FilmLight - Star Wars: Beyond The Last Jedi

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Rey and Kylo. Images source: starwars.com

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In December 2017, I wrote 'Star Wars: A Return To Childhood'. Decided it was about time I revisited that piece and add further thoughts since Rian Johnson's contribution to George Lucas' created Universe...

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A Galaxy For Fans Young And Old

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I was three-years old When 'Star Wars: A New Hope' hit cinemas across the globe. It wasn't for a few more years that I was able to enjoy the magic of Luke Skywalker and his adventures in a galaxy far, far away. By then follow-up 'The Empire Strikes Back' had been given its cinematic release in 1980, and fans got to witness the shocking revelation that Darth Vader was more than just a dark lord of the Sith. The original trilogy concluded with a final on-screen battle between the Galactic Empire and Rebel Alliance, in 1983's 'Return of the Jedi'. It was a neat ending to a fabulous run of sci-fi movies. They had even spawned a toy line and other merchandise, cartoons and a couple of Ewok television films called 'Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure' and 'Ewoks: The Battle for Endor'.

But it was the trilogy that stood the test of time.

It took over a decade for another trilogy to surface, this time prequel movies exploring the life and times of the Jedi Order, and the early years of Anakin Skywalker and Obi-One Kenobi. 'The Phantom Menace' arrived in 1999 to mixed reviews and opinions, some fans hating it outright. It did, however, become the first Star Wars for many young and old, introducing them to a Universe they would grow to embrace.

Between 2002 and 2005 came the inevitable sequels 'Attack of the Clones' and 'Revenge of the Sith', again either liked or disliked depending on a fan's relationship with the franchise at that time. I had not fully embraced the Prequel Trilogy back then either, though I didn't understand the dislike for Naboo resident Jar Jar Binks, who was simply a fun addition to 'The Phantom Menace'. I did feel the new instalments lacked firm direction, contained far too many weak scenes and dialogue, and some of the casting was questionable. In later years I've grown to appreciate these flicks as part of the whole, like finding the last three pieces in the jigsaw box and finally completing the puzzle. Perhaps they weren't necessary, but their existence doesn't ruin what came before.

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The Petition

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That is what really baffles me when I still hear phrases like "You've ruined my childhood" thrown about on social networking. This brings me nicely to the new trilogy, which began with The Force Awakens, in 2015. But the most shocking example of fan obsession comes with The Last Jedi, a movie directed by Johnson and one that has even seen a fan petition set up on Change.org to try and have it removed from Star Wars canon. Yes, this is a thing! Fan Henry Walsh started the petition to The Walt Disney Company 8 months ago, and it has (as of 11th August 2018) gained 109,782 signatures out of the 150,000 set. Not bad going.

Thankfully, these people don't speak for both myself and the other true fans who love this movie and its place in the franchise! I find it amusing that the petition states, "Episode VIII was a travesty. It completely destroyed the legacy of Luke Skywalker and the Jedi. It destroyed the very reasons most of us, as fans, liked Star Wars. This can be fixed. Just as you wiped out 30 years of stories, we ask you to wipe out one more, the Last Jedi. Remove it from canon, push back Episode IX and re-make Episode VIII properly to redeem Luke Skywalker's legacy, integrity, and character".

Well, it has been confirmed that actor Mark Hamill is returning to Chapter IX; his character is far from over. Perhaps Luke didn't die in The Last Jedi but simply transformed from one state to another, from physical to energy. It would be great to see him as a Force Ghost, joining the ranks of Obi-One, Yoda and Anakin Skywalker.

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Luke Skywalker: Force Ghost

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I'm not at all knowledgeable of the Star Wars Legends Universe, but a quick Google and I found something quite interesting. While reading about another character, Cade Skywalker, I noticed a quote from a scene involving Luke Skywalker as a Force Ghost, visiting Cade. During the visitation, Luke says, "Every generation has its challenges to face, its own battles to win. Why should yours be any different? Running away from your responsibilities won't solve anything!"

This is exactly how I see Luke's actions in The Last Jedi, running away from everything and embracing self exile to an island on the planet of Ahch-To, losing faith and confidence, feeling that the galaxy is better off without him. Following his encounter with young Rey, and a beautifully filmed sequence with Force Ghost Yoda, the Jedi Knight understands that very message: "Running away from your responsibilities won't solve anything!"

He later leaves the safety of Ahch-To and faces off against the First Order, buying time for his sister General Leia Organa and her band of resistance to escape an abandoned Rebel Alliance base before they are captured or killed. Luke's presence at the base is a Jedi trick, an illusion. He is later seen, still on his island, where he appears to fade like a ghost, physically and emotionally exhausted from the task of projecting his being far across space.

I always felt like there would be more to come.

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An End To A Saga...

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And with Star Wars: Episode IX in production, this time directed by J. J. Abrams (The Force Awakens being his first taste of the franchise), lose ends will get firmly tied, loved characters shall return, and the petition to erase The Last Jedi from canon will become irrelevant. To those fans who have nothing but admiration for Star Wars as a complete entity, no such petition means anything anyway.

May the Force be with you...

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FilmLight - Star Wars: A Return To Childhood

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BB-8 and R2-D2. Image source: starwars.com

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I love movies! I’m extremely passionate about them. And like everyone I have my all time favourites, also understanding how deeply that passion goes. I’m not a fan of sequels or prequels that add nothing to the whole. Tron: Legacy, for example, left me cold. Joseph Kosinski’s 2010 sci-fi sequel to the far better Tron (1982) felt unnecessary and out of place, to me at least. But there are others who like it very much. I never complained on social media, or criticised those others by insulting them and making it personal. We all enjoy different things, and sometimes share equal passions. If we were identical in every way, boy would this Universe be boring! In childhood I remember seeing Star Wars: A New Hope for the very first time in the 1980s, not at the local theatre but on a pirated Betamax cassette tape. The magic of Steven Spielberg’s powerful cinematic tales captured my imagination, and so it wouldn't be unthinkable for George Lucas to achieve a similar feat. And Star Wars was such a skillful adventure, full of space battles, droids, a beautiful princess, a wise old man, the scoundrel and a young farm boy, all brought together by fate. As the years passed, further instalments came and went. But the magic, and fond memories, remained.

The trilogy ended with an evil Empire in ruin, and heroes celebrating. I owned Kenner action figures, and so reenacted my favourite moments. It was a beautiful time that will be cherished always. I grew up. And Lucas unleashed a new instalment trilogy opening with The Phantom Menace (1999). It was the first VHS purchased by me that year. I enjoyed it. Thankfully there was no internet then, so I wouldn’t be aware of any backlash from fans. No name calling, threats or the usual we sadly see today. Did I like it as much as the original trilogy? Perhaps not as deeply, though it still maintained a welcomed escapism from the real world. By the time of Revenge of The Sith (2005), my interest in the prequel series diminished quite a lot. And over the next few years I would join the internet, set up a website, and become actively involved in entertainment news and review writing.

Maybe I see much of the world through rose-tinted glasses, but I rarely slam a movie, instead preferring to look for the good points. If there are no good points to be found then I’d refrain from reviewing at all. I like to enjoy my work, so crucifying a film isn’t my thing. I’ll leave that to others. I also don’t go into a movie with great expectations that may never be delivered by the director. We all love to develop plotlines in our own heads, don’t we? “This is how it should have been” and “What a waste of a good idea”. “Why didn’t they do it my way?” Nowadays we’re all reviewers and filmmakers. We all know better than those whose job it is to bring the plot to screen.

In 2015, Star Wars: The Force Awakens hit theaters and introduced us to characters new and old. I was shocked by the murder of Han Solo (played so brilliantly by actor Harrison Ford since 1977). How dare they! I hate J. J. Abrams for letting this happen! Someone end his career before more childhoods are ruined! Seriously though, my childhood was never ruined, it remains intact as beautiful memories, and movies are a time machine, so I can easily go back and watch Luke, Han and Leia defeat the Empire as many times as I wish. Yes, I struggled seeing a favourite hero die in such a way, even today, but that is because I care about the character. I also acknowledge that time moves forward, situations and people change, one momentous victory can be replaced by yet another soul destroying battle. The end of Return of the Jedi wasn’t ruined, at least in my opinion, by the rising of the First Order and the events portrayed in The Force Awakens. It happens. Think of those who survived the First World War only to see the darkness rise again in 1939. They had once celebrated a victory, too. It may be only a sci-fi movie series, but Star Wars acts as a reminder that we shouldn’t take anything for granted, and that freedom and peace are precious. Celebrate today because we never know what tomorrow will bring.

I am yet to see The Last Jedi, though I have read spoilers (I won’t give anything away here). I have also witnessed a lot of negativity online, not just disappointment from true fans who had envisioned something different from director Rian Johnson, but real venom even directed in the path of other fans who have genuinely embraced the movie and its many twists and turns. As I have said, we are all different, and so there will always be diversity among the fanbase. Yes, fans are passionate, and wish to air any grievances; some reactions, however, are voiced in such a way that it is impossible, and depressing, to join online discussions these days. Remember, the cinematic experience is meant to be pleasurable escapism, and if you can’t enjoy it then at least respect that others are having the time of their lives. Why violate their own happiness and excitement by name calling and branding them as not “proper” fans? Yes, I know, “it’s the internet”.

I guess people will be people.

Cinema has always been about change. Sequels bring about a change in circumstances and ideals. What worked in one film might need a drastic turn of events in a follow-up. Nothing stays the same. It can’t. We grow older, and old classics do sit nice and comfortable in our hearts and memories. It is never easy letting go. But that’s why movies are time travel, while we are able to revisit those classics - nothing ever truly dies. Even Han Solo lives, just put in a DVD or Blu-ray of A New Hope and catch the magic.

No childhood is ruined. No franchise is destroyed. We can’t like every new instalment, but what we do love is still there, for the feels and chills.

And before you say it, yes I am not disregarding the changes George Lucas has made to the original trilogy. But, it is not the end of the world, some of those digital alterations actually look quite cool. What the fans want is a choice: original or special edition. That is likely to happen at some point in the near future, we just have to be patient. I’m thankful for Star Wars on Blu-ray regardless. Thankful to Lucas for making it happen, and grateful to those who keep the flame alive.

The Last Jedi will give opportunity for my child self to get out for a while, feel those tingles and experience something truly out of this world.

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Star Trek Into Darkness (2013) - FilmReview

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Article author: Alwyn Ash

"There will always be those who mean to do us harm. To stop them, we risk awakening the same evil within ourselves. Our first instinct is to seek revenge when those we love are taken from us. But that's not who we are."

The history of Khan Noonien Singh is an important one within the legacy of Star Trek, a genetically engineered superhuman whose ship, the SS Botany Bay, is discovered adrift by the USS Enterprise in deep space. Awakened from a cryogenic sleep, Khan and his people attempt to gain control of the Starfleet vessel. Thwarting this attempt at mutiny, Captain James T Kirk (William Shatner) shows leniency by allowing Khan and his followers to spend the rest of their days on an uncolonized planet, Ceti Alpha V. Though being exiled, Khan accepts the challenge.

Starring Ricardo Montalban as Khan, the episode "The Space Seed" aired in 1967, during the first season of "Star Trek: The Original Series". It was a plot that would be revisited years later in the feature film "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan". Montalban owned the role, and the actor's place in Star Trek history was most definitely assured, immortalised by a villain unmatched in anything since the 1982 motion picture.

Now there is no denying that the 2009 reboot of the Star Trek franchise, directed by J. J. Abrams, did wonders for a film series that had lost its momentum - the last big budget feature, "Star Trek: Nemesis" (released in 2002), was both a critical and financial disaster. Taking such a well-loved franchise and finding new ground was always going to be a risky... shall we say, enterprise? However, the gamble paid off. Set in an alternate timeline, we got to revisit Kirk during his early years, joined by all the original faces who shared his original voyages through space on the USS Enterprise.

It might seem a bit ironic to say "faces" when, clearly, the characters now belong to someone else, but the casting was simply wonderful and loyal to the show's origins. Chris Pine, for example, captures the essence of James T Kirk without even trying, whilst at the same time making the part his own; Karl Urban is unmistakable as Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy; and Zachary Quinto's Commander Spock is simply a joy to watch. Supporting cast include Zoe Saldana (Avatar, Colombiana) as Lieutenant Nyota Uhura, Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead) as Lieutenant Commander Montgomery "Scotty" Scott, John Cho as Lieutenant Hikaru Sulu, and Anton Yelchin (Terminator Salvation, Fright Night) as Ensign Pavel Chekov.

Though the plot for "Star Trek" (2009) wasn't the most original - Eric Bana's Romulan villain Nero didn't feel so inspired - the CGI was the best yet (even with those lens flares), each shot carefully constructed to make best use of character and script. The only problem I had with this first movie was the casting of Pegg as Scotty and that of his mascot, Keenser (played by Kenyan-born actor Keenser) - just why was the "Hot Fuzz" star cast in a role that quite clearly didn't suit his talents? Perhaps also, there should have been more screen time for Rachel Nichols as the Orion Starfleet cadet Gaila. However, overall there was much to enjoy about this new debut...

"Star Trek Into Darkness" works in similar fashion, injecting much life into an old tale. Once again the cast is excellent, each actor embracing their role and quite clearly enjoying the process. Like its predecessor, there is a visual mastery that embraces every scene, captures every bit of passion that is injected into the film by J. J. Abrams and his crew. The introduction of English actress Alice Eve as Lieutenant Dr. Carol Marcus is a welcome one. Even the new timeline - changed as a result of Nero's actions in the previous installment - works well. I find it amusing that some Star Trek fans seem to think their beloved franchise destroyed by J. J. Abrams' altered timeline, but isn't it just a case that the timeline featuring everything from the Original Series (plus "Star Trek: Enterprise") through to "Star Trek: Nemesis" simply continues to exist on its own path?

Though I had already learned via spoilers that Benedict Cumberbatch was to portray Khan Noonien Singh in this feature, I was prepared to watch it with an open mind. And, as terrorist Commander John Harrison, Cumberbatch works his skills well, bombing a secret installation Section 31 in London, a prelude to a far more cunning plot involving the deaths of senior Starfleet personnel. Given reason for revenge, Kirk commands the Enterprise and goes after Harrison, who has escaped to the Klingon homeworld. It is following these events that we learn of the terrorist's true identity...

Though expected, this simple revelation helped me to realise that Cumberbatch just isn't the Khan we deserved - it is perfectly understandable that following in Ricardo Montalban would be a difficult task for any actor, but casting should have reflected Montalban's physical appearance as well as his mannerisms as Khan. Considering the careful appointment of the main USS Enterprise cast to accurately emulate their predecessors, it is disappointing that the iconic character of Khan wasn't treated accordingly; though a good actor, Cumberbatch fails to be anything more than just another villain, unlike Montalban whose performance took the Star Trek film franchise to an altogether new level.

If some are wondering just what these films mean for Star Trek, it is this: J. J. Abrams has opened a door into an alternate reality, one where anything can change. If it had not been for actor Leonard Nimoy's appearance in both "Star Trek" and "Star Trek Into Darkness", one could easily consider that these movies are a full reboot and nothing more, able to be placed into a separate category from what has gone before. However, Nimoy's presence as the older Spock significantly recognises that Abrams has developed a sequel series, though veering in a different direction. Here lies the danger of complacency, the desire to recycle rather than to create original drama. Yes, Star Trek has a history, and exploring the original USS Enterprise's crew in a new light brings all kinds of exciting possibilities - so let this venture be completely brand new, subtle nods to yesterday, but a strong sense of "to boldly go where no man [or woman] has gone before..."

Purchase Star Trek Into Darkness from the Store:
DVD - Blu-Ray

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