10 Reasons Y'all All Boycotting the Wrong Movie! (My Review)

The political conversation and SJW thing is interesting. I'll lay my cards on the table. I'm a historian, in my late 40s, and an anarcho-capitalist (you can look it up if you aren't sure what it is). I find SJW's annoying in the extreme. The silencing of speech is a major problem.

Having said that, I don't have a problem with the films. They are just that, films. The fume over the fact that the protagonist is a female is just ridiculous. I worked for strong women in the military (back in the day). My wife, I think, is a strong woman. As someone who has traveled throughout Asia and the Middle East, I love the fact that we are getting Asian actors and actresses involved. I think people just love to complain and want to sound authoritative or intelligent, but by constantly criticizing something it gets not only old, but overly dramatic.

Is being kind to creatures an SJW issue? Sheesh, I thought it was just common sense. Treat creatures with kindness seems like a good idea, and as a dog owner I totally agree with it. Greed and war profiteering isn't an SJW issue either. SMH...

Anyway,I didn't meant to hijack the conversation.

 

In other words people using SJW term to criticize Star Wars (and most things to be honest) have already lost the argument. Same thing with anti-PC. What I have noticed anti-PC people tend to want to say anything, but not get criticized for saying what they say.

 

I think it's generally only one sect of what people dub "SJW" that have much interest in censorship[ (though it's certainly there), and I would disagree with that as well.


I do think it's extremely interesting that those who claim to be against SJWs seem so often to support removing their message from media. It's almost like it never was about the freedom of speech to begin with, but the messages being conveyed.

 

Exactly. I have no problem with people expressing their opinions. I grew up on the idea that I'll disagree with you all I want, but I'll defend your right to express your opinion anyway. If you say something unpopular, be ready to defend it and yourself. Take the heat if you must, or get out of the kitchen.

I'm one of the oddities. I am against the SJW message, in most cases, but I don't want them silenced. I want to debate this stuff, discuss it. But again, I'm an odd ball.

--- Double Post Merged, May 25, 2018, Original Post Date: May 25, 2018 ---

I get that. It's all in the handling. I think you are expressing a different opinion or version of it, though. Some really do take LFL to task for emphasizing female protagonists. As if strong women are new to the series. It's the world we live in right now. "Everyone is sensitive and often take things the wrong way.

 

At least from most of what I've seen, it's not about a complete lack of strong female characters (because of course Leia totally embodies that to her core) but just a general dearth of women in general.

I think the prequel trilogy does a better job than the original trilogy did, because you have a ton of Jedi like Luminara, Aayla, Bilaba, etc...

Of course, none of them do much in the films unlike Yoda, Anakin, Obi Wan, Windu, etc, leaving Padme one of the few main female characters, but it's still progress.

Honestly, I think both extremes feed into each other. Fans are glad we got Rey and Jyn as main strong characters, and some neckbeards were angry. Those two groups pretty much just screamed at each other until the tides rose to include members of the lesser extremes as well, until pretty much the entire fandom was swept to one side or the other.

Basically, the way I see it is that I'm totally fine with Rey and Jyn- they could've been portrayed better, sure. And I've got no doubt that you and @HothLeia want that above all, as well. But there are people who just want a complete lack of women in Star Wars, too, and this polarizing factor is where a lot of the problems come from.

 

Hmmm, this is an interesting discussion. Some of the responses I kind of anticipated. I figured the focal point would be on people who didn't like TLJ and that they would be characterized as anti-SJW.

First I think we all get to vote with our feet; and whether you loved all the SW movies or not, there's nothing you can do about someone else's vote. They get to support what they want with their money for reasons that you find unjustified; and there's nothing to be done about it.

Second, I think it's the most popular argument to characterize the bulk of those who disliked TLJ as anti-SJW, because it fits the desired narrative (anti-SJW are easiest to dismiss). I'm guessing there were a number of black people who were less than enamored with TLJ due to what we feel is Finn being side-lined; and we could hardly be characterized as anti-SJW. And there are also just a ton of people who are Luke fans who hated his treatment in TLJ (I was also one of them). Still there are hardcore fans who hated TLJ's handling of franchise metadata and puzzling choices.

I did not like TLJ. Passage of time has not changed but rather solidified this view. If I had based my decision to see SOLO based on my interaction with who have defended TLJ (especially in the manner that many of them did defend it), I wouldn't have gone to see SOLO. But ultimately I decided to see SOLO because I still want to see good movies and hope that TLJ was an anomaly, not the way forward. If I find that it's not I'll re-evaluate my support for SW (because I am under no obligation to patronize a product I don't like). By the same token you are under no obligation to support any boycott if you liked TLJ (or if you didn't like TLJ and you just refuse to quit the franchise)

Everyone gets to vote with their feet, which is something TPTB will have to be mindful of going forward. I personally think TLJ is not a hill that LFL should die on. I would pivot quickly, but they get to choose too.

That all said, if you are a Hardcore fan, I think you would enjoy Solo. I enjoyed it. I will own it as part of my library. But if you choose not to, that's your choice (and understand that the result may be less SW movies in the future). Everyone has choices and consequences.

 

No doubt they will pivot, because the story, at least the saga story, demands it. What will that pivot look like? I'm not sure. I don't see IX being controversial, simply because TLJ cleared the field and the possibilities are now wide open.

 

I was wait a ok movie, and it was a ok movie. No surprises.

 

I don't plan on seeing Solo, but that decision is made in two parts. The first is a response to TLJ. The second is that though I'll probably enjoy it, I don't feel it's a movie I need to see. Even before TLJ, I assumed Solo would be a movie somewhere ahead of the PT but trailing far behind the OT and probably R1. Hearing what I'm hearing now, I'm a little torn, because I think I might enjoy it more than R1. If TLJ hadn't happened, I could say with certainty I'd be taking it in at some point while on the big screen, but since TLJ did happen, I'm more likely not to... voting with my feet as you say.

There are other factors, as my son not being into SW at all and I tend to watch movies with him. He'd watch it if I told him we're going, but mostly for the popcorn and treats lol. Honestly, there are other movies coming out that I know he'll enjoy more, so it'll be money better spent. I think after episode IX, there will be a reset with the fandom. There will be an opportunity for LFL, Disney, KK, and company to shed that skin and if not get all fans on board, at least more fans on board and shed some of this toxicity.

I can't wait until the ST is over, because once it does, I think there's a real possibility for most fans to see eye to eye again. The boycotting and anger could subside and the SW universe given a chance again.

 

The fanbase was angry and disappointed since 1997, if not 1983. Now there are just more ways to rally it up and keep on going. What would really hurt the franchise is if this becomes "profitable" in terms of subscribers, "likes", ratings, clickbating etc.
This is, I believe, one of the main reasons why some youtube channels demand boycotting Solo and not, say Ep.IX or RJ trilogy. Those movies are years away, and people need subscribers and like now.

 

TLJ was a turning point for my fandom as I really wonder if they are making these movies for me anymore? I’m starting to come to the realization that they are not and slowly coming to terms with and that’s cool with me.

I’m not seeing Solo but I agree with you as I’m sure I’d enjoy it on a certain level. But that’s the crux of the problem, SW was always bigger then that to me as I don’t want this to be just another blockbuster. Sometimes less is more.

That’s why I think Disney’s plan to release a SW movie a year backfired on a part of the fanbase like me. Now I understand others here will say I’m crazy and want more SW and I totally get that.

The fact that I can wait for Solo til Bluray or Netflix tells ME that the franchise doesn’t move the needle the way it used to. So it’s not a boycott on my part, it’s just feels like that TV show you have on your DVR and you’ll get to sometime when you have free time.

I think TLJ and Solo is a turning point for the franchise because a lot of fans are having the same questions. It happens to all great things as they can’t go on forever. I don’t begrudge anyone who sees Solo or anyone who enjoyed the movie. For me, this feels different as something changed for me after TLJ. But the fact that I didn’t cave and see this movie opening weekend like I have every previous SW movie sums up where I’m at as a fan.

 

The same for me where I am now as a fan. I can wait to see them on Netflix when I have time. Just nothing to rush for. A Kenobi movie with Ewan could bring me back to cinema, but so far with the Boba Fett, Lando or Solo part 2 movies it seems these are not the movies for me anymore like you wrote it.

 

EPIX won't be controversial (IMO) it will probably be more in the vein of what hard core fans were expecting but my worry is that since TLJ cleared the field as opposed to setting up anything going forward, we'll lose a big chunk of what precedes EPIX simply due to bandwidth; there just won't be enough time to tell that whole story. We'll likely enter midstream or a 1/3rd of the way in because there will only be enough time to resolve the challenge/conflict, not show its genesis.

--- Double Post Merged, May 26, 2018, Original Post Date: May 26, 2018 ---

I don't know if you'd enjoy it more than R1 (for the record, I enjoyed R1). But I think you'd enjoy it as much as R1. For all the gripes I have heard about the actor they having playing young Han, I thought he did an EXCELLENT job portraying Han without trying to approximate him (if that makes sense). He seems organically like a younger Han, not an actor trying mimic what he thinks Harrison Ford would do in the role 30 years ago. It's not a perfect film (none of them ever will be) but you would enjoy it. It is not at all like the disappointment that TLJ was (IMO). I probably won't go see it again in theaters (I didn't see R1 in theaters more than once) but it absolutely will go in my video library. It is a good film.

--- Double Post Merged, May 26, 2018 ---

I actually think R1 increased my excitement to see TLJ. The movie a year approach only becomes problematic (IMO) when you have a TLJ not deliver against expectations in a bad way. It wasn't just that TLJ was dark it seemed to delight in undercutting a fan base that just wanted to be entertained and have some questions answered. The Rey reveal was just underwhelming, the Kylo fall answer was just depressing, the Finn Canto Bight adventure was a flop, the space chase was original but baffling. The answers to questions that we thought would expand the universe and understanding of the characters just weren't there. There were just too many subversive elements to enjoy the movie (IMO). And while everyone kept crowing about 1.3 billion in box office numbers I kept reminding people that TLJ had the wind at it's back due to the excitement generated by TFA (and I think R1 aided in keeping the fans engaged). TLJ I think creates a head wind for every SW project that comes after it and I think we'll see some of that in Solo which is a shame because it is a really decent stand alone movie.

 

Yeah, I can't see episode IX generating the controversy VIII generated. JJ is pretty good at understanding what people want and giving it to them. And there isn't the baggage of including the so-called big three of the original series while, at the same time, trying to pass the torch to the new generation.

Perhaps entering the story "midstream" is a good thing. It worked for the original. That was part of what made it cool. There were all these things to wonder about. What's a Kessel Run? What's this empire? Who is this Darth Vader character? Etc.

I can't wait until this afternoon. First I'm watching the Champions League Final and then I FINALLY get to see Han Solo (stomach flu has ripped through the house so tickets for last night had to be cancelled and purchased for today). I plan on seeing it 3 times if I like it (the only film i've not seen at least 3 times was AOTC).

I LOVED Rogue One. I really enjoyed several things about that film. I just hope I like Solo as much as R1

 

JJ is going to have to answer his own mystery boxes in the 3rd installment. I do think the OT had the advantage of having an audience that knew nothing and was learning as they went. And I think they lost track of that somewhat in the ST. That you can introduce new characters, but we want to understand them and the world they live in just like we did when it was Luke, Leia, and Han. Who are they? How did they get here? What is this conflict? From where does it stem? Answering the questions you raise has always been an integral part of SW and I think one of the reasons why the stand alone movies can be successful is they answer those questions. Likewise I think one of the things that can sink the Episodic movies is failing to address to those questions.

I think you'll enjoy Solo. Hope your household is feeling better.

 

I say there were proto-splitters even going back to 1980 and yes, definitely 1983. My sister is original splitter...she was hard core "NotMyHan" (I somewhat agree but a lot of it was due to a relative phone in by Harrison), despised the Ewoks, thought Leia and Luke being twins was super lazy, I think Tarzan Chewie made her want to scoop out the occupied part of her brain out on the spot, was mad Lando had the Falcon while Han was playing with evil teddy bears, and yes, she thinks The Emperor is terrible cheese and Vader was ruined.

She and she and a not insignificant portion of the fans at the time hate Return of the Jedi more than most of the most vehement Last Jedi haters do now. She did try Phantom Menace and absolutely never recovered at all, it literally stammers her. She can only say she wanted to chew her own arm off to get out of there but couldn't make our nephew leave.

I get it to a degree, I don't actually hate any Star Wars movie but there is more than a full movie of stuff I hate from the PT though I don't really have a great handle on the ruined going forward thing.

Maybe Highlander.
I have arrived at "there can be only one" with that series but it took more than the traveshamockery that was the second one and Highlander was no Star Wars for me.

I feel bad that people have that response, I'm not sure about bad enough to wish away my second favorite Episode and the best movie experience of my adult life but it stinks to have the discord because it is nearly impossible to have any basking in it online and for so many to be so hurt and/or empty too.

 

53 yrs old here. You regulars know the drill on me. Saw the original in the theater yada yada yada.

I will NEVER "boycott" anything Star Wars. It is Star Wars, and I love it all.

I just want a story, well-told. I could care less if characters are White, Black, Male, Female and I surely do not care a whit about sexual orientation.

26 years in the US Air Force and I worked for and with men, women, white, black.

SOLO has exceeded all expectations of mine and is a fabulous addition to the SW universe. I have fallen deeply in love with this movie.