Category: Star Wars

Solo: A Star Wars Story - The Review

25/5/2018

The Corellian scoundrel has finally got his own backstory, but is it a story worth telling or should it have been left deep inside the spice mines of Kessel?

These days I have no high expectations with the Star Wars films, hey I'm just being honest. The first trilogy I have come to realise, had some sort of kismetical alignment, where ideas, actors, direction and production values came majestically together to create a grand space-opera, that may never be equalled ever again. With this in mind, there will be no more comparisons to the older siblings, new films will be squarely judged on their own merit...or lack of.

Solo: A Star Wars Story as an idea, was never going to be a hard sell, but its execution was definitely going to be a challenge. The personal legend of Han Solo, as created by George Lucas and further boosted by Harrison Ford's actual portrayal, created an iconic character of cinema, one that will last for all time. Any actor set to play the role, would definitely have a lot of pressure on his shoulders.

I first saw actor Alden Ehrenreich in Beautiful Creatures (2013) and even then he had a charisma. And so I am happy to report that Alden is pretty much the perfect casting for the role of Han and manages to give us a glimpse of who Han Solo will become, but also forges his own portrayal to let us know who Han is now. You will not see an actor give a bad performance of trying to be Harrison Ford, playing Han Solo. Alden makes this his own, with the necessary character distinctions that we can see belong to Solo, not Harrison Ford. Other performances in the main cast are wholly competent too, though Thandie Newton is wasted and Woody Harrelson proves he can be anyone, from any time, in any universe. Personally I really liked Chewbacca, but I had mixed feelings about the robot L3, why? Well it's obvious to see, that the production saw the popularity of Rogue One's humorous robot with an attitude (K2S0) and decided to feature another. But this time around it was hit and miss and you could see some of the 'funny' moments being forcibly injected into the proceedings. For the most part it pays off or is at least tolerable.

"Alden is pretty much the perfect casting for the role of Han and manages to give us a glimpse of who Han Solo will become, but also forges his own portrayal to let us know who Han is now."

Technically Disney and Marvel films are starting to suffer from one reoccurring annoyance - darkness! No not darkness in tone, I mean in lighting. For a lot of Solo, the lighting is dim and grey, yes I understand you want to show how dismal and grey the times are, but give me strength! The viewers still have to still see what is going on with some sort of retina comfort. Along side that, this is the first Star Wars film that doesn't really have moments. I mean yes, we see some of the important canon in Han Solo's life; where this incident takes place, how that situation happened is all laid out for us, but none of it overwhelms you or makes you think 'Oh so that's how it went down!' And that is the film in its entirety, it is a straight down the middle, mediocre-done-well of a movie, but it's still mediocre. I think with better lighting, a few more spaceship battles and something else that I can't quite put my finger on, Solo could have been a much better movie.

Solo: A Star Wars Story Is Out Now.

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Star Wars: The Last Jedi - The Review

14/12/2017

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The anticipation for Star Wars movies is always different, depending on the space that they will occupy in the timeline. With the prequels, there was a new hope, that one of the greatest cinematic franchises could be revived and extended. But alas, the films didn't really blow us away, but did add detail to a vague backstory, that was laid out in the original 3. With A Force Awakens promising to bring back all the old characters, a second kindling of a new hope was on the cards. JJ Abrams managed to deliver a film that gave us a little of the Star Wars that we knew, but was also able to add a little bit extra. Most importantly, AFA left room and scope for a follow-up, where an Empire Strikes Back level of sequelism could happen. But did it?

The Last Jedi has finally answered a question for me, that my older sister had the answer to when the prequel trilogy came out. She didn't come right out and say it, but other than her annoyance with too much CGI, what I analysed in her consecutive disappointments, was that the chemistry we saw in the original films, between Luke, Leia, Han Solo, C3-PO, R2-D2 and Chewbacca, no longer existed. In all the films that have followed from 1999 to present day, that same naturalistic interaction between the characters, is not as potent and we have to recognise that this was instrumental to Star Wars' success. But we also have to get over it and understand, that type of golden casting should be looked upon as rare. In saying this, the actors in The Last Jedi do have their own charisma and with the injection of a new type of humour for the Star Wars universe, writer/director Rian Johnson is trying to ground the grand, intergalactic scale and show us the small human nuances, even during the most hazardous of scenarios.

"With some franchises you gotta look at the bigger picture and not think that every moment / scene has to give you an orgasm..."

Where as A Force Awakens felt like a remix of A New Hope, The Last Jedi is the first Star Wars film, that has every other film in it, in terms of style, cinematography and in some cases action scenes. I didn't mind this too much, but Rian has to be very careful how many times he pays homage, or he will come off as a fanboy, recreating his favourite moments from the SW universe. The beginning of the film definitely harks back to The Empire Strikes Back, as the first order is breathing right down the necks of the tatty, falling to pieces rebellion and throughout, the film shares similar themes of sacrifice and surviving on the edge of annihilation. The Jedi storyline is forwarded in a way that has twists and turns and there are even 2 Jedi moments that are firsts for the films.

To conclude, I would say that as a popcorn movie, with thrills throughout, A Force Awakens is probably slightly better. But to make a sequel that wouldn't rehash that film, is the harder task and I would say that there is more than enough to keep die hard fans pleased. One of my friends Whatsapp me as soon as I came out of the cinema, asking me for for my 'Thoughts and feelings?' I replied "This is a complicated question, though the answer falls in the positive. I think people want too much from films. With some franchises you gotta look at the bigger picture and not think that every moment / scene has to give you an orgasm and take you back to the first time you saw Star Wars."

PS
113...
No this isn't the score I'm giving TLJ.
This is the total you get, when you add up all my Star Wars comic books and novels, so I have seen a few stories in my time and can say that this is worthy of the SW universe. My advice for all future viewings; is to put away your love of the originals and like me, stop expecting these new entries to live up to them. These new editions have their own path to forge and legendary status should never be compared to the new kid on the block. Watch And Enjoy.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi Is Out Now

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Tie Fighter - The Amazing Star Wars Animation

8/10/2017

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It's been around for awhile now, but Paul Johnson's Tie Fighter animation continues to wow. In this short film, we see a space battle ensue between the Galactic Empire and the Rebel Alliance, but from the perspective of the Imperial fleet.

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Star Wars - Hoshino

14/11/2016

Once upon a time, in a galaxy...well here, a fan-made trailer would have been reason to moan and exact ridicule. But as of late, the unofficial pieces of Star Wars mythology, are becoming more fascinating than the official lore. In Hoshino, we encounter a tale about the Jedi and their philosophical relationship towards the lightsaber.

CLICK PIC TO WATCH DART MAUL: APPRENTICE

Darth Maul: Apprentice

11/3/2016

In this fan made film, Darth Maul lives up to the horror that is in his face and shows us why he is such a deadly Sith warrior. The battle you are about to see converts the apprentice into the ruthless Sith lord we know him to be...and it's damn good.

Darth Maul: apprentice film

THE MAKING OF...

Is Luke Skywalker A Sith Lord!?

18/11/2015

With Luke Skywalker absent from the majority of th 'A Force Awakens' trailers and posters, speculation has been rife about why the galactic hero is not being seen. In my initial surmise, I believed that Luke had gotten fed up with the whole galactic war, left the rebel alliance and retired his weary self to Yoda's last home. But now? I think there is something much more interesting going on with Luke's personal legend...I think Luke may have turned to the dark side of the force.

WARNING: CONTAINS OFFICIAL STAR WARS LORE THAT MAY PLOT SPOIL!

EXHIBIT A - The Cave
Luke's potential descent started in The Empire Strikes Back,
whilst he was still training with Master Yoda on the planet Dagobah, located in the Sluis System. During a resting period from his physical training performed through the force, Luke felt a presence of coldness, emanating from one particular area of the swamp. Luke in consulting Master Yoda, is encouraged by his teacher to explore that vicinity, warning him that evil and dark force energy dwell there. When Luke asks Master Yoda what exactly resides there Luke is told "Only what you take with you". This was not a reference to a physical thing, but rather to the feelings and emotions - dark emotions, a person carries with them.

Upon entering the cave, Luke is confronted by a surprise appearance of Darth Vader. A short duel leads to the beheading of his arch enemy and unexpectedly, an automatic unveiling of Vader's mask occurs. What is most surprising in the revelation, is that Luke's face is revealed on the inside of Vader's helmet. This is the force's first warning to Luke; that with the emotions he carries, he could become the next Vader, a dark lord. 

In Dark Empire, Luke becomes an apprentice of Emperor Palpatine and if not for his loving twin sister, he would have been lost forever.

The next set of events are so vitally important, that they not only speak to what might have become of Luke in A Force Awakens, but how he will eventually be saved. Without having completed his Jedi training and with the continuous visions of his friends dying (like Anakin Skywalker had of his mother and Padme) Luke sets off to rescue his loved ones. Here Luke fulfils that famous quote - 'that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing'. As for what Luke has learned so far, is not nearly enough to see him through what he intends to achieve. At this stage of his training, he is a danger to himself. See the additional factors listed below, that will make Luke more susceptible to dark side manipulation...

EXHIBIT B - Those Damned Visions

Luke feels the force, but he cannot fully control it. Those dark,

buried emotions that the cave exposed to him, will put him in danger, as well as others.

Being tempted by the dark side is part and parcel of Jedihood, but when your training is only half complete and you rush off to face the most ruthless warlord in the galaxy, you kinda need a little more than what Luke has. Anakin Skywalker was a prime example of losing himself anytime he had to protect a loved one - his mother, Obi-Wan and Padme all caused him to over react in his responses.

Yoda tells Luke point blank: "Only a fully trained Jedi Knight with the force as his ally will conquer Vader and his Emperor. If you end your training now, if you choose the quick and easy path as Vader did, you will become an agent of evil." And though the path to the dark side was not as straight-forward as Anakin's, Luke does something in Return of the Jedi that is totally Sith, but we'll get to that later...Beyond that Yoda said what was going to happen!

Star Wars IV may have been called A New Hope, but Yoda in Empire Strikes Back mentions a 'last hope'. Which we come to learn is Princess Leia, and in being Luke's twin sister and Anakin/Vader's daughter, she of course is definitely force worthy. It is here that A Force Awaken's narrative could actually be the instance that Yoda was talking about all along. Whereas we thought Princess Leia would have to step up if Luke failed or became a dark lord in Empire or Return, potentially it was always Leia's latter incarnation as General Leia that was going to be when she pulled Luke back to the Jedi path.

In the Dark Empire comic series, Luke actually does turn to the dark side of the force, having being twisted and corrupted by Emperor Palpatine, who actually survived the fall down the chute in ROTJ. And it was also Leia in the comic that saved Luke. Dark Empire is set 6 years after ROTJ, where as A Force Awakens is set 30 years after so anything goes.

Darth Vader: "Luke, you can destroy the Emperor. He has foreseen this. It is your destiny. Join me, and together we can rule the galaxy as father and son."
The Empire Strikes Back

EXHIBIT C - A Skywalker Darkly

In ROTJ, Luke takes Yoda's council and goes off to face Darth Vader. Calmly surrendering himself to the empire, he is brought before Lord Vader and they have quite a civil conversation with each other. Luke thinks he has failed in his attempt to bring Vader back to good, but doesn't know that he has managed to sow some seeds of doubt into his Father. When taken to the Emperor, Luke soon finds out that he is completely out of his depth as revelations of how Palpatine has manipulated everyone and every situation come to light...and this winds Luke's emotions right up. The Emperor, so deviously masterful, gives Luke only one option, but the option is unfortunately taken with anger driving it. This doesn't automatically make Luke a

Sith lord or a willing apprentice, but it does put him on the path. It also doesn't help that Luke fights so aggressively. Finally realising that he has given in to anger, he comes back to calm reason and tries to peacefully bring his father back to the light once again. But in giving into fear, he tries to avoid fighting altogether. His evasion and deep concerns for his friends leads him to expose Leia as his sister and when Vader picks up on that feeling through the force, he threatens to bring Leia to the dark side. Luke's fear and great anger at this unleashes his full slide into the dark side and he reacts with a Sith mentality. Fear and rage drive Luke to attack Vader, unbound by any Jedi code or serenity. His fighting is messy, unskillful and aggressive and he is able to drive Vader back who

can only go on the defensive until he is taken down. And even when Vader is lying down, barely able to defend himself. Luke continues to hammer on him until he can't defend himself anymore, finally leading to the chopping off Vader's hand. Completing the circle of events, Luke's energy has totally changed - look at his face... Yet surrounded by Sith energy, Luke is still walking in corridors of light and dark as he has no intention of taking his father's place or joining the Emperor and empire. Anankin found himself in a similar position in Revenge of the Sith and follows the Supreme Chancellor's/The Emperor's guidance and kills Count Dooku. Luke's refusal actually catches Palpatine off guard and he of course reacts as a Sith lord does when they don't get their way, by electrocuting the hell out of Luke. One wonders if Luke let this happen on purpose to appeal to his father, much like Palpatine appealed to Anakin when Mace Windu came to arrest him in Revenge of the Sith.

WHAT I EXPECT TO SEE IN A FORCE AWAKENS...

1. Kylo Ren to be the apprentice of Luke. The uniform may be a shared fashion, so Kylo and him could be dressed the same. Also, Luke did like wearing black back in ROTJ, which was very different to the standard Jedi robes. Also remember what Yoda said in The Phantom Menace >>>>>>>

2. Imagery of Hamlet to Yorick's skull comes to mind...as I see what I think is Luke talking to Darth Vader's helmet in the trailer saying "Nothing will stand in our way, I will finish what you started" This can only really be spoken by Luke. Further more, since the masked figure who says it, actually has the helmet of Vader in their possession, it only makes sense that Luke says it, as he was the last one to deal with Vader's body.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN KYLO REN & LUKE...?

3. The scene where General Leia is crying and being consoled by Han, could be attributed to her missing Luke and sorrowfully wallowing about his descent to the dark side. I rest my case.

R2-D2 ALWAYS REMAINS WITH LUKE AND HE HASN'T BEEN SEEN MUCH EITHER. LEIA ACCEPTS A LIGHTSABER FROM WHAT LOOKS LIKE A CHILD, BUT I THINK IT MIGHT BE FROM A CENTURIES OLD JEDI WOMAN. DON'T FORGET, AT THIS POINT ACCORDING TO LORE, LEIA SHOULD BE FORCE TRAINED TOO.

KYLO REN OR LUKE SKYWALKER? AND WHO'S GIVING THE ORDERS FOR THE GALACTIC EMPIRE?

AND IN OTHER STAR WARS RELATED SHENANIGANS...WHAT'S IN THE BOX?

STAR WARS: THE NEW UNIVERSE IS COMING

30/7/2015

With Disney at the helm of the new Star Wars Galaxy, efforts have already been made to create stories beyond the main Episodes 1-7 universe. Spin-offs are a foot and if the graphic novels and books are anything to go by, we have a lot of stories coming our way.

DIEGO LUNA WILL HAVE A LEAD ROLE IN ROGUE ONE

A solo, Han Solo movie (try saying that 5 times when you've had 5 whiskeys) has been greenlit and will be looking at how our favourite Corellian smuggler came into being.

Solo: A Star Wars Story - The Review

Star Wars: The Last Jedi - The Review

Tie Fighter - The Amazing Star Wars Animation

Star Wars - Hoshino

Darth Maul: Apprentice

Darth Maul: apprentice film

THE MAKING OF...

Is Luke Skywalker A Sith Lord!?

STAR WARS: THE NEW UNIVERSE IS COMING

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