New Star Wars Trilogy

Okay, let's talk about the new Star Wars movies. You know, the ones with Rey, Finn, and Poe. The ones that came after the epic skywalker saga wrapped up. And by wrapped up, I mean they tied a nice big bow on it and then immediately untied it to add more story. Which is fine! More Star Wars is generally a good thing, right?

But sometimes, and this is where I might get a little bit of side-eye from fellow fans, I wonder if we accidentally got a little too much of a good thing. Remember how we all felt when The Force Awakens came out? Pure joy. A whole new galaxy of possibilities! It was like getting a brand new toy on Christmas morning. We were so excited to see who these new characters were and where they were going.

Then came The Last Jedi. Whoa, okay. That one definitely sparked some… discussions. I loved some parts, of course. Luke Skywalker doing his whole grumpy hermit thing was surprisingly hilarious. And the whole Canto Bight sequence, while maybe a bit of a detour, was visually stunning. But then there were other moments that had me scratching my head, wondering if I'd missed a memo or if the Jedi handbook had been updated without me knowing.

And then we got to The Rise of Skywalker. This one felt like a frantic rush to tie up all the loose ends. It was like trying to assemble IKEA furniture with half the instructions missing and a toddler trying to "help." There were so many plot points, so many characters making big entrances and exits. It was a lot to take in. I left the theater feeling like I’d run a marathon, but I wasn't sure if I'd won or just tripped a lot.

Now, don't get me wrong. I still love Star Wars. I have the action figures. I know way too much about droids. I’ve probably watched A New Hope more times than is healthy for any single human. But with this new trilogy, I sometimes feel a pang of longing for the simplicity of the original. You know, good guys versus bad guys, a clear mission, and a wise old mentor. It wasn't complicated, but it was so effective.

These new movies tried to be so many things. They wanted to be a fresh start, but also a direct continuation. They wanted to surprise us, but also give us what we expected. It’s like a chef trying to make a Michelin-star meal with a limited pantry. You can still make something delicious, but sometimes you end up with a slightly confused plate of food.

I think my personal "unpopular opinion" is that sometimes, less is more. Or maybe, a slightly different order of operations? Like, what if we had spent a little more time building up the new characters before throwing them into galaxy-altering battles? What if Snoke had a slightly longer tenure as the big bad before getting… well, you know? These are the questions that keep me up at night, fueled by a lukewarm cup of caf.

It’s like when you’re watching your favorite show, and they introduce a really cool new character, and you’re so excited to see their journey. Then, poof! They’re gone, or their storyline gets a little messy. That’s kind of how I felt about some of the arcs in this trilogy. I wanted more Finn and Poe bonding, for crying out loud! Their banter was gold.

And Rey! She’s a total badass, no doubt. But sometimes, her powers seemed to just… appear. Like she’d suddenly unlocked a cheat code in the Force. It’s exciting, but it also makes you wonder about the training montage that never was. Did she just find a magical Jedi manual in a dusty corner of Jakku? Because if so, I want one.

Ultimately, though, the magic of Star Wars is that it always finds a way to bring us back. Even with the debates and the head-scratching, there’s still that undeniable feeling when the opening crawl appears on screen. That iconic music swells, and you’re right back in that galaxy far, far away. And maybe, just maybe, the next trilogy will hit that sweet spot of epic storytelling and satisfying surprises. Until then, I’ll just be over here, patiently waiting and rewatching Empire Strikes Back for the hundredth time.

It's like a cosmic ballet, but sometimes the dancers trip a little.

And that’s okay! Because even a slightly wobbly Star Wars adventure is still an adventure. It’s a chance to see familiar faces, meet new heroes, and get swept away by the sheer spectacle of it all. We’re all just trying to navigate the Force, aren’t we? And sometimes, we need a little bit of help from our friends, even if those friends are piloting a Millennium Falcon that’s seen better days.

I just hope that moving forward, we can get a little more focus. A bit more deliberate storytelling. Imagine a trilogy where every character feels like they have a clear purpose and their journey is meticulously crafted. That's the dream, right? A dream fueled by blue milk and the faint scent of kyber crystals.

So, to Rey, Finn, and Poe, thank you for the memories. Thank you for the action. Thank you for the debates. You definitely left your mark on the galaxy. And who knows? Maybe someday, we’ll look back on this era with a fond, slightly confused smile. Until then, may the Force be with you… and may the plot holes be few and far between.