Biggs' Zone

A Gamer Geek's Cogitations, Conjectures and other Cortical Experiences

Tag: LucasFilm

FINALLY! Episode IX Title and Trailer

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On April 12, 2019

In Movies, Star Wars

We have been waiting for months. Mark Hamill and Anthony Daniels have been teasing us. They teased us at the Super Bowl. They teased us all through March. We were even teased for the first day of the Celebration. We had to wait until the second day of the Star Wars Celebration, during the Episode IX panel for J.J. Abrams and Kathleen Kennedy finally gave us what we all wanted!! Episode IX Title and Trailer!

The Title: The Rise of Skywalker

The Trailer:

Just as the previous two movies, I instantly got chills! I will share my analysis of the Episode IX title and trailer in a later post (after my heart rate returns to normal and I’ve had a chance to watch it a dozen times).

Breathe. Just breathe. Now reach out.

Star Wars: Jar Jar Binks Is An Essential Character

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On December 15, 2015

In Geek Canon, Star Wars

Jar Jar Binks

Yes, let’s talk about the most controversial character in Star Wars (since the Ewoks – yes, back in the day the Ewoks were also hated). In fact, not only am I going to talk about him, I’m going to defend the fact that Jar Jar Binks is an essential character to the prequels. I liked Jar Jar and I think all the adults that hate him have lost something within themselves.

I was also inspired by this polygon article, which is an excellent read and I agree with the author 100%. He does an excellent job defending Jar Jar so there isn’t much else I can say he hasn’t already mentioned. I do understand why many people dislike Jar Jar, which the author also mentions. I get it, but Jar Jar deserves some additional support, so I will justify Jar Jar’s existence from a different perspective.

Jump In My Time Machine

Let me take you back to the first time you saw Star Wars, whether that was in 1977, 1980, and 1983 or perhaps in the 90s (which is when I saw them for the first time). Try and channel your 7-year-old self and remember what it was like seeing Star Wars for the first time. Go beyond the space battles and the lightsabers and think about the characters that you found endearing. The awkward antics of C-3PO and the cunning of the Ewoks as they use archaic conventions to thwart the Empire. Admit it! These characters are some of the reasons you are now a fan.

Find that inner child and watch the prequels again. I remember watching The Phantom Menace in the theater (which I did seven times) and hearing the laughter of children after one of Jar Jar’s goofy antics. In fact, did you know that Disney’s Goofy was George Lucas’ inspiration for Jar Jar? I can kind of see that now. Also, Lucas’ adopted son, Jett Lucas, named Jar Jar and inspired the Gungan species. What a neat way to include your children in your legacy and life’s work!

So if Jar Jar is based on Goofy, and you hate Jar Jar, then by the inference rule, you hate Goofy! Seriously, how can you hate Goofy?? “Gawrsh!”

Jar Jar Is For the Kids

All joking aside, I honestly do understand why some folks hate Jar Jar. Perhaps, if it weren’t for his voice and some of his dialog, he may have been more endearing to adults. I ask you this: don’t we want our children to like Star Wars as much as we did when we were young and give them the same cinematic experience?? Jar Jar is to our children as Wicket was to us. The prequels needed that delightful character that would become one of the reasons our children are now fans.

So I think instead of laughing at depictions of cutting off Jar Jar’s head, maybe it’s time we cut Jar Jar some slack.

/MTFBWY

Star Wars: Let’s Keep the Expectations Realistic

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On December 14, 2015

In Geek Canon, Movies, Star Wars

Star Wars The Force Awakens - Kylo RenThis should be declared “Star Wars Week”. If someone hasn’t done that already, then I’m declaring it despite the fact that I do not have the clout nor the viral influence to make it official. So, with that said, lets get on with it.

The obvious reason I would make such a declaration is the release of the seventh installment of the most beloved Star Wars franchise. I am beyond excited for the movie’s launch and I don’t even have a ticket to see it yet. I’m just excited for the continuation of the story and the characters that I have loved since I was a child. All the hype, however, does have me a little worried. I hope folks are not expecting this movie to be a cinematic masterpiece, especially those folks that are not big Star Wars fans like the rest of us.

I don’t have any inside knowledge, nor do I know J.J. Abrams or Kathleen Kennedy personally, but I’m still pretty sure neither one of them are trying to release the next Gone With the Wind or Titanic. Abrams just wants to tell the next chapter in the story. I think it would be pretty naive to expect this movie to be considered for a “Best Picture” Oscar. I’m certainly not expecting it (I am, however, expecting perhaps some technical Oscar nominations). I am also expecting it to have some pretty huge box office numbers (but that should be obvious to anybody).

In the end, folks, remember, it’s just Star Wars so keep your expectations realistic. It’s going to be science fiction, it’s going to have something that will appeal to children, there will probably be plots within plots. It’s not a biopic, it’s not based on true events, it’s not going to adhere to the laws of Physics, its fantasy. In other words, don’t read what the critics say, just go see it for yourself and remember, it’s just a movie (although for most of us, it’s much more than “just a movie” 🙂 )

/MTFBWY

Biggs On: Disney’s Acquisition of LucasFilm [UPDATE]

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On October 31, 2012

In Biggs On, Movies, Star Wars

In 1977 the production budget for Star Wars Episode 4 was $11 million (which is approximately $45 million today). It made $460 million in the U.S. alone which, after adjusting for inflation, makes it the second highest grossing film in the U.S. and Canada. The amazing world that George Lucas created has permeated over three decades. What is a legacy like that worth?

Apparently $4.05 billion (that’s $4,050,000,000).

George Lucas has been under quite a bit of scrutiny over the past 10-15 years so whether his motivation was to create some separation from Star Wars completely, or he needed that extra $4 billion, the purchase by Disney has left me with mixed emotions. On one hand perhaps its time for a new perspective since most of the decisions Lucas has made since he announced Phantom Menace have been bombarded by scathing criticism by “fans” that “obviously know better then he does”. Disney, as a conglomerate, isn’t popular among many in today’s society, but as a film producer they are extremely successful and have made quite a few really great movies.

On the other hand it does feel a bit like he has now completely sold out. He has abandoned his legacy for some “extra cash”. Granted he will be kept around as a “creative consultant” but Disney producers will have the final say. It’s hard to predict what will happen to the franchise now. Disney has already said the 7th film will be out in 2015 and they intend to make 8 and 9 (Star Wars was originally intended to be 9 movies). The Star Wars movies and universe have been such a large part of my life and the core of what defines me as a geek.

What really makes this more strange and difficult is usually when I blog about these kinds of things (either under the Biggs On category or the Soapbox category) I always seem to reach a conclusion or some level of personal understanding with the topic. That simply isn’t the case here. I know, without even looking on the social media sites, that a line has been drawn in the sand. There will be the purist on one side nerd raging over this event and there will be the optimistic group (usually the ones I call the “true fans of Star Wars”) on the other side. I feel caught in the middle but leaning toward optimistic.

I don’t hate Disney, even Disney the Conglomerate, but I do fear that they could ruin the franchise, more then many have “claimed” Lucas has, if they don’t proceed carefully. I guess we will know in 2-3 years.

UPDATE:

Shortly after publishing this post I happened to be reading the recent post of The Queue over at WoW Insider and, coincidentally, someone asked a question about this very topic. Despite the fact that it wasn’t WoW related the author responded and there was a very excellent point.

The Avengers is probably one of this summer’s biggest blockbuster movies, and it is a Disney movie. In fact Disney owns Marvel Entertainment so every Marvel movie produced since 2009 is a Disney movie. That helps quell my fears because it does show that Disney does care about the fan perspective of cult classics and cult genres. Perhaps Star Wars is in better hands now. Perhaps it is something to be excited about.

/Cheers

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