Elliot Tritto
Central Bureau Chief
Fallen Order,” “Galaxy’s Edge” and the release of “Rise of Skywalker,” it seems we can’t get enough of Star Wars. Fans are quickly given a greater exposure to Star Wars lore everywhere. However, this may seem excessive.
Disney stands as a corporation that easily milks its products. Just look at “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” and those dreadful “Air Bud” movies. Thus, begs the question, do we all need a break from Star Wars?
To begin with, the newly formed streaming service, Disney Plus, resides as a great asset to the company. Stated on their website, Disney Plus has “The best of Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and National Geographic. From new releases to your favorite classics and exclusive originals, there’s always something new to discover.”
One of the most popular ‘discoveries’ contains the first live-action Star Wars’ series, “The Mandalorian.” IMDB summarizes the “Mandalorian” as “the travels of a lone bounty hunter in the outer reaches of the galaxy, far from the authority of the New Republic.”
With a 9/10 rating on IMDB and a 94 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it seems to have almost gained universal praise.
With a vivid presentation, stellar acting, intense fight sequences and a cute baby Yoda, the “Mandalorian” stands as the sixth most-watched show of 2019, according to Data is Beautiful on YouTube.
The “Mandalorian” successfully breathes new life in the Star Wars saga; however, there are other aspects that Disney might be milking this interstellar franchise.
Henceforth, “Galaxy’s Edge.” As a diehard Star Wars fanatic, a whole pavilion dedicated to Star Wars seemed unrealistic. Unfortunately, “Galaxy’s Edge” appears to be very underwhelming. I’m very frustrated that Disney had the incredible potential to create a vibrant Star Wars pavilion that could’ve summoned different locations from the vast Star Wars saga.
Who wouldn’t want to get a drink at Mos-Eisley Cantina or train as a Jedi in the Jedi Temple on Coruscant?
Instead, Disney decides to create a land called Bantu Outpost that caters merely to the sequel trilogy. Star Wars fanatics aren’t even sure what Bantu Outpost comes from, but we know for sure we didn’t ask for this. Overall, the attractions are a hit or miss, except for the tone for Star Wars remains aloof.
Subsequently, promising Star Wars fanatics a prominent and interactive experience to its video games may bring a lighter side to the force.
Enter “Jedi Fallen Order” and “Star Wars Battlefront II. Jedi: Fallen Order” dares to defy from its controversial publisher, EA, which delivered a unique interactive venture as a Jedi through the Jedi Purge.
StarWars.com states, “From Respawn Entertainment comes a brand-new action-adventure game which tells an original Star Wars story about Cal Kestis, a Padawan who survived the events of Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith.”
Kestis dwells as a broken yet optimistic ginger, Jedi, who seeks to restore the light side of the force.
On a side note, it’s exciting to see some ginger representation in the Star Wars saga.
Anyway, another astonishing story includes the redemption of EA’s “Battlefront 2.” Not unlike its successful predecessor, EA’s “Battlefront 2” opened its doors for gamers to play in new locations, specialized classes, new and old heroes and villains, starship battles and a new campaign.
Unfortunately, once the game was released, it met tremendous adverse reactions. Slashgear.com writer Osmond Chia wrote, “The chief of its problems were pay-to-win mechanics.
Players were encouraged to pay to open loot boxes, with the hopes of getting loot they needed.
Those who did could level up faster and gain a competitive edge.
Expectedly, this led to a massive outcry from gamers, which EA still tried to justify.” Additionally, this EA train wreck brought a very lackluster campaign into the Star Wars lore. Nevertheless, the “Battlefront 2” update: Celebration Edition disassembled the pay to win mechanics, brought in all of the skins and featured exclusive content to “Rise of Skywalker.”
Speaking of Rise of Skywalker, Chris Stuckmann, YouTuber and movie critic, incorporates an essential element of the present state of Star Wars.
“For me, Star Wars was very special. Today, I haven’t really been able to connect with it. I’ve just not cared about talking about Star Wars because it isn’t fun anymore. It doesn’t feel like it used to. This series meant something to me. The fanbase is all over the place with this. Loving, hating, indifference. There was no consensus of Rise of Skywalker. “Whether you agree or not, it’s clear that Star Wars isn’t going anywhere.
Thus, the question stands, do we need a considerable break from Star Wars? Naturally, it’s time for Disney to slowly release new and original content ever so often in which the magic isn’t lost.
One day, I hope Star Wars brings back that same charm that made the old movies great in the first place.
The Mandalorian started us off on the right foot, now let’s see that pathway rise.
trite1@mail.broward.edu