Vader; voice and appearance were very off, and I am not sure why they went this way, I suspect it was a [poor] attempt to unify the <ahem> performance of Hayden Christiansen with James Earl Jones, but not successful at all. And I found his body movements very uncharacteristic. I am willing to chalk a fair amount of this up to fanboy nitpicking, but still, think it could have been better.
- generally, far too much fan-service; while not to the degree (nearly!) as in The Force Awakens, most of it was too forced and completely unnecessary. That said, I guess at this point you have to expect it, so I am willing to allow that it is something I/we have to deal with
- even given that we know the outcome, the plot of the movie was fairly well telegraphed from the get go, and offered very little in the way of suspense or degree of intrigue, I felt, to pull the audience in. Even though we know they will succeed in the end, you are supposed to wonder(and care) how they get there, and ultimately I feel this story, while offering some entertainment, never really succeeds in being that interesting, and thus this is the major reason why the reception has just been mediocre. It is a fine move for a general person probably, and offers some entertaining diversion, but never pulls you into a fully believable world that you want to know/imagine more about. The movie acts as a footnote, set-up to the overall thing, which does it a disservice.
- a small thing, but I did really notice the absence of the 20th Century Fox overture at the opening, as well as the opening crawl; to me, that is just so Star Wars. But, of course, I guess those are (sort of) expected to be gone(?).
- at least it is ended there, and concisely. No more setup for additional stories, and please let us explore new material if/when Disney and Kathleen Kennedy decide on adding more 'Star Wars stories.'

yikes - better stop it there! So much to add in the end, but I guess it's sufficient for now. Best add a spoiler though, as this dragged on far longer than I expected.

 

Could be better, animation-wise, but fun nonetheless:

 

Paging @666doll John, are you still hunting around for a couch? Because I think I found just the thing. From what I understand, it really ties the room together.



Dewback lizard loveseat anyone?

 

Oh god, not more "Limited Edition!" Funko "Japanese Vinyl!" "Hand Made!" "Premium Crafted!" "Collectables!".

 

Oh yeah, no judgement against anyone buying this or any of the figures themselves, but come on, the marketing tactics on these things is just ridiculous. Of course, I suppose there is some deep inherent meta irony in using this [even more] extreme excess to market (A) a Star Wars toy, and (B) do so on the 4th of May.

Unfortunately we live in a world where people get what they ask for/deserve, rather than what they need. Hence populism.

 

Too good not to share, this rekindles the simple passion and joy of all things Star Wars in me. And maybe of some interest to LA locals as well. (and bonus props for the fun nod to Bill Murray in the title too)

For May 25th, the 40th anniversary of Star Wars' release, check out Star Wars Nothing But Star Wars, a 70-minute mashup of Star Wars footage put on by Cinefamily in LA:



A bit more background and ticket info here.