Is Star Wars Worth Watching: State of the Union
Star Wars is one of the most iconic movie franchises in history. It has spawned billions of dollars in revenue, dozens of books, comics, TV series, and video games, and a passionate fan base that is almost impossible to rival. But is it actually any good? Is Star Wars worth watching?
In this article, we will take a look at the pros and cons of watching Star Wars and help you decide if it is worth your time.
If you’re already a fan of Star Wars I hope this provides an opportunity to shed some light on the good things LucasFilm is doing and bring awareness to the things they could do better. I would love to hear your feedback in the comments section about what you like and what you want to see improved. Let’s keep it classy!
In this article we discuss the following:
- Star Wars Story State of the Union
- Future Direction of Star Wars
- A Neglected Fan Base
- Star Wars Commitment Issues
- A New Hope for Star Wars Fans
- The Star Wars Fan
Is Star Wars Worth Watching: Star Wars Story State of the Union Address
The current condition of Star Wars is puzzling. But it wasn’t always this way.
A long time ago we had the Original Trilogy and that was it. Universally loved. You had your favorite of the three films (the correct answer is Empire Strikes Back) but no one hated you for liking the film that resonated with you the most.
If you enjoyed Ewoks fighting Stormtroopers, that was acceptable. Loved when Luke destroyed the Death Star in Episode IV? Sweet, nobody was going to fault you for it. If your mind exploded during that father-son exchange in Empire Strikes Back, you were allowed to let the world know without fear of backlash.
That is certainly not the case anymore. People either love or hate the new Star Wars. In fact, the Prequel Trilogy is getting more love now than when it originally came out! The Sequel Trilogy on the other hand is a punch line for most adults, while adored by younger fans. Perhaps down the road the Sequel Trilogy will share a similar fate with the Prequel Trilogy and receive some more love, but for now, it’s tough sleddin’.
Nowadays there’s almost something for everyone to love still, but not everyone loves everything. I said, “almost” because honestly, Star Wars hasn’t fully committed to the “mature audience” yet. The closest we got to that was Rogue One but it’s no Game of Thrones.
With great variety comes mixed reviews. Star Wars is an assorted bag of trail mix and people are opting out of the nuts they dislike and opening multiple bags to pick out the M&M’s.
Is Star Wars Worth Watching: Future Direction of Star Wars
So where is Star Wars going?
Right now in my head I keep revisiting that scene with Bilbo Baggins in the Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring when he’s chatting with Gandalf about being tired.
I’m old, Gandalf. I know I don’t look it but I’m beginning to feel it in my heart. I feel thin… sort of stretched, like butter scraped over too much bread.
Bilbo Baggins
Star Wars is stretched out thin right now. Like butter over too much bread.
So how is LucasFilm planning to right the ship you ask? They’re going to double down on Disney Plus shows that commit to neither adults nor a younger audience. Instead, we are stuck in this awkward middle place of trying to appease everyone at the same time. This is resulting in Star Wars never reaching its full storytelling potential.
I wouldn’t have been so pessimistic if it wasn’t for the botched Obi-Wan Kenobi show, which is again hit or miss.
Is Star Wars Worth Watching: A Neglected Fan Base
It’s time for Star Wars to grow up, just like its original fan base has done over the decades, or to at least give those older fans an outlet for something more mature.
No one is saying to get rid of the animated shows, I’m actually a huge Clone Wars fan and Star Wars Rebels fan (I love Dave Filoni’s animated work). No one is saying stop the production on the streaming shows. We’re just asking that you (LucasFilm) stop neglecting the portion of the fanbase that wants something grittier—please stop toying with our emotions. You give us a taste but never fully deliver.
If grown Star Wars fans are asked to tolerate some of these moments that suspend our disbelief, to the point of us laughing out loud and shaking our heads in frustration, then LucasFilm should be able to tolerate our constructive criticisms.
We can all accept the fact that you can love Star Wars, even if you’re not in love with all of it but man, do I feel neglected as a Star Wars fan right now. If there’s a place for Deadpool in Disney, then surely we can get an Old Republic movie with some teeth.
Is Star Wars Worth Watching: Commitment Issues
LucasFilm has a commitment issue. They can’t commit to a target age group in their live-action shows. At times it is very serious and mature, followed up by something that you would expect in one of the many animated series. They’re trying way too hard to do it all.
The sad thing is I could enjoy a live-action show for a younger audience, just stop teasing me with a more mature storyline that doesn’t feel it belongs and never gets the payoff it deserves. Pick one or the other.
With the Original Trilogy, part of the magic was it didn’t try to be something it wasn’t. It had an identity.
In sports, athletes and coaches talk about finding your identity as an offense or defense—what will you be known for. Are you a running team, or perhaps a passing team? Will you play run-stopping defense or will you take away the pass? What is the culture of your team?
Right now the Star Wars movies, TV shows, Books, Comics, and Games are searching for their identity. LucasFilm is testing the waters and putting a toe into many different things but not diving in.
It’s time to take the plunge.
A New Hope for Star Wars Fans
There is a new hope on the horizon however for the Star Wars Saga! Two movies currently in the works have been announced. One from Marvel’s Kevin Feige and another unrelated film (as far as we know) from the amazing Director, Taika Waititi. Here at Nerd Night News, we couldn’t be more stoked.
Star Wars movie goers need a win.
After The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, and The Rise of Skywalker, it’s time for there to be Star Wars films to get excited about. The Taika and Feige projects could be it.
Not much has been shared on either project, but whatever comes from these movies is going to push Star Wars in a brave new direction. This could be a make or break for a Star Wars franchise that recently has managed to divide its own fanbase.
The Star Wars Fan
Oh yes, the Star Wars fanbase is divided. That doesn’t mean it’s all doom and gloom. You can be a fan of some things and not others. That is totally okay.
I love the Prequel Trilogy and the original Star Wars Trilogy. It’ll be hard for you to find a bigger fan of the animated Clone Wars show as well as Rebels than me. I have no interest in Bad Batch and the Sequel Trilogy left a bad taste in my mouth. As for the Disney shows, I’m looking forward to Ahsoka and really enjoyed most of the Mandalorian. On the flip-side, I couldn’t stand the Book of Boba Fett and Obi-Wan is meh at best.
I respect you if you like what I don’t enjoy and I’m glad that you do! I understand my tastes are different than others and I respect what makes you happy.
Right now though the fan base is toxic. People are at each other’s throats!
We get it, the Han Solo standalone movie probably shouldn’t have been made, but why do you want to cut the tires on my car for liking it? Okay, you despise the prequel era, is it enough reason to curse the ground I walk on? Alright, the Mary Poppins scene with Princess Leia was difficult to watch, do you really need to call my mom that name for being okay with it?
It’s time for Star Wars fans to be accepting of one another. Critique the shows, and give feedback but direct it towards the right people respectfully. Be open to other people’s opinions and beliefs. The Star Wars Galaxy is a very large place. There is bound to be a story you like in the future.
Conclusion—Is Star Wars Worth Watching?
So is Star Wars worth watching?
YES. Star Wars is worth watching. You can find a lot of great stories to latch onto. Don’t expect to love all of it, but if you do, that’s great too.
Right now if you’re a long-time fan of the Star Wars franchise and feel like things are going down the wrong path, there is hope for the future. We probably won’t get another George Lucas-directed Star Wars again but there are amazing creators throwing their hats into the ring.
If you love the direction Star Wars has been on, well I am happy for you! You can expect many more things to enjoy in the near future!
What do you think? Is Star Wars worth watching? Let us know in the comments below!
