I loved the original. My husband and I piled the kids into the van, along with a lot of snacks, and proceeded to have one of the most enjoyable evenings of our life.
Old-fashioned, big orchestra music! Heroes to root for! Villains to boo! And, a satisfying, heart-swelling conclusion, when Good defeats Evil, and the Underdogs win!
What's not to like?
Judging from the more modern "Stars Wars" imitations, a LOT.
Look, people, the numbers of women who actually LIKE space shoot-em-ups is fewer than can be found in a Buttigieg rally.
A LOT fewer.
I don't know why. Just as I don't know why I glommed onto sci-fi, Star Trek, Star Wars, and other 'non-girly' things. Like the Die Hard movies, or James Bond (the originals), Indiana Jones (the first 3) or comic books.
I just did.
And, that preference made me QUITE popular with the geeky, nerdy crowd I hung around with in programming classes, science classes, and, later the American Association of Physics Teachers and the Greater Cleveland PC User Group (QUITE huge in the 80's and 90's).
For years, I was the "Yes, a REAL girl is hanging around with me" mascot.
I still find myself outnumbered in my Ham Radio activities.
By artificially trying to massage the Star Wars stories to bring in more women - most of the characters are SUPERIOR martial artists, although still generally possessed of spindly appendages and a tendency to cry when stressed - the makers have inflicted harm to the franchise. Perhaps, beyond salvaging.
Look, the original Carrie Fisher Princess Leia was a kick-ass character. She had a mouth on her, didn't take a lot of B$, and - when necessary - used Leia-sized weapons to assist in the fight. But, even by the standards of the 1970's, Carrie Fisher was tiny. Both short, and slender. She was never going to be able to take on fighters twice her size, without the advantage of weapons.
You know, 2nd Amendment-type weapons - sometimes called the Great Equalizer.
What made that character so appealing is that she wanted to save her oppressed people from a tyrannical government, that was willing to ruthlessly commit genocide. She didn't seek power because she had personal or professional ambitions.
She was selfless, and not doing it to advance her profile in the next election. That's important, in a time when the majority of women in public life are ALL about THEM and their frenzied quest to secure their spot in the history books.
Leia was taking up arms because she was the Last Defense. Just like Pioneer Women did, again and again. When a man showed up who was able to take over the fight, she relinquished her role. She didn't insist on piloting the ship, she turned that over to the GUYS who had some real training.
Not today's Star Wars. Not only do the women insist on being in command of the troops, but they do a shitty job of it. Like Vice Admiral Holdo.
Her character is peevish, arrogant, unwilling to do what she SHOULD be doing - the things the guy from the film below did.
Look at him - he's dressed to LEAD the troops - wearing a UNIFORM, not attire for the Disco Ball. His MEDALS and ribbons are proudly displayed, both to give hope to the troops that one can survive - with honor - a battle, and to provide evidence that, yes, I AM a guy who knows how to do this stuff.
When questioned about his methods or tactics, he is forthright in explaining - in a straightforward way - why he is doing what he does.
Not Holdo - she superciliously insists on sending troops into battle who will surely die, and for what appears to be suicide missions. I'm not the only one that dislikes this character - see here for multiple videos by fans.
No, her refusal to engage with Poe seems to be more of the Leftist Female politicians talking down to us peons. Ya' know - SHE should not have to explain her VERY intelligent thinking to the lesser people. Holdo is the one with the job! She has EXPERIENCE!
The great Trump putdown of that kind of thinking:
I get it - women want to be a part of a Great Mission. They want to feel the surge of excitement when the mission is successful.
But, that mission should not be headed by a Glory-Hound - that put-down of "leaders" who care not who gets killed - as long as they get their medals.
Public service SHOULD be inhabited by those whose ultimate goal is to be a Cinncinatus. Who only reluctantly leave their REAL LIFE to serve when no one else is available.
And, who leave to go home again as soon as the crisis is over. That's the kind of leader America needs.
Not a decrepit old mediocrity hanging around for decades, always eager for a photo-op and a quick sound-bite, with his/her hand firmly on the public wallet, while still holding open pockets for a WEE contribution from those who will benefit from some "badly-needed" legislation. After a decade or two, go home - and that especially applies to their legislative aides, and lobbyists, as well.
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