6 Things The Star Wars Sequels Got Right

With all the negativity surrounding a Galaxy Far Far Away when it comes to the Sequel trilogy. I thought it be fun to actually take a look at the positives of the final installments of the Skywalker saga and discuss what was done well.

I obviously did a list of the 6 Things the Star Wars Sequels Got Wrong as well. But this list is all about the Good!

Chewbacca…Sorta

Chewbacca is one of the most beloved characters in all of Star Wars. From the time we meet him in the cantina at Mos Eisly spaceport to his final scene in The Rise of Skywalker receiving Han’s Medal from the battle of Yavin. Chewbacca has been the fuzzy companion we all dream about having in real life.

In both episode VII and episode IX , Chewbacca was given proper recognition and screen time. JJ Abrams utilized Chewy better, in some ways, than even George Lucas did. It was almost like the viewers were Chewbacca during the most heartbreaking scenes in the sequel trilogy.

His roar of anguish seeing his best-friend Han killed by Kylo Ren was one of the most emotional scenes I ever witnessed to that point in cinema. Then, in TROS his pain and roar as he falls to his knees when he learns about Leia’s demise some how topped what we saw in TFA.

Don’t get me wrong, it was much more than the emotional stuff that got Chewy right in these films. His comedic banter with Han in episode VII was spot on and even his Porg cookout was worthy of a giggle.

While it would have been nice to see him have more interaction and even be shown learning about Luke’s fate. DAMN YOU RIAN JOHNSON! JJ Abrams made up for his lack of screen time in TLJ and gave us the Chewbacca we always Loved.

While Peter Mayhew, rest in peace, will forever be Chewbacca. Joonas Suotamo was/is an excellent replacement. I really hope we get to see more of him in the role down the line.

BB-8

Star Wars and Droids go hand-in-hand like peanut butter and jelly. In 1977 when viewers got their first glimpse at C-3PO and R2-D2 they were nothing like what had been seen before. Not just from looks, but from a characterization stand-point. Despite being simple “robots” they had personality and they were just as alive as any human character in the film.

Again, JJ Abrams was able to grasp that same feeling and inject it into BB-8. A droid that was created for The Force Awakens and becomes a main player through the entire sequel trilogy. While it would have been nice to get more R2 and 3PO banter. BB-8 was a nice replacement.

Rey’s Arc

How many of you see Rey’s name and roll your eyes because you believe she is a “Mary sue?” Well despite her crazy Force abilities her arc is done somewhat well.

In The Force Awakens she is unsure of who she is or where she comes from. Being left on a desert planet for the better part of 20 years she has become quite the scavenger and fighter. But just as darkness rises so does the light. Something awoke inside of her and even though her instincts pushed her to go back to Jakku she decided to follow her curiosity in learning about her awakened abilities.

The Last Jedi gets things a little muddled in regards to her arc and despite Daisy Ridley’s horrendous acting in the film, the story is rather intriguing. While she learns VERY little about her new found power it’s her desire to see the good in everyone, including Kylo, that pushes her arc forward.

She is taught a couple lessons in the Force, but ultimately she taught Luke the most important lesson of all. Being a grumpy old hermit is dumb. (or something like that) Rey discovering that she came from nothing (which does get retconned in TROS) was a devastating blow to her. Though, not really sure why. She never cared who her family was. It’s just she wanted them to come back for her. Honestly it was her finding out that her family was dead and that she was alone that truly affected her. Ultimately she saves the day for the Rebellion and marches forward in her Jedi teachings with the help of Leia.

Finally, The Rise of Skywalker reveals why she is so powerful in the Force. She isn’t simply a nobody but rather the granddaughter of Darth Sidious or Sheev Palpatine. It’s in this film that she realizes that it doesn’t matter where you come from. You can create your own path and become whoever you want to be. This is stated with an explanation point at the end of the film when she takes on the Skywalker name carrying on the legacy of the famed family.

While her journey is a bit muddled in the middle chapter it finishes off rather well. Remember this saga is about the Skywalker’s and the legacy started with Anakin. It was a fitting and emotional end for sure.

Kylo Ren/Ben Solo

Much like Rey, Kylo Ren/Ben Solo has a terrific arc start to finish. While Daisy’s performance had to be helped with good writing in regards to Rey. Adam Driver stole the show in this trilogy with his brilliant performance of the emotionally tortured Ben Solo.

We learn early in the new trilogy how Ben was simply passed around and in ways feared by his family. Han didn’t know how to raise a child, Leia feared that she would be unable to keep the darkness away and Luke, even if it was for a fleeting moment, thought about murdering his nephew. This would absolutely break a young man down and cause him to look for guidance and comfort from someone else. Enter Snoke.

While Snoke was simply a puppet of Palpatine’s, Ben Solo’s tormented soul is very visible in TFA and TLJ with his outbursts of anger and rage. It’s finally in Thed Rise of Skywalker when he realizes he has lost the last bit of Ben Solo when Leia dies. It’s then, with the help of his father, he understands his faults and mistakes sending him on his journey of redemption.

His final act and his full redemption comes at saving the woman that he loves. However, it is not for selfish reasons but rather for the greater good of the Galaxy. It’s a very poetic scene and connects HEAVILY to that of the prequels.

Music/Themes

Can we just all applaud John Williams for giving us 42 years of magnificent music for our beloved franchise? From introducing new themes to revisiting old. Williams once again found a way to enhance the experience of each and every film.

We could go on for days about the brilliance of the sequel trilogy’s music. However, I encourage everyone to take a day sit back, close your eyes and listen to the soundtracks start to finish.

The FEELS!

Han, Luke, Leia, Chewbacca along with R2 and 3PO were a staple in households for the better part of 40 years. For me, they were friends I never met, but ones I couldn’t live without. The sequel trilogy handled each and everyone of them in some form or fashion with care. Hell even the Millennium Falcon got our emotions running.

Our investment emotionally with these characters and objects are what truly gets us in the feels with these movies. From the introduction to the Falcon to Chewbacca finally getting a medal. There wasn’t anything better than feeling joy and sometimes heartache at these moments through the sequel movies.

Here is a list of scenes where the feels were had .

Falcon introduction
Chewy, we’re home
Han and Leia together again
Han’s Death/Chewbacca’s reaction
Introduction of Luke
Where’s Han!?
R2-D2 and Luke
Yoda’s Lesson to Luke
Luke and Leia
Luke’s Death
Lando
Leia’s death/Chewbacca’s reaction
Luke lifting the X-Wing
Chewbacca receiving the Medal
Tatooine
Rey Skywalker