Happy New Year from SWNN
It’s been a rough holiday week for Star Wars fans across the globe in the wake of Carrie Fisher’s passing, but while the mourning will naturally continue, we at Star Wars News Net would like to take a moment to note the season and wish all of our readers a very happy New Year.
It is because the Star Wars fan community is so strong that there has been such an overwhelming sense of unity in both our grief and celebration of Carrie’s life over the last week. That solidarity is one of the defining characteristics of Star Wars fandom and one of the many traits that makes us so unique in a world more and more full of fan communities.
It is traditional when approaching the new year, to express the wish that the next year be better than the last. Never before has that sentiment felt truer than it does today. So, Happy New Year from everyone at SWNN. Thank you for letting us be your source of all Star War news throughout the year, both good and bad. May 2017 be a happier, healthier, and more pleasant year than 2016 for Star Wars fans everywhere.
Image credit: 9gag.com
We’ve certainly come a long way from post prequel times when we didn’t even know if there would be any more star wars movies coming out. My heart goes out to Carrie Fisher’s family and here’s to hoping that this next year will bring as much joy as she would have wanted us all to be.
happy new year, rebel scum. 😉
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=np6vAuS0KNs
Everyone made fun of Yak-Mak and his crates of fireworks aboard Home One but he knew… he knew.
Happy new year, the year of Episode Vlll
Happy New Years to all in the Star Wars community! ^_^
Cannot wait for Episode VIII; especially knowing that EPVIII will be the late Carrie Fisher’s very last performance. She will be very missed by the Star Wars community and I give condolences to her family.
I think for a lot of fans, EP VIII will be a bittersweet thing.
It’s now the 20th anniversary of the shooting of Phantom Menace. Can you believe that?
20 year anniversary of the irrevocable damage to the Star Wars saga.
The brand doesn’t seem to be doing too baldly these days…
Because of TFA
Honestly, I think the silver lining of the prequels was getting The Clone Wars, and that people had more realistic standards going into TFA instead of expecting to be as good as TESB or something like that.
Yup, although that didn’t stop the usual cretins from saying TFA (and Rogue One) was as good as ESB! lol
If someone actually thinks that, then that is their opinion and hardly cause to call them “cretins”.
It’s hard to believe that such old films can leave such fresh scars.
They will always been contentious I think, especially now with Disney going in the opposite direction and trying to appeal to fans of the OT. They’re only going to get even more orphaned…..well, unless at some point DIsney decides to do a Rogue One style movie set in that Clone Wars error that attempts to bring them in from the cold (a bit like Rebels is doing here and there).
Jimmy Smits was JUST in Rogue One…orphaned??
Ah well, I must stand corrected! Jimmy Smits cameo means Rogue has the look at feel of the prequels!
Just like all the prequels had the look and feel of Return of the Jedi because they had Ian McDiarmid in them!
Oh…. wait….
Oh, suddenly we are talking about the “look” instead of them being “orphaned”?
There are have been plenty of prequel references since Disney bought LFL. No one is being left in the cold.
Um, the look and feel of them is part of what orphans them. But, hey, since you once again know better than everyone else, I best not say anything.
As for plenty of references, when we have a Disney movie that is set during the prequel era, has comedy battle droids action scenes, massive Gungan battles, CGI Jake Lloyd and Christopher Lee, and so on, then come back to me with “many references”. Only someone hell bent on being a pedant would refuse to accept that the Disney output so far leans far, far more towards the OT than it does the PT.
But hey, you know better, right?
“But, hey, since you once again know better than everyone else, I best not say anything.”
Simply giving my opinion, to you, implies that I know everything. You must have a tough time getting through your day. I’m simply offering a different viewpoint. You can disagree with it if you like.
The look and feel of the prequels is highly unique, yes, but that, to me, doesn’t orphan them. They are just unique in showing a different part of the galaxy (the core) than all the other films, which tend to lie on the outskirts.
“. Only someone hell bent on being a pedant would refuse to accept that the Disney output so far leans far, far more towards the OT than it does the PT.”
Well, we did have the Anakin/Obi-Wan comic, numerous callbacks and plotlines that originated in The Clone Wars come into Rebels and a number of of them in Rogue One, such as Smits and Mustafar.
The reason the “Disney” output leans more towards the OT is simple: the sequel trilogy is more directly connected to it due to the characters and plotlines. It would be odd if prequel stuff were having a huge part 50 years later.
But that’s just my opinion, I could be wrong. Maybe they will never go back to the PT (then again, since Star Wars content is generated by the Story Group and they had a hand in much of the PT, I imagine they will circle back to it at some point).
But again, just my opinion. I know it’s distressing for you to read it because a differing opinion means someone knows better than you. So I shan’t be bothering you again with an outside worldview.
But only 17 years of entitled fanboys whining about it …
Amazing how time flies, and sad how some have jumped on this comment to either bash the prequels or felt the need to defend them.
I only hope that one day people will realise that for as good and bad the prequels are, Lucas wouldn’t of really had a franchise beyond 3 films to sell to Disney. I’m not saying the prequels are good, though personally feel they had some good ideas but are poorly executed. However, they are what they are, can’t we all just move forward??
You’d think so, wouldn’t you?
I just wish we could at least move beyond the tedious arguments of the absolute haters vs prequels can do no wrong crowd.
I think a truly objective look at the prequels would probably force people to accept some of the following:-
1) That they are far more imaginative than the “play it safe” Disney output;
2) That, like it or loathe it, they are an extension of the universe as the creator of SW wanted to see it;
3) That there is still plenty of stuff in them to like;
4) That the poor execution comes mainly from Lucas’s poor direction, the editing and the choice of takes, which served to undermine the cast. Had this all been competent the audience likely would’ve otherwise accepted the different look and feel of the films ;
5) They are canon and part of the saga. As such some SW fans like them and some even grew up with them. Time for “haters” to accept that; and
6) Conversely they will never be as good as the OT trilogy films, will never have the feel of the OT and aren’t as well executed, as iconic or as groundbreaking. Prequel fans need to accept that.
That’s just off the top of my head. I mean, where Phantom Menace is concerned my own objective assessment is mixed. I think the performances suffer for the reasons I mention above. Things like the Gungans are truly cringeworthy. Jake Lloyd is awful. But at the same time, Qui Gon, Obi-Wan, Shmi, Darth Maul, Palpatine and the Tatooine, space and lightsaber scenes are all interesting enough that I can still get something out of the picture. I think the problem is that some people have become so wrapped in hate or love they don’t sit down and actually think about what it is they hate or love. The prequels were disappointing for many of us older fans. But what they weren’t is just plain bad for every second of screen time or the best thing since sliced bread.
Not jumping onto the prequel-bash/defend wagon again for like the millionth time, but is the “Disney plays it safe” argument still valid after Rogue One?
Yes. I’d counter anyone who says otherwise, and that argument is usually based on “they had new characters and killed them”.
It’s a movie that relies on it’s connection to the film that started it all, even finishing a minute before that started. It borrows heavily from the original trilogy in design, supporting characters and even it’s base story. What’s the part of the movie most say is the best? The third act. What’s the third act? It features a battle using ships we have seen almost entirely before, with many (design traits lifted from the ROTJ battle) characters we have seen before, troops we have seen before, war machines we have seen before, Yavin 4, the Death Star and so on. What about the gratuitous cameos? Hell, the last few minutes of the film, while great Star Wars porn, are pretty unnecessary if you think that this was meant to be a story about a new set of characters, not the Skywalkers.
I think people are deluding themselves if they think this wasn’t an attempt to appeal directly to fans of the OT by using very familiar elements throughout, just like TFA was. Whether the Saga films continue to follow that pattern remains to be seen. But, the announced and rumoured spin off movies are so far Han Solo and Boba Fett, both OT characters. So seems clear to me that Disney wants to keep the OT fans on side, at least in the short term.
I think them borrowing from the OT is pefectly justified this time, unlike with TFA… I dont think the Tarkin or the Vader scenes were unnecessary, as those scenes just added to their characters. I mean Vader’s true power was never shown before, nor his “everyday” life in his home (and bringing him back to Mustafar, where it all started was brilliant imo). The plot is not just about the new characters.
And its not merely the death of all the new characters, they also dared to change the tone, the narrative, the cinematography etc.
Also, they drastically changed ANH’s plot and managed to alter the nature of the Rebels, which was something I’ ve always missed from the OT. They were always the stereotypical one sided good guys from a 70s kids movie. Nows its completely different.
Sure, the storyline they’ve chosen is OT era, but this story long preceded the Disney acquisition.
Exactly.
I went in to TFA and really enjoyed the film, until the Death Star on steroids and trench run. However, having discussed on the boards I’ve come to understand why Disney/Lucasfilm played it safe. Its not a ground breaking story, but I can enjoy it for what it is and look to the future for more explosive and thoughtful stories.
We are in exciting times and the past should be laid to rest.
The trench run didn’t bother me b/c it was like a background event compared to the Rey/Kylo fight in the forest.
Very true – unlike ANH it wasn’t the main event. It was more a niggle that I couldn’t let go of at the time, though for me I will always feel Starkiller base was a wasted opportunity for something fresh like a mass Star Destroyer shipyard.
It doesn’t mean I should hate on the film though, otherwise I’ll be tarnishing what I love.
It’s okay if you didn’t love every frame.
Yup
“1) That they are far more imaginative than the “play it safe” Disney output;
Rogue One didn’t play it safe. Let’s see Episode 8 before we make this judgment.
6) Conversely they will never be as good as the OT trilogy films, will never have the feel of the OT and aren’t as well executed, as iconic or as groundbreaking. Prequel fans need to accept that.
Yes. This is true. I love the prequels but objectively, they are worse movies.
are you saying that its time to…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moSFlvxnbgk
also the 20th anniversary of the release of the special editions which was the first time i got to see a SW film on the big screen.
Me too. Well, New Hope and Empire anyway. I had seen Jedi back in 83.
2016 set the bar really low… I dare not jinx anything and just wish 2017 luck.
Episode 8 is really the only thing to look forward to in 2017, sadly.
Thrawn novel?
and thrawn on rebels.
I meant the year in general.
Happy New Year everybody. I’m looking forward to the second half of Rebels season three, the new Thrawn novel, the first half of Rebels season four and Episode VIII. Even if the rest of the year sucks I will at least have those to keep me going. As well as the company of my fellow Star Wars fans (and general audiences) to enjoy it all with. May the force be with us.
Happy new year everybody!!
HAPPY NEW YEARS!! I can’t wait for Episode VIII!
Thanks for providing the best & some of the worst news during the last year. I love what you do! All the best to all at SWNN. May the Force be with you.
Happy New Year. May the force be with us all.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpAigdwPeMc. Enjoy my EP8 teaser animation
Unfortunately there are indeed plenty of entitled fans out there who decided all those years ago that the prequels had to look and feel like the OT. Why do you think DIsney is delivering ultra safe movies (in terms of aesthetic) like TFA and Rogue One? It’s because they know that children will watch come what may, so they need to drag the OT fans back into the franchise and get them back on side.
See your point but nobody went into TPM expecting the look and feel of the OT so much as wanting a film that was as fun as the OT.
TFA was fun the Star Wars way and so it easier to forgive its flaws. The PT is just flawed and no fun. Subjectively speaking.
“nobody went into TPM expecting the look and feel of the OT”
No. I have to correct you here. YOU may not have gone in like that. I may not, but I know plenty who did.
Then those people are weird. Did they not watch the trailers? I know that the Internet was shit back then, but still.
Just hit me but isn’t Rogue One the most successful and best reviewed spinoff in history? I mean it doesn’t have much competition with Supergirl, Elektra, and Catwoman.
Thing is….can we really call it a spin-off? I mean, it is more of a prequel than the prequels lol. It ended like 20min before IV, and with the same characters as 4 starts. Just because it didn’t have Luke and Han. Call it what you will, but it is a welcome edition, whatever badge you pin on it.
If it’s considered a “prequel”, all it has to do is make more than the first hobbit movie and it will be the most successful prequel of all time.
you talking domestic, or worldwide?
If domestic RO is #2, behind TPM (already beat Hobbit). RO will take #1, only needs $35mil more.
if worldwide… TPM is #1, and RO will need about $240mil to beat TPM’s 1.027bil.
Oh, I was under the impression that The Hobbit made more than TPM, not the other way around. Regardless, Rogue One will outgross both.
It will definitely take top sequel domestically, but it needs $200mil more to beat them world wide.
Well it’ll get about $100 million from China alone. It’ll likely top Captain America: Civil War, which made over $1.15 billion. Don’t forget that Rogue One hasn’t even been out for a month.
that’s true, but it won’t have the staying power of TFA. I mean.. that thing was a juggernaut…. I saw it in theaters over 3 months XD But it might just make it 🙂
Oh, of course. Luckily, no one in their right mind expects Rogue One to do TFA business.
A midquel then, Ha!
I’m not sure I understand your argument?
Lucas is a big boy and more than capable of laughing all the way to the bank without any message board defenders!
To clarify my comment, 17 years is a long time to hold a grudge – nobody forced anyone to watch them back in the day and nobody is forcing anyone to even acknowledge them now.
The prequels exist as they are and you will never, ever change that no matter how much you dislike them.
Happy 2017 to you too.
I hope I didn’t guilt you into putting CF on the banner. But I don’t feel so bad if I did.
Ha, don’t worry. I had a plan doing this, but the holidays delayed me a bit.
Wonderful banner! 😉
It was a hard way to end the year and now we have a new hope. 2017. May the force be with us!