Rian Johnson's Incompetence

Rian Johnson, the director of The Last Jedi, is often the immediate target of my dissatisfaction. His direction seemed to lack depth and purpose, with too many seemingly arbitrary plot twists and character developments that have little to do with the overall arc. It's as if he was more interested in showing his skills as a director than in creating a cohesive and meaningful story.

With The Rise of Skywalker, Johnson's work became even more evident: attempting to rectify the mess he had created, the final film felt rushed and disjointed. It's a shame that such an ambitious and talented figure as Johnson was given the liberty to ruin a promising storyline.

Disney's Lack of Vision

Disney has a reputation for mishandling franchises, unfortunately, the Star Wars franchise is no exception. One of the main reasons for the decline in quality is a lack of an overarching plan and vision for the entire trilogy. It's evident that Disney was merely 'winging it' without a clear direction or strategy, which explains the inconsistent and disjointed storytelling.

My most pointed criticism is directed at Disney. What kind of franchise relies on a "let's see what happens next" mentality? This approach is not only lazy but also harmful to the long-term viability of the franchise. If Disney truly wants to maintain the Star Wars legacy, they need to do better than winging it and rely on a maverick's whims.

Disappointing Character Arcs

The most disappointing aspect of the recent Star Wars trilogy is the character arcs. Many of the actors, such as John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, and Oscar Isaac, delivered solid performances in the original trilogy, but they felt wasted in the most recent films. It's a shame to see such talented individuals unable to shine in a script that didn't do them justice.

Kelly Tran, in particular, took a significant hit due to the dark underbelly of Star Wars fandom. Being subjected to such scrutiny without being responsible for the choices that led to it was an injustice. Thankfully, Adam Driver managed to find redemption in his role as Kylo Ren, but it's a testament to his acting abilities.

The Force Awakens: A Mixed Bag

The Force Awakens, directed by JJ Abrams, was a mixed bag. While I initially enjoyed it, it failed to resonate as much as I had hoped. The film was a fan service-heavy production, but it did offer a fresh start. However, with the disappointing The Last Jedi and the rushed The Rise of Skywalker, the trilogy took a nosedive in my estimation.

I was particularly sad to see the Second Jedi Order lose its potential with The Last Jedi. It felt like the characters and their arcs were squandered, and the overall narrative suffered as a result. It's a testament to how much Abrams' vision differed from Johnson's' that The Rise of Skywalker tried to reconcile the two directors' approaches, which ultimately resulted in a rushed and unsatisfying finale.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the recent Star Wars trilogy has left a bitter taste in my mouth. It's clear that Disney and its directors lack the vision and discipline necessary to tell a coherent and compelling story. While I still enjoy the Star Wars universe, the most recent installments have disappointed me. I hope the brand can bounce back, but for now, the future of Star Wars feels uncertain and fraught with disappointment.

Keywords: Star Wars, Rian Johnson, The Last Jedi, The Rise of Skywalker