Biggs' Zone

A Geek's Cogitations, Conjectures and other Cortical Experiences

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Book Review – Leia: Princess of Alderaan

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On March 4, 2019

In Book Review, Science Fiction, Star Wars

Leia: Princess of Alderaan (Star Wars)Leia: Princess of Alderaan by Claudia Gray
My rating: [rating=5]

I wasn’t sure what I was getting into when I picked up this book to read it. After the passing of Carrie Fisher, I felt like reading this book became an obligation. In fact I had a bit of a lump in my throat when I began reading it.

The 16-year-old Princess of Alderaan is ready to make her claim for the throne. It’s her Day of Demand and she must declare her three challenges if she wants to become queen. As she embarks on the quest to fulfill these challenges and joins the Apprentice Legislature in the Senate, her world suddenly changes. She stumbles on to a plot against the Empire and Emperor Palpatine and her parents are at the center of it. Can she continue a facade of innocence to protect herself, her parents, and her people?

Biggs’ Review

I really enjoyed this book, much more than I was expecting. The events in this book occur 2-3 years prior to the beginning of A New Hope. I enjoy Claudia Gray’s writing style and story telling. It kept me engaged with every page and the story is very compelling.

I really love how she ties in Rogue One and The Last Jedi movies. There are references to Saw Gerrera’s actions and how it impacts the Rebellion’s attempt to remain clandestine. There is even a small cameo from The Phantom Menace. One of my favorite character mentions is Amilyn Holdo. In The Last Jedi we meet Holdo for the first time as she assumes command of the Raddus while Leia is unconscious. She commands authority and definitely has some history with Leia.

Finally, the presence of the Force is subtle and sublime. I don’t know if that was the author’s intention but I love how it enigmatically influences Leia’s actions. Some times even Leia seems unaware that her strong connection with the Force is driving her actions.

View all my reviews

diablo3-reading“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”
– Dr. Seuss

 

[UPDATE] Book Review: Thrawn Alliances

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On January 2, 2019

In Book Review, Science Fiction

Alliances (Star Wars: Thrawn, #2)Alliances by Timothy Zahn
My rating: [rating=5]
(Click here to see this review on Goodreads)

This is the second book in Timothy Zahn’s new Thrawn series (I’m assuming there will be a third book the third book has been announced titled Treason). I really loved the first book (simply titled Thrawn)! You simply must read it if you haven’t already. It’s the story of how Thrawn came into the service of the Empire and how his strategic military prowess made him a Grand Admiral. At the end of the book we learn that the Emperor has a new mission for Thrawn, but he needs to work with Darth Vader.

Brief Synopsis

As we learned in the first book, Grand Admiral Thrawn is unaware that Anakin and Vader are the same person. Therefore, Zahn takes an interesting approach in this book; it takes place at two points in time. Both times it is Thrawn working with the same person, only he doesn’t realize it. In the past Anakin and Thrawn work together to find Padme. In the present Thrawn and Vader are on a mission for the Emperor to investigate a disturbance in the Force. Coincidentally both missions take place on the same planets.

Biggs’ Review

I equally enjoyed this book. There are several things that I found interesting from a canon perspective. It’s interesting to see Thrawn work with Anakin and Vader. While Thrawn initially seems unaware that they are the same person, by the end of the book I suspect that he’s figured it out. I assume, in the third book, Zahn will verify this theory.

One of the character traits I really love is how Vader refers to Anakin as “The Jedi”, creating a bit of dissociative identity disorder in Vader. I’m also curious about Thrawn’s age! There are rumors he’s going to be in Episode 9, yet here he’s appearing 20 years prior to Episode 4. How long to Chiss live?

diablo3-reading“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”
– Dr. Seuss

 

Biggs On: Cancellation of the Boba Fett and Obi-Wan Movies

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On November 11, 2018

In Biggs On, Movies, Star Wars

I’m sure many are waiting for my manbaby to emerge and tantrum after the cancellation of the Boba Fett and Obi-Wan movies. The truth is that I’m not bothered by it at all. In fact the decision makes sense. It has absolutely nothing to do with the poor box office performance of the Solo movie. As much as the butt-hurt manbabies try to rationalize, the poor performance is not the result of fan protest. Fans actually went to see the Han Solo movie! That being said, why am I not butt-hurt about the cancellations?

We Know Boba Fett’s Origin

Fan art of Boba Fett’s escape – by Deviant Art

I don’t think Disney mentioned the plot of the Boba Fett movie. The other non-Skywalker movies take place between Episode 3 and Episode 4. I really doubt that a Boba Fett origin film was planned. Attack of the Clones is essentially the origin story. He’s a clone of Jango Fett that remained unaltered. I think it would be a surprise if this was the intended plot of the movie.

So if it’s not an origin story, there is only one other logical story line. The story line that has been an enigma since Return of the Jedi. Boba Fett’s rumored escape from the Sarlacc in the Pit of Carkoon. This is the story I believe Disney would have pursued. Everyone wants to know how Boba Fett survives the Sarlacc but I’m glad we won’t. I would prefer this remain a mystery, why ruin it? Now we are left to the manifestations of our own minds, which are better than any producer, writer or director could ever imagine. Besides, we wouldn’t have as much excellent fan art and depictions.

What Would We Learn About Obi-Wan?

The bigger mystery of these two movies is what would the plot be of the Obi-Wan movie? We learn more about the Death Star plans in Rogue One. We learn about how Han and Chewie met, the Kessel Run and the Millennium Falcon in the Solo movie. What would we have learned about Obi-Wan? The prequels told us how he became a General and the Clone Wars animated series told us how he and Anakin became friends.

A couple of reports emerged that suggested the story was going to take place while Obi-Wan was in exile in the Jundland Wastes on Tatooine. He would become involved with some kind of conflict between local farmers and the Sand People. It’s not a story I was terribly excited about, therefore cancelling this movie made sense to me. Besides, I think what we all really wanted to see is Ewan McGreggor as Obi-Wan Kenobi again.

The cancellation of the Boba Fett and Obi-Wan movies was the smart move by Disney. While we all really want to see more of the two biggest bad asses in the franchise, I think it’s better they remain enigmatic. I don’t think this is the end of more “Star Wars Story” films. I would love to see Donald Glover reprise Lando in his own film, which Lucasfilm has hinted at before.

/MTFBWY

The Force. It calls to you. Just let it in.

Star Wars: The Subtle, and Brilliant, Connections

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On October 30, 2018

In General Cogitation

For nearly two decades there has been seven new movies and two animated series (with more on the way). There are trivial details that link all of them and the brilliance lies in the minutiae. The subtle, and brilliant, connections Disney brings to the franchise is outstanding and fascinating. Perhaps “connection” might be a misnomer, considering some of these items are so subtle they’re more like “Easter Eggs”. I’ll get into that later. There are quite a few Easter Eggs in all of the movies, but these are my favorites.

Also, if you have not seen Solo or all of Clone Wars, there are mild spoilers ahead from each.

[**Spoilers Ahead**] Darth Maul’s Appearance

Darth Maul with Mechanical LegsAs you watch Solo: A Star Wars Story, they do leave you wondering what happened to Q’ira after her and Han are separated during the escape from Corellia. Her sudden appearance as a gangster’s lieutenant several years later is one of the great mysteries of the film. She’s clearly tormented by the her choices in the past leaving the audience, and Han, completely in the dark.

Her vexing relationship with Dryden Vos had us wondering if she is his mistress or concubine, like Leia was to Jabba (which would be fantastic symmetry). However, we are all stunned when Q’ira contacts Darth Maul (reprised by Ray Park) leaving us all with more questions about her past. What makes this encounter more mysterious is the fact that it’s the version of Darth Maul with his robot legs thus linking Solo to late episodes of Rebels and Clone Wars. This is one of my favorite scenes in the Han Solo movie.

Hera’s Ghost

Ghost among the fleet assaulting Scarif in Rogue One (Click to enlarge)

Before you think I’m exposing another spoiler, I’m not talking about Hera’s spiritual ghost but her ship, the Ghost. If you are unfamiliar with the animated series, Star Wars Rebels, then none of this will make sense. Hera is a Twi’lek rebellion pilot and the Ghost is a Corellian VCX-100 light freighter. She is a central character to the animated series and the formation of the Rebel Alliance.

This little Easter Egg is very similar to the Millennium Falcon Easter Eggs at various spaceports in the prequels and Clone Wars. Granted most of those are merely Corellian Corvettes and not specifically the Millennium Falcon. However, in this particular case the Ghost can be spotted among the ships preparing to attack Scarif in Rogue One. You may even hear a “General Syndulla” on the PA.

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Book Review: Phasma

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On September 19, 2018

In Book Review, Science Fiction, Star Wars

Phasma (Star Wars)Phasma by Delilah S. Dawson
My rating: [rating=4]

Captain Phasma is the Boba Fett of the sequel trilogy. Mysterious. Ruthless. The stomp of her chrome boots and her clipped Imperial accent makes her both menacing and intriguing. There is clearly a story to tell and Delilah Dawson is here to tell it.

Vi Moradi is a Resistance spy, often given tasks by General Organa herself. On her recent mission she is captured by Captain Cardinal, a stormtrooper of the First Order. Instead of turning her over to his superiors, he secretly interrogates her for evidence against his rival, Captain Phasma. Since the day Brendol Hux brought Phasma on board the Absolution all his hard work has been marginalized and his pupils reprogrammed to be heartless killers. He believes that she is responsible for murdering his mentor. He wants Phasma gone and he’ll do what needs to be done to see to it that she is removed from command.

Biggs Review

I really enjoyed this book. I love the austere and ruthlessness of Phasma in The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi. The thing that I enjoyed most was that the author didn’t just give us a full origin story. We learn about the kind of person Phasma is by second-hand stories. I didn’t want all the secrets revealed to maintain the elusiveness of the character. The use of interrogation of a spy, and friend of someone from Phasma’s past, is a great mechanism for maintaining the enigma.

I like the fact that throughout the whole book you’re never really “rooting” for Phasma but you do develop some revere for the character. You begin to understand the character more from what she has endured before joining the First Order. You even learn why she doesn’t wear the typical plastoid composite stormtrooper armor and where the chrome armor comes from.

Finally, much like Boba Fett in the sarlacc, I do not think she is dead after she is bested by Finn in The Last Jedi. Phasma knows exactly what she needs to do to survive and I think we will see her again in Episode IX.

View all my reviews

diablo3-reading“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”
– Dr. Seuss

 

Star Wars Manbabies are Ruining the Franchise (not Disney)

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On July 28, 2018

In Star Wars

It is a tumultuous year for the Star Wars franchise. The polarizing effect of The Last Jedi likely contributed to the lackluster box office of the Solo movie. This is unfortunate because the movie is actually quite good. The trolls and sniveling “fans” have been posting diatribe after diatribe that Disney is ruining Star Wars. The real fact of the matter is, these manbabies are ruining the franchise, not Disney.

Let’s Compare Actions

Disney has not only brought Star Wars into the lives of our sons and nephews but also our daughters and nieces. While I absolutely appreciate the nostalgia of the original trilogy, modern times calls for modern movies. Making new trilogies and new movies (i.e. A Star Wars Story series) is how we keep our children as excited about Star Wars as we are. Kathleen Kennedy (et al.) brought Star Wars into the context of the modern world. They do this with a more diverse cast, a female protagonist, and modern dialect (ex: Poe’s “mom” joke).

So while Disney is trying to be more progressive with Star Wars, how are the jaundiced fans responding? They bully and bigot until the stars of the movies are forced to abandon social media. They create fake accounts to drive down audience ratings, create phony online petitions, and other nefarious acts that are an embarrassment to all Star Wars fans. Their chronic bellyaching and narrow-mindedness has no place among real fans. The moniker of “manbaby” is well-earned. They are better off denouncing Star Wars (all of it, original trilogy et al), and go live under a rock or DIAF. I’m tired of reading about it.

DIY If You Think You Know Better

I’ve said it before, and I will say it again. If you think you can write a better movie then write the script, hire the crew and make the movie. I look forward to seeing it in the theater. If you are unable to do any of that and you can’t be a little more open-minded, then Shut The Fuck Up!

The Force. It calls to you. Just let it in.

 

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