Great breakdown on a film that most might think is over-analyzed. I too find it fascinating how this movie delays showing us the protagonist. However, it works well-- we get to set up the universe AND we get to see just what Luke is up against (the Empire, Vader, etc.).
For sure. When I think of my favourite things about Star Wars, and what I want more of from the franchise today, it's the sense of simultaneous confusion and absorption you get during the first reel or two of this film. You don't necessarily understand what's happening, but you quickly gain a rapid understanding of the worldbuilding. Andor also does a very good job of this, it's just in service of paranoid 70s espionage rather than whimsical adventure.
Another thing-- you mention that what made Star Wars so unique in the 1970s was how it broke from the gritty, pessimistic tone that dominated most American films of that period. It's funny because now I find a lot of Disney Star Wars tries to aim for grittiness (Rogue One, Andor) when that's just going against what made the series so unique in the past. Even if the good versus evil theme does still become more nuanced in Empire and ROTJ, the films were never necessarily "gritty" or bleak, aesthetically or tonally.
I know, right? The Last Jedi is an interesting counterpoint here too. Its core message is antithetical to that of the OT, and turns the SW universe into another "shades of grey" showcase. It arguably downshifts the classicism of the series into mere nihilism - which as I tried to argue is exactly what SW was trying to break free from in the first place, and which audiences clearly craved...
Could you do an analysis on The Lord of the Rings trilogy? I understand that's probably a massive undertaking but I'm curious how each film is structured individually and as a whole.
Excellent suggestion, it is actually something I'm planning to do down the line! To break it up I'd probably do one video per film, and possibly one more for the story as a whole. Stay tuned !
Great breakdown on a film that most might think is over-analyzed. I too find it fascinating how this movie delays showing us the protagonist. However, it works well-- we get to set up the universe AND we get to see just what Luke is up against (the Empire, Vader, etc.).
For sure. When I think of my favourite things about Star Wars, and what I want more of from the franchise today, it's the sense of simultaneous confusion and absorption you get during the first reel or two of this film. You don't necessarily understand what's happening, but you quickly gain a rapid understanding of the worldbuilding. Andor also does a very good job of this, it's just in service of paranoid 70s espionage rather than whimsical adventure.
Your videos are really great! I suspect you will accumulate subscribers very very quickly.
Thanks mate! I can only hope :)
it is insanely good essay, wish you'll make more of them!
Another thing-- you mention that what made Star Wars so unique in the 1970s was how it broke from the gritty, pessimistic tone that dominated most American films of that period. It's funny because now I find a lot of Disney Star Wars tries to aim for grittiness (Rogue One, Andor) when that's just going against what made the series so unique in the past. Even if the good versus evil theme does still become more nuanced in Empire and ROTJ, the films were never necessarily "gritty" or bleak, aesthetically or tonally.
I know, right? The Last Jedi is an interesting counterpoint here too. Its core message is antithetical to that of the OT, and turns the SW universe into another "shades of grey" showcase. It arguably downshifts the classicism of the series into mere nihilism - which as I tried to argue is exactly what SW was trying to break free from in the first place, and which audiences clearly craved...
Could you do an analysis on The Lord of the Rings trilogy? I understand that's probably a massive undertaking but I'm curious how each film is structured individually and as a whole.
Excellent suggestion, it is actually something I'm planning to do down the line! To break it up I'd probably do one video per film, and possibly one more for the story as a whole. Stay tuned !
@@equipmentforliving7253 Awesome, that sounds great! Looking forward to it!!
Do the fifth element! plz.
Good rec, from memory it's an odd duck structurally