No Star Wars For a Year

I just saw Solo: A Star Wars Story. No, not for a rewatch. For the first time.

It is crazy. Me, a self-proclaimed big Star Wars fan, just watched a Star Wars movie for the first time that came out over eight months ago. What is wrong with me?

Three words. Star. Wars. Fatigue.

How did this happen to me? I was ecstatic when Disney released that they were making more Star Wars films. I enjoyed Episode VII. I enjoyed Rogue One. I continued to buy Star Wars merchandise, Jedi Master tickets to Star War Celebration Chicago, get Star Wars autographs. What caused me to be put off from actually watching the new movies?

Another three words — The Last Jedi.

My Issues With The Last Jedi

I know this is a controversial topic within the Star Wars fandom. I am not here to debate why TLJ was either the greatest Star Wars film ever or the worst thing that ever happened to Star Wars. This is just an exploration of my own feelings toward the film.

The Last Jedi ruined Star Wars for me, at least for a bit. I enjoyed The Force Awakens. I know what the critics say, that it is a rehash of the original trilogy, but I felt like the film left off on such an exciting and intriguing spot. Why was Luke in hiding? What force pulls Rey and Kylo together? Who is Snoke and how did he rise to power? Poe seemed to be a hero. Finn was a stormtrooper turned deserter who was now interested in taking down the First Order. Kylo finally ditched the mask and was free to be himself. The internal conflict. Who were Rey’s parents? So many questions, so many possible ways to go, so many theories. The lead up to TLJ was such an exciting time in the fandom.

And then Disney released The Last Jedi. My husband and I went to the 7 pm showing opening night. The anticipation was palpable. And as I breathlessly watched, my enthusiasm grew dimmer and dimmer. At the end, I just looked at my husband. What was that?

I felt like a had been punched in my Star Wars gut. Luke had turned back into the whiny moisture farmer on Tatooine, not the mature Jedi in Return of the Jedi. (To see Mr. Nola Nerd Couple’s completely different take on Luke, click here). Rey’s parents were nobody? Snoke died without a second thought? Leia Poppins? Why does Finn have a side story that is irrelevant and a waste of time? Poe is an arrogant jerk that got hundreds of people killed? Leia and Hondo still liked him? I was sad, I was confused, and I soon came to realize I was tired. The new trilogy was not what I envisioned. Surprises, twists, and turns are welcome and also expected, this just felt like a complete 180° turn from where TFA seemed to have been heading, and I could not reconcile it.

So I stopped watching Star Wars. I never rewatched TLJ, with that first opening night viewing my only time watching it. I also did not watch Solo when it came out nor have I seen the newest television show, Resistance. I just needed a Star Wars break.

The Return of the Star Wars Fan

As SWCC approaches and our excitement grows, I find myself getting excited for Star Wars again. I realized that information about Episode IX would be forthcoming. That spark of excitement for a new Star Wars movie is back. I realized that I wanted to watch Solo.

And guess what? I enjoyed it.

Now if only I can bring myself to rewatch The Last Jedi again, maybe this time I will enjoy it more than the initial viewing. I will not, however, allow it to destroy my joy toward Star Wars again.

That would be on me if it did.

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