Biggs' Zone

A Geek's Cogitations, Conjectures and other Cortical Experiences

Tag: Star Wars Page 31 of 45

Star Wars: Luke Isn’t Broken in The Last Jedi

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On March 11, 2019

In Movies, Star Wars

Several new stories keep popping up on social media that Disney (or J.J.) are calling in George Lucas to “fix Luke”. Apparently Luke’s character evolution did not appeal to many people. This isn’t just some other thing the manbabies cried about on social media; some of my friends have made similar comments. Luke’s behavior is exactly what I was expecting so I’m not sure what needs to be “fixed”. You’ve heard the idiom “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it”; well I believe Luke isn’t broken in The Last Jedi.

The Trailer and TFA Made It Very Clear

When the trailer came out, I’m sure I wasn’t the only one watching it multiple times. However, I must have been watching a different trailer than other folks. There is plenty in the trailer (and The Force Awakens) to suggest that Luke is despondent. Luke, being the first of a new line of Jedi, would feel obligated to begin training new Jedi. His hubris would be his downfall when he fails with his own nephew. Yoda and Obi-Wan also went into exile when they failed the Jedi Order, Ahsoka did it when she left the Jedi Order. Luke doesn’t need to be fixed, he’s reacting as any human being would react; he’s reacting as even the most powerful Jedi reacted.

Look, I get it. I wanted to see Luke pick up a lightsaber and mow down some First Order and watch Kylo Ren soil his emo pants. However, that wouldn’t make any sense based on the events of The Force Awakens. It’s also against Luke’s character to be this Jedi harbinger of death. It would also make him like his father, whom he doesn’t want to be. So much so that when he was tempted to destroy Ben Solo, he exiled himself instead. His attempted murder is the catalyst for Ben Solo to become Kylo Ren. We all wanted to “fan girl” around Luke as he wields the Force with indestructible tenacity, but it would be completely incongruent with the story. The point is making a movie like Star Wars isn’t about pandering to the fans, it’s about telling a story.

Disney’s Perpetrating False Rumors

My other theory is that Disney is using this “power of influence” grip social media has on the world and intentionally stirring the pot. People are so gullible they will believe anything they read on Twitter and Facebook. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if there are people employed that knew just the right words to use to incite rumors and speculation. The point isn’t to reveal anything about the movie, just simply to garner attention and discussion.

If you think I’m stretching then let me provide some examples of conflicting reports. Around the 17th of February a story came out where Abrams stated any of the “complaints” [alleged] fans had with The Last Jedi won’t affect Episode IX.  Less than 10 days later the reports of George Lucas coming in to “fix Luke” started surfacing. Upon further observation of these two stories I noticed something interesting. The former is from a reputable source (aka. Screen Rant) while all the stories related to the latter are rumors concocted by bloggers, vloggers and theorycrafters. Which leads me to believe they are just wishful thinkers and bellyaching “fans”.

In all honesty, I trust Kathleen Kennedy and the folks at Lucasfilm. I’m open-minded when it comes to these movies, unlike all of those fair-weather fans. I love all of the sequel trilogy movies and if they allegedly “fix” Luke, then that’s cool by me. As long as the story still makes sense (and they don’t kill the droids).

/MTFBWY

Breathe. Just breathe. Now reach out.

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

 

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