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If there is one thing we can count on it is for Star Wars “fans” to act like anything but fans of the movies. They hated “The Empire Strikes” back until “The Return of the Jedi” was released. Then they hated “The Return of the Jedi”. And then they hated “The Phantom Menace”. The hate continues. Imperial Storm troopers are much better shots with their blasters than these hard core fans give them credit for, and they are much more consistent than the fans.
All that said, the Disney trilogy stands apart from the first two trilogies because the Disney Company rejected George Lucas’ guidance on how the final three films should be structured. They basically threw out his plot and devised their own. And while the fans continue to complain, it’s hard for even the most open-minded traditional Star Wars fans to disagree with all the complaints. Even so, these have been successful, entertaining movies.
The new Star Wars trilogy introduces a whole new set of characters: Po Dameron, Rey, and Finn (formerly known as FN-2168). The old Galactic Empire has fallen and a new Republic has risen to take its place. But the New Republic is not yet strong enough to control the entire galaxy. Remnants of Imperial forces have established the First Order under the leadership of the mysterious Snoke. Snoke has recruited Ben Solo, son of Han Solo and Leia Organa, to the Dark Side of the Force, renaming him Kylo Ren, leader of the Knights of Ren. Rey, an orphan girl on a distant planet, finds BB-8, sent off into the wilderness by Po Dameron to escape the clutches of the First Order. She is joined by Finn, a deserter from the Storm Trooper corps, and they seek to return BB-8 to the Resistance, a rebel-like force led by General Leia Organa/Solo. Rey and Finn meet up with Han Solo and Chewbacca.
Read our review of “Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens” and watch videos.
Rey has found Luke Skywalker, who has retreated to the first temple of the Jedi Order to await his natural death. Disillusioned by his failed attempt to rebuild the Jedi Order, Luke has reached the conclusion that the Jedi traditions should die with him. Meanwhile, Po Dameron and Finn struggle to help the Resistance escape from the ruthless fleet of the First Order. As the Resistance forces slowly take casualties their former allies throughout the galaxy desert them, too afraid of the First Order to take action. Snoke continues to mold Kilo Ren into his own image, unaware that he has awakened Kilo’s ambitions. When Rey rejoins the Resistance to face Kilo Ren, everything hangs in the balance. Snoke’s rule over the galaxy is all but assured, and even Luke Skywalker won’t be able to stop him.
Read our review of “Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi” and watch videos.