Your Voices is a simple concept created to encourage conversation and opinions between movie lovers. It works like this: I throw out a certain topic. After that I’ll make my case or share my opinions. Then it’s time for Your Voices. Head to the comments section and let fellow readers and moviegoers know your thoughts on the topic for that day!
Well it’s a bit of old news but in keeping with the recent Star Wars trend at Keith & the Movies I thought I would throw this out there. What are you thoughts on Disney’s confirmed plans to bring us new Star Wars movies? Now it shouldn’t surprise anyone. I mean they didn’t pay that much money to just sit on its current profitability. But there are several legitimate questions about these new episodes. Questions about the plot, questions about the cast, questions about the director.
Usually on Your Voices I try to have a definitive position. But I find myself torn on this one. I’m a Star Wars geek so the prospect of brand new movies really excites me. On the other hand, the franchise is now in new creative hands and there are chances that this could end up being a disaster. Is it a money grab? Will it flow well with the established continuity? Will it capture the spirit of the original films? There is plenty of material there for a great new direction. But there are also plenty of obstacles that could cause this to go terribly wrong.
What are your thoughts on the new Star Wars movies heading to theaters?
So now it’s time for Your Voices. What are your thoughts on the upcoming Star Wars films? Do you share the same concerns I do? Are you excited at the idea of venturing back into this universe? Please head to the comments section and let Your Voices be heard.
Keith & the Movies 
I don’t think Abrams would have agreed if it was a money grab. With him behind the camera I am hopeful. Then again, money speaks the loudest. But I’d like to believe some people can’t be bought like Christopher Nolan or Christian Bale with Batman and such. I feel Abrams is one of the good guys and has so much talent. With Michael Arndt penning the screenplay and Cumberbatch looking more and more each day to be attached as well, it has the makings to be amazing. Then again, I’m a huge fanboy like yourself Keith. You know what they say, love is blind…
Thanks for commenting. Good points about Singer. I like much of his work but I do think his attempts to be the new Steven Spielberg trips him up sometimes. Still, I do think he’s taking this very seriously which is a very good thing for SW fans.
For some reason I said Singer instead if Abrams. My bad. Big difference there.
Though I’m nowhere near the center of the most passionate Star Wars fans — I’m really quite indifferent to it and Star Trek — I think my main concern is with something you brought up Keith. “Will it capture the spirit of the originals?” Somewhere deep down inside me, I think this is a foregone conclusion: No. There will be a starkly different feel to it, no matter the high (or low) quality of the newest installment. That’s not to say whatever new energy or passion or tones that are likely to be brought to the set with Disney and with J.J. Abrams are going to be awful, but personally even with my apathy towards the original saga, I am wary since I’m not the biggest supporter of Abrams. Remember, he’s the one that came in and popcornified Star Trek and all that it stood for.
Yep. Very solid points. I really want to be confident and excited. In a way I guess I am excited. But I’m certainly not confident. That said, my fingers are crossed.
I’m not a Star Wars geek but I’m very glad JJ Abram’s and the produced have talked about using real sets and more practical effects after the empty green screen nothingness that the prequels were. Seems like they’ll try to actually have a good sci-fi story instead of just seeing how many computer effects they can squeeze onto the screen. The only concern I have is that JJ’s style is very noticeable (i.e., lens flares) and I hope he tones that down. Especially when another director takes over the second movie, hopefully there’s not some jarring shift in the visuals.
One of my concerns with Abrams is that he tends to Hollywoodize things a little to much. That’s what he did with Star Trek. Star Wars is clearly different than Star Trek but too much of a Hollywood touch could hurt it.
Originality, Originality, Originality. Look backwards Disney to sell tickets and I will not be happy!
I agree. It needs to be original. But Star Wars is a unique property. For me it has to to all connect in a good strong way. For me that’s the real challenge.
Whilst I appreciate that, too much is what worries me. I don’t want to see an old Han Solo or princess leia. It would be sad 😦
I bet they will be passing the torch though. I don’t see them having a huge role.
Better!
The George Lucas vision was incredible but the Lucas touch was leaden, this series needs guidance from people who love the characters and the world’s they live in, I think J.J. fits that description. While his style may irritate some, I hope his heart revives the gee whiz enthusiasm the series started with. I don’t watch all the cartoons or read the books or play the games, I just watch and love the film’s and want them to continue but only if they can get back to the original spirit. Less CGI and more intimate story framed in an adventure context. There is a chance here to turn this into a successful decades long film series but you need vision and a fresh set of eyes. Look, if they screw it up, they will have only themselves to blame because fans want it to work. Give it a chance and we will get to decide.
Very well said. The Star Wars formula is pretty basic but very effective. I really hope Abrams gets back to it. He worries me because he does tend to want modernize things to the point of irritation and he seems to really be trying hard to be Spielberg, Jr. But looking at Spielberg’s earlier work, well that’s not a bad thing.
I’m worried about JJ Abrams doing it. Star Trek into Darkness really wasn’t good and doesn’t give me much hope for Star Wars. I hope I’m wrong though!
I actually liked Into Darkness but it certainly doesn’t have the Star Trek feel. I would be devastated if the new movies don’t have the Star Wars feel.
I liked Into Darkness too.
I agree with your point about ‘the star wars feel’ though.
That feel is a big part especially for us true fans, right?
I’m torn too Keith. I mean Disney can’t do much worse than recent years under Lucas. I’m certainly intrigued to see what happens and Snyder has handled the Star Trek movies pretty well. I still love Star Wars though so I’ll still end up going to see it!
I’m with ya. I’ll be there the moment the theaters open. I just want it to be good!!!
Hi Keith! I’m actually neutral on the whole idea as I wasn’t a huge fan of the previous films. I grew up w/ two brothers who love ’em but I myself have never really been caught up in the bandwagon. I mean if the new ones are good I probably will see ’em but I’m not hugely anticipating it.
I’m REALLY anticipating them and REALLY concerned about them. Does that even make sense? 😉
He..he.. it kinda does actually Keith. Well let’s hope Abrams does this franchise justice!
Good question. I know the motives behind the decision is just so Disney will make more money off of Star Wars, but I’m hoping Abrams will get behind a good, original story for the movie.
I’m with you 100%. That’s where it all starts – the story.
Episodes 1 – 3 didn’t capture the spirit of the original. I think new creative hands is what the franchise needed if it were to amount to anything. That or someone just smack Lucas upside the head and get him to allow the Thrawn trilogy to be adapted into movies. But, I think Disney will have seen what the reaction to JarJar and the like was and will attempt to steer away from that kind of movie.