Try to imagine the first time you ever saw a movie, be it in the theatres or not. The first time I ever saw a movie on the big screen was eleven years ago, when I saw Shrek, but there is another experience that I can remember. It was around the year 2000, and I was sitting in my parents’ bedroom. The VCR was all set up, the tape had finished rewinding, and I was ready to watch one of the most influential science-fiction movies ever made. I can still vaguely remember the Death Star explosion in my mind, and the elation of finally watching Star Wars: A New Hope for the first time. I quickly and eagerly watched the other two movies, and yearned for more.
And then the prequels came out.
Of course, when I was little, these movies still seemed great, but they seemed a bit different. They seemed more drawn out and boring at times and I still preferred the original trilogy to the new ones. With a new critical eye, I can now see what these new “films” are; an abomination of filmmaking trash. They are some of the worst movies I’ve ever seen and one of the most overly-hyped up and disappointing re-imaginings ever. And it’s been all down-hill from there. There have been countless bad TV shows (which try to build off of the terrible new trilogy and not the classics), and an abysmal animated movie that’s SO bad that the only thing they could think of for the plot was SAVING BABY JABBA THE HUTT.
Recently, it has been announced that George Lucas has sold the rights of Star Wars to Disney for about four billion dollars. Disney has now announced that a Star Wars Episode VII is in production, and that it will take place after the events of Return of the Jedi. Some people are up-in-arms about this, wondering whether or not Disney has the ability to make a good Star Wars movie. To that I say this; they have a better shot at it than George Lucas.
I mean think about it. Lucas hasn’t made a good Star Wars movie since 1983 (when Return of the Jedi came out), and he didn’t even direct that, he only wrote it. Disney, with its vast collective of money and influence, can basically choose anyone to direct, write, and star in it. They can dish out a good screenplay and get good actors who can play there parts well. They can get a new director, who change the bland Star Wars format just enough to keep it both fresh, and true to the originals. I personally hope that director J. J. Abrams, who took another dying series (Star Trek) and re-vamped it, will take the reins for this sequel. I’m feeling optimistic. Bring on Star Wars Episode VII: A Better Director.
