"Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" Was Not That Bad.
This past Saturday on our quarantine date night my wife and I watched "Star Wars 9". That is what I am going to call it, I know it has an extended title, but from here on out, it will be known as "Star Wars 9" to me.
First off, I enjoyed the movie. Sure it isn't as good as "Star Wars" 4, 5, 7, 8 or "Rouge One". But, I still liked what I saw. There was cool action scenes, I liked the stuff with Kylo Ren and Rey, I liked how they got footage of General Leia in the movie, I enjoyed the relationship with Finn, Poe and Chewbacca. I liked it all pretty much. I am a novice as you all know. I only saw all the movies within the last four years, after my daughter was born. I liked the original three, I have enjoyed these last three and I do not like the prequels. That is my rating. Also, my favorite of any "Star Wars" movie has been "Rogue One". So, take that as you will. I watched these without the fanaticism, without a love for the characters, I knew who to root for and against, but that doesn't mean I didn't like some of the bad guys. I watched all of them because I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. I wanted to know why this is such a cultural phenomenon. I wanted to get a sense of why people love this as much as I love "The Simpsons". And I feel like "Star Wars 9" was one of the six straight up "Star Wars" movies that was good. Oh, another thing I liked too was the return of Lando. That was dope.
What I really want to talk about today, or ask for the day, why all the hate for "Star Wars 9". I have heard RD explain why he doesn't like this movie. He is a super fan, so the reasons he gives usually go over my head because I am not all in on the whole world of "Star Wars". RD had the toys, he adores Yoda, he has gone to the theaters to see most, if not all of the movies. He is a true fan. So when he gets deep into why he dislikes "SW 9", I am usually at a loss. I also listen to a lot of comedy podcasts that are hosted by self pronounced dorks. They are hosted by people who have openly talked about their love for this series of movies. Some of them even try and defend the prequels which is total nonsense. But while listening to these pods when this movie was out, and hearing RD crush it, I just don't get it honestly. Why is this one so much worse than the first two prequels? I think the third prequel is the worst of the bunch, but defenders will still say that one is better than any of the new three. What is the big deal? Are people mad that Rey, a female, is the strongest person in this made up universe? Are they ticked off because she was revealed to be a Palpatine? Do they not like the cameos and subservient nature to lifelong fans? Do they just want to be insufferable dorks that try and act hip and think that dissing the new "Star Wars" will make them seem popular? I don't really know.
Again, I thought this movie was fun. I liked it. I was intrigued by the story, and how it all unfolded. I was sad when Leia died. I really liked Kylo Ren realizing he was a good dude when he saw a vision of his dad. I thought the fight scene between him, Rey and Palpatine was kick ass. In fact, I really liked the last act of the movie. I thought it was a solid war/action sequence. I have no problem if people don't like the movie. There are plenty of movies the masses like that I am not a fan of. I don't like "Avatar" or either "Frozen" movie. But I also don't go online the very next day and trash the movie, saying things like "this ruined my childhood", or "I will never forgive George Lucas for letting JJ Abrams take over", which are real fan reviews on Flixster. I mean, it is just a movie. A movie that takes place in "a galaxy far far away", and, "a long long time ago". None of this is real. It is science fiction, and for me, it was done very well.
I like "Star Wars 9", and I feel like people going online and saying horrendous things about it are just nerds still living in their parents basements hiding behind screen names. "The Simpsons" said it best when Comic Book Guy trashes "Itchy and Scratchy" when they bring on Poochie, and Bart says to him, "what do they owe you? They have given you hours and hours and hours of free entertainment". Comic Book Guy's only response to Bart, after he is owned, is "worst episode ever". I just want all the people out there trashing this movie to know that when they go on a rant like this, all I see or hear is Comic Book Guy. "Star Wars 9" is good.
Enough said.
For another point of view from someone who only lives in the basement when his wife kicks him out of the bedroom for snoring, check out RD’s views on “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker”.
Ty
Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.
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