Disney's Star Wars Acquisition: A Turn for the Worse? An Analysis of Criticisms toward 'The Last Jedi' and 'Solo: A Star Wars Story'

When Disney acquired the rights to the Star Wars universe from George Lucas in 2012 for nearly 4 billion dollars, it seemed like a perfect fit. However, the franchise's new owners faced a significant backlash over the direction they took, particularly with their handling of 'The Last Jedi' and 'Solo: A Star Wars Story.' This article will delve into these criticisms and explore the potential reasons behind them.

Disney's Takeover and Its Impact

When Disney purchased the Star Wars franchise, it promised to honor the legacy of George Lucas while also bringing new life to the franchise. However, the criticisms following the release of 'The Last Jedi' and 'Solo: A Star Wars Story' indicate that not all fans and critics saw the execution of this promise as successful.

The Last Jedi: A Critique of Character Development and Plotting

'The Last Jedi' was met with intense criticism, which can be summarized into several key points:

Characters and Character Development: One of the most notable criticisms centers on how the characters were portrayed. Luke Skywalker, in particular, was heavily criticized for being depicted as a selfish and disconnected figure, which contrasted sharply with his beloved character in the original trilogy. Critics argued that Luke’s portrayal as a loser and a quitter detached him from his earlier heroic persona, leading to a disconnection from the audience. Plot and Narrative: The plot of 'The Last Jedi' was seen as repetitive, dragging, and focusing more on social justice messaging than on actual storytelling. The film's emphasis on 'woke' themes was seen as a distraction from coherent plot development, leading many to feel that the story was more about fulfilling certain checklists than providing an engaging narrative. Direction and Pacing: Another major issue with the film was its pacing and action sequences. The space chase sequence was described as overly slow and drawn out, while the side-quest added little value to the main storyline and felt disjointed.

Despite these criticisms, a few elements were praised, such as the throne room battle between Yoda and Luke, the conversation between Luke and Kylo Ren using the Force, and the confrontation between the characters. However, these elements did not outweigh the overall negative reception of the film.

Solo: A Star Wars Story: A Critique of Plot and Character Utilization

'Solo: A Star Wars Story' received similar criticism, though it suffered in different ways:

Story Structure: It was criticized for attempting to fit too much into a single movie. 'Solo' tried to cram three separate storylines—Oliver Twist on Corellia, the Great Train Robbery, and a heist on Kessel—into a single narrative, leading to a disjointed and inconsistent plot. The film tried to be many things at once but ended up being none of them. Character Development: While the characters were well-crafted, many felt that the story should have been focused on a single storyline. The inclusion of multiple storylines and the killing off of the two most interesting characters (Han Solo’s parents) detracted from the overall narrative coherence and character utilization. Side Quests: The side quests, while interesting in their own right, were not well-integrated into the main storyline, making them feel like unnecessary inclusions rather than essential parts of the narrative.

The film’s creators attempted to make something new and exciting, but the frequent narrative jumps and character deaths were overly disruptive and ultimately detracted from the overall experience for many viewers.

Conclusion: A Sea Change in Fan Expectations

The criticisms of 'The Last Jedi' and 'Solo: A Star Wars Story' suggest that Disney’s approach to renewing and modernizing the Star Wars franchise may not have resonated with all fans. The films were failures in terms of audience reception, and the backlash highlights a shift in fan expectations from a more traditional and character-driven approach to a more adventurous and modern one. While some may argue that these films are a necessary step in the evolution of the franchise, others remain critical of the deviations from the beloved original trilogy.

In conclusion, Disney’s acquisition of the Star Wars franchise was a significant moment in pop culture history, but the subsequent developments in the movies have marked a turning point that may shift how we view the franchise and its direction in the future.