I have read two formal reviews of the movie, one informal review (by the one-and-only Jeff K), and now this. As usual, you have written the best article and I know that I won't read a better one.
I have been to the theaters many times throughout my life. It warms my heart thinking about the various reactions (all positive) that I have observed from children at Star Wars movies. God bless them, including those two children you mentioned. Ultimately, Star Wars is for them. In a way, it always has been.
P.S. I haven't seen the film yet, but I managed to skip over those paragraphs in which you discuss the ending.
I felt so emotional reading this, what a wonderful take on the movie and what it signifies. I waited until I saw the movie before reading this, and I definitely resonate.
I'm 39 and my mother introduced me to these movies in the 90s - before the prequels came out - and I was instantly hooked. Thank you for writing this!
Great thoughts! Keep sharing them! I enjoyed the movie, too. And that line from one of the twins that Grogu would live way beyond Mando hit like a knife, in a very unexpected way. I need to rewatch with these themes in mind.
the non-verbal sequence was my favorite part of the movie. those can be tricky to pull of, but when they work, they're special -- Up, Spirited Away, and Wall-E all have phenomenal non-verbal scenes.
you saying that the movie "simply didn’t feel, as I watched it for the first time, like Star Wars has felt to me before" was really interesting. our colleague Paul Semel said that Andor didn't feel like Star Wars to him, which is why he didn't like it as much as many fans. i disagree with him, but i do agree with you. if you take away the non-verbal sequence, what i enjoyed about this movie had more in common with what i enjoy about the Fast and Furious franchise than Star Wars.
It's weird as you get older and time passes you by and you realize things aren't for you anymore. Sure, every Star Wars movie is for me because I'm an adult with disposable income. But this one, it was for the new generation of fans. Lots of kids at both showings I went to. On Sunday, we were sitting next to a dad and daughter who was probably around 7-8 years old. She had both a Mando helmet and a blue lightsaber. I'd occasionally see her out of the corner of my eye because when the action got intense, she'd lean forward, getting into the scene. In the final battle, she had her lightsaber in her hand like she was going to join in and help out Mando. I'm sure her dad told her she can't turn it on during the movie. But she was absolutely ready to throw down and save Baby Yoda if she could have.
I cannot believe there are defenders of this soulless, corporate slop. The reason there is little dialogue is because their corporate overlords made them collapse a season of television into one film - because they needed a theatrical line item.
As for lacking self reference - this is literally a movie with baby Yoda, baby Jabba and a Boba Fett. It’s self-referential on its face!
That’s really not how I see it! And I’d really prefer to keep things positive over here on Ahch-To Baby. If people are enjoying the movie (which I did!) there’s no harm in it at all.
I have read two formal reviews of the movie, one informal review (by the one-and-only Jeff K), and now this. As usual, you have written the best article and I know that I won't read a better one.
I have been to the theaters many times throughout my life. It warms my heart thinking about the various reactions (all positive) that I have observed from children at Star Wars movies. God bless them, including those two children you mentioned. Ultimately, Star Wars is for them. In a way, it always has been.
P.S. I haven't seen the film yet, but I managed to skip over those paragraphs in which you discuss the ending.
So many great takes out there. Thanks Christopher!
I felt so emotional reading this, what a wonderful take on the movie and what it signifies. I waited until I saw the movie before reading this, and I definitely resonate.
I'm 39 and my mother introduced me to these movies in the 90s - before the prequels came out - and I was instantly hooked. Thank you for writing this!
Thanks for reading!
Great thoughts! Keep sharing them! I enjoyed the movie, too. And that line from one of the twins that Grogu would live way beyond Mando hit like a knife, in a very unexpected way. I need to rewatch with these themes in mind.
the non-verbal sequence was my favorite part of the movie. those can be tricky to pull of, but when they work, they're special -- Up, Spirited Away, and Wall-E all have phenomenal non-verbal scenes.
you saying that the movie "simply didn’t feel, as I watched it for the first time, like Star Wars has felt to me before" was really interesting. our colleague Paul Semel said that Andor didn't feel like Star Wars to him, which is why he didn't like it as much as many fans. i disagree with him, but i do agree with you. if you take away the non-verbal sequence, what i enjoyed about this movie had more in common with what i enjoy about the Fast and Furious franchise than Star Wars.
It's weird as you get older and time passes you by and you realize things aren't for you anymore. Sure, every Star Wars movie is for me because I'm an adult with disposable income. But this one, it was for the new generation of fans. Lots of kids at both showings I went to. On Sunday, we were sitting next to a dad and daughter who was probably around 7-8 years old. She had both a Mando helmet and a blue lightsaber. I'd occasionally see her out of the corner of my eye because when the action got intense, she'd lean forward, getting into the scene. In the final battle, she had her lightsaber in her hand like she was going to join in and help out Mando. I'm sure her dad told her she can't turn it on during the movie. But she was absolutely ready to throw down and save Baby Yoda if she could have.
Did you tell her she, like Grogu, would eventually have to choose the Jedi path or the way of The Mandalore? Or did you not have the heart?
They keep making star wars stuff for kids and 50 year old dudes keep forming opinions about them. Some kind of disconnect here no one will address.
I think the piece addresses exactly that, TC. Did you read it?
I cannot believe there are defenders of this soulless, corporate slop. The reason there is little dialogue is because their corporate overlords made them collapse a season of television into one film - because they needed a theatrical line item.
As for lacking self reference - this is literally a movie with baby Yoda, baby Jabba and a Boba Fett. It’s self-referential on its face!
My 11 year old loathed “Star Wars for babies”
What are we even doing here?
That’s really not how I see it! And I’d really prefer to keep things positive over here on Ahch-To Baby. If people are enjoying the movie (which I did!) there’s no harm in it at all.
I wrote something very personal, and I think it’s a shame what you read was an invitation to rail at a stranger. That’s really not reading the room.