Rey deserves a brand new Star Wars film

When a bunch of latest Star Wars initiatives have been introduced on the 2023 Star Wars Celebration, there have been combined reactions, to say the least. Aside from Ahsoka, which, shockingly, has constructed some hype after a complete lack of it for the final couple of years, new initiatives have been acquired with telling ‘meh’s.

It’s comprehensible. We’ve sat by a grueling stream of Star Wars Disney Plus reveals that have been high quality sufficient on the time however had zero endurance or rewatch issue. And The Rise of Skywalker left audiences underwhelmed with its “One way or the other, Palpatine returned”-ness and hammy Kylo Ren redemption.

It is smart that individuals didn’t soar for pleasure when a brand new Rey challenge with Daisy Ridley was introduced. However the lackluster finale to her trilogy (nicely, it was hers to some extent, a minimum of) is why I’m open to having fun with a brand new film together with her in it. It has been a sucky few years within the franchise, and TROS fumbled the bag, Rey is worthy of one other shot.

Rey is among the good elements of the reboot trilogy. And regardless of how many individuals loathed the third, the expedition was general a hit. The Power Awakens was an thrilling if not unoriginal foray again right into a galaxy far, far, away, and The Final Jedi was a subversive and empathetic entry that took the story to corners beforehand unexplored. TROS was a bit naff, certain, but it surely wasn’t sufficient to erase all of the constructive stuff, of which there was lots.

One of many irritating issues, nonetheless, was all of the give attention to Rey’s lineage. TFA was compelled by the concept of legacy, TLJ spat in that concept’s face, rendering her a no one, after which TROS did a U-turn as a result of Disney couldn’t deal with disgruntled followers.

Had TLJ put to mattress the thriller round her household totally, TROS could have been one thing totally totally different, and it might have spent the time giving her a worthwhile goodbye as an alternative of chasing after that thread and growing its predictable Kylo redemption arc.

Below all of it, there have been untapped ranges to the story. Rey is a likable character. Ridley brings a cutesy veneer to her that’s pleasant however equally can imbue her most particular on-screen moments with among the fantasy magic that first made me fall in love with Star Wars as a child.

Rey didn’t have significantly compelling dynamics with any of the opposite new Star Wars characters; Poe was extra linked to Finn, Finn doesn’t do a lot of something, and the romance with Kylo brings to thoughts all of the souls inexplicably misplaced to the attract of unhappy bois. It’s not a nasty factor he’s gone. Not as a result of Kylo was a poor character (this isn’t a Kylo hit piece), however as a result of Rey was underserved on account of how inextricably tied to him she was.

It’ll be curious to see her on her personal, having Jedi adventures the place her consideration received’t be pulled within the route of quasi-interesting supporting characters or Kylo, who was participating sufficient to have the ability to overshadow her considerably. What’s going to her new life appear like, now that we all know who she is and we don’t essentially should anchor her to legacy characters? That is house, so we are able to go anyplace.

Flashes of her exploring lush inexperienced planets, having The Mandalorian-style adventures, or assembly sinister Sith we’ve not seen in live-action but on lava-rock terrain cross the thoughts. Maybe it’s not that everybody has fallen out of affection with Star Wars, however quite that Disney has been failing to capitalize (there’s a primary time for every part) on the magic. It’s nonetheless there, underneath all this uninteresting rubble.

Disney has put an thrilling director on the challenge, Pakistani-Canadian journalist Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, who’s recognized for her activism as a lot as her filmmaking. If we’re hoping for recent imaginative and prescient to breathe some life again into the proceedings, we are able to’t ask for rather more than her. Set fifteen years after the autumn of The First Order, the plot follows Rey as she makes an attempt to rebuild the Jedi Order.

It sounds a bit ‘been there, executed that’, however a high quality filmmaker and screenwriter pairing will know work with Star Wars’ always-present core themes whereas giving the viewers an plain and distinct purpose to reinvest. You do this with strong character writing.

If I can nonetheless have enjoyable enjoying Jedi: Fallen Order — which makes use of Star Wars’ limitless bounds to nice impact — studying a Physician Aphra comedian guide, and even revisiting the house opera that’s the prequel trilogy, then absolutely Disney can muster up sufficient power to ship one thing worthy of our consideration, as an alternative of the middling muck we’ve been wading by — I’m speaking about you, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You weren’t dangerous, however I keep in mind nothing.

Cease losing characters with potential, counting on however squandering available nostalgia, and pondering setting tales within the universe is sufficient depth by itself. Give us interpersonal drama, a way of marvel, and a few remoted storytelling! And certain, use Rey to do it. Why not her?

We final noticed her wandering sandy dunes, robotic companion at her aspect however alone in her quest to start a brand new path, untied to earlier insecurities associated to expectations or her household tree. In a film stuffed to the brim with makes an attempt at pathos and connection, this scene held a small glimmer of hope with its refreshing stillness and lack of route. So, let’s see what her subsequent step appears to be like like with out the load of a reboot trilogy on her shoulders.

For extra on the franchise from our staff of followers, try why The Digital Repair loves every part Star Wars. We’ve additionally obtained a take that argues why the brand new Star Wars film wants John Boyega.

Or, fly on over to our guides on one of the best motion pictures of all time, the brand new motion pictures coming quickly, or our pondering on the best method to watch the Star Wars motion pictures so as. Should you’re nonetheless enthusiastic about what’s coming, we’ve additionally obtained the main points on the Ahsoka launch date.