If you listen to enough Star Wars fans, you’ll learn that many of them HATE the Star Wars sequels. It's no secret that there's been significant backlash about the movies. Sure, a lot of fans will say that they enjoyed Star Wars: Episode VII: The Force Awakens. But when it comes to Star Wars: Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker, and especially Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi, a lot of them will tell you that the film franchise has definitely lost the force.
Now personally, I don’t care. I like Star Wars and all, but I don’t find any specific film to be better than another. I don’t rank the Star Wars movies, and to me, they’re all pretty okay, I guess. I mean, I personally prefer the prequels to the sequels, but I do think that the sequels have their merits. That said, I remember when not too long ago, people were happy that Disney was taking over Star Wars because they thought that George Lucas (Yes, that George Lucas) “killed” Star Wars with the much-maligned Episodes I, II, and III.
So, keep that in mind. I like Star Wars, but I’m not a capital F fan of the franchise. Still, I’ve been reading the tea leaves, and I have five reasons why I think Star Wars fans will not only accept the sequels in the future, but will also love them. And if you don’t believe me, well, then “I find your lack of faith disturbing.”
The Sequels Are The Last Time That We Will Ever See Han, Luke, and Leia, And Fans Will Appreciate That In Time
Remember when people saw that first trailer for Star Wars: Episode VII: The Force Awakens? Well, I do, and the scene that I recall every Star Wars fan going ga-ga over was when Han Solo stood beside Chewbacca, and said, “Chewie, we’re home.” Now, when I saw this, I thought, wait. We’re still dealing with these characters? But Disney knew that this would appeal to the old-time fans, and The Force Awakens debuted domestically at a staggering $247,966,675. I mean, jeez. Just jeez.
And while yes, a lot of people were very upset by how Luke Skywalker was handled in Episode VIII (Even though that’s the best movie in the trilogy as far as I'm concerned) I also think that when the new movies come along, which will not feature the Skywalker bloodline, that a lot of fans will mentally gloss over Rey, Finn, and Poe, and say, you know what? It was kind of nice seeing Princess Leia and Han Solo back together again. It was nice seeing Lando Calrissian (the original Lando, not the one getting his own spin-off) again. And they’ll look back fondly on these sequels, because they, too, represent a time in a Star Wars fan’s life.
It Provides A Conclusive Ending To The Skywalker Saga
Remember when I said that I don’t view any Star Wars films as being better than another? Well, that’s true, but it doesn’t mean that I don’t dislike some Star Wars films more than others, and The Rise of Skywalker, in my mind anyway, is the very WORST Star Wars movie ever made. It’s even worse that Attack of the Clones, and that movie sucks. Even so, would you believe that I am a Star Wars fan who doesn’t care much for the Jedi? That said, I do know that a lot of fans do care about the Jedi, and for those fans, The Rise of Skywalker is a definitive ending to the Skywalker saga.
I guess this is a spoiler, but Rey takes on the last name of Skywalker after disavowing being a Palpatine in The Rise of Skywalker. Ben Solo/Kylo Ren sacrifices himself, and Princess Leia also passes on. So, the Skywalker name, outside of Rey, who isn’t even technically a Skywalker, really lives on with her since the rest of the family has passed on. This makes it a definitive ending to the Skywalker saga, as the name will live on in spirit. And again, while I kind of just shrug this off, I believe that true fans will come back and appreciate the saga AS A WHOLE. Because whether you like it or not, the sequels ARE canon. And I think fans will accept that and cherish it in time.
There Are Some Scenes In Each Movie That Are Truly Iconic
I know a lot of fans say they hate the sequels, but come on now. There are some scenes that are really cool in each movie. Who didn’t love the Episode VII “traitor” scene with that badass storm trooper? Or Luke Skywalker’s amazing final stand in Episode VIII. I mean Episode IX even had that badass scene where Rey takes down Kylo Ren’s ship.
The fact is, while all of the movies might have left much to be desired, there are still some super iconic scenes in each movie. And when people look back upon this trilogy, I think a lot of those negative memories will get wiped away when they remember Finn fighting Kylo Ren in the forest. Or that awesome moment when Kylo Ren fought side-by-side with Rey against the Praetorian Guards. Those scenes were epic.
For A Certain Generation, This Is Their Star Wars
I know this might be hard for some fans to hear, but to this generation, THIS is their Star Wars. When I’m not writing, I teach, and a bunch of my students who grew up with the prequels will tell me that they think the original trilogy is boring. And yes, you just heard that right. My students find your favorite movie, The Empire Strikes Back, to be a boring slog.
But that’s just how generations are, and if I teach long enough, I bet you that my future students will say that they love the sequels, and that The Last Jedi is their The Empire Strikes Back. Because it’s what they grew up with. Strangely enough, I think those feelings will trickle up, because Star Wars fans, if anything, love Star Wars, even if they do seem to love to hate it. In that way, I think this new generation will turn the haters into lovers, which brings me to my final point.
Star Wars Fans Hated The Prequels When Those Were Out, And Now Fans Love Them
This one just boggles my mind, but apparently, many Star Wars fans now like the prequels. And I’m just going to stop you right there, because I was there, man. Star Wars fans used to HATE the prequels. They always made fun of Jar Jar Binks, or mocked the awful dialogue in Attack of the Clones. But now, Star Wars fans LOVE the prequels? Are you kidding me? How?
Personally, I think the prequels are pretty bad. Episode III is fine, but the other two are bottom of the barrel. And a lot of fans used to agree with me. But now, there’s almost a sort of nostalgia for those films. I think a lot of that has to do with the last generation coming up with the prequels and saying how much they loved them. I’ll talk to younger fans today who had no idea that people didn’t like the prequels, and I think the same will happen with the sequels. They’ll look at The Last Jedi and see it as a great movie rather than the train wreck that many fans see it as today. Just you watch. In time, fans will love Episode VIII and the whole trilogy. You’ll see.
And those are my reasons. But what do you think? Will fans ever love the sequels? Sound off in the poll below. And for upcoming Star Wars movies and TV shows and how to view the Star Wars movies in order, make sure to stop by here often.
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