Abrams problem with Star Wars (and he admitted this) was that Disney had no plan.
Huh. That’s what I’d expect head-tapped screen/scriptwriters to task themselves with doing: storyboarding first, then presenting/pitching to the executive producers. I guess I don’t get how any of that works.
I also find it a bit suspect given his past track record with the
Trek trio and pretty much every
Cloverfield after the first (sorry, John Goodman, not even you could save that instalment) — along with the aforementioned TV stinker,
Roadies, and others on shaky ground (
Undercovers, Believe, and
Revolution). It really circles back to Abrams either going bold or going noncommittal, even derivative.
Episode VII was more the former;
Episode IX was decidedly the latter.
The idea was for him to do one film, then Rian, then another director. But Johnson's Last Jedi was so universally reviled that Disney called Abrams back. Half the third movie was spent 'fixing' what Johnson screwed up. And since there had been no plan from the beginning you end up with a disjointed mess. Even Mark Hamill had something to say about Luke Skywalker.
It’s a bit surprising to learn there was a fierce dislike for Rian Johnson’s
Episode VIII. The consensus from my friends was mutual: they really liked it, including those I joined on opening weekend. Every time I re-watch, I look forward to “Salt!” (and that stark white/red contrast of the terrain), Hamill’s green milk expression and, of course,
that hyperspace moment (which steals my breath for a few seconds every time, even several re-watchings later).
Notwithstanding
Rogue One (I also thought it was brilliant, as is
Andor),
The Last Jedi was the first time since
Return of the Jedi when I felt I was perched at the edge of my cinema seat for a Star Wars film. (I never had a chance to test this with
IX because pandemic, but in all the ways I could have been teetering on a seat edge, I rolled my eyes, facepalmed once (
zomg Palpatine is alive oh nooo whyyy), and groaned loudly as I burrowed into the sofa.)
As an endnote: at least when reviewing the (yes, highly) subjective IMDB reaction scores for the prequel and sequel trilogy instalments as a sextet,
Episode IX is dead last behind
Episodes I and
II — putting
VIII behind
III and, at top,
VII. But again, internet reaction scores.
🙄
I hold the opposite opinion of you. Rian Johnson should never be allowed to even think of directing another Star Wars film. However, I am not one of the toxic fans and was absolutely dismayed by how Rose Tico/Kelly Marie Tran was received. I thought Rose was a great character.
Between the rage aimed at Kelly Marie Tran (who seriously grew on me by
VIII), the continuing grousing around Daisy Ridley and John Boyega as principal leads, and the periodic gripes about Laura Dern cast as Admiral Holdo, the common denominator across all seemed to come from the same general demographic (and root of contempt) as the folks who hated
The Matrix: Resurrections or even
Sense8. I think the aggrieved group was expecting something else familiar, comfortable, and in no way fresh. As well, when they vented their contempt, they expected some kind of apology from up on high which never came. So much The Rage Strikes Back, Revenge of the Dockers, Attack of the Clowns, etc. :le_sigh:
But that's enough on that for now.
And how!
🙂
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