I was just wandering how the new Star Wars has changed your opinion of what was once the hold grail of Sci-fi film over the last few years?
Here's my opinion journey.
Once upon a time Star Wars was the Holy grail of Sci-fi. Geeks loved it, the average movie goer loved it and any references were of the brilliant observation and examination of a classic. I can't think of any film more referenced in pop culture or more universally seen. Generally it was constantly referred to as the best trilogy of all time. Nobody really argued.
I recall school days the 90's when everybody creamed themselves over the prospect of a new Star Wars with modern special effects. Nothing could get man y of my friends excited as a discussion on a new SW film.
Edventually it's announced and it feels like a dream come true. The trailer is replayed, the fans and media wet themselves and everybody goes to see it.
Then the "Phantom menace" comes to the cinema. Almost everybody thinks it's great for a while, mostly because everybody wanted it to be great and the production does blow you away first time of watching.
However there is that nagging feeling that something isn't right. That feeling gets stronger every time you watch the matrix which was so cool or the Mummy which somehow is less cheesy even though it was meant to be chock full of the edam.
A year or so later and a few more rematches of the Matrix we all saw that it was crap, light sabres and pod races aside.
For the next few years it was slaughtered (that classic scene from Spaced comes to mind) by a wiser, more aware and frankly hipper audience. It destroyed what was special about the originals for some and highlighted how movies have dumbed down over the 20 odd years since Lucas last directed.
Next up comes a stronger instalment with much worse acting but we forgot it's relative merits because Spider-man was so darn brilliant, Green Goblin costume aside and The Fellowship of the Ring gives us that "WOW, that’s so fresh and amazing" experience an older generation experienced in 1979. Fellowship becomes the movie experience of our lifetime in our hearts and Spider-man effortlessly highlights how a great love story should be written and acted out.
Lord of the rings comes and goes, Spider-man carries on with an equally impressive sequel, the matrix becomes loathed thanks to senseless sequels that push it into ultra geek territory (Never to return) and all we are left with is the wait for episode 3: The one we wanted all along.
The timely release of the original films of DVD reminded me how excellent The Empire strikes back is (And steals back it's place for best film of all time IMO) and that the originals are still worth our time.
Episode 3 lived up to expectations, partly because those expectations were cautious thanks mostly to the Phantom Menace. The acting does the job, the story helped remind us why we loved the originals so much in the first place and the action is as good as ever. But, it still isn't enough to return the SW franchise to it's former status as the Sci-fi all others aspire to.
Some people could never consider Star Wars as a contender after the phantom Menace. But for a smaller number it Episode 3 does the job and returns SW to it's former glory. I'll decide when I get it on DVD and in a years time see how many times I want to watch it
However already I notice nobody asks for more SW sequels. Nobody is really excited about the TV series. Me and my mates no longer have the uncontrollable urge to grab sticks, tin foil or similar and swing it around making light saber noises. I see now that the new sequels have damaged to some degree my love for even the old trilogy. It’s just another series of Sci-fi/Fantasy films.So there we go, my random take on the fall and re-rise of the most talked about and influential franchise in modern cinematic history. I hope it didn't waste to much of your time. I'll be the first to admit I'm not a good writer but I wanted to get this off my chest. Closure I suppose.
I'll be buying episode 3 on Monday. I personally enjoyed it as much or more than any big budget film of this year so far. However Lord of the Ring's has stolen my heart for best film franchise of all time.
