Kurosawa’s Samurai Cinema

Akira Kurosawa is well-known for his Samurai jidaigeki (costume drama) films like Seven Samurai, The Hidden Fortress and Yojimbo. Most of these films are revered for their fantastic action choreography and cinematography that showcases the state of the environment and the weather as much as the narrative.

They are also noted for being heavily influenced by Western films, with John Ford’s films being a huge reference point. Particularly, for their focus on individuals standing up against a huge threat. But they also used the important figure of the samurai to comment on issues facing both Japanese and worldwide audiences. Whether it be the inability to tell the full truth is what holds humanity back (Rashomon), the failure of those in power to help others (Seven Samurai), the corrupting nature of power (Throne of Blood), the ferocity of violence etc. Kurosawa’s samurai films were about using figures from the past to highlight problems with the present. 

Samurai and Jedi

Kurosawa’s influence on Star Wars is immediately obvious. Famously the plot of The Hidden Fortress deals with two peasants helping a princess during a war against a much bigger army with an older warrior’s help. Which is strikingly similar to A New Hope’s plot. The two peasants resemble both R2-D2 and C-3P0, in terms of plot function and their constant bickering, and Han Solo and Chewbacca, with their motivation revolving around greed and self-preservation. Additionally, Star Wars, like Hidden Fortress, features a dynamic between two rival warriors fighting to settle an old score. The masterless samurai of Seven Samurai and Yojimbo impacting small villages resemble Obi-Wan’s waltz through Mos Eisley. Additionally, Seven Samurai’s recruitment of a team of archetypes to fight the enemy is also something Star Wars uses. Lucas even reportedly approached actor Toshiro Mifune, Kurosawa’s most well-known collaborator to play Obi-Wan and later Darth Vader.

Stylistically Star Wars also incorporates wipe transitions. There are also landscape shots that demonstrate the character’s apparent insignificance next to the immensity of the environment. These were frequently featured in Kurosawa’s samurai stories. Some writers have also noted how the editing and cinematography during the fight between Obi-Wan and Darth Vader bears similarities to a duel in Hidden Fortress.

Then of course there is a lot of thematic overlap too. Both Kurosawa’s early samurai work and Star Wars use figures of cultural and mythological significance and settings outside of the present to comment on current issues. Star Wars comments on imperialism with the technologically superior Empire fighting against the rag-tag rebel forces. Lucas expressly linked to American interference in Vietnam but also commented on how this repeats throughout history. And they also focus on individuals making a difference by fighting oppressive forces for the oppressed and for future generations.

George Lucas’ Star Wars

It’s easy to see why George Lucas was so attracted to Kurosawa’s samurai tales for inspiration. Lucas’s films frequently dealt with figures of the past commenting on the issues affecting the present and future. Whether it be the hopeful Buck Rodgers serial sharply contrasting the stifling authoritarianism of THX-1138 or American Graffiti, the coming-of-age lament for the generation who by the time of the film’s release were being sent to die for American imperialism in Vietnam. So when looking for inspiration for his sci-fi fantasy that used many mythological and cultural touchstones to comment on imperialism it’s easy to see why Lucas drew inspiration from Akira Kurosawa. He was seen by many as the key samurai filmmaker and he dealt with similar thematic elements that critiqued power. But Lucas turned Kurosawa’s at times pessimistic outlook into one of refreshing optimism.

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In this article, we will look at both men’s career highlights and contributions to the industry, before looking at the impact their collaborations have had.

George Lucas

George Lucas has had a renowned film career. He directed and wrote films like THX-1138, and American Graffiti, which made $140 million on a $777,000 budget and led to him establishing Lucasfilm to produce the film. Lucasfilm is still active today producing other notable franchises that Lucas produced and wrote. Namely the Indiana Jones and Willow franchises. Lucas also produced acclaimed works like Kagemusha, Body Heat and Mishima: A Life In Four Chapters.

That said, Lucas’ most lasting contribution to the industry is the Star Wars franchise. The original film is still among the highest-grossing films of all time accounting for inflation. Lucas wrote and directed the film and helped found two influential, highly regarded companies to realise the Star Wars universe. Skywalker Sound (originally Sprocket Systems) which worked to create sound effects and soundscapes. And Industrial Light and Magic which worked on creating the visual effects. Both pushed the boundaries of what films could achieve and continue to do so now. Lucas produced the rest of the original Star Wars trilogy and wrote and directed all the prequel films.

Finally, George Lucas, along with Tomlinson Holman, is responsible for THX. A system was founded to ensure good quality uniform sound in cinemas. Which was first implemented for Return of the Jedi‘s release. Lucas produced several other projects but has now mostly retired from film work.

Jim Henson

Jim Henson worked with puppets for his entire professional career. He began performing with puppets for local television before being given his own short show Sam and Friends and producing several successful advertising campaigns. In 1958 Jim and his wife Jane founded Muppets Inc. (later the Jim Henson Company) to act as a production company for their projects and puppets. In 1966 Jim was asked to help with the creation of Sesame Street. Along with creating and performing some of the characters Jim also created animation and short films for the show. The show is still airing today and has amassed hundreds of awards in the process. Then in 1975, Henson found backing for his most iconic franchise, The Muppets. Which gave rise to a successful TV and film series.

But like Lucas Henson also contributed to industry-wide developments. In 1979 he set up the Jim Henson Creature Shop to realise the creature designs for the Dark Crystal. The company is now considered one of the best practical creature effects houses in the industry. And in 1982 he set up the Jim Henson Foundation to help with the development of puppetry in the US through providing grants to help artists realise their projects. 

Henson continued creating other notable cult TV series such as Fraggle Rock and The Storyteller among others up until his death in 1990.

Collaborations

With both Henson and Lucas having greatly impacted the industry it’s interesting to look at the times their paths crossed. Before they worked together in an official capacity Lucas sought out Henson to play Yoda for Empire Strikes Back. Henson declined but provided consultation and recommended Frank Oz, a regular Henson collaborator, and several other workers from his company to help bring Yoda to life.

Eventually, they worked together to create the fantasy film Labyrinth. Which saw Henson directing, Lucas producing (with both also contributing to the script) and both the Jim Henson Company and Lucasfilm collaborating to realise the film. Considered a box office flop Labyrinth is now a cult favourite. It also contributed to effects history by featuring the first photo-realistic CGI film animal in the opening. Helping to push industry effects forward again. 

It’s impressive to consider that both men brought us fantastic work that showcased imagination and what was possible with visual craftsmanship. And together their work laid the foundation for the effects of blockbusters of today.

Also Read: George Lucas: Beyond Star Wars

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In this article, we will look over some examples of technology envisioned in sci-fi movies that have since been realised. We will then consider science fiction’s role in influencing the development of new technologies before looking at the implications of deriving tech from the genre. 

Movie Technology In Real Life

1. Tablet Computers – 2001: A Space Odyssey

There has been no shortage of words written about how much 2001 got right about modern technology. But interestingly one of its technological predictions was so close to reality that Samsung offered it as evidence in a legal battle between them and Apple. That being the tablet computers that the crew of the Discovery One use during their Jupiter mission to watch videos. A scarily accurate vision of the future.

2. 3D Projected Images – Star Wars

A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away, R2-D2 used holographic technology to relay Princess Leia’s call for help to Obi-Wan Kenobi. In actuality, this was done by superimposing an element isolated from a TV screen. Now scientists have actually created 3D holograms which don’t need to be projected onto a 2D surface. Let’s hope that means more distress signals will be heard.

3. Digital Billboards – Blade Runner

Considering the amount of detail thrown into Blade Runner‘s world design it’s understandable how some things can be overlooked. However, in the background of many shots showing the then-futuristic 2019 Los Angeles, we see digital billboards advertising various products. At the time the film was made this practice had not yet emerged. Now they are everywhere. Just like the film predicted.

4. Biometric Security – Back To The Future Part 2

Every fan of Back To The Future Part 2 is still disappointed we don’t have flying hoverboards. But we have seen something else from the movie become widely available, biometric security, which is now commonly used in things like mobile phone security.

Art Influences Life

While many like to view science fiction as just a fantasy it has clearly had some level of influence. There are of course direct real-world influences with companies and researchers citing various movies as inspiration. But even without one-to-one examples, science fiction is a popular film genre (for example 8 of the 10 highest-grossing films of all time have some level of sci-fi genre trappings to them) that is seen by a huge number of people. With such a wide reach and its juxtaposition of seemingly fantastical inventions with real scientific theories (though rarely presented accurately), it is understandable why some people would try to realise what appears on screen.

Missing The Point?

However, it’s important to note that while movies like Star Wars are generally optimistic about advanced technology, and 2001 showcases the great possibilities of technology, so long as we don’t lose sight of humanity, many sci-fi movies also present a darker side to how technology can be used. 

The looming advertisements of Blade Runner are not presented positively. They symbolise how much capitalist corporations intrude on our lives. And while Back to the Future Part 2’s convenient biometric security is awed over it also notes how it can be used by forces like the police to keep watch over us. Science fiction encourages us to imagine but to be cautious of how technology can be corrupted for profit and for use by oppressive systems. Science fiction preaches altruism, and invention for the benefit of all, something science fact doesn’t always do.

Also Read: The Technology Inspired By Star Trek

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Beware Spoilers for Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars: Rebels

“I’m not so bad am I?”

Ahsoka Tano first appeared in the Clone Wars film, way back in 2008. A prelude to the animated series of the same name (not to be confused with the other Star Wars: Clone Wars) it is set in the galaxy-wide conflict between Attack of the Clone and Revenge of the Sith. Introduced as an apprentice to Anakin Skywalker, the two initially have a rather tense relationship, but bond over the course of the film and early seasons. She was met with a poor reception, as Ahsoka and the film itself were not popular among the fans at first.

As the series goes on, Ahsoka begins to take more of a starring role. Getting much more time to develop and being on equal footing with characters like Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker. As she grows up and matures, so does the show, with her being at the centre of some of the most beloved story arcs. Ahsoka became central to the show as well as to Anakin’s fall to the dark side. During the series, Ahsoka is wrongfully accused of bombing the Jedi temple. Anakin clears her name, but the events make Ahsoka question her place in the order and leave – a Jedi no more. The final episodes see her take centre stage as she battles Darth Maul, explaining her absence in Revenge of the Sith.

“I am no Jedi”

Although not a main character, Ahsoka plays an important part in Star Wars: Rebels. Acting as an agent for the Alliance, she often does missions with the crew of the Ghost, including Hera Syndulla, Sabine Wren and Ezra Bridger. During an epic confrontation with Darth Vader, she discovers the fate of her old master. Her whereabouts for the rest of the series, and the original trilogy are still a mystery. Ahsoka later turns up at the very end of Rebels, in a scene set after Return of the Jedi.

During the events of the finale, the Ghost crew attempt to free Lothal, Ezra’s homeworld, from Imperial rule under Grand Admiral Thrawn, a ruthless tactician. Knowing they cannot beat Thrawn, Ezra uses the Force, and his unique affinity with the whale-like Purgill to transport Thrawn’s ship far away, with him on it. After the Empire is defeated, Ahsoka sets out to find Ezra, after he saves her from Vader, with the help of Sabine.

Ahsoka’s quest has led her to cross paths with the Mandalorian and Grogu, as well as meeting up with Luke Skywalker, but now she’s finally getting her own series, she could be going anywhere, even another galaxy…

Also Read: George Lucas: Beyond Star Wars

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Star Wars

The Star Wars franchise is a useful tool to take us through almost fifty years of poster design. First and foremost, the poster is designed to get the audience interested in the film, then perhaps to give some idea of what the film is about. The posters for Star Wars: A New Hope scream science-fiction adventure – it shows the cast, ranging from plucky heroes to the sinister Darth Vader to cute robots; it has light sabres and blasters. The Empire Strikes Back poster is slightly more sombre but with a similar feel – the cast on the poster and some sci-fi accoutrements. Return of the Jedi again has the same style, but they have added an Ewok. In each poster, Darth Vader dominates the background. The major posters for the prequel trilogy follow much the same formula, with slightly sharper graphics. There is a poster for The Phantom Menace that is one of the most effective movie posters I’ve ever seen. It simply shows the child Anakin Skywalker on Tatooine and his shadow displayed on a wall behind – but the shadow is that of Darth Vader.

Alien

A film that came out two years after ANH was Alien, another seminal sci-fi movie with an iconic poster that spans the decades like Star Wars.. And as Alien is a very different sort of sci-fi film to ANH so is the poster. Whereas Star Wars tries to give you some idea of what to expect Alien does the opposite, most of the poster is sheer black, with a picture of an alien egg, a line of light cutting across the egg and the famous tagline – In Space, No One Can Hear You Scream. This is a mysterious poster, it is a cool poster, and despite the lack of detail and information, you want to see this film. For the later Alien films the posters change back and forth – sometimes focussing on Ripley and others the xenomorph. Prometheus is probably the best poster since the first film – again creating this mysterious image where a person will try and work out what is going on.

Posters As Art First

Cult sci-fi movie The One I Love has a film poster that only truly makes sense after you’ve seen the film and demonstrates a big shift in movie posters. There was a time when the ability to reach an audience was rather limited and posters may have been the most effective way to inform people about your film. Since the late 90s that is no longer the case – trailers are watched millions of times online, people know a great deal about the films they could see, so the poster has changed from informative and eye-catching to more like works of art. Moon is a great and underappreciated sci-fi film and it’s poster is also a work of art, perhaps not the most informative, but it look’s great.

The Best Film Poster Ever Made? The Truman Show

The Truman Show has one of the greatest posters of all time – it looks amazing, is intriguing and while not going into the plot demonstrates what the film is about. The poster is a huge picture of Truman’s face but is a mosaic picture – as this image is made up of lots of small images of Truman. The film is about a man who is being filmed every moment of his life, where people can see just about every aspect of him…it is almost perfect for a film poster.

Also Read: Movie Marketing: Films That Thought Outside The Box

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Today we will briefly look at the key live-action films that pushed CGI integration forward. Then we will look at how these effects are incorporated into films. Before finally discussing what the rise of CGI has meant for the industry and audiences.

A Brief History

While films using CG images date back quite far (Vertigo’s opening (1958), A Computer Animated Hand (1972), etc.), 1973’s Westworld was the first live-action feature to use CGI within the narrative.

Live-action films made further strides in CGI incorporation throughout the 20th century. Star Wars (1977) featured wireframe computer animation. Tron (1982) put real actors into a CG world for the first time. Young Sherlock Holmes (1985) is widely considered to be the first live-action film to feature a computer-generated character. The Abyss (1989) and Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991) helped to perfect CG liquid textures. And Jurassic Park (1993) blended CGI with practical effects to create realistically textured, moving dinosaurs.

The 2000s, thanks to widening software availability and increasing computer speeds, saw films using much more CGI. Several CGI-intensive franchises like Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings (which revolutionised motion capture) debuted. Smaller projects, like District 9 (2009), also used it to realise its alien people and technology. But Avatar (2009) redefined what CGI was capable of. Featuring a vast computer-generated world that blended real actors and effects seamlessly it became the highest-grossing film of all time. Paving the way for other huge effects blockbusters like the MCU.

How CGI Becomes Part Of A Film?

With CGI’s capabilities making huge strides, how do film productions go about integrating the effects? CG elements are mostly created separately alongside filming and are combined with the filmed elements during post-production. Green screens, chroma key suits, motion capture suits, placeholders etc. provide guidelines during production for effects artists and actors as to where the CG elements will go. However, CGI is not just separate work utilised in post-production.

CG pre-visualisation has started to gain prominence. This is where CGI is used to visualise part of a movie prior to production. It gives camera operators, directors etc. an idea of what the film will look like. Allowing them to plan and experiment with how something will be shot.

Advancements now also allow CGI to be visible and filmable during film production. For example, LED Volume and the Unreal Engine have been used to create and visualise realistic CG background elements which can be filmed and edited during planning and production. This technology, which displays CG environments through vast background screens, was recently used during the filming of the short Fireworks and The Mandalorian season 3. Although the technology has some workload and implementation issues this advancement allows workers to create intricate, detailed CG backgrounds. While actors are given more definitive visual aids to perform against. Helping make the drama more believable to audiences.

How CGI Has Changed The Industry?

CGI has completely transformed the movie experience. It has allowed audiences to see incredible creations and has been the basis for many beloved movies. However, with some recent films having a majority of their shots containing visual effects like CGI and many recent articles addressing how bad CGI can negatively affect audience experience, CGI advancement clearly does not automatically produce good art.

CGI is a tool and many factors influence its effectiveness. If VFX artists are not given enough time to complete their work the quality suffers. The oversaturation of effects-heavy blockbusters has also accustomed audiences to a certain level of quality, making subpar CG more noticeable. And if films fail to ground their effects or engage viewers narratively or emotionally the effects can lose their impact. 

These represent the main issues for CGI moving forward. If the industry wants to maintain audience interest in an age of CG oversaturation it must consider these points and not just focus on advancement for its own sake. As George Lucas said, a special effect without a story is a pretty boring thing.

Also Read: A.I Generated Art & Movies: A Collision Course

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Recently for several weeks, I suffered from an odd form of cognitive mistake. Every Monday I would think to myself, “The new episode of Andor comes out on Monday” and then be very disappointed when I checked and it actually was released on a Wednesday. It seems high praise indeed when so eager to watch a show your mind will repeatedly deceive you. Andor is one of the best tv shows of 2022 and it might even be the best. For most people this was not expected, I certainly didn’t expect it. It’s a different kind of Star Wars, less about light sabres and more of what life is like under a totalitarian regime like the Empire.

Setting The Scene

Andor is a spin-off tv series from the film Rogue One, which featured Rebel Alliance officer Cassian Andor, and shows the story of how the rebels acquired the plans for the Death Star. Andor is set several years before Rogue One and at this point, Cassian is a bit of a crook but not part of the Rebel Alliance, although like most people where he lives, hates the Empire. With Andor we see the first steps of the formation of the Rebel Alliance with another central character being Senator Mon Mothma (seen in Return of the Jedi briefing the Alliance) who is working against the Empire. There is also the mysterious Luthen Rael, something like a criminal or maybe a key player in the resistance to the Empire, but whatever he truly is, he is demonstrated to be utterly ruthless.

Cassian Andor

Essentially the audience is seeing Cassian go from trouble-maker and criminal to becoming a full member of the Rebel Alliance, from being concerned only for himself and his small circle of friends and family to the wider problems facing the galaxy. Usually, Star Wars deals with huge storylines of galactic civil war, planets being obliterated and titanic struggles between good and evil. Andor is very different – at the start of the show the stakes seem to be set ridiculously low and the looming threat is not stormtroopers but incompetent security forces vaguely aligned with the Empire.

There are three stories which encapsulate Andor. The first, Cassian is recruited to rob the cash payroll from an imperial garrison, the second, Cassian finds himself imprisoned, and the third, the funeral of a prominent character. All three of them deal with the idea that is it better to slowly ground down the Empire over years, keeping your head down to avoid attention and having some measure of life, or to risk it in defiance, to risk it for your freedom and a better life? We see various characters in different situations decide the best thing is not to resist but to comply, hoping their obedience will lead to good things or at least not to draw the ire of the Empire. Each time this way of thinking is overturned, and each time they should have failed, the prison was inescapable, the garrison too well-defended, unarmed mourners standing up to stormtroopers.

The Imperial Security Bureau

Our window into the Empire is through something we’ve not seen much of so far, the Imperial Security Bureau, these white uniformed intelligence agents are charged with rooting out the enemies of the Empire. They are a collection of rigid, repressed, sinister bureaucrats, who as well as protecting the Empire are fighting their own battles for influence and power within the organisation. Most of the agents seem to have very linear minds which cause problems when dealing with small outbreaks of rebellion across the Empire, the exceptions seem to be Major Partagaz and Dedra Meero, an agent under his command. It is Dedra who leads the hunt for Cassian and others. The ISB is a very odd organisation, with many of their members pale and gaunt, even sickly looking, their sneering faces full of contempt and undeserved superiority.

A Community, Not A Backwater

A lot of the show takes place on the planet of Ferrix, this is where Cassian is living at the start of the show. A small, industrial site, on the fringes of Imperial power. Star Wars often has characters start on similar planets, Luke Skywalker on Tatooine, Rey on Jakku, and usually they just serve as a backwater place that the hero wants to leave. Whilst Cassian is indeed happy to travel, we see things about Ferrix we never see about some of these other planets. We see some of the cultures of the planet, the feeling of community, it can be a hard place to live but people are also proud of their home and their community. This is best exemplified in the funeral that happens in the series finale, we see a number of Ferrix traditions and important cultural signifiers that matter to people, the organisation the Daughters of Ferrix, an organisation of citizens that works for the community. This fully formed community is indicative of Andor as a whole, avoiding simple cliches for more engaging storytelling.

This article has barely scratched the surface of the layers and complexity of this show – I haven’t mentioned Kino Loy (Andy Serkis‘ amazing portrayal of a conflicted prisoner), Vel Sartha (Faye Marsay’s ruthless rebel), the bizarrely compelling Syril Karn, or Brasso, who in a few seconds became perhaps the most bad-ass character ever created. Andor is amazing. Watch it.

Also Read: Now That Disney Has Stated They Won’t Focus On Film Trilogies, What’s Next For Star Wars?

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The Original Trilogy

The story goes that when George Lucas first conceived of Star Wars it was nine films but unable to get funding for such a huge project he settled on making the middle three films – the original Star Wars trilogy. So naturally in the late 90s when Lucas wanted to revisit Star Wars he went back to the idea he originally had and made the prequel trilogy. And when Disney acquired Star Wars it made sense to make another trilogy – the sequel trilogy. But according to Lucasfilm’s president, future Star Wars films will not run in this trilogy format. We’ve already had Rogue One and Solo: A Star Wars Story as well as various tv shows. One of the major problems with the sequel trilogy was that there was no story arc for the three films, suggesting that the whole project wasn’t as thought out as it should have been.

Rogue One & Solo

Many Star Wars fans cite Rogue One as the best of the Disney era films or even the best outside the original trilogy. The story of how the Rebel Alliance came by the Death Star plans could simply have been fan service but the film was a triumph of storytelling and character (with another great droid added to the saga with K2), the only major criticisms I’ve seen of the film are that with it being a prequel there is a lack of jeopardy and using CGI to insert dead actors into it.

Solo was a lot less successful with many fans being disappointed. The change in directors from Phil Lord and Chris Miller to Ron Howard was a bad sign and many didn’t like the actors portraying the major characters. I was disappointed when I first saw Solo but on subsequent viewings I’ve enjoyed it a lot more, seeing it as an enjoyable heist film.

Star Wars has had some big successes on television – The Bad Batch and The Mandalorian have received very positive responses from both fans and critics. Obi-Wan Kenobi was popular (I loved it).

One of the major questions with new Star Wars projects is whether they should focus on existing characters and ideas, or make new characters and ideas. And there is no way for Disney to win. Fans complained about portrayals of Boba Fett and Luke Skywalker when existing characters were used, and when a project uses completely new characters fans complained that they missed the old characters.

Looking at what the next film/trilogy/tv series/bi-monthly box of curated snacks Star Wars takes on there is the question of when it is set. In both the canon established in the films and the huge amount of books, comics, and video games that exist there are literally thousands of years of pre-A New Hope history and stories set after the original trilogy. The period of the High Republic is a fertile ground for ideas, being the period of the Jedi at the height of their power. Personally, I like to see smaller-stakes stories moving away from the main characters, the Star Wars galaxy is huge and providing the bad guys aren’t planning to blow up planets there are very few constraints in terms of canon-Star Wars. There are different nations, hundreds of alien species, crime syndicates, cults, sinister secret organisations, and an almost limitless amount of stories.

Should It Be A Film Or Series?

Something I’ve stated many times but everything needs to be about what serves the story. If a story works better as a film, make it a film, if a story works better as a miniseries, make it a miniseries. Outside of Star Wars, the movie World War Z is a classic example of where a mistake was made on whether it should be a film or tv show, the book is a series of interviews with people who survived the zombie apocalypse, essentially each interview a separate little story. It takes in two dozen countries and characters with no connection to each other – it should have been a tv show but we got a film that tried to push this into less than two hours. The Book of Boba Fett may have been better done as a film as while I enjoyed that series it didn’t always feel there was enough there to sustain so many episodes.

Whatever happens next in Star Wars it is guaranteed an audience and in my opinion, if they want to be continuously making new shows and films they need to try new things and moving away from trilogies will allow them to do that.

Also Read: Iconic Scenes: Star Wars: The Last Jedi – “The Kylo Ren & Luke Skywalker Confrontation”

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Ten years have passed since Revenge of the Sith and Obi-Wan has been living a quiet, anonymous life on Tatooine, keeping a distant but watchful eye on Luke Skywalker. During this time the Empire consolidated its power and started a galaxy-wide hunt for Jedi and any potential Jedi. Obi-Wan being a Jedi Master, a general in the Clone Wars and the guy who sliced up Anakin Skywalker is probably top of the most wanted list. After Leia is kidnapped Obi-Wan goes after her, despite protesting that he is not the man he once was, no longer the legendary Jedi Master. This mission has him meet criminals, storm troopers and the Inquisitors, Jedi who switched sides and lead the hunt for survivors of Order 66. And, of course, Obi-Wan encounters Darth Vader.

A Star Wars Fan’s Opinion

Let me start by saying – I loved Obi-Wan Kenobi. I have wanted to learn more about the story of what happened to Obi-Wan between the Clone Wars and A New Hope for decades. But I will also say this – it wasn’t first-rate television like The Mandalorian, it was a bit shakier, a bit more fan service, and a bit too keen on convenient rescues, but I still loved it. We have seen Obi-Wan go from padawan, to Jedi Master, to recluse, to willingly going to his death and it’s been quite a journey.

When I heard about this show I had actually hoped for some kind of western drama set on Tatooine. Obi-Wan unable to get involved in grand affairs of state cannot help but get involved to help people and fights some evil gangsters on Tatooine. What the show was actually about was much better. The show I envisioned was cool and exciting, the show we got dealt more with Obi-Wan as a character.

Not Obi-Wan Kenobi

The show was also full of great characters aside from the titular one, Vivien Lyra Blair was fantastic as young Leia and wonderfully captured Princess Leia’s (and to be honest Carrie Fisher’s) attitude of not taking bullshit from anyone. Moses Ingram as Inquisitor Reva was an interesting villain clearly dealing with obsession. Kumail Nanjiani as fake-Jedi and occasional hero Haja was another highlight, as was Indira Varma as Tala Durith, Imperial officer turned rebel. Finally, I have to mention NED-B, a loader-droid and rebel, who didn’t even have R2D2’s limited means of communication but whose death was terribly sad. Star Wars has a fantastic ability to get us to connect with droids – from whistling R2D2, Rogue One’s K2 and even The Mandalorian’s IG-11 the bounty/nurse droid.

Obi-Wan & Darth Vader

It is established in this show that Obi-Wan did not know Anakin Skywalker had survived their battle. As the Inquisitors are closing in on Obi-Wan, Darth Vader appears to personally deal with the Jedi and the two meet. The Jedi chose to meet Vader to give others a chance to escape and when he and Vader finally meet…he runs. The fight that follows shows Obi-Wan constantly outmatched by Vader and only escaping because of outside help. To see Obi-Wan Kenobi, the Jedi Master who lead armies, defeated Sith and occasionally fought monsters, run was somewhat heartbreaking. It’s not a question of cowardice, or at least, he’s not afraid of Vader in the conventional sense. Obi-Wan has not recovered from what happened – Anakin’s betrayal, Order 66 and his last battle with Anakin where he left his best friend for dead. Obi-Wan might be sure he did the right thing in fighting Anakin but it broke him. Obi-Wan runs to buy time, because he knows he’s not as good as he used to be, and perhaps most importantly, he cannot face what he did to Anakin.

Over the series, Obi-Wan regains his confidence and drive and when Vader and Obi-Wan meet again things go differently. This time Obi-Wan wins but still, he cannot get over what happened and he even apologises but Vader does not accept his apology. This gives rise to explaining one of the odder things Obi-Wan does in the original trilogy, telling Luke that Vader betrayed and murdered his father. Vader angrily declares that it was he, not Obi-Wan, who “killed” Anakin Skywalker. When Obi-Wan returns to his life on Tatooine it is with a new sense of peace, something he’d been lacking for the past ten years.

This show has given me so much enjoyment and it’s tricky as I recognise many flaws in the programme, ranging from plot holes to dialogue. More than once I wanted to scream at the TV – STOP LEAVING PEOPLE FOR DEAD! MAKE SURE THEY’RE DEAD! As again and again characters do this. Obi-Wan Kenobi is a great show for anyone but a must for all Star Wars fans.

Also Read: Iconic Scenes: Star Wars: The Last Jedi – “The Kylo Ren & Luke Skywalker Confrontation”

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1. Kevin McCallister is Jigsaw

This theory makes sense the more you think about it. Kevin was of course good at making improvised traps, thus with enough preparation, he could easily make the kind of torture devices seen in the Saw movies. Additionally, being separated from your parents twice and having to fend off dangerous robbers would severely impact your mental health. And he is a master manipulator so who’s to say he didn’t become John Kramer after Home Alone 2? I want to play a game ya filthy animals.

2. Pennywise and Mary Poppins Are The Same Creature

According to theorists, there are many explanations for why Mary Poppins is practically perfect in every way. These range from her actually being a time lord like the Doctor (her handbag being her Tardis) to Mary being a similar creature to Pennywise from It. Except she feeds on happiness instead of fear. Although that implies that she only left the Banks family because she was full from feasting on their energy. You’d need more than a spoonful of sugar to make that medicine go down.

3. Every Scott Bakula Role is actually Sam from Quantum Leap

Rarely has it been theorised that every role an actor plays, across TV and film, is actually a single character. Though, the fact that Quantum Leap was built around Scott Bakula’s Doctor Sam Beckett jumping into different bodies across time and space, all of which are seen by us as Bakula himself, it becomes incredibly easy to buy that theory. Let’s hope he eventually gets home.

4. Holly Martins and Harry Lime were Lovers

Apparently, this theory had some legitimate pull behind the scenes of The Third Man. Producer David O Selznick supposedly said that the only reason why Holly would care so much about Harry after not having seen him for a decade was because they were once lovers. And while said in a very homophobic context this nugget of info, plus the chemistry between Joseph Cotton (who played Holly Martins) and Orson Welles (who played Harry Lime), and Harry seeming to care more for Holly than his “girlfriend” Anna makes this theory seem quite plausible.

5. The Matrix and Terminators

Another franchise crossover theory. And while the Matrix series does not include time travel, and the expansion of the theory which says John Conner and Neo are the same person may stretch credibility, both franchises are about machines battling humanity to near extinction. So, seeing the Sentinals commanding T-800s during the human/machine war wouldn’t be unexpected.

6. Cobb Was Not Exiled From The US

It’s hard to deny the appeal of this popular Reddit theory. Inception already has many fan theories, but this perspective makes the film’s plot a metaphor for Cobb overcoming his emotional issues to be with his family again. This theory also brings Cobb and Mal closer thematically. Showing that fiction can be preferable to reality (Mal) But that it can also help people (Cobb). It’s a theory that works on many levels and deserves to be cannon.

7. Han Solo Triggered Kylo Ren’s Lightsaber

Han Solo’s death already hurt but this theory adds something else to proceedings. Stating that Han knew the only way his son Ben could eventually come back to the light was if he was no longer there. And that Han triggered the lightsaber to start Ben on that path. The surprise on Han’s face indicates this was not the scene’s intention. But that can also be blamed on the pain inflicted by Kylo’s lightsaber. Nevertheless, if you subscribe to this theory it adds an extra tragic layer to Kylo’s arc.

This concludes our foray into the land of film theories. Let us know your favourite movie theories and if any of these have caused you to view certain films differently.

Also Read: Seven Creative Movies Dealing With Memory Loss

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What’s Going On?

Kylo Ren has seized control of the First Order and brought its military might to crush the Resistance, who are all but defenceless. Seemingly all is lost until the legendary Luke Skywalker appears amongst them, last seen on the other side of the galaxy, living as a recluse. He goes out to face the First Order alone to give the Resistance time to escape. Upon seeing Skywalker, Ren orders a barrage of fire that should reduce Skywalker to a pile of ash. But as the dust settles Skywalker remains unhurt so Ren goes to challenge him in a light sabre duel. Throughout the brief duel, Skywalker refuses to strike Ren, instead dodging his blows until eventually, Ren plunges his light sabre into Skywalker. Again, to no effect. This is merely an illusion, Skywalker remains on his secluded planet, using the Force to project himself across space. But so great is the effort in doing this it causes Skywalker’s death. While this is going on the Resistance are escaping in the Millennium Falcon, but that’s not the iconic part of this scene.

Adventure. Excitement. A Jedi Craves Not These Things

When Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda talk about the Jedi to Luke they often come back to ideas of peace and justice, not adventure or glory, yet most of the films have seen the Jedi fighting and killing, even becoming generals in war. This is not terribly peaceful. As we learn Luke Skywalker had already tried violence, going to kill Kylo Ren (or Ben Solo as he was then known), and that failed, indeed, that set Kylo Ren off on his dark path. Luke failed his student and nephew. He uses this opportunity not to fight Ren but to talk to him. He won’t make the mistake of his past and he won’t do what Ren did, striking down people once close to him. This to how a Jedi should be, not charging into battle, but stopping the battle. Luke has seen this play out before – Obi-Wan taught his father, Anakin turned evil and in the end, Obi-Wan let Darth Vader kill him. When Luke faced Palpatine on the Death Star he was resolved not to fight, understanding that to give in to violence would not lead to any kind of victory.

The Rage of Kylo Ren

Kylo Ren is defeated because of his inability to control his anger. He’d brought an army to deal with the Resistance and there was no reason for him to face Luke in one on one combat but he wanted to beat him. Ren identifies with Darth Vader more than Luke and presumably would see defeating and killing Luke as not only getting revenge but taking his place as the most powerful Force user. By the time Ren realises this is an illusion and marches his soldiers in the Resistance has escaped. Everything about Ren’s fighting style and manner show us his recklessness, how he is just anger unleashed, wild swings of his light sabre and screaming at people, whereas Luke is almost blase about the whole thing. To compare Ren with Vader, the latter always seemed more in control, even when Force-choking admirals. I think Ren is still very much dealing with the betrayals and trauma he’s suffered (much of this self-inflicted), this isn’t just war and politics, he’s upset with Luke. This is Anakin Skywalker of the prequels, violent, unpredictable, emotional, demanding respect and quick to anger.

An Epic Setting

The scene looks amazing. The stark landscape outside this last base, the salt that covers the ground and when disturbed reveals the red beneath, the barrage of fire unleashed against Skywalker that throws up great plumes of red dust and smoke. They fight against the backdrop of the rows of AT-ATs behind Ren and the smouldering base behind Luke, making it look as epic as any fight scene I’ve ever seen. The reveal of the blood-red dirt as Ren slices through Luke only to realise there is no blood as Luke isn’t really there is spectacular (note for pedants: I know light sabre wounds generally don’t bleed as the heat of the blade cauterizes the wound). Ren also gets points for shrugging his cloak off in an awesome way and to make things equal Luke brushes some dirt off his shoulder after being shot 1000 times so both look pretty cool.

This is one of my favourite scenes in Star Wars. It showed a tremendous journey for Luke Skywalker – from the boy on Tatooine, to the Jedi Knight who destroyed the Empire, the Jedi Master who failed his student and nephew and finally giving up his life and winning a fight without fighting. Skywalker’s life wasn’t a simple trajectory of growing power and success, he had faltered, he made mistakes, and he had learned from these.

Also Read: Beyond The Mandalorian: Expanding The Star Wars Universe

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Who is Boba Fett?

As a Star Wars nerd of the highest order I know there are multiple answers to this question but we shall stick to the canon made in the Star Wars films. Boba Fett is a clone of the infamous bounty hunter Jango Fett, Jango was used as the DNA template for the clone troopers we see in the prequels. Jango asked for one clone which he would raise as his son – Boba. After Jango’s death, Boba seems to bounce around the galaxy, eventually becoming the most feared and capable bounty hunter in the galaxy, so much so that it is Fett who tracks down Han Solo for Darth Vader. Boba met his death when knocked into the sarlacc pit by Han Solo. Or so we thought. Despite having a grand total of four lines, five if you include his scream, Boba Fett became a fan favourite. The mysterious bounty hunter featured in numerous books and other extended universe material and eventually showed up in The Mandalorian. The brief glimpse of Temuera Morrison (who played Jango Fett and so presumably Boba Fett would be identical to) at the end of an episode of The Mandalorian caused an explosion of fan theories, and indeed, Boba Fett made a huge impact on the second season of that show.

The Reports of My Death Are Greatly Exaggerated

In Return of the Jedi Han Solo accidentally activates Boba’s jet pack, which sends him careening into the sarlacc pit, never to be seen again in the original trilogy. But for such a popular character apparent death is a minor inconvenience. The Book of Boba Fett does explain his escape and how the battered, near death, bounty hunter managed to survive, after all, it’s great to escape the sarlacc, but then you’re stuck in the desert.

Why Do People Like Boba Fett?

Boba first appeared in the Star Wars Holiday Special, then had a pivotal role in The Empire Strikes Back and “died” in Return of the Jedi. From these appearances, he would undoubtedly be viewed as a villain by the audience, and he actually does very little. He had a clever idea to find Han Solo, he shoots at Luke Skywalker a couple of times and has an embarrassing tumble into a giant sand monster. But this figure, completely encased in armour, barely saying anything, with no backstory or explanation of who he is other than he’s a bounty hunter is beloved by fans. Boba was even added to the remastered A New Hope, appearing with Jabba the Hutt’s goons (who was also changed from a human to the famous slug we all know and love). I think it’s because he’s cool. Luke Skywalker is the hero but Han Solo is cooler. Darth Vader is evil but he is undeniably cool. C3PO knows seven million forms of communication and we can’t understand a word R2D2 says but we all know the little trashcan droid is far cooler.

The fact that most of the people the rebels fight are masked lends the bad guys an anonymous quality, I don’t think any of the stormtroopers in the original trilogy is ever referred to by name. Stormtroopers are nameless, hidden, seemingly endless foot soldiers and if a villain with any sort of identity shows up they are latched onto.

The Book of Boba Fett

The new show takes places in roughly the same time period as The Mandalorian, with Boba heading back to Tatooine to take over Jabba the Hutt’s crime empire. He is joined by Fennec Shand, another character from The Mandalorian, a brilliant assassin whose life was saved by Boba Fett. Like The Mandalorian, it explores the chaotic galaxy that has been created by the decline of the Empire, relatively unimportant worlds like Tatooine were abandoned as storm troopers were needed elsewhere. Coupled with the death of Jabba the Hutt a power vacuum exists, one which Boba Fett will take full advantage of.

I’ve watched the first episodes and really enjoyed them and if you want to keep following the story of the galaxy’s greatest bounty hunter you should watch it too.

Also Read: Beyond The Mandalorian: Expanding The Star Wars Universe

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On one hand, these updates do build excitement for the film. On the other, it can sometimes have a negative impact on the film. Audiences can just be waiting for a character or moment to show up, rather than enjoying the film for what it is. It also makes it a lot harder to avoid spoilers. In the age of the internet and camera phones, where anyone and everyone can get set photos, can blockbusters still be surprising?

The Marketing Push

It’s important to distinguish between the types of information that comes out. That being official and leaks or rumours. Offical information includes things confirmed by the studio, such as who actors are playing, or things shown in stills or trailers. These can still give away too much, especially when trailers are released online and able to be replayed and paused infinitely. This trailer for Spider-Man: Homecoming gives away almost all the plot beats. However, the actual twist involving the Vulture was kept hidden. Although the twist isn’t game-changing, it is nice that it managed to stay a secret, given how much the trailers had given away.

By contrast, the marketing for Avengers: Endgame, was much less revealing, even going as far as to shoot scenes especially for the trailer, or digitally add and remove characters. This extended to shooting itself, with cast members only given the relevant pages that include their characters. Some plot details did leak for Endgame, which even prompted the directors to request a spoiler ban, in the hopes of giving fans ample opportunity to experience the film for themselves.

Disney also struggles against leaks to one of its other franchises, Star Wars. As one of the biggest franchises ever, it’s understandably something that people want to stay updated on. Most of the new films had several plot elements leak, although some did turn out to be fake. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker had its script leak weeks before the film (as well as a draft of Colin Trevorrow’s version). The second season of The Mandalorian had several character’s leak, namely Ahsoka Tano and Bobba Fett.

Loose Lips Sink Starships

The Mandalorian did manage to save its biggest surprise though. The behind-the-scenes documentary of the final episode goes into a lot of detail about the scene. Dave Filoni remarks how they actually planned for a leak, with a placeholder of Plo Koon (Filoni’s favourite Jedi from the prequels). The idea being that, if it were to leak, there would still be a surprise when the episode aired.

Leaks come about in a variety of ways. It could be something as simple as an Instagram post from someone on set, even in the editing room or of the script. Many cast and crew are given strict guidelines on what to say in interviews. Of course, that doesn’t stop people sneaking onto the set, or getting hold of toy listings. Toys are a huge source of leaks, with many characters or set pieces being revealed as part of a toy range. Jon Favreau was so determined to keep the reveal of The Child (better known as Baby Yoda/ Grogu) that no toys were made of the character until after the first season.

Ironically, the harder studios try to keep secrets, the more likely they are to leak. With communities on the internet dedicated to searching for any possible information, it seems almost impossible to not have any info leak out. However, it does seem that leaks can be used to throw people off the scent of other twists, so perhaps there is hope after all? It might be best to think about spoiler etiquette before we go talking about something from leaks though…

Also Read: Spoiler Etiquette: To Spoil Or Not To Spoil

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Spoiler Warning – some spoilers for Star Wars, Quentin Tarantino films and James Bond

Tarantino’s Universe

Perhaps my favourite fan theory comes from the films of Quentin Tarantino. This theory comes from Pulp Fiction, Mia Wallace talks about a tv show she was in which sounds very similar to the group of assassins The Bride is part of in Kill Bill. This has led to a theory that all of Tarantino’s films take place in one universe but that some of Tarantino’s films are films within this universe. So Kill Bill Vol 1 and 2 are films that were made in this universe. I’ve also heard it suggested that it is Inglourious Basterds that splits our universe from the Tarantinoverse with the change in history that Hitler was assassinated. The brutal manner of his death and the Basterds methods caused a cultural shift in seeing violence as more acceptable – hence why the Tarantinoverse and the films made in it – are exceptionally violent.

There is some evidence of a shared universe in these films. First of all – brands, several brands make multiple appearances in Tarantino films. Red Apple Cigarettes are in Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill Vol 1, Once Upon A Time In Hollywood and are referenced in The Hateful Eight. Big Kahuna Burgers also appears in several of his films. There are a number of characters across different films that share surnames – for example Vincent and Vic Vega, Pete and Archie Hicox, that has lead people to suppose these are related.

Now Quentin Tarantino is absolutely the sort of director who would make an overly complicated hidden connection within his films and he has pretty much confirmed this theory. I’d actually say there is a terrible mistake – the fun is in the theory, if it’s no longer a theory it’s no longer fun.

Star Wars – Revenge of The Plot Hole

There are many fan theories around Star Wars and in many ways, these are accidental injuries Star Wars gave itself as a high proportion of them are only concerned with solving the plot holes and inconsistencies caused by the prequels and sequels. These theories try to explain why characters who met in the prequels don’t know each other in the original trilogy. Or reconcile differences in Jedi principles put forth in the different trilogies. Why didn’t any of the Jedi realise Palpatine was a sith? Why can’t Jedi fall in love with people when Force-sensitivity seems to be an inherited trait? Then there are the theories about family – I’ve seen Obi-Wan suggested as the possible father of a dozen different characters. In fairness to the creators of this theory, Star Wars has done a lot to reinforce the idea that if you’re not in the Skywalker family your ability to change the galaxy is rather limited.

The ones I enjoy more are based on why are storm troopers so useless. The soldiers of a mighty empire who can’t shoot straight, whose armour is useless, who are as dumb as rocks. There’s a theory that the millions of soldiers that would be needed for an empire that size means the training basically consists of you getting handed a blaster. My personal theory on stormtroopers is that they’re not an army of conquest, or even defence, but of occupation. They’re not fighting other armies, they’re fighting rebels, they’re there to keep control (hence the lack of camouflage, they’re meant to be extremely visible). The talent and training goes to the navy as you really need to know what you’re doing travelling in hyperspace (because it ain’t like dusting crops) and if you can bombard a planet from space the army can be a bit irrelevant.

What’s The Deal With James Bond?

A theory I especially do not like runs that James Bond is not actually the name of the spy but rather a code name or title bestowed on different MI6 agents. This would explain why Bond’s appearance changes, differences in backstory, the fact that the first film is in the 60s and the last in 2010s. To me, this is simply trying to apply reason to the chaotic nature of a long-running series of films and I don’t care for it. I actually really enjoy the oddness of this aspect of Bond, in Goldeneye he is called a Cold War dinosaur, the world has changed and Bond has not. In a number of Daniel Craig’s Bond films, it is flat out stated he is too old and behind the times. I always loved that when Casino Royale was released it was the newest Bond film, set presumably at the time of release, but was actually a kind of prequel and as such happened before Dr No. A more recent theory that much more appeals to my sensibilities is that James Bond is a timelord who every so often does die and is regenerated.

Why Do We Make Theories?

So why do we have fan theories? Well, sometimes it’s because of the complexity of the work (see The Shining and the many, many fan theories) and there is indeed a great deal to analyse and understand, and there are multiple interpretations. While writing this article I found a few “fan theories” that in my opinion aren’t fan theories – the most glaring being that some fans think in Blade Runner Deckard is a replicant. That’s hardly a fan theory. DVDs, youtube clips, streaming films, IMDb make it easy to go over the films again and again, making connections and picking up on small details. When you have auteurs it’s very easy to start making connections that they’re all in the same universe or this character because they will often share artistic sensibilities. I think part of the reason people like fan theories is similar to the appeal of conspiracy theories – there is something pleasing about when things fit together nicely, there is a decades-old plan where it’s all been thought out. Of course, a director of the standing of JJ Abrams recently stated that he wished he had thought up a plan for the last Star Wars trilogy, so maybe, like reality, things are more chaotic than we like to admit.

Also Read: What Makes A Tarantino Film?

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The Empire Strikes Back – The Blockbuster Fan & Sci-Fi Nerd

The first film I can clearly remember stating was my favourite film was The Empire Strikes Back. This was back in secondary school and I was – and still am – a massive Star Wars fan and as is pretty much an accepted fact now – The Empire Strikes Back is the best one. This is probably the choice with the least artifice – I just loved this film and Star Wars. Already the words nerd and geek were firmly attached to me and Star Wars is great starter nerd starter kit. The Empire Strikes Back has spectacle on a scale rarely seen and to this day I still watch the final duel between Vader and Luke and hope it ends differently. I suppose there was an element of finding your group with this selection – firmly putting myself in a club that would rather than talk about light sabres than the offside rule.

Dr. Strangelove – I’m An Intellectual

In sixth form college I began to seek out more and more films and already interested in The Cold War I watched Dr. Strangelove. A brilliant darkly comic film about the ridiculousness of the arms race (and much of politics and war) it is considered a masterpiece of cinema. When I saw this film it was already forty years old and I don’t think I’d seen anything this clever. This was the first Kubrick film I watched and couldn’t believe how good it was and how something so dark in tone could also be so funny. Clearly, there is something being said when you change your favourite film from special effects blockbuster to a black and white film from the 60s satirising Mutually Assured Destruction. I was no longer just someone who enjoyed movies – I watched films, I appreciated cinema, and attaching yourself to Kubrick is a good way to announce that to the world.

Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid – I Prefer The Old Hollywood

A few years on from Dr. Strangelove I saw Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and loved it. A western but a western like no other, built around the friendship of these two characters and one of the greatest scripts of all-time. It was written by the legendary William Goldman who also wrote The Princess Bride, All The President’s Men, Chaplin and more. It also has one of the greatest final scenes and indeed final shots in all of cinema. It could be seen as a step away from my intellectual choice of Dr. Strangelove but I think I was going for an older version of Hollywood and picking a film that contained two move legends – not just huge stars but tremendous actors. I had a creeping disdain for many of the more successful films of my present and looked back at the sixties when films like this were the most successful ones (this was literally the highest-grossing film in America for 1969).

The Big Lebowski – The Modern Alternative

Effectively shamed into watching this film by outraged friends it soon became one of my favourites and then the favourite. To simply be the best Coen Brothers movie is a tremendous accolade – a collection of their films would serve wonderfully well as a desert island movie library in terms of quality and scope. A case of mistaken identity sends the Dude down a labyrinth of fake millionaires, pornographers and nihilists. The Dude’s porn film dream sequence alone makes this film wildly inventive. This was the first time my favourite film went through a sort of probationary period – I saw it, loved it, but wanted to give it time. People loving The Big Lebowski has become something of a cliche (the tv show Preacher has a character who can’t stop going on about his hatred for the film and this leads to every other character arguing with him) but it is great. Choosing The Big Lebowski was perhaps an attempt to move to a more modern great, the Coen Brothers are still making great films now and could show I wasn’t just stuck in the past.

The Shining – Appreciate Art

And we’re back to Kubrick. For a long while horror was a neglected genre for me, never a fan of slasher horrors films I simply didn’t want to watch more films. It was my love of Kubrick that brought me back to horror with The Shining (and incidentally horror is a great genre of film). It’s easy to get lost in Kubrick’s films – the obsessive details, the layer upon layer of stories being told, the arduous filmmaking process and to marvel at his talent and determination. But irrelevant to all of that The Shining is simply phenomenal. I have never seen another film like it – a central cast of three people who are all brilliant, ingenious and creative uses of music, sound, editing techniques and more, an ability to create such a feeling of unease, which builds to fear, which builds to outright horror. This became my favourite film only very recently, again, I saw it years ago and my appreciation has been slowly building and I watch it around every Halloween. So what does choosing The Shining say about me? I’ve picked a director hailed as a visionary and genius and a film which is celebrated not only for being great art but an intense experience. I am interesting, have sophisticated tastes but not too much of a snob to say something like Jules et Jim, I am clever enough to “get” The Shining – or at least I’m trying to say I’m all of these things.

It’s important to say I genuinely love all of these films and my analysis of why they’re my favourite is that they were always a contender and perhaps the deciding factor in my “official” favourite was also about an image of myself. What is your favourite film and what does it say about you?

Also Read: Great Dance Moments In Non-Musical Films

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Gamera copied Godzilla

Of course, rip-off/copy movies aren’t a new phenomenon, as this entry proves. Gamera was Daiei Studio’s answer to Godzilla and both movies have similar plots. Both are about giant monsters, awakened by atomic devices, attacking Japan while the government tries to find a solution to get rid of the monster. Gamera’s initial outing failed in comparison to Godzilla’s (Gamera (1965) has a critical rating of 20% and an audience score of 32% on Rotten Tomatoes. But Godzilla (1954) has a 93% critical rating and an 89% audience rating). Nonetheless, the giant fire breathing turtle has since found cult success with his own franchise.

Battle Beyond The Stars copied Star Wars and Seven Samurai

Produced by the low-budget film kingpin Roger Corman and written by future Oscar-nominated screenwriter John Sayles, Battle Beyond the Stars has a simple premise. Remake Seven Samurai with Star Wars’ sci-fi fantasy aesthetic. Despite BBTS’ cult following the general impression it left wasn’t favourable (Critics: 45% Audience: 41%) especially compared to the gargantuan success of Star Wars (Critics: 92% Audience: 96%) and Seven Samurai (Critics: 100% Audience: 97%).

Contamination copied Alien

But copies and rip-offs are hardly exclusive to the American and Japanese market. The 1980s Italian film industry produced many films to capitalise on international hits. Contamination was one of several releases produced to capitalise on Ridley Scott’s Alien. Mostly through its use of alien eggs which wreak havoc on the human body.  Needless to say, Contamination was unfavourably received compared to Alien (Contamination- Critics: 40% Audience: 29%. Alien- Critics: 98% Audience: 94%). But Contamination attained its own legacy when it became part of the infamous video nasties list.

Ator: The Fighting Eagle copied Conan the Barbarian

Speaking of Italian copies. Conan The Barbarian (1982) inspired many sword and sorcery films in the 80s and Ator: The Fighting Eagle is incredibly close to Conan in terms of story elements. Focusing on a musclebound sword-wielding hero’s quest for revenge against an animal-themed cult leader who killed his parents and kidnapped a young woman. Although Ator couldn’t copy Conan’s success with audiences (Conan has a 74% audience rating, Ator has 14%), Ator acquired 3 sequels. A lot more than the Conan series.  

Mac and Me copied E.T.

Now we get to one of the weirdest rip-offs on our list. This movie focuses on an alien that comes to Earth and befriends a child while a shadowy organisation pursues him (sound familiar?). What makes this title weird is that it was created to promote McDonald’s and its charities. Predictably this knock-off suffered poorly (Critics: 0% Audience: 38%) in the shadow of the classic movie it copied (Critics: 98% Audience: 72%).

Snakes on a Train copied Snakes on a Plane

Snakes on a Train is very emblematic of most of The Asylum film studio’s output. Their titles are made to lure people in by being as close as they can to other films. Both this and Snakes on a Plane concern snakes coming after people in confined spaces. Snakes on a Plane didn’t receive rave reviews (49% Audience Score on RT). Even so, Snakes on a Train was hated (18% Audience Score).

Ratatoing copied Ratatouille

Video Brinquedo was one of the most shameless modern mockbuster companies. Released to bank off the success of Pixar’s Ratatouille, both movies deal with a rodent obsessed with making food. However, Ratatouille won an Oscar and is loved by audiences (87%) and critics (96%). While everyone dislikes Ratatoing’s ugly style and cheap animation (27% on RT).

Thank you for joining me on this excursion into the land of copies and rip-offs. What rip-offs do you hate? Have you ever mistakenly bought any copycat titles? Conversely, are there any copycats that are better than their inspiration? Please let us know.

Also Read: Online Film Festivals Are Here To Stay

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With such a huge success on his hands, it’s not much of a suprise to find that Star Wars dominated Lucas’ life and career. When Disney bought Lucasfilm for $4 Billion in 2012, Lucas effectivly retired from filmmaking. Although it may be his most well know and influential work, Lucas was involved in several other projects and has actively changed filmmaking as we know it.

THX 1138

Lucas’ first feature film, based on his award-winning short film, was a dystopian sci-fi about a world where the population takes emotion suppressing drugs. On its initial release in 1971, it received mixed reviews and a poor box office reception. However, since the success of Star Wars and the director’s cut (with CGI additions of course) the film has gained a cult following. There are several references to the film throughout other projects Lucas was involved in, such as the cell block Princess Leia is in.

American Graffiti

Lucas’ second feature had much better reception and is held in high standards today. It currently features in the list of “1001 Movies to Watch Before you Die“. Lucas and his friend, Francis Ford Coppola, had to fight the studios to get a theatrical release after they demanded cuts and planned it to be a TV movie. It is notable for its heavy use of licensed music, and including a full list of cast and crew in its end credits, which are both common practice now. It also featured a young Ron Howard and a breakout role for Harrison Ford. Although it was nominated for several Oscars, including Best Picture, it did not win any.

Indiana Jones

Arguably his second most popular work, and again featuring Harrison Ford, Lucas is a writer on the first three entries in the series, and an Executive Producer on the fourth. Famously pitching the script to Spielberg while on holiday to escape the madness of Star Wars. Lucas wrote a detailed timeline of Jones’ adventures. Some of which were used for The Adventures Of Young Indiana Jones, a tv series which he wrote and produced.

Lucasfilm

Although the company is mostly associated with Star Wars, they have produced or been involved with films outside of the franchise. Most notably Indiana Jones. However, they have also produced several independent films, such as Jim Henson’s Labyrinth, Willow (Lucas has a “story by” credit) and another children’s animated classic The Land Before Time. While these were relatively successful, or have gone on to be, they also produced some flops, such Radioland Murders (another “story by” credit) and the infamous Howard the Duck. The last film the company released before being acquired by Disney was Red Tails, which Lucas served as an Executive Producer on, and even directed some footage, as it was a passion project for him.

Industrial Light & Magic

Outside of actually making films, one of the biggest contributions to cinema Lucas has made was the foundation of Industrial Light & Magic. Initially, just a small team that worked on the original Star Wars, it quickly expanded and has now worked on over 300 films, including Terminator 2, Jurassic Park, Transformers and the Avengers films. The company has won 16 Best Visual Effects Oscars and 40 additional nominations. ILM are also responsible for creating the Photoshop software before it was sold to Adobe. The studio has created groundbreaking special effects and continues to do so

As his friend Francis Ford Coppola lamented, Star Wars took over Lucas’ career, for better or worse. Although it may have prevented him from directing more films, he still had a very active and interesting career as a producer and ideas man and helped lead the way for visual effects.

Also Read: The Mandalorian: A New Hope For Star Wars

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1. 1917

Yep, that stunning movie by director Sam Mendes was released right at the beginning of this year. It feels ages ago since we saw the one-shot stunning looking cinematography from Roger Deakins, telling the thrilling story of two soldiers having to prevent an extremely deadly attack during World War I. However, nothing could be further from the truth. 1917 hit the UK cinemas on the 10th of January, right before the award season during which it won 111 awards amongst which were three Oscars and seven Baftas. No wonder that this movie generated £43,903,280, especially when you look at the outstanding performances by Dean-Charles Chapman and George MacKay.

2. Sonic The Hedgehog

After being critiqued because of the bad CGI and the need to re-invented Sonic for his latest movie, director Jeff Fowler probably couldn’t have predicted that his film would be number 2 in the top 10 movies of 2020. With Ben Schwartz voicing the hyper-active Sonic and James Marsden and Jim Carrey accompanying him in this adventurous and joyful movie, Sonic The Hedgehog raced towards £19,148,545.

3. Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker

Ok, this movie was released in 2019 but due to its 19th of December release date, Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker was part of the 2020 box office. Director J.J. Abrams decided to bring the Skywalker saga to an end with the legendary and thrilling conflict between the Jedi and the Sith. Even after all those years, the likes of  Luke Skywalker, Chewbacca and Rey are still relatively popular as they helped Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker gaining £18,830,197 at the UK Box Office.

4. Little Women

Little Women didn’t only mean another collaboration between Greta Gerwig and Saoirse Ronan but also a new revival of the story of the four March sisters. With a cast including Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen and Timothée Chalamet, the beautiful Louisa May Alcott’s story and the lovely cinematography, it’s no surprise that the movie collected £17,705,104.

5. Tenet

If there’s one movie that was talked about the most this year, it’s without a doubt Tenet by director Christopher Nolan. Not only because this was the only movie (apart from the recent Wonder Woman 1984) released mid-pandemic but also because of its mind-blowing storyline, cinematography and cast. The movie ‘only’ generated £17,454,173, but knowing that it was released when not a lot of cinemas were open and that it still made it into the top five, Tenet didn’t do too bad.

6. Bad Boys For Life

It was more than 17 years since we saw the last adventures of the detectives Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) and Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) and it was time to bring them together for one more investigation. The audience loved Bad Boys For Life as the movie got £15,969,160 and another sequel.

7. Dolittle

Seeing Robert Downey Jr. talking to adorable animals while stepping into the fantasy world of Hugh Lofting and his creation Dr. John Dolittle? This was something the audience could do from the 7th of February. Some people were hailing Dolittle as a wonderful escape while others were declaring it one of the worst movies of 2020. Despite those mixed reactions, the film still had a box office of £15,938,399.

8. Jumanji: The Next Level

Just like Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker and Little Women, Jumanji: The Next Level was released at the end of last year. Still, it was eligible for this years’ box office, and therefore it made it into this top 10. During this sequel to the 2017 movie Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart and Karen Gillan came back together, and this latest adventure generated £14,798,295.

9. Parasite

If there’s one movie that described the darkness and strange time we’re going through, it’s Parasite. While the storyline is different, it’s as twisted as 2020, and it seems that both the critics and audiences loved it. The story of one family taking over the lives of another wasn’t only the biggest winner of the Oscars (that photo from director Bong Joon-Ho holding those four awards seems like it was taken so many years ago) but it was also £12,033,376 worth at the box office.

10. The Gentlemen

This latest Guy Ritchie was the very first movie released this year, and despite its £11,555,773, The Gentlemen delivered an entertaining and action-packed movie. Not surprising though, if you know that the stellar cast includes the likes of Matthew McConaughey, Charlie Hunnam, Michelle Dockery, Colin Farrell, Henry Golding and Hugh Grant.

Also Read: Top 10 Films at the UK Box Office in 2020 (So Far)

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Synopsis

Three years after destroying the Death Star, Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), and the rebels are hiding from imperial forces. Who are led by Darth Vader (David Prowse & James Earl Jones). After the rebels retreat from the planet Hoth, Luke leaves for Dagobah. To continue his Jedi training with Master Yoda (Frank Oz). Meanwhile, Vader, at the behest of the Emperor (Clive Revill), relentlessly pursues Han Solo (Harrison Ford), Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew), and C-3PO (Anthony Daniels) to use them against Luke. The story culminates at Bespin’s Cloud City where the battle for the galaxy changes forever.

What did I like?

Empire’s production work is astounding. Sequences like the asteroid field chase required an incredible amount of work to accomplish, in terms of effects. But it feels more fluid and dramatically engaging than many modern action films. Wonderful creations like Yoda, despite being a puppet, feel very real. Thanks to the great puppetry and direction. And I must mention John Williams’ score. Which weaves between, romance, mysticism, blistering action, and oncoming doom without ever feeling overdone or misplaced. And contains the introduction of arguably film’s most iconic musical piece, the Imperial March.

Then there is Empire’s fantastic script. Which makes each character, even minor ones, feel fully rounded. While managing to be both funny, with plenty of moments of levity. And brave, as many characters end the movie having lost something. But because these emotions are built-up effectively and feel in keeping with the character’s personalities it all works. Also many may not notice Irvin Kershner’s direction thanks to the film’s natural flow. But subtle touches, like showing Vader’s power through his ship’s shadow falling over the imperial fleet, or the slow-motion Dagobah cave fight, create an effective foreboding atmosphere. Without being distracting.

And there’s the fantastic cast. A New Hope’s leads (Hamill, Ford, and Fisher) now feel more comfortable in their roles and really show their range. Believably taking their characters to brave new places. Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian) is an intriguingly complex addition, who effortlessly navigates many conflicting motivations and emotions throughout his journey. Frank Oz’s Yoda is fascinating, with his weary voice and broken speech hiding the galaxy’s wisest being. Clive Revill and Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett) leave a great impression with incredibly brief screen time. But the MVPs are James Earl Jones and David Prowse who have more time to shine as Darth Vader. Prowse’s intimidating figure and mannerisms and Jones’ deep vocals make Vader feel like a terrifying force of nature. But they also give Vader a lot of depth through subtle vocal ticks and physical actions. Making him into the perfect cinematic villain.

What did I not like?

Reluctantly, some criticisms of Empire are worth addressing. Firstly, the special edition releases, which update the film’s effects and included elements to fit later series continuity e.g. including Return of the Jedi’s Ian McDiarmid as the Emperor, aren’t needed. The original version is so brilliantly constructed that even minor green screen glitches never ruin the experience. Other changes serve only to remind you of other franchise films. Or to fix what didn’t need fixing (e.g. Luke screaming as he falls in Cloud City) rather than improving the story. The original version is superior.

Some also feel that Empire isn’t as strong without the first movie to attach us to the characters. However, through action and dialogue, Empire does a great job at filling in the gaps. Allowing us to easily invest in our players without needing prior knowledge.

Finally, many point to storytelling elements like the time scale and Luke’s ready belief of the twist, as narrative flaws. Regarding the time scale – Luke appears to train with Yoda for days while the Millennium Falcon crew appears to be fleeing for only a few hours – there is no concrete timeline for the length of each story. So there’s enough room for it to not affect the overall narrative flow. And while initially, Luke appears to swallow the twist too easily, plenty of information is seeded about his father’s dark past and Luke’s downfall is his unwillingness to believe the seemingly impossible. Making Luke’s ready belief make more sense.

Verdict

Empire’s only flaws are either softened upon repeat viewings, problems of public perception, or the product of unnecessary re-editing. Everything else about Empire is perfect. Whether it’s the writing, directing, performances, the score, or the production work. The Empire Strikes Back is, for me, the greatest film ever made.

Verdict: (5 / 5)

Also Read: The Mandalorian: A New Hope For Star Wars

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The Mandalorian

The show stars Pedro Pascal as the titular character, an exceptionally good bounty hunter always hidden behind his near priceless Mandalorian armour. The character’s bounty hunter code is challenged when sent after a morally difficult target and he chooses to do the right thing. The show is set in between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens and is heavily focused on the chaos that follows the death of the Emperor.

The Golden Age Of Television

There was a time when film was the perceived cultural superior to television but in the last twenty years things have changed – this is the Golden Age of television. Film and television can tell stories in different ways – in my opinion, Goodfellas and The Sopranos are the high-points of the portrayal of gangsters in their respective mediums but have different strengths and weaknesses. The Mandalorian has a main story arc but within that are numerous smaller stories, characters who get to shine in a particular episode. It often felt with the Star Wars films you are getting a glimpse of a huge universe, whilst and TV shows can go into depth.

One benefit to doing a TV show over another film trilogy would be that a film trilogy would inevitably feel it had to be about saving the galaxy and with some even bigger ultimate weapon. The Mandalorian is about saving one child and a smaller story can actually be more engaging.

The Trouble With Trilogies

I don’t think I’ve ever been as excited about a film as I was about The Phantom Menace and like many, I convinced myself it wasn’t that bad, but that couldn’t last. The prequels were a disaster with a few redeeming features – there are many, many problems with them ranging from casting to too much CGI to just being boring. The text crawl at the start of The Phantom Menace talks about tax disputes and while I do think a movie could be made about war sparking from something that dull The Phantom Menace failed.

It’s hard to even discuss the sequel trilogy without being overwhelmed complaints of the fans – they’re too much like the original trilogy, they’re too different to the original trilogy, Rey is a Mary-Sue, they ruined Luke, and then there’s the torrent of sexism that was also present in much of the criticism. For what it’s worth I think the sequels have problems but are much better than the prequels. The Last Jedi is an uneven film yet it has amazing parts to it – Luke and Kylo Ren’s confrontation is incredibly well done and a brilliant way to deal with their history. The biggest problem might have been it felt that the different directors had different ideas of what they wanted to do.

The Star Wars Universe

There is a wealth of material for more television shows. Aside from the films, there are a variety of TV shows, dozens of books, graphic novels, computer games and more:

The Old Republic – The Empire overthrew the Galactic Republic but there would be wars, conflict and interesting stories throughout this period. It could explore the time when the Jedi were at the height of their power.

It’s not all about the war – There’s a lot more going than just the civil war between the Empire and Rebel Alliance – there are bounty hunter guilds, crime syndicates, strange religions and more.

So Many Characters – There are a wealth of interesting existing characters. What about Chewbacca’s life before Han? Or ace rebel pilot Wedge Antilles – the only pilot to have fought in both Death Star battles? I was genuinely thrilled when Nien Nunb (pictured above) turned up in the sequels – for those who don’t know Nunb is the small alien who co-piloted the Millennium Falcon with Lando Calrissian in Return of the Jedi and would love to see more of him. If they’re willing to embrace the Dark Side, Disney could explore Darth Vader’s war against the Jedi.

Whatever happens next we all know Disney aren’t going to stop making Star Wars films and tv shows – let’s just hope they’re worthy additions.

Also Read: Was It Really That Bad?: Star Wars Episode 9: The Rise of Skywalker

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1. Star Wars: The Rise of Positivity

The only thing Star Wars fans agree on is that Star Wars (1977) and The Empire Strikes Back are great. However, from there opinions vary wildly. Some find Return of the Jedi either a fitting end to the original trilogy or a dumbed-down entry for kids. Most people initially didn’t like the Prequels and Disney’s handling of the property has produced mixed critical and fan reactions, to say the least. So perhaps the most controversial thing a Star Wars fan can do currently is resist the pull of the dark side and say, “there are zero bad Star Wars movies”. Well, MoviePreviewShow managed it.

2. My Not so Fair Lady

My Fair Lady was a real winner in its time. It won 8 Oscars including Best Director, Best Actor in a Leading Role, and Best Picture. Although, viewed all these years later people like Martin Something-or-other find that My Fair Lady leaves a lot to be desired.

3. Defending Daredevil (2003)

The exact opposite of our last entry. The Ben Affleck Daredevil movie was derided upon its release. However, since then it has gained a cult following. It was also given a director’s cut release which many say makes the film into something special. Because superhero movies are currently taking a break maybe it’s time to revisit Daredevil (2003)? You may find yourself like Retro Gamer.

4. Battle of the Directors

Martin Scorsese is considered one of the best directors of all time. Creating great films like Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, The King of Comedy, Goodfellas, and Wolf of Wall Street to name only a few. But can he compete with Brian De Palma the director of classics like Carrie (1976), Scarface (1983), The Untouchables, and underappreciated gems like Phantom of the Paradise and Dressed to Kill? Not according to RVD the Dudar.

5. Excellent Adventure Vs Bogus Journey

When most people speak about the Bill and Ted films, they talk about the first entry, Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure. Which is understandable, because it is the highest-rated and highest-grossing film in the franchise. But Direct Questions thinks the claim that it’s the series’ best film is bogus. He believes Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey is the superior film.

6. Streaming Wars

With a lot of production companies moving into the streaming market, many are beginning to make their content exclusive to their own services. Which definitely doesn’t sit well with Jonathan Boyd.

7. The Horror of Children

The opinion that children in movies are more annoying than they are effective is nothing new. Though kids in horror films not being scary when movies like The Innocents (1961), The Exorcist, The Omen (1976), and The Shining (1980) exist? Eric S. Kim’s opinion is definitely controversial.

8. Trashing Tarantino

Quentin Tarantino is one of modern cinema’s most acclaimed filmmakers. With several of his films being considered among the best ever made. However, as with anyone who is well acclaimed there are always those who believe them to be overrated. But which camp do you fall into? Are you a true Tarantino aficionado or are you like Global Affairs?

9. Stay Mysterious

Many agree that trailers and reviews sometimes give too much away. But how much should you know about a movie to become interested? To Rigmarole Film a movie is improved vastly when you know as little as possible going in. And therefore, have more of an open mind.

10. Henry Cavill’s Superman

Henry Cavill’s Superman films generally divided opinion among both audiences and critics. However, some people, like (thereal)Chris Grant Jr., consider him to be their favourite Superman portrayal.

So ends our brief look at unpopular film opinions circulating social media. What do you think about some of these controversial opinions? What are some of your film hot takes? Please let us know.

Also Read: The Film Fan’s Guide To Time Travel

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10. Birds of Prey: And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn (£9,400,000)

Cathy Yan’s DC Universe offering sees Harley Quinn teaming up with a group of female heroines to fight against the evil Black Mask.

Audience Thoughts: 78% – Rotten Tomatoes / 6.2 – IMDb

Critics Thoughts: “While watching Birds of Prey, it becomes clear that comic book movies are still going to dominate the box office for many years to come. If any of those could be as much fun…then we would be over the moon.“

9. Parasite (£12,000,000)

Bong Joon Ho’s Best Picture winner sees the poor Kim family scam their way into working for the rich Park family. But do the Kim’s deserve our sympathy and what secrets are the Park’s hiding?

Audience Thoughts: 90% – Rotten Tomatoes / 8.6 – IMDb

Critics Thoughts: “It’s dark, funny, clever, surprising, and I’m sure I could use almost every adjective in my lexicon.“

8. The Gentlemen (£12,300,000)

Guy Ritchie’s latest gangster films focused on an American marijuana emperor trying to leave the business. But various factions conspire to extort him for all he’s worth.

Audience Thoughts: 84% – Rotten Tomatoes / 7.9 – IMDb

Critics Thoughts: “It is a coarse, convoluted, comical caper that exults in the joys of genre.”

7. Jumanji: The Next Level (£16,100,000)

The gang from Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, along with new additions Danny Glover and Danny DeVito, return to Jumanji to face new challenges. 

Audience Thoughts: 87% – Rotten Tomatoes / 6.7 – IMDb

Critics Thoughts: “Jumanji’s next level is rather satisfying.“

6. Dolittle (£16,700,000)

Robert Downey Jr. leads an all-star cast as the famous doctor who can talk to animals sets out to find a cure for an ailing young Queen Victoria.

Audience Thoughts: 76% – Rotten Tomatoes / 5.6 – IMDb

Critics Thoughts: “It really is horribly inert, and every time Downey opens his mouth to say something unintelligible, the film dies a bit more.“

5. Bad Boys for Life (£17,000,000)

Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett must team up with a team of younger cops to take down the leaders of a violent drug cartel.

Audience Thoughts: 96% – Rotten Tomatoes / 6.7 – IMDb

Critics Thoughts: “Bad Boys for Life is … pure enjoyment and entertainment.“

4. Sonic the Hedgehog (£19,100,000)

Sonic and his friend Tom race to San Francisco to find the rings to transport Sonic off-world before Dr. Robotnik catches them.

Audience Thoughts: 93% – Rotten Tomatoes / 6.6 – IMDb

Critics Thoughts: “The world contains many terrible video game movies. This isn’t one of them.”

3. Little Women (£19,400,000)

Greta Gerwig’s remake of the literary classic follows the March sisters as they experience career hardships, romance, tragedy, and triumph during and after the American Civil War.

Audience Thoughts: 92% – Rotten Tomatoes / 7.9 – IMDb

Critics Thoughts: “Though we can’t foretell whether time will be cruel or kind to Gerwig’s “Little Women,” it may just be the best film yet made by an American woman.”

2. Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker (£20,100,000)

The Skywalker Saga concludes. Emperor Palpatine returns to threaten the galaxy. Rey and the remnants of the resistance must find a way to stop him. While contending with the rage of Kylo Ren.

Audience Thoughts: 86% – Rotten Tomatoes / 6.7 – IMDb

Critics Thoughts: “It doesn’t do anything new or even terribly distinctive, but maybe it didn’t have to. It just had to be good enough to stick the landing, and it does that.“

1. 1917 (£46,600,000)

Presented in a pseudo-continuous shot 1917 follows two soldiers tasked with physically delivering orders for a battalion to stand down before German forces kill them all.

Audience Thoughts: 88% – Rotten Tomatoes / 8.3 – IMDb

Critics Thoughts: “1917 will have you on the edge of your seat from the very first moment and will leave you breathless.“

This year’s top 10 collective taking may be comparatively low (over £188 million) but with a relatively diverse group of creative teams (including 2 solo female directors and a foreign-language film) and an interesting mix of tales (including three original properties not based on pre-existing work or part of larger franchises), 2020 is more interesting than 2019. Which was dominated by comic book adaptations, remakes, and sequels to popular franchises (mostly from Disney and their subsidiaries). Hopefully, the upcoming months will bare good tidings for UK cinemas.

Also Read: What Happens To Your Brain When Watching A Horror Film

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“I have a bad feeling about this”

Rise of Skywalker currently sits at a 6.7/10 on IMDb, putting it just ahead of Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones, and scoring the least of the sequel trilogy. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has the second-lowest score of the whole franchise, with only the animated Clone Wars film scoring lower. After the division that The Last Jedi caused in the fandom, it was important for the final installment to have more universal appeal, unfortunately, in trying to appease everyone, the film doesn’t take any risks and relies heavily on nostalgia, without any of the buildup that made the orignal moments so satisfying and iconic. In addition, many of the plot points were retconned, Rey did have an important lineage, Kylo Ren donned his mask again, and Palpatine was brought back from the dead by cloning or dark magic or… something.

So, without the magic of a midnight screening, would I see the stitches holding this film together? Well.. yes and no

“Bring balance to the Force”

Some of the film’s faults are apparent right away, Palpatine, after dying in Return of the Jedi, has returned with an ominous and vague plan. How he returned is handwaved over, almost like the film is trying to jedi mind trick you, and his message announcing his return to the galaxy is never heard (except in Fortnite, because of course). Although it is always wonderful to see Ian McDiarmid as the Emperor, his presence doesn’t really add anything other than tie up some plot threads that had already been dealt with. And while the film does seem to go out of it’s way to attempt to put things back on track, it really doesn’t do that much damage when compared to some of the orginal retcons. Let’s not forget that Vader and Anakin Skywalker were once two seperate people, and that Luke and Leia weren’t related. While the Rey reveal in particular does more harm than good, she does still have a solid arc about choosing her own family.

The film also has a few plot points that don’t make much sense, such as the Sith dagger. It does feel like it’s jumping through hoops to explain some elements but not others. Again though, this isn’t a problem unique to this entry, Palpatine’s plots are hilariously convoluted in the prequels as well as Luke’s rescue mission in Episode VI. It also leans very heavily on nostalgia. Nearly every iconic moment from the original films is referenced. Some of these moments work better than others. But the things the film expands upon are some real highlights. The connection between Rey and Kylo Ren remains the best thing about the trilogy. Their “Force Skype” power expanding to allow physical objects to pass between them adds an intriguing new dynamic. The final duel between them is suitably dramatic. The main trio finally being together is wonderful and some legacy characters get a great sendoff.

Was it really that bad?…No

It doesn’t manage to compete with top tier entries, but it certainly isn’t the worst. It feel more like a sequel to Force Awakens than Last Jedi and it can’t quite decide what it wants to be or have guts to stick with some plot points. It feels rather similar to Solo, which isn’t a bad thing, but feels to safe for what should be the final word in the story.

Would Trevorrow’s version have been an improvement? It’s hard to say as the two are very different, but have some interesting similarities.

Overall, this one just needed more time in the oven. The rushed development and behind the scenes drama creates a lack of vision, but there is still a solid action flick in here akin to Force Awakens or Abram’s Star Trek reboot.

Also Read: Was It Really That bad?: Star Wars Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace

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R2-D2 – Star Wars: A New Hope/ The Empire Strikes Back/ Return of the Jedi (1977-1983)

Star Wars is full of iconic props, such as the miniatures for X-Wings, TIE Fighters, and of course, lightsabers. There are some very memorable costumes and creature designs, such as Chewbacca the Wookie, Stormtroopers and the fearsome Darth Vader. One of the most expensive mementoes from the series to have been sold at auction is an R2 unit. One of the Radio Controlled/Prop units was sold at an auction for over $2.7 million

The Maltese Falcon – The Maltese Falcon (1941)

Perhaps the most famous Macguffin in all of cinema. The Maltese Falcon is a priceless statuette that Humphrey Bogart and several others spend the whole film trying to obtain. Several models were made for the film, with the hero prop being a heavy lead model. Ironically even though the (Spoiler alert, but come it’s been nearly 80 years) Falcon is a fake, the lead prop used in the film (complete with dents from Bogart dropping it several times) was sold at an auction for over $4 million dollars.

Indy’s Hat – Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

Arguably the most iconic elements of the character of Indiana Jones, aside from Harrison Ford’s performance and that theme tune, are his hat and whip. Indy’s hat is so iconic that one could almost say “it belongs in a museum”. There were actually several hats, some of which were actually sat on and had dust blown on it before filming to give it a more well-worn look, making Jones seem more of an experienced archaeologist. In 2018 one of the hats sold for a more than half a million dollars.

Delorean – Back to the Future Trilogy (1985-1990)

Up there with the TARDIS for iconic time travel vehicles, the Delorean is as much a character throughout the trilogy as Doc Brown or Marty McFly. The only car ever manufactured by the company, a total of seven were used for the trilogy. Only three of which remain, one is on display at the Peterson Automotive Museum in LA, another is owned by Universal Studios and is also occasionally on display. The third was sold to a private collector, with some of the proceeds going to the Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research

Sting – Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003)

When the Fellowship sets out on its quest to destroy the One Ring, Frodo is given Bilbo’s old blade, Sting. An elven blade that glows blue whenever orcs or goblins are near, this prop was used throughout the entire trilogy and has actually gained some scratches and nicks in the blade from some of the combat during filming. The sword is incredibly detailed, like all Weta’s work for the films, including Elvish engraving, although no word on it glowing blue. Several weapons, including Anduril, were given away as promotional sweepstakes for the release of Return of the King.

Ruby Slippers – The Wizard of Oz (1939)

The Wizard of Oz is a classic that has survived generations, and will likely continue to be a firm favourite to many people. Despite its enduring popularity, the famous ruby slippers worn by Dorothy upon her arrival in Oz, have had a rough time of it. Only four pairs are known to have survived from the original production, with one pair safely on display in the Smithsonian museum after Leonardo DiCaprio, Steven Speilberg and others teamed up to save it, and another was recovered by the FBI over a decade after they were stolen. The other two pairs are thought to be with private collectors, although some believe that there are more slippers out there…

Also Read: 5 More Movies That Don’t Need a Sequel, Reboot or Remake

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It’s clear that pop culture would look very different without his contributions, so with the start of a new decade, let’s take a look back at how Favreau rose to power

“I’ve always wanted to call the shots because I would rather fail than not have a chance to figure it out on my own”

Favreau studied at Queens College in New York but dropped out (twice) to pursue a career in comedy in Chicago. While there, he scored a role in Rudy, where he befriended Vince Vaughn on set. He had a few smaller roles, including a clown on Seinfeld. He then moved to Los Angeles, where he would get his big break.

While in LA, Favreau wrote and starred in Swingers, where he plays a struggling comedian from New York. Vince Vaughn, who plays a struggling actor, befriends him and helps him get over his ex-girlfriend. Despite the low budget and guerrilla filmmaking, the film was a success, making a star out of Vaughn and director Doug Liman.

“For a movie – any movie – to work, all the bread has to fall jelly side up; everything has to go right. You have to hit the zeitgeist “

After Swingers, Favreau had a few more acting jobs. Including a billionaire UFC fighter who dated Monica during several episodes of “Friends”. He also appeared as himself in an episode of “The Sopranos”. He plays a Hollywood Director faking interest in a screenplay, in order to use the material for his own.

He also made his directorial debut with “Made”, a film about aspiring boxers getting involved in mafia crime. While it received positive reviews, it had a very limited release. A few years later, he played Foggy Nelson in Daredevil, his first interaction with Marvel.

But before Marvel came “Elf“, the first post-SNL film from Will Ferrell. Favreau wasn’t initially interested, as it was “too dark” for him, but after another rewrite, it became the classic we all know. This was the biggest film Favreau had ever worked on, but things were about to get much, much bigger.

“‘Batman Begins’ set the bar very high for the superhero movie, as it showed that you could get a great cast for these movies and take a real filmmaker’s perspective”

After Elf, and several TV cameos, came his next film, Zathura: A Space Adventure. It received positive reviews but was not very successful at the box office.

In 2008, Iron Man was released. The film had gone through an arduous development process but was finally moving ahead. His experience on Daredevil had introduced Favreau to Marvel producers, and they liked his grounded, spy take. The casting of Robert Downey Jr in the title role raised many eyebrows, but Favreau insisted he was the perfect choice.

Downey proved his critics wrong, of course. Iron Man went on to be the eighth highest-grossing film of 2008 and launch the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Many of the films in the MCU follow Iron Man‘s structure, as well as tone.

After directing the follow-up, Iron Man 2 and serving as a producer on the crossover team-up, The Avengers, Favreau decided to step back on the third film. Instead of choosing to direct Magic Kingdom, he still worked as a producer and appeared in his role as Happy Hogan, though. He directed the adaptation of Cowboys vs Aliens, which did not do well critically or commercially.

After working on several multi-million dollar studio films, Favreau decided to take a break and developed a pilot for the TV show Revolution, as well as directing the first episode. He then made Chef a “back to basics” indie film about a travelling chef. Several people saw the film as a response to Favreau’s experience with Marvel and wanting to strike out on his own again. It was well-received and has even spun off into a Netflix show

Although the Magic Kingdom project has yet to move forward, he did work on two beloved Disney properties, the “live action” remakes of The Jungle Book and The Lion King. He has continued his work with Disney, creating and show-running The Mandalorian, a series set in the Star Wars universe, for Disney+. This has also received widespread acclaim, as well as introducing “The Child” or “Baby Yoda”.

With a second season on the way, as well as the Jungle Book 2 in development, it doesn’t look as though he will be slowing down anytime soon.

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