10 Things Nobody Wants To Admit About Star Wars

Released last year, The Force Awakens was a critical and commercial success, and one of the highest grossing films ever made. Directed by J. J. Abrams, the film got a great many things right – including the tone, which the prequels had completely squandered – introducing a handful of new characters, and seamlessly blending everything together. It was primarily an adventure film that did away with the space politics in favour of genuine thrills and excitement.

With that being said, The Force Awakens borrowed extensively from the original trilogy, so much so that the film is essentially just a remake of the first film. In both cases, an inexperienced, wide-eyed youth – abandoned on a desert planet, and forced to remain out of obligation – is forced to enter the galactic picture, transporting a droid containing vital information to the rebellion, and combating a sinister organisation with villainous intentions. There are numerous alterations, but the basic structure is exactly the same.

It’s been said before, but the film really did bring comparatively little to the table, recycling everything from iconic imagery to story moments instead of creating anything new. In all likelihood, Episodes VIII & IX will make the same mistake, repurposing everything from The Empire Strikes Back and Return Of The Jedi in a desperate attempt to recapture the magic of the originals.