(image courtesy of http://hijinksensue.com/ - very funny webcomic)
So, there's a new Star Wars film out in the real world. And no-one gives a damn. Seriously. In the real world. How did this happen...?
When the original trilogy was re-released, I remember geeks and newbies to Star Wars foaming at the mouth, ravenous to see Lucas transforming his original opus with new special effects to the big screen. Aside from Greedo shooting first, the movies were well received - and why not? They were the classics with new special effects, worth going to the kino to see. Personally, I'm a bigger fan of the original but I can appreciate what was done to the original trilogy to re-image it and to test the waters to see if a prequel trilogy would work. And for Lucas to get richer through merchandising.
Then the prequel's came out. I went to see the Phantom Menace all in the cinema. I even bought the John Williams soundtrack for Phantom Menace. I could look past Nute Gunray, fucking Jar Jar Binks, the "whoopee's" from Jake Lloyd, the stunted dialog, the lack of whismy in the story - the Force is really midichlorian's, fuckin' come on: give us a break - because it was Star Wars. It was a dull story which plodded along, but I could see this was building to something.
We then had Attack of the Clones. Again, another trip to the cinema, but despite a few flash scene with lots of CGI and explosions, I was beginning to have a sour taste in my mouth over the franchise. Revenge of the Sith, despite having the pay off, just didn't fulful our wants and needs from the guy who made fantastic films in the 80s. And I think it all started with Phantom Menace, with the awful characters. There characters with no character development, shitty stereotypical behaviour patterns and a weak story cobbled together has made me bitter about Star Wars. I never knew this would happen.
We had the Clone Wars cartoon, helmed by the genius Tartakovsky, one which really did further what Jedi's can do with the Force, and a show which I think far outclassed the prequels - in fact, I think's it's on par with Empire. So when I heard that there was a Clone Wars animated movie in the works, I was overjoyed.
However, having read recent reviews of the film, I can see I'm in for more of the same. Stereotypical characters to fit certain demographics - a gay hutt, a Miley Cyrus sidekick to "Sky Guy" - in a story that's predictable and only there to line a hack's coffers. Yes, I called George Lucas a hack - he can't create a decent film anymore, and has pissed on not one, but 2 of his franchises with his recent offerings.
I can humbly state that I'm no longer a fan of Star Wars, just that I appreciate 3 films out of 8 0 I'm guessing you can no longer be a fan of a franchise if you only like 37.5% of it's offerings.
I can see that fanboys across the internet's will be moving their allegance from Wars to Trek in the coming months. One franchise is going down in flames, whilst the other is rising from the flames phoenix like thanks to JJ Abrahms. Will Trek be the new War's? I dunno, but all the buzz around the casting and teaser posters leaves me willing to ditch my lightsabre and pick up a tricorder (but not go the whole hog with the spock ears, I'm a grown up, after all). Will others feel the same way over the coming months? Will Trekkie's come out of the closer whilst Star Wars fans will fade back into the closet? Time will tell.
I still hope that the future of Star Wars is rosy, but I think it needs to lay fallow for a while. It worked for Star Trek... Mind you, The Force Unleashed demo is out on Thursday which looks pretty good - that's something from the Star Wars fold that I am genuinely looking forward too
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