I am no Harrison Ford fan. For me...Regarding Henry will always be his apex and I can't really think of anything that comes close. Glad I was to see him die (not pleased to see him in the new blade runner either but that's another story.) in the the Star Wars reboot. When an actor does not want to stay...please let him go. Its just a matter of time before his contempt migrates to the story being told. Nowhere in this flick was there a real hint of the man/boy who would become the scruffy looking nerf herder. And it was not told storywise why Han became a smuggler. The other dude was fine as Pander Calrissian...no...that is not a freudian slip...the action sequences were so so...good seeing Chewie and his tribe cut loose. Better stop here to avoid spoilers!
I see Howard rounded up the usual suspects...the presence/death of the intellligent droid, the big thing that wants to eat the heroes...women kicking ass and taking names...bubble gum free...the feminist speech moment thingy and much very tired and poorly executed humour.
What is really sad and obvious and more terrible and terrifying than all the above...was the absence of a soul. Star Wars no longer...has one. I remember leaving Hawthorne College in Antrim, New Hampshire and the bus ride down to Boston where The Empire Strikes Back was debuting. Opening day. As we approached the theatre the line became obvious. There were two. We ...those of us from school...entered the ticket buyers line. Four blocks long. Then we entered the ticket holders line. Five blocks long. In these lines we met other fans from different states...all races colours and creed. And we spoke and laughed and dreamed with them of where sci fi was going. And where we were too. And then the film experience itself. Father meets son. Leaping lizards! Blew us out of the water. We knew as we spoke to any and everyone leaving the theatre and to those waiting their turn...and no we did not spoil it for them...that none of us...would ever be the same. And neither would sci fi. The future...was bright.
And here we are...today. There is no anticipation for the next experience. Maybe the next film...but not the next experience. This flick had no bite nor bark. It says nothing about the human condition, the choices that we make and the sometimes terrible beauty of the transition into manhood.. As we look into the heart of this story...to see our best selves reflected back at us...as the best stories always do...we come away instead feeling....empty.
Don't know when it did...or what it traded it for...but Star Wars has lost its soul. Its sense of wonder. The Jedi...are not what we thought they were. The force has been explained away. And what is probable is that this abomination will make hundreds of millions of dollars. Congratulations Kennedy... you have gone out of your way to prove that the uses of enchantment....the power of magic...the belief that we are more than just flesh and grey matter....that actions have consequences and that we can rise above what happens to us not through gaining knowledge but by the truthful application of said knowledge...has been and always will be trumped by the almighty dollar and the acquisition of power at the expense of the goodwill and hard earned money of the people who have supported this franchise . What a terrible legacy to hand out to people who need good in their lives...now more so...than at any time in human existence. But its alright Kathleen. I understand. Really I do. Star wars has lost its soul. Who knows better than you that the acorn rarely falls far from the tree.
For those of you who do, will and have enjoyed this movie...this review as it were is not for you. For those of you who feel betrayed, who are wondering what happened to one of their favourite stories...who cannot understand why anyone would do that to this franchise...you have my deepest sympathy. You are not alone. I have an idea...how you feel.
all images are courtesy...royalty free.... of pixabay.com.
