Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (J.J. Abrams, December 20, 2019) Movie • Page 29

I think BB-8 is my least favorite thing in TLJ. He became too much like R2 in the prequels where he can do anything without limitations. I don't mind the coin shooting bit, because I liked the drunk alien/shot machine set up. But the bit at the beginning where he's got never ending prongs to fix the x-wing and him taking command of the AT-ST made me roll my eyes a little.

 

DJ wouldve been one of my favorite characters if not for the stutter. It really doesn’t bother me per say it more just takes me out. He already had such a unique personality and dialogue (blip bloppity bloop) that he really didn’t need it

 

I’m the opposite lol I didn’t like the coin shooting/blowing smoke and liked the prongs bit. But I agree wasn’t a fan of Bb8 overall in TLJ

 

Canto Bight is great, y'all.

It's in the spirit of Star Wars while being something new. It's fun, big cosmic adventure. It's delightfully playful. And, like, it's literally one of the most important sequences in the film as far as themes go.

People who can't be corny and meaningful at the same time are the worst. Especially in regards to a pulp film about space wizards with laser swords.

 

Oh man, I love everything about Benicio in TLJ.

 

I guess I just like that one more because it at least had some sort of setup. The other ones just seemed like "oh and he can do this too!" I fully acknowledge that this probably just makes me sound like an old grump though.

Canto Bight really highlights to me that Rian is the perfect fit Star Wars and push it in new directions. The design and concepts he developed there capture my imagination in the same way Star Wars did for me as a kid.

Agreed

 

I think it'd be easy to work for Kylo's arc.

It's not hard to find an excuse for him to end up there. While there, he looks around 'cause he's obsessed with Vader. Cue iconic Vader breathing & James Earl Jones voice from shadows. Kylo talks to him. Hayden Christensen force ghost steps out of the shadows. Let Anakin have the longer hair to make the most of the Kylo parallel. Dialogue about bloodlines, really emphasizing the importance of Rey's parents being nobody. Maybe even have a subtle jab at the concept of midichlorians by saying it's not what's in someone's blood that matters. Kylo leaves this interaction pissed, ready for a final duel against Rey.

 

I’m apprehensive about Vader surviving in some form to talk to him just because I have my own attachment to the idea that only those being balanced in the Force being able to become one with it and living on past their physical form. That said having the ghost of Vader and Anakin as the angel/devil on his shoulder would be pretty incredible, especially with the way you layed out the scene.

I would be all for Hayden coming back and talking to Kylo. Considering their similar path I think it’d be very emotional and kind of perfect. Because I’m a nerd my eyes well up thinking about Hayden coming back for something like that and being embraced by the community.

 

I'd say just have the initial lines be spoken by James Earl Jones while that iconic breathing and an Imperial March musical cue play in the background. Some vaguely discernible figure in smoke or something. Then, transition from that to Hayden's Anakin. So, it's still the Anakin who we see at the end of ROTJ manifesting himself, but he initially takes the form of Vader ('cause why not, it's the Force, it's fantasy, go w/ it) to make a particular statement.

 

All this talk is giving me an itch to rewatch TLJ

 

Anybody ever watch the score only version? It’s definitely weird and wouldn’t do it with all movies, but for TLJ it was pretty incredible. Really shows how much the music influences the tone and just overall how important it is even when you don’t really think about it.

 

I watched a few select scenes but no way could i do the entire movie haha

Its definitely a cool feature, i think the soundtracks for these films by and large get criminally overlooked

 

Why are you not getting paid to write this stuff? You always have ridiculously good ideas.

 

I think Vader’s Castle is getting more likely because they’re pushing it hard in the comics. The current (and final) Vader comic arc is all about him building it and it being a nexus in the Force and they just finished a horror mini series called Tales from Vader’s Castle that was more kid friendly.

 

Ya that Anakin/ Kylo scene would fucking rule.

Also, I never once was phased by Del toro’s characters stutter. I was surprised people brought it up after it came out.

 

Unless Hayden became a good actor I don't need to see him in a star wars movie

 

Just for continuity sake, I’d like to see Hayden reprise the role of Anakin in ep 9. It would also be a nice wrap to the skywalker saga.

 

From what I recall, he was a fine actor before Star Wars. And, not like Natalie Portman was much better at what she was given in those trash films. Hayden just had the misfortune of having to flirt with bad sand dialogue and bad direction, lol.

 

I actually heard a rumor that he was gonna force ghost in this film and i was fine with it

 

I feel like the Natalie Portman of today would fare much better in the prequels, more in line with how Liam Neeson and Ewan McGregor acquitted themselves as Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan, respectively. I think they were all stranded by Lucas' directing style but those two were able to fall back on their experience and utilize their natural talent and charisma more effectively than their younger costars were. Hayden Christiansen is not my favorite actor or anything but I don't think he's as bad as you would think he is based solely on his work in the SW prequels. I think Natalie Portman is a fantastic actor.

 

I blame Lucas far more than any of the actors. The script is hard to do anything with.

Oh and I ranked Star Wars movies in this week’s newsletter. It’s on the homepage for supporters.

 

Yeah its also not like Hayden would have a lot of screen time. Seriously 2-3 minutes of him talking to Kylo would be incredibly impactful.

 

You are killing me with this!!! I'm embarrassed to say but I can't do it right now but will be able to make it work in the next few weeks.

 

It’s clealry Lucas’ fault. He had a handful of incredible actors and made them look like shit.

 

Empire Strikes Back_: In play for my favorite movie of all time, definitely in the top five. I love this film. I don't think anything will ever surpass it in the Star Wars world, but that's fine to me.

* _Star Wars_: The original, especially the despecialized edition, remains a classic. It's hard to put anything above it given what it started, how well it holds up, and the nostalgic ties I have to the movie.

* _Force Awakens_: I've got this here, and I waffle with it, because of how much it's re-inspired my love for everything Star Wars. Being introduced to new characters I've come to love, seeing old friends, and giving me a massive smile every time I watch it, all come into play. It has flaws, but I find myself not caring when the movie's playing.

* _Return of the Jedi_: As a kid, this was my favorite, and then I had a period where it was my least favorite, but now it's settled back in here. The end of Luke's transformation, his decision to not fight, is one of my favorite moments in all of film.

* _The Last Jedi_: As time goes on, this film climbs my ranking. It's an incredible achievement that captures my wonder, subverts my expectations, and carries with it a great message. It also contains some of the most gorgeous shots in the entire Star Wars universe. If not for my entire childhood being a thing ... this would be above ROTJ.

* _Rogue One_: The third act of this movie is _incredible_. Unfortunately, the first two feel disjointed to me. Even with that, the third act being as good as it is raises it a step above.

* _Solo_: I didn't think this was nearly as bad as the original "buzz" suggested. It was fun, completely enjoyable, and I will absolutely watch it again in the future. I've only seen it once, so for now, it sits here. But in time I could see it finding a place above _Rogue One_.

* _Phantom Menace_: The music's the best part, there's one great lightsaber battle, and the rest is ... not good. Still the best of the prequels.

* _Revenge of the Sith_: When you fail at the one thing you're supposed to do -- show me how someone becomes Darth Vader -- the final act of that story loses points by definition. Narratively broken and overstuffed.

* _Attack of the Clones_: I don't like this movie. It's coarse, and rough, and irritating, and it gets everywhere.