The Sequel and Canon Debates: A Reviewer's Perspective on Star Wars

Star Wars has always been a treasure trove ofсужganic and groundbreaking content, drawing in audiences with its intricate storytelling and memorable characters. As the franchise branches out with each new installment, debates ensue over whether these movies and their new takes on the canon succeed in capturing the essence of the original films or fall short of expectations. This article delves into a review of some of the recent Star Wars films, specifically focusing on the movie style and character development by J.J. Abrams, highlighting the debates surrounding these sequels in the world of Star Wars fandom.

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The first entry in this series that sparked significant discussion is The Force Awakens. J.J. Abrams, known for his work on other sci-fi franchises, brings his unique approach to the Star Wars saga. While many fans welcomed the idea of using A New Hope as a blueprint, the execution left a mixed reaction. The film is often criticized for its thoughtless worldbuilding, a rushed plot, and underdeveloped characters, which ultimately undermined the story's potential.

The Force Awakens

Abrams' direction can be seen as an effort to reintroduce familiar elements to a new generation of fans. However, in doing so, he may have missed the mark in several key areas. The non-existent world-building, a hurried plot, and insufficient character development all contributed to a film that, while interesting, lacks the depth and richness that fans have come to expect from the Star Wars universe.

For those who harbored a particular disdain for The Force Awakens, the next entry, Rogue One, offered a different experience. As a space opera and espionage tale, the film promised to explore behind-the-scenes actions in the galaxy far, far away. Unfortunately, much like its predecessor, Rogue One failed to live up to these expectations. Characterization, while commendable for figures like Orson Krennic, was generally weak, and despite the intriguing premise, the film struggled to present a compelling storyline.

The Last Jedi garnered significant attention for its innovative takes on key characters, such as Luke Skywalker, Rey, and Kylo Ren. While Abrams' thoughtfulness in these arcs was appreciated, the execution faced criticism. Luke’s struggle with his legacy, his rejection of being a hero and Jedi, and his eventual redemption offered a compelling narrative. However, the two other arcs were deemed interesting in concept but were undermined by issues with tone and character passivity, which somewhat detracted from the great ideas. The TV series Andor stands out in comparison, with a more masterful approach to character development.

The story of Solo offers a different story. The film introduces a more likable set of characters, yet the plot remains poorly structured. Han Solo’s origin story was not sufficiently developed, as the film did not commit to giving him an arc. The character was instead presented as a fully formed version of Han, which made the movie less engaging compared to other installments that provided a gradual transformation. The lack of depth in Han’s development means that the film’s potential remains untapped.

Rise of Skywalker completes the saga with a mix of potential and missed opportunities. This film holds a lot of promise with its ideas and potential, but Abrams’ thoughtless and rushed style stands as a significant drawback. While the return of Palpatine is not unpopular, the execution of his return to the storyline is notably weak. The potential of exploring Rey’s role as someone trying to step into Luke’s shoes, as well as the storyline of Finn with renegade stormtroopers, was wasted due to rushed and silly editing. The scene where Luke turns up as a ghost was another missed opportunity for character depth.

The debates surrounding these films continue to captivate the Star Wars community. Each installment brings its own set of challenges and opportunities, and fans remain divided on the success of these efforts. The question of whether these movies are successful additions to the canon remains open, with a significant portion of the fanbase still holding skepticism towards J.J. Abrams’ style.

As the saga moves forward, the direction of the Star Wars franchise will undoubtedly continue to evolve. What remains clear is the importance of character development and world-building in creating a compelling and immersive experience for audiences. Only time will tell how future entries will shape the debates and solidify their place in the Star Wars canon.