What Does “The Rise of Skywalker” Mean?

I am somewhat tardy in my analysis of the first teaser trailer for “Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker,” mainly due to the fact that I was at Disney World when the trailer dropped. 

The trailer starts off with the Lucasfilm Ltd logo, with Rey breathing heavily as she stands in the middle of a desert. Is she back on Jakku? Is it Tatooine? Is it another desert world?

We don’t know at this point, but the sequence where Rey’s lightsaber ignites with a “snap-hiss” — followed by her back flipping toward what looks to be a new take on a TIE Interceptor — is pretty epic. 

We hear Luke’s voice saying, “we’ve passed on all we know... a thousand generations live in you now.” 

“Star Wars” teasers these days tend to be pretty vague in nature. 

More than any moment in the trailer, what has people talking is the movie’s title — “The Rise of Skywalker.”

Internet theories tend to fall into four categories:

Theory #1: Rey is actually a member of the Skywalker family. 

Theory #2: Luke and/or Anakin Skywalker return in the movie. 

Theory #3: The title refers to a redemption arc in the movie for Kylo Ren. 

Theory #4: The Jedi are no more, so a new Force-wielding order called “Skywalkers” take shape under Rey’s leadership.

The fourth theory is the one that fans seem to like. It apparently stems from early drafts of the story for George Lucas’s first “Star Wars” movie where the term “Skywalker” referred to Force wielders (not a family name). 

In my mind, that is the most appealing theory at this juncture. 

In the bonus materials for “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” director J.J. Abrams suggests the concept of finding out “Where is Luke Skywalker?” spurred him to work on the project. 

Then when Rey finds him on Ahch-To in Rian Johnson’s “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” Luke seems completely ambivalent about the Jedi Order. In a later sequence in the movie, Yoda seems ready to “burn the house down” as it regards the Jedi. 

Is it possible that Rey — taking up the mantel of Force wielders — refers to this new order as “Skywalkers”...?

Time will tell. 

The concept is intriguing. It would allow the “Skywalker Saga” to be tied up in a neat bow, and create a new mythology for future movies and TV series (on the upcoming Disney+ streaming service). 

But let’s get back to the trailer...

We get a cool shot of Kylo Ren clotheslining “someone” in a forest with a red glow.

We get a new droid to go along with BB-8. The droid is called D-O... 

To me, the three black lines on his head feel similar to the lines on Mickey Mouse’s gloves (that might be because I just spent a week at Walt Disney World):

Maybe "D-O" moniker stands for "Disney-Owned" droid... ;-)

Lando shows up in the in the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon. I’d been waiting with baited breath to see Billy Dee Williams in the new trilogy.

By the way, Lando is wearing a gold shirt. He also wore a gold shirt in “Solo: A Star Wars Story”:

We see a shot of Leia holding one of the medals she presented to Han Solo and Luke Skywalker after the Battle of Yavin in Episode IV. 

Rey hugs Leia via what I assume to be wizardry by Industrial Light & Magic (I still think Rey could be her daughter or niece).

We see our heroes looking at the carcass of a Death Star — either from “A New Hope” or “Return of the Jedi.” 

You hear Luke saying “...no one’s ever really gone” (which sounds like the tagline of the Marvel Cinematic Universe) followed by the maniacal cackle of the Emperor. 

The title rolls, and the trailer ends. 

The trailer wasn’t particularly groundbreaking or awe-inspiring, but it looked intriguing enough. 

I should also note there were various “non-descript” shots of Poe and Finn on the desert planet. 

Regardless of what anyone is saying at this point, I think it’s possible J.J. Abrams will pull a “switcheroo” and reveal Rey is a Skywalker. I know it seems far too obvious, but so was the ending for Abrams’s sci-fi series “Lost.” 

You can’t discount the notion of them going with the cliché ending. I hope they don’t, but they could decide play it safe. 

(That said, I really hope they go with a more novel approach in Episode IX). 

I’m sure we’ll learn more as the Dec. 20 release date approaches. 

Stay tuned...

Previous post: “My Spoiler-Filled Review of ‘Avengers: Endgame’”

 

Review: “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” Soundtrack (Target Exclusive)

First things first. I love owning “physical media” when it comes to movies, music, and books. 

Believe me, I tried to totally convert to the world of digital-only copies of my favorite media items. It just wasn’t for me. I like having a Blu-ray, CD, or hardcover book when possible. 

The closest I ever came to making a full-digital transition was in the area of music. Like many of you, I became enamored with Apple’s iPod back in the early 2000s. I still have an iPod Nano around that I use when I'm out exercising. 

Despite the convenience of purchasing music a song at a time from iTunes, I began to miss having a physical CD. Something about it felt transitory. 

I was less inclined to purchase albums in full — which meant I wasn't discovering those odd tracks often found near the end of an album, and my music library had become a hodgepodge of “greatest hits."

Movie soundtracks are among my favorite recordings to own. I remember listening to the Star Wars and Raiders of the Lost Ark soundtracks over and over again as a kid. The musical stylings of John Williams helped fans relive the movie — in an era when home video wasn't readily affordable for consumers.

I just picked up the new soundtrack for Star Wars: The Last Jedi at Target. The soundtrack was released on Dec. 15. 

Walt Disney Records has done a nice job with the soundtracks for the new “Star Wars” trilogy. (I also own the Star Wars: The Force Awakens soundtrack that was released in 2015.) The sets come to us in handsome cardboard foldout cases — the design and cover art are reminiscent of the original Star Wars vinyl album released many moons ago. 

Included inside is a booklet that has a track listing, photographs, concept art, and the album’s credits. This particular version of The Last Jedi soundtrack is a Target exclusive, and includes two linen cards with watercolor artwork. One of the images is of the Millennium Falcon on Ahch-To Island, and the other features AT-M6 walkers on Crait.

The Star Wars: The Last Jedi soundtrack brings back a number of themes heard in previous Star Wars movies. But that isn't cause for concern -- the score Williams composed for The Last Jedi feels less “incidental” than his compositions on The Force Awakens.   

Highlights include “Ahch-To Island” (track 2), “Canto Bight” (track 9) and “The Battle of Crait” (track 16).

The theme heard in “Ahch-To Island” was first heard at the very end of Star Wars: The Force Awakens (the “Jedi Steps” track on The Force Awakens soundtrack). The sweeping score has a nautical tone and feels epic in scope. 

“Canto Bight” features the music heard in the casino scenes during The Last Jedi. While that sequence in the movie might not be everyone’s cup of tea, the electronic calypso beat harkens back to the “Cantina Band” track in Star Wars: A New Hope. 

“The Battle of Crait” is a rousing score that brings full force to the battle scenes in the climactic showdown of The Last Jedi. The orchestral score echoes combat sequences in previous Star Wars films. 

Williams doesn’t bring us any new melodies with the gravitas of “The Imperial March,” “Duel of the Fates,” or “Rey’s Theme” (found in previous soundtracks). But it wasn’t necessary in this instance, since much of the soundtrack features cues from previous entries. 

What I find inspiring is that John Williams keeps plugging away at 85 — that's rather amazing considering the saga has spanned 40-plus years. 

I’ve only listened to the Star Wars: The Last Jedi soundtrack once so far, but look forward to revisiting it in the days ahead. 

Previous post: More Thoughts On The Last Jedi (SPOILERS)  

More Thoughts On "The Last Jedi" (SPOILERS)

Warning: This post contains spoilers for Star Wars: The Last Jedi

“I felt a great disturbance in the Force... as if millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror.” — Obi-Wan Kenobi

The Internet is buzzing about director Rian Johnson’s new Star Wars: The Last Jedi movie. Unlike the two most recent entries in our Disney-era Star Wars universe, audience reaction is all over the place, and seems to be on a divergent path with media critics (who have near-universal praise for the film).

Why is this? 

Why is Rian Johnson’s stylized, gripping and compelling Star Wars tale being met with such ire?

What is causing the bipolar reaction on review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, for example? Critics have it at 93%, and viewers have it at 57% (as of this post).

It is an odd thing, and I’ve been trying to put my finger on what might be happening to cause such a visceral reaction to Star Wars: The Last Jedi. 

I was alive when the original Star Wars trilogy films were released in 1977, 1980, and 1983. I saw all three films during their initial runs in theaters. 

I was there to experience the surprise and shock when Han Solo was imprisoned in a block of carbonite, and Darth Vader declared that Luke Skywalker was his son. 

I can tell you — as a Star Wars superfan back then — that Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back was a jarring experience. At the time, I didn’t appreciate Empire’s dark, introspective tone. I spent three long years wondering about the fate of our heroes. Empire challenged our perception of the Force, and it didn’t have a triumphant finale like the first Star Wars movie. 

Is the reaction we’re seeing for Star Wars: The Last Jedi similar to fan feelings back in 1980 when Empire was released? Will the film age well, and become one of the beloved entries in the saga? 

We didn’t have social media in 1980. The only way people could express their feelings was face-to-face, or in “letter to the editor” type forums. It would be fascinating to see how public opinion back then would have changed with current technology.

I understand that Star Wars: The Last Jedi had some suprises — some shocking. 

It was surprising when Luke nonchalantly tossed away his lightsaber, after a sincere Rey hands it to him on Ahch-To. 

The final moment of Star Wars: The Force Awakens led us to believe Luke would say something profound to her like, “Rey... where did you find this? It’s been missing for years. By the way, Internet theorists are correct, I am your father.” 

Instead of a more profound moment, Luke tosses the weapon over his shoulder, and spends the first act of The Last Jedi verbally wondering who Rey is.

Was it all a gimmick by Rian Johnson to elicit a cheap laugh, or was it exactly what a disillusioned old Jedi would do after being in a self-imposed exile?

Was he being unnecessarily coy with her about her parents — like Obi-Wan was with Luke in the original trilogy?

Or, was Kylo Ren correct — that Rey is merely the child of junk traders? 

It’s hard to tell at this point. The peculiar closing scene of The Last Jedi might provide some insight into Rey’s origin — where we see a young stable boy on Canto Bight use the Force to snatch up a broom. 

Not only was it an unusual way to end a Star Wars film, it could mean that Rey is merely one of many who is strong with the Force. (Personally speaking, I still think she’s Kylo Ren’s sister). 

Rian Johnson has been tasked with developing a new trilogy for Lucasfilm — a set of films unrelated to the Skywalker family saga. 

Some have speculated that The Last Jedi was being used as a gateway to set up those films. 

The way Johnson “shakes up” what we know about the Force in The Last Jedi has left some observers scratching their heads. 

As Yoda said to Luke in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, “You must unlearn what you have learned.”

The question among fandom is whether it is correct to change course in the eigth episode of a nine-part saga. 

The idea that the Jedi can mentally “transmit” a version of themselves from place-to-place — while they are alive — is something new. When you are looking at the saga’s narrative structure, it makes you wonder why this was something we didn’t see before. 

That is likely the biggest surprise of Star Wars: The Last Jedi. 

The more I’ve analyzed the film (yes, I know I spend way too much time thinking about this stuff), the more I think Rian Johnson’s vision might be what Star Wars needed. 

At issue is whether the Star Wars franchise could have gone on using the same old tropes (we’ve had one release per year since The Force Awakens was released in 2015).

Think about it. How many more stories could have been told using a 40-year-old structure?

This is where many of you will point to efforts like the Star Wars: Rebels series and suggest things could have gone on in similar fashion forever. 

Perhaps, but this allows the Lucasfilm Story Group (the entity responsible for Star Wars canon) to add new elements to efforts moving forward. We need to remember that the story group ultimately approved Rian Johnson’s visions for The Last Jedi.

The reality — in the near term — is that these changes are jarring. Regardless, that doesn’t mean that the saga is dying under Disney’s watch, nor does it mean Rian Johnson was off the mark. 

And while I agree that it was odd seeing a wounded Leia use the Force to fly in space after a battle, it opens up new possibilities for the future. 

It is surprising the amount of free rein Lucasfilm honcho Kathleen Kennedy gave Rian Johnson in Star Wars: The Last Jedi. She’s known for being a stickler (the reshoots for Rogue One and the upcoming Solo are examples of this). 

The fact remains that Rian Johnson created a big, sweeping space fantasy that is fun and compelling. 

It might not be perfect, but I think fans are being too harsh. 

I’ve always said that Star Wars — unlike any other pop culture franchise in our lifetime — has evolved beyond the realm of mere “entertainment.” 

It has become a sort of pop culture religion. As a result, the fans of Star Wars have a cult-like devotion and reaction to the entire property. 

Any of you who are members of an organized religion know that change can be hard. 

Rian Johnson making changes to the mythos behind the Force can be just as unnerving to fans as it was to Catholic parishioners when The Vatican changed the wording of the liturgy several years ago. 

Let’s face it, for Star Wars to become a living, breathing saga that lasts, it needs to change. If it wants to stay influential in the manner that Marvel Studios has over the past decade, it has to grow. 

I’ve heard that Star Wars: The Last Jedi is a superior experience on repeat viewings. I’ve only seen it once so far, but I plan several more trips to the theater. 

Let’s face it, a lot of fans went into the movie with preconceived notions about how things were going to unfold in the film. The reality is that fans were treated to a wholly original story that spit in the face of internet theories. 

What Star Wars: The Last Jedi illlustrates is that a 40-year-old franchise still has the ability to surprise. 

Previous post: First Impression -- Star Wars: The Last Jedi ... Now We Know Where Blue Milk Comes From 

First Impression -- "Star Wars: The Last Jedi"... Now We Know Where Blue Milk Comes From

Anyone out there remember when Luke Skywalker drank blue milk at Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru's homestead in 1977's Star Wars...?

Well, we find out where blue milk comes from in an early scene on the planet where Luke has been in hiding... when he milks a creature we've never seen before. It's a bizarre moment in the movie, but funny if you geek out on Star Wars lore. It's one of many peculiar things in Star Wars: The Last Jedi.  

Director Rian Johnson's new entry in the Star Wars saga throws some curves in the franchise's narrative, while keeping many things close to the vest. 

I'll do an in depth review once I've seen The Last Jedi for a second time, but here are some initial thoughts:

1. Patience is a virtue: Rian Johnson's story unfolds slowly, building toward a crescendo. While it might not have the "zip" that J.J. Abrams's Star Wars: The Force Awakens did, the exposition helps establish the spiritual tone for this trilogy. 

2. The film has a suprising amount of tongue-in-cheek humor: Star Wars: The Last Jedi has a unique tone -- different than any other entry in the series. 

3. It's NOT a rehash of The Empire Strikes Back: There were some concerns that this second entry in the Disney-era Star Wars trilogy effort would be a mere rehash of Empire. Not so... to be sure, there are some nods to the Joseph Campbell-induced mythology of the past, but The Last Jedi is its own thing. 

4. John Williams is back in fine form: We went to the special Star Wars: The Last Jedi -- Special Fan Event at Aksarben Cinema, and we got to see a featurette before the movie about composer John Williams. While the featurette didn't cover any new ground, I can say that the score for this movie (which brings back classic moments heard throughout the previous movies) is superior to that of Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

I'll be interested to hear what you think. Please post your comments below about your impressions of Star Wars: The Last Jedi. 

Previous post: Stranger Things Season 1 Box Set Brings the Old School Cool 

"Rogue One": Is it the Best "Star Wars" Film Released Since "The Empire Strikes Back"...?

SPOILERS AHEAD!!

I went to see "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" for the second time today at Aksarben Cinema. I enjoyed the movie the first time out, and had planned to take in multiple viewings. 

(You can read my recent review of "Rogue One" here). 

A number of my friends consider it to be stronger than 2016's "The Force Awakens," and some have argued it is the best "Star Wars" film since "The Empire Strikes Back."  

High praise, indeed.  

I loved "The Force Awakens," and thought J.J. Abrams did a fantastic job creating a jumping-off point for a new trilogy -- and casting a group of compelling new characters. 

But many folks I know believe "Rogue One" is the superior movie. 

They feel the writing is stronger, characters more appealing, visuals truer-to-canon, and the grittier tone more compelling.  

My friend Scott felt that Felicity Jones's Jyn Erso was a far more compelling British-brunette "Mary Sue" than Daisy Ridley's Rey in "The Force Awakens."  

It's incredible when you think about it. Especially considering that this movie featured last-minute rewrites, well-documented reshoots (at the request of Disney), and a change of composer (Michael Giacchino only had "weeks" to compose the score).  

(I outline various production aspects and foibles in my "Rogue One" preview post here). 

A number of my friends even thought my initial skepticism about resurrecting actor Peter Cushing as Grand Moff Tarkin via CG was too nitpicky, and suggested it was fairly effective (if not perfect). Recreating 1977 Carrie Fisher, on the other hand...  

So...did a second viewing of the movie convince me that "Rogue One" is superior to "The Force Awakens," and the best of the films behind "Star Wars" and "The Empire Strikes Back"...? 

First things first -- I enjoyed "Rogue One" even more the second time around, and noticed a number of subtle things I didn't the first time -- like the fact that the X-Wing pilot with the call sign "Red Five" died in the movie's final battle sequence, which explains Luke Skywalker getting the designation in Episode IV.  

You'll also notice more subtle things, such as actors sporting mustaches (a nod to the look and feel of 1970s and 80s movies), and the fact that Cassian Andor's blue parka in the early part of the movie looks similar to Han Solo's on Hoth in "The Empire Strikes Back."  

People have remarked how much Mon Mothma in "Rogue One" looks like the actress who portrayed the character in "Return of the Jedi." Genevieve O'Reilly isn't the same actress, but she did portray Mon Mothma in 2005's "Revenge of the Sith."  

Thanks to "Rogue One," the Force now has its own "Hail Mary, Full of Grace..." mantra with "I am one with the Force, the Force is with me"...

Because "Rogue One" is a secondary story in the saga, Lucasfilm chose not to give it a crawl, but it did include the blue text that read "a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away..." 

I understand the rationale for not including an opening crawl with John Williams's iconic theme, but I still missed it... 

The movie really follows a "less is more" style. I don't know if that was by design, or if the Disney brass wanted it to fit within a particular runtime.  

(If you watch the various pre-release trailers, there are numerous scenes/clips that didn't make the final cut of "Rogue One").  

There is part of me that has wondered if the filmmakers ever planned to have Jyn Erso and Cassian Andor escape the battle on Scarif. 

According to this article on "The Verge," director Gareth Edwards suggests that the main characters were set to survive in the original script (he had assumed that Disney wouldn't be sympatico with them dying), but that they never filmed such an ending.  

http://www.theverge.com/2016/12/20/14022380/rogue-one-ending-original-different-gareth-edwards

Honestly, the film was probably more effective with the core group becoming martyrs to the cause.  

Edwards has managed to make a movie that many fans find to be incredibly compelling -- and at the zenith of what this franchise has to offer.  

As to whether or not this film is the best since "The Empire Strikes Back"... 

I don't know if I can quite pull the trigger on that sentiment. I think "Rogue One" benefits from less pre-release hype, and I think production news over the summer might have tempered expectations to a more realistic level.  

I will say that "Rogue One" is incredibly good, and shows how compelling the prequel trilogy could have been in the hands of a better writer/director (sorry, George).  

Is it better than "The Force Awakens"...? 

Both are very different movies, with different goals. I liked each film a lot, but for different reasons.  

What I can say is that this "new generation" of "Star Wars" movies appears to be in good hands... 

..and the fact that I'm having this debate with myself is a good sign (and need to see it again).  

Read my previous post: "Rogue One": The Prequel "Star Wars" Deserved