Category - Episode VIII – The Last Jedi

Carrie Fisher: A Legacy Beyond the Stars

Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia

Carrie Fisher, known universally as the indomitable Princess Leia (and later General Leia Organa) in the Star Wars Universe, left behind a legacy that transcends the realms of cinema, inspiring generations and embodying strength, resilience, and the power of transformation.

Born on October 21, 1956, into Hollywood royalty, Fisher was destined for a life in the limelight. Her role in Star Wars, beginning with “A New Hope” in 1977, catapulted her to worldwide fame. As Princess Leia Organa, Fisher wasn’t just another character in a sci-fi saga; she represented a beacon of hope, leadership, and empowerment in a male-dominated genre.

Princess Leia’s impact was immediate and profound. Fisher’s portrayal brought a new kind of heroine to the screen: a leader who was both fierce and compassionate, commanding respect and exuding authority. This character broke the mold of the traditional damsel in distress, showing that women could be at the forefront of rebellion and change.

Beyond her iconic buns and sharp wit, Leia’s character arc mirrored the challenges and growth Fisher faced in her own life. Leia’s transition from a princess to a general in the series paralleled Fisher’s evolution from an actress to an influential figure in mental health advocacy and a celebrated writer.

Fisher’s open discussion of her struggles with bipolar disorder and addiction was revolutionary. She turned her personal battles into a public conversation, destigmatizing mental health issues and providing a voice for those often silenced. Her books, including the semi-autobiographical “Postcards from the Edge,” offered an unfiltered look into the complexities of her life, filled with humor and brutal honesty.

Fisher’s impact on Star Wars extended beyond the original trilogy. Her return in the sequels, especially in “The Force Awakens” and “The Last Jedi,” was a powerful reminder of her timeless influence. She was not only a figure of nostalgia but a continued source of inspiration, with Leia’s story evolving to mirror the changes in society’s perception of women in leadership.

Her final appearance in “The Rise of Skywalker,” posthumously, was a poignant tribute to both the character and the actress. Leia’s enduring presence in the Star Wars universe is a testament to Fisher’s immeasurable impact on the franchise and its fans.

Fisher’s legacy in Star Wars is interwoven with her advocacy, her writing, and her unapologetic authenticity. She showed the world that there is strength in vulnerability, power in speaking out, and that heroes can come in many forms.

As we remember Carrie Fisher, we celebrate not just the character she played but the person she was – fierce, funny, flawed, and fundamentally transformative. Her legacy as Princess Leia and as an advocate for mental health continues to inspire, reminding us that our struggles do not define us, but they can empower us.

Carrie Fisher’s journey with Star Wars is a poignant reminder of the power of storytelling, the importance of representation, and the impact one person can have on the world. Her light continues to shine in the hearts of millions, a beacon of hope and resilience in a galaxy not so far away. Her force will forever be with us.

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Why does so much hate surround The Last Jedi?

SPOILERS FOLLOW. Please don’t read until after you have seen The Last Jedi.

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Even as a lifelong Star Wars fan, I absolutely adored The Last Jedi. Its pace, self-reflective humor, incredible action set pieces, evolved performances and the surprising fates of Snoke, Luke and ‘broom boy’ were all rewarding in their unexpected nature, which hint at new directions while freshly transitioning away from the legacy that came before. I had issue with moments such as Leia’s Mary Poppins revelation and some of the Finn/Rose journey, but overall appreciate how the first recognises Leia’s innate force sensitivity and the latter helped to establish the ‘class war’ nature of the battle that is sure to take place in Episode IX. Other long-time fans, however, appear to have been deeply offended by how Rian Johnson and team handled Luke’s personality, Rey’s rapid force mastery, Snoke’s identity, Rey’s parentage, Rose’s role and other aspects of the film. While it’s fine to be critical, many have expressed their anger with a sense of vitriol.

Why is it that some fans have responded this way, and driven the Rotten Tomatoes’ fan score for the film into territory that differs so greatly from the ultra-fresh score it acquired from film critics? The video below attempts to uncover what elements of the film triggered such an emotive, divisive fan response, and looks into whether this was fully justified, or could be indicative of an early over-reaction.

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Star Wars actors take ‘What Star Wars Character Are You?’ quiz

Without meaning to come across as a promotion for Buzzfeed, I wanted to share this video with you, as it includes a few touching moments (look out for Mark Hamill’s result), and some beautiful banter between the lead actors of The Last Jedi.

You’ve all seen those rather pointless, but often entertaining, online quizzes that ask you a series of questions to determine which one of the Friends you are, which Disney princess you should marry, whether you should be on Team Swift or Team Kanye, etc. Buzzfeed created a quiz to find out which character from The Last Jedi best matches your personality. Where this becomes interesting is that they then brought in the stars of the film and had them work through the quiz themselves.

Now, actors are by nature performing when they step on set. As such, you  wouldn’t necessarily expect Daisy Ridley, Gwendoline Christie, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac and crew to psychometrically align with the characters that they play, but some of the surprises that pop up throughout this process are great value. Gwen, in particular, reveals quite a lot about herself and her desires.

See what you think:

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The Last Jedi is here! Early reactions are positive.

The Last Jedi

Humble members of the general public, like you and I, will finally be able to see Star Wars: The Last Jedi from midnight tonight!

The long-awaited Star Wars instalment is helmed by Rian Johnson, the acclaimed director of Looper (2012), Brick (2005) and the most compellingly gut-wrenching episode of Breaking Bad – Ozymandias. Under his guidance, stars Daisy Ridley, Mark Hamill, John Boyega, Andy Serkis, Adam Driver and the beloved Carrie Fisher (in her final performance), will drive the mysterious penultimate story in the 9-episode saga.

Thanks to early screenings to critics and VIPs, we are able to gain some appreciation as to the quality of the film ahead of launch – and the news is good. The below Twitter reactions indicate overwhelming support for the complex, nuanced episode. It certainly sounds as though we Star Wars fans are in for an early Christmas treat at the cinemas this week. 🙂

 

Without presenting any spoilers, it seems as though there is at least one powerful and surprising twist on its way:

Of course, understanding where this film fits in comparison to others in the saga is something that will be hotly debated. The following Twitter member has given Episode VIII the highest available praise; suggesting that it is even more powerful than The Empire Strikes Back, which is commonly thought to be the high point of the Star Wars movies.

In a mere matter of hours, you’ll be able to find out whether all of this praise stacks up. Whatever the case, it seems as though we’re in for one seriously exciting experience, in a galaxy far, far away.

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