The Legacy of J.J. Abrams and Rian Johnson on the franchise of STAR WARS

Mark Hamill in Star Wars The Last Jedi

In a new article on VARIETY, Rian Johnson states he is still proud of his STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI. To each his own opinion, I would say. You see, in my opinion STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI stank to HIGH HEAVEN and clearly indicated in what direction these new films would go. In the direction of the toilet !!!

Read the VARIETY article here if you want: 

https://variety.com/2022/film/news/rian-johnson-last-jedi-proud-star-wars-1235354410/

Even Mark Hamill at first did not want to play LUKE SKYWALKER as he was written by Johnson. He sincerely objected to Johnson's depiction of Skywalker having become a hermit who had shut himself off from the worlds around him. One can only respect Hamill's decision to still play him like that, because this series made him a well known actor and gave him a career. But it was clear, Mark Hamill had no real wish to see Luke Skywalker so vandalized.

And I have spoken to many, many fans who complained afterwards that Luke Skywalker dies at the end ! I point out to them that Skywalker does not die. He allows his physical body to expire so that his non-corporeal being can become part of the FORCE. This is How I Perceive The Ending of STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI. Why?

Because I too object to Rian Johnson's writing. His storyline does not fit with the story of the previous film and it is clear to me that Kathleen Kennedy had not considered this into her new trilogy, after George Lucas had been bought out. (The Biggest Mistake Ever !!!)

Mind you, I do not hold a personal grudge against Rian Johnson. I liked his LOOPER and I enjoyed KNIVES OUT. But what he wrote for his Star Wars film did not fit the big picture of what was going on after THE FORCE AWAKENS. With that, it may have received critical acclaim (to which I am immune: I will tell you here anyway what I think ) but it also served as a highly divisive film amongst fans. In total, that added very highly to my general appreciation of the Post George Lucas Star Wars films:

They SUCK BIG TIME !

On this blog, I have earlier also pointed to J.J. Abrams as a man I don't want to meet in person. (I just don't want to live the rest of my life in prison for having killed him when I met him. Is this exagerated? Maybe not. Ask the other fans !)

Rian Johnson does not need to worry. As long as he is also making other (good) films, I will give them all a serious look. It's just that I vehemently disagree with something he said: that he had something to be proud of. 

No, Rian, you don't.

Rest in Peace, Nichelle Nichols ( December 28, 1932 -July 30th 2022 ) !!!

Nichelle Nichols as Uhura in STAR TREK

As a fan of the Classic Star Trek show, I am deeply saddened we are now in a time period of great losses. Where we had earlier already lost DeForest Kelley ( he died in 1999 ), James Doohan ( died in 2005 ), Majel Barrett Roddenberry (2008) and Leonard Nimoy (2015), one month ago my world was again shattered by the passing on of Nichelle Nichols.  Nichelle Nichols played Lt Uhura in the Classic Series as well as in all 6 Original Trek Feature Films. 

Nichelle Nichols was not aware of it at the time but with her portrayal of Uhura, all of a sudden she was representing a minority group on a television show that was watched by millions of people worldwide. It was Dr. Martin Luther King who had to make her aware of this when he announced himself to be a fan of her, at a convention after the first season. Nichelle had told us she had intended to leave the show but Dr. King said she could not do that. Her symbolic value on this show was such that even Nichelle Nichols had to admit he was right and fortunately for us, she stayed on the show.

The show did not have all that much immediate success though. She worked for many years outside of the entertainment business on personal projects to call up new talent for NASA and was able to bring in a lot of women, as well as a lot of colored talent. But even if she would primarily be remembered for Uhura, her presence on the show meant something. Even I, watching them as a kid, sensed that.

 There are also a lot of other things that she can be remembered for. Other roles, her singing, other work that she engaged in. I myself praise myself lucky that I was able to see her live at several conventions. And she also always told us how much she appreciated that we, the fans, appreciated her and the show. I am also very pleased that she had the chance to see how Sonequa Martin-Green now honors her on Star Trek Discovery with her role.

There are not many left of those who were on the original Star Trek show. William Shatner, George Takei and Walter Koenig. Yes, these are sad times so the best thing to do is to remember her, to remember them at their best. And then, even now, STAR TREK LIVES !!!