Why Star Wars doesn't feel like Star Wars anymore

[@daniel_netzel]

Hey everyone, thanks for watching! This video was a long time coming, something I put off for a long time because A. I knew it'd take way longer than necessary and B. Let's just say it's a touchy subject for some. But hopefully you can all see that this truly comes from a place of love, and purely the desire to see Star Wars live up to its full potential. I'd love to hear your thoughts though, and also if I should actually trust the hype and finally watch Andor lol

[@noelalden]

Yup you should probably watch Andor. It feels so different from all the other Disney shows, in tone and ambition. And it’s a show that seems to have gotten a lot of artistic freedom, and (at least for season 1) one untainted artistic direction. I’d say it’s the peak of Star Wars as a serious political drama. And this is coming from someone who though Rogue One was “just okay”. Some have complained that Andor is “too slow”, but I see it as a positive. The slow pace makes it more methodical, immersive and really makes the characters feel real. It definitely has an identity of it’s own, and doesn’t really rely on standard franchise story beats or tropes. Though if slow political dramas aren’t your thing, you won’t like it. Also curious about what you think of the animated Filoni shows, you didn’t seem to mention them much in the video. Being the juggernaut of Clone Wars (which is partially a Lucas project) and Rebels. Both were quite mediocre and childish in the beginning, and gradually came some of the best Star Wars out there into the final seasons. I especially love how those two series brought back and expanded upon the more mystical and spiritual nature of Star Wars, where everything doesn’t need an explanation. Giving me the sense of wonder seeping from the OT.

[@daniel_netzel]

I'm actually excited to hear that it's "slow", that's what people said about Breaking Bad and even Game of Thrones when it was still good, slow just usually means actually spending time developing the world and the characters. As far as Filoni, I think I was just a little too old by the time The Clone Wars was airing, I certainly admire what he did and think it's far better than pretty much all the Disney stuff, but I was also far more into Genndy Tarkovksy's(on mobile, forgive potential misspelling) version, the animation was incredible and I also loved his other shows too

[@Feefa99]

Andor is amazing, I really hope that writers strike won't have massive impact on 2. season

[@itskingsteven6235]

I've passed on watching any of the shows based on both the utter disappointment and abysmal storytelling/plotting of the first season of "The Mandalorian" and the even more horrible sequel trilogy of which I admittedly only watched the first and second parts. Force Awakens (which I watched in a theatre) and whatever the second one was called (which I watched sometime long after it was available to stream) had each told me in no uncertain terms that I should expect--at best--mediocrity. However, with all the hype around "The Mandalorian," coupled with my optimistic hope, I watched the 1st season once it was complete, against my better judgment, and almost immediately regretted doing so. I will continue to pass on Andor. We have only so many minutes in a day. We should endeavor to spend them as wisely as possible =)

[@charleshouser7770]

@@daniel_netzel I wrote a longer comment, but I think I lost it. Oh well. I'll give you the short version: Definitely watch Andor. What I loved about it was that it didn't feel like I was watching Star Wars. It felt like I was watching a good story set in the Star Wars universe. After a few episodes, the show hits a stride and doesn't let up. Disney needs to take risk with Star Wars. That's a key ingredient that has made Star Wars great in the past. Unfortunately, any large public company is risk-averse as their primary goal is to make shareholders money. Also: thanks for the video, I love to hear coherent perspectives like what you shared. Keep it up.

[@TheLuckyPan]

"Somehow Palpatine returned" may be, unintentionally, the most apt metaphor for the Star War sequel trilogy, and Disney franchises by extension. An undying Sith lord trying to stay alive by sucking up all the (life)Force of everything that is alive. A 100 year old company trying to remain relevant by sucking up all the IP and money in the world to continue its soulless greed.

[@ronnickels5193]

Palpatine's return also shows how bad the wiritong had gotten. A retcon is one thing, but this was a full blown deus ex machina

[@doomsdayrabbit4398]

Sucking up all the IP and doing its damnedest to make sure none of it ever ends up in the public domain. I'm all for authors having ownership over their work, but when it gets to the corporate level? Now you have undying "people" run by individuals with nary a creative bone in their bodies making bank off of the ideas of someone who created them so long ago those ideas could apply for their Social Security benefits by now.

[@Geekezf]

@@ronnickels5193 His return exist in the legends (and was as liked as the Disney's one). But they at least had the decency to explain it.

[@rn6312]

Dark Empire originated that kind of story and it did it well. The current writers just fucked it up because they didn't have a good story to tell.

[@amazingsoyuz873]

@@rn6312 Nah Palp's return in Dark Empire was also generally not liked but like you said they at least gave a solid explanation and made it interesting.

[@user-uq4gr5nl5o]

This new phenomena of on demand art made by internet feedback is deeply concerning to me. The days when films were supposed to be the brainchild of a director and a writer that they used to express their vision to the world are apparently coming to an end. George RR Martin said it best "Art is not a democracy". Unfortunately, that seems to no longer be true.

[@cstephen98]

This could be applied to every Disney property and how the 'business' runs their IPs into the ground, milking for every penny before buying more to run into the ground.

[@daniel_netzel]

100%. This is just the area I'm most passionate about and have the longest history with, but Disney is just gunning full speed into the greed

[@orangewarm1]

Most corporations behave this way. Watch The Corporation.

[@brianmelendy1194]

That Marvel garbage is awful as well.

[@Ajajajjddjd1917]

Blizzard too ​@@orangewarm1

[@Rubber_Monkey]

I would like to see a limited series roundtable with all the heads of the Sequal Trilogy (Kathleen Kennedy, JJ Abrams, Rian Johnson, Lawrence Kasdan, etc.) and see what REALLY went down with the making of the trilogy with nothing held back.

[@daniel_netzel]

Honestly? Everyone was under insane pressure and impossible deadlines. Too many cooks in the kitchen, too much focus on the bigger picture of the brand and not on the movies. I feel like Kennedy has shit to answer for, but J.J. and Rian were just strung along for the ride

[@Rubber_Monkey]

@@daniel_netzel Maybe they shouldn’t announce a trilogy almost immediately after Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm. Who knows how different things would’ve turned out if they properly planned it out.

[@alimfuzzy]

​@daniel_netzel JJ already answered this. He screwed up. He didn't have a plan and didn't care. He is a good film maker not a good writer.

[@memorian8472]

I'm not sure I care to see that, but man it makes me miss J.W. Winzler, his "The Making of Star Wars" series was amazing. I loved getting that behind-the-scenes information on the creation of the films.

[@daniel_netzel]

The funny thing is he most definitely cared, he was a massive Star Wars fan, he actually rejected the offer multiple times because he didn't want all of that pressure, but Disney was hellbent on getting him for the job

[@tappajavittu]

I've had multiple star wars burnouts since the prequels but the Mandalorian season 3 and it's atrociously bad writing was the moment when I finalized my divorce to star wars. I got 2.5 episodes in that season and now I'm finally done, for good this time. EDIT: My biggest gripe with star wars for decades now has been that the world feels way too small, it's a god damned galaxy but the same few people seem to bump into each other every other day like everyone lived on the same block, it doesn't feel like a lived in universe anymore but more like an amusement park designed to strip me off of my money, it's sad.

[@barkley8285]

andor brotha, thats all you need.

[@greghannibal]

Some people find Andor boring, and it DOES have a long fuse, but it's still good. It makes you actually pay attention to the plot instead of changing things every 5 minutes.

[@tappajavittu]

Of course people find it boring, because it has actual substance instead of just flashing lights and mind numbing jedi sith lightsaber crap. I fucking hate star wars nowadays.

[@jjandorliadul]

Giving up on Star Wars yet not watching Andor is akin to giving up on Chinese food after only eating carry out the whole time.

[@ninvusoogoar6098]

andors first 3 episodes are the slog you need to get through to see the golden nugget

[@Hazard33]

@@ninvusoogoar6098 The mere fact that you "need" to "slog" through any part of it means it's just as bogged down by corporate greed like the rest of them, you defeated your own point within your own message.

[@ninvusoogoar6098]

@@Hazard33 i really didnt. nor did i ever say it was a slog for me... many people found it to be a slog due to being a slow burn. but the andor show was the best thing disney had done with star wars... by far. all the other D+ shows were either harmless empty calories like the first 2 seasons of mando, or they were aggressively mid like tales of the empire, or the rest were utter shit like the acolyte and sequels. also how did i defeat my own point within my message? because i said the beginning is a slog you need to get through? many thought it was a slog and stopped, never once said i felt that way. but hey, i guess thinking is hard for you huh? also corporate greed? dont be that kind of r tard kiddo... everyone is ruled by greed and self interest to varying degrees, to try and say other wise is just lying to yourself and others. you are no exception

[@davidb9639]

Great analysis, my one quibble would be that I think you're cutting RJ a little too much slack. Out of all the directors and writers he had the most freedom to do as he liked, and boy did he do it.

[@Renee84]

What's crazy is that George Lucas had ACTUAL PLANS and blueprints for the sequel trilogy! But Disney execs just refused to use any of it!

[@solo_edits1984]

What's worse, is that Kathleen Kennedy promised him they would, then stabbed him in the back. I bet he regrets selling Lucasfilm to Disney now.

[@Tommytakanawa]

​@secretsofstarwars I bet he doesn't. He made billions of dollars. Donated a ton to charity, and silenced all the whiney kids complaining about the prequels.

[@Tommytakanawa]

​@@solo_edits1984 also you should change your name and pic. Your providing free advertising for Disney ya shill.

[@pingamalinga]

​@@solo_edits1984I dont think so. Lucas is entirely too smart to know that without a binding agreement that anything after the sale is fair game. He knew. He sold it and washed his hands of it. It doesnt mean he regrets selling the IP.

[@KlassicLoL]

Andor was quite good. Was reluctant to start it too due to a lot of Star Wars fatigue but it was a nice watch

[@Schmidtelpunkt]

It made me want to watch the other series even less, because it proved that there can be interesting stories found in that universe once they get past all the permutations of the same characters meeting each other at every corner of the galaxy as if it were a village. Rogue One did the same for me - in fact the weakest link was the appearance of Darth Vader.

[@Jay_Coop]

Wonderful essay! The LOTR comparison really brought the root cause into view. For me, the whole approach feels like a shortsighted cash grab rather than creating from a place that prioritizes the health and longevity of the franchise: can't make money if the fans don't care anymore. I worry that even some of the better content, like the Mandalorian, will be creatively hobbled as it's forced to meet certain deadlines--basically as a way to keep enough subscriptions to make Disney+ a viable streaming service. As you said, the whole approach dooms nearly any project to eventual failure, either by being too rushed to create quality, or by forcing shows to continue far past their natural conclusions. Ultimately, I worry this path will burnout fans' enthusiasm for the franchise... or at the worst, convince some to settle with mediocre content.

[@daniel_netzel]

I feel like people have already settled with mediocre content :/

[@lookingforwookiecopilot]

ROTJ was just a cash grab. That's why it has warrior teddy bears, and was known for years as, "Well,...its not as good as Empire".

[@Jay_Coop]

@@daniel_netzel certainly some people, maybe even the majority. However, I also see many who are frustrated not just with the sequel trilogy, but how legacy characters have been handled in the shows as well. Time will tell I guess… Dave Filoni getting bigger projects gives me hope though!

[@PeverellTheThird]

@@daniel_netzel Perhaps the real issue here may be that you feel too much and don't think enough, i.e. "blinded" by nostalgia?

[@saberiandream316]

Especially when the owners are either too proud or too ground under Disney's heel to ever just take responsibility and admit when they were wrong. When's the last time YOU saw Lucasfilm ever say they were wrong and apologized? I frankly can't remember a time.

[@orangewarm1]

The fundamental problem always starts with the writing.

[@belestairkurokami-hw2vh]

Star Wars is an amalgam of cool things, woven into a story. The hero’s journey, sci-fi, fantasy, philosophy eastern and western, samurai, cowboys, freedom fighters, and corrupt empires with despots, George produced something from this and it works, an amalgam of real life things and made fiction. Whereas Disney is an amalgam of Star Wars itself, which already is a problem in ways, and then it’s done badly, sealing its fate.

[@IncredibleFulk1]

Not even Star Wars itself, just A New Hope and Empire Strikes Back only. In their eyes, those are the only "good" SW films while everything else must be ignored.

[@frixos0073]

This video resonates SO MUCH with me. Every word spoken I felt like it came from my own mind. Thank you for making this and showing me there's other fans out there that know something is terribly wrong with Disney Star Wars. Nowadays people are quick to accuse you of being a 'fanboy' if you say you dislike anything about the direction a franchise is heading.

[@cstephen98]

Everything you're describing is what happens when the Disney business drives the creativity instead of the artists. They did the same thing to their animation studios after movies like Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast. "You will crank out a theatrical release every 12 months and a direct-to-video every 6 months. Ran it into the ground but then Tarzan came out from the French studio so they were fine with it before running that studio into the ground. If Pixar hadn't maintained their independence I'm sure they'd have done the same there as they've done to other properties. I've pretty much given up on the company and its products.

[@Larooster87]

Man I love this video. I was incredibly cautious when the first trailer dropped. And after only ever watching force awakens, Star Wars is just six great films, some good games, and a bunch of good science fantasy books.

[@Toxodos]

you should definitely watch andor, it's not just a good star wars work, it stands on its own

[@daniel_netzel]

Good to know, it's always hard to gauge because there are tons of fans of every SW thing, and I've felt pretty mid or worse about all of it, but I'll definitely give it a watch at some point.

[@Marco-Solo]

I'll just add in a few reasons why I agree it's a step above all post LucasFilm Star Wars films/series: - Clear, meaningful character arcs - Thoughtful political commentary - Mostly new characters and planets - It isn't trying to justify or tie in other SW material the whole time (stands on its own like @toxodos said) - Impressive locations and cinematography I have similar thoughts as you do about Disney Star Wars, but this is a cut above the rest.

[@Esty770]

I’ll second this and say that yes, Andor is a different beast entirely - one of the most mature renditions of a sci-fi world that i have seen on film or tv. This is coming from someone who felt 100% done with Star Wars after seeing the nightmare that was rise of skywalker.

[@daniel_netzel]

Damn, y'all making me kind of hyped, which is an emotion I'm scared to even let myself feel about SW at this point lol

[@zann6108]

@@daniel_netzel I fully expect you to watch Andor and make a follow up to this video about it, lol. A Star Wars political thriller isn't going to be for everyone (though it's _excellent_ if that's your kind of thing), but it definitely breaks the mold from the sea of Disney trash discussed here. Just Write already has a great video on all that, but I'd love to hear your take on both its place in the franchise and its merits as just another piece of art. I suspect you'll have a lot to say on it, lol.

[@bastipotter84]

I do disagree about jedi fallen order, which was made by a team that clearly love star wars and it shows in the game

[@SHLVideos]

Creator-owned. The magic words at the end of the day are creator-owned. A corporation cannot make great art, it's like watching AI try to make art. All it can do is emulate soullessly.

[@HonoluluBluNSilver]

He spittin

[@atlanta2076]

Daniel; WATCH Andor yesterday. I am appalled by everything Disney SW, but Andor is where it's at. More in the fashion of the EU. You will not regret giving it a shot!

[@Onio_362]

This is not my canon. Guys, don't even care about what Disney releases. Read the eu books cause those are better. Call the expanded universe your canon and don't care about what Disney releases. After throwing out the eu and ruining the sequels, Disney will never fix star wars for me. I've been having hope that they would, but it's gone. They obviously don't care about the franchise 🙄

[@vladsaint6344]

If I considered myself a writer in any form and came up with, 'Somehow, Palpatine returned.' I would have died of shame.

[@bb-gc2tx]

they basically told gen x males who basically created the fan base and supported and kept star wars alive during the down period from late 80s until late 90s they dont want us as fans anymore. we experienced and have connection to the OT no other generation could have and disney basically said yeah go away we dont want you as fans

[@alfredolopez9642]

This video just hits me in a very special way. I discovered Star Wars when I was a little kid and it was a turning point in my life. I'd always loved folklore, mythology, fairy tales and all things fiction, so Star Wars was the perfect mixture for me: space wizards and sci-fi knights, the best kind of good versus evil storytelling. It saddens me to see this IP that I once loved so much being taken over by a real "evil empire". I went to watch episode 7 on theaters when it was released. Nothing we hadn't seen before but hey, "it can only improve from here on" I thought. I went to see episode 8, to be honest I actually liked it more than 7 just because it dared to mess with the formula, however I'd be lying if I said is something I would want to watch again. Slowly but surely, it started to dawn on me that these characters and poor excuses of stories weren't something that I actually cared about or even connected with. The faces, voices and names of some of them where the same: Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Leia Organa; but the heart and soul was absent. All of these movies, TV series, animated shows and videogames lacked the fire of the Star Wars I knew in a time before Disney's empire. I didn't even bothered with episode 9, I haven't watched it even to this day and don't plan on doing it ever. I've heard everything I need about it to know that it would be an exercise in morbidity. Like watching the corpse of a dearly missed friend that has been rotting for quite some time being mangled and puppeteered into a disturbingly twisted and profane imitation of life that you know it's not there anymore by the dead stare in the eyes. I don't care for Disney's Star Wars, don't care for The Mandalorian, Kenobi, Andor, Rebels, The Bad Batch, etc. I think that the only thing I've genuinely extracted a little bit of enjoyment is Star Wars Visions, and that has more to do with the fact that all of the shorts are free form, non-canonical short exercises animated by some of the best talent in the anime industry from Japan instead of a series of restrictive and severely imposed, unimaginative, low quality, made-for-streaming-service trash piles of shows. It may sound harsh, I know, but Disney hasn't earned anything less than a harsh opinion from me with how much it has run this property to the ground. I'll keep cherishing the old Star Wars. Those first six movies and the libraries worth of comic books, novels, videogames and shows are some of the greatest seeding grounds for imagination in pulp narrative and fiction that has existed since the first time we saw those giant yellow letters scrolling up in the silver screen. May it live always in our hearts and may the true force be with you all! Thanks for the incredible video, Daniel. So many emotions and memories while watching it. ❤

[@daniel_netzel]

You're making the right move not walking Episode IX. I had a friend at the time who said it was the best of the trilogy, and I genuinely questioned his taste when I made the mistake of sitting down to watch it. Genuinely one of my least favorite movies I've ever seen, not because it's objectively the worst or something, but just awful storytelling that comes out of absolutely nowhere, feels completely disconnected from the other two movies and just slapped together at the last minute. I hated it.

[@Comicbroe405]

You're completely right in your assessment but Andor isn't any of what you said. It's so far from "restrictive and severely imposed, unimaginative, low quality, made-for-streaming-service trash piles of shows". It dares to do smtg different & new with the source, has been made with a high production value. Tony Gilroy is another plane compared to Filoni or others. Pretty much why GL praised him for Rogue.

[@barkley8285]

Andor is better than any star wars you have seen before. Rogue one and andor are absolutely incredible adding to the classic trilogy.

[@astronaut8917]

its mind blowing Disney didnt have Plageuis be the main threat in the sequels. How bad ass that would have been for them to have to deal with the guy that trained Palpatine, and has managed to survive death.

[@saberiandream316]

Fans were okay when they threw out the EU and then started copying from it. Yes, people are okay with it. That's the horrible part. The clapping seals will always be there at the next jangling of keys rather than looking for something of substance.

[@augustus_tiberius.]

I remember watching your Kingdom of Heaven video all those years ago, and how spot on you were about how that movie could’ve had such a better reception and legacy. With Disney Star Wars you have a way of putting words to how many of us once fans feel about the current state of this once great franchise.

[@storyspinner4166]

You should watch The Closer Look’s video on the topic. In the last part of the video, he shares what he thinks the best way to remake the Disney sequels is. It is actually really good, even though it doesn’t have any original footage and he just verbally says the story.

[@lovepiecozitsawesome]

Extremely clear and thought out, as always. Your videos are consistently a pleasure, and really help clarify my own thoughts on how I feel about stuff. About the Andor show. As someone who basically has the same background with SW as you do (fell in love with the sequels, bought lego, played jedy academy, rogue squadron etc.), its okay, but for me never really captured the star wars feel, it feels like generic scifi with a decent story. Edit: do you have a letterboxd account?

[@daniel_netzel]

Thank you! Jury's still out on how I'll feel, I'm definitely worried I'll have the same feeling you just described whenever I watch it. I don't ever use Letterboxd to be honest

[@SolidNeodark]

Disney has an easy way out: start adapting "Legends" material in live-action. The fans who never read the Thrawn Trilogy will be excited, fans who have already read it won't get drowned in rumors and speculation, but instead will know what to expect. And by putting the "Legends" seal on the opening crawl, Disney can still cling to the illusoon that they control what's canon.

[@theblueengineer47792]

honestly I think it's too late for that to work, after everything disney has put out I think most people anymore are happy that disney stays away from legends just because it keeps those stories safe from any number of changes done for the sole reason of trying to drive numbers ever higher because a bunch of out of touch people think that said changes will magically conjure new viewers because a box was checkmarked, plus better for them to leave it alone and to someday have someone passionate about the franchise tell those stories

[@Remix36720]

This whole thing was worse than having no plan. They threw out George’s plan and then went with no plan at all. Absolute Fucking Disaster.

[@alsimmonshellspawn6021]

The only star wars i like is George Lucas 1-6 LucasArts the EU comics and novels

[@DouglasLippi]

16:58 timelines are crucial. Lucas had timelines as well. Disney's timeline, however, was rushed. 2 years instead of the usual 3.

[@branamcs]

I enjoyed the Mandalorian and thought season 2 was a perfect ending, so I couldn't believe when I heard there'd be a season 3. I've refused to watch it. They just can't let a piece of work rest--they have to choke every dollar out of it. So far Andor has been great. I hope they don't ruin it as well.

[@ChainsGone2012]

EXACTLY.... I feel the same way. Though I still enjoyed season 3 of Mandolorian, it was totally unnecessary.

[@ciaranocraobhach]

Star Wars is weighed down by its own legacy. That's the main problem. We all have nostalgia for the franchise. Personally, I pick and choose what I like post-Disney acquisition. The main thing is, enjoy what you enjoy. At the end of the day, it's all a fantasy, and none of it actually happened 😅

[@rn6312]

Best comment I've seen.

[@graywz]

Andor is definitely worth watching. The best of Disney SW by far.

[@simple-commentator-not-rea7345]

You're WAY too forgiving at the end. People explore the imagination when it suits them. They expand the mythos when it suits them. And they only go above and beyond instead of doing the bare minimum when it suits them.

[@starkingbiker]

i’m absolutely a prequel apologist now

[@harlemraider3347]

The prequels are not good movies but they tell a good, cohesive & compelling overarching story, it’s just poorly executed. The sequels just don’t do that & that’s their biggest downfall.

[@rn6312]

@@harlemraider3347 So you're pretty much saying "Yes these are crap but these are bigger pieces of crap." They're both shit dude, doesnt matter.

[@dareedle]

I grew up with the original trilogy, playing the arcade video game at Golfland and patiently waiting for the sequel novels from Timothy Zahn that featured Luke, Leia and Han at their prime. I also watched the trailer for the first episode like a million time before it got released. Needles to say DIsney has not been able to duplicate that magic.

[@VZed]

Thanks for this video. As a lapsed Star Wars fan, one who stood by the prequel trilogy even, I've felt so much of these even without the words to fully express it. I like The Last Jedi but knowing that it's tied to a sequel that is troublingly bad, even by studio standards, and a predecessor that is just... empty makes it hard to revisit or even engage with on it's own merits. The degree to which I've had to move on from Star Wars makes me sad, especially knowing that the new refuges I find are so often headed on the same trajectory... ugh it's a bit overwhelming.

[@1080TJ]

Regarding the lack of non-Star Wars influences, I have to defend The Last Jedi here. I know it's a polarizing film but it's easily my favorite piece of Disney SW media and listening to Rian Johnson talk about it, you can tell he was sincere in his intentions and was thinking about it as a film and not just another piece of franchise content. He listed a number of classic films as influences including Twelve O'Clock High, Letter Never Sent, Bridge on the River Kwai, To Catch a Thief and Three Outlaw Samurai. There's clear nods to Rashomon and the silent movie Wings. A lot of these are the same types of films that inspired Lucas. Say what you will about the man but he clearly did his homework, and when you watch TLJ next to something like TROS or Book of Boba Fett, it shows.

[@daniel_netzel]

I didn't want to end up going on too long of a tangent in a video already filled with quite a few, but I've always defended The Last Jedi as easily the best of the trilogy, and still the best SW project since Lucas IMO. Rian Johnson is an incredible filmmaker that I've loved for a long time, well before he ever got attached to Star Wars, and his is the one that stands above the rest as easily the most cinematic and well imagined, and most of its flaws can be traced back to the shitty setup that The Force Awakens gave him. I'm quite convinced that if he had been in charge of the whole trilogy we'd be looking at a very different situation

[@skabliggum7313]

This was a great, rational, measured approach to what has gone wrong with Star Wars. Thank you!

[@BallotBoxer]

"Somehow -Palpatine- -returned- Daniel has missed the best of recent Star Wars, the _Andor_ series." - Po Dameron

[@nicholalehtimaki3597]

Theres many fans like me who share your perspective and love all six of the original saga. I wish Bob Iger had to see this essay lol. I agree that most of the live action movies and tv shows disney has produced all feel weird (i'm watching Andor right now, it's actually pretty good but feels more like an old EU novel than Lucas's canon). There's one series released since 2014 that IMO feels 99% congruous with the lucas world. I'm not sure how familiar you are with The Clone Wars televison show, The Bad Batch is essentially a sequel to that. The Clone Wars doesn't totally match the feeling of Luca's movies but it was made under his supervision and The Bad Batch retains many ideas straight from George's work on that show.

[@spuriouseffect]

The feeling people experience when watching Star Wars can be summed up with one word ....."NEVER!!!" It exemplifies the passion men have. A passion that stirs the hearts of men, and attracts the hearts of women. Feminists and neutered men seemingly know nothing of that passion. That is why they fail.

[@CyberKiriK]

Great work, thank you so much for video!

[@Seasonal-Shadow_4674]

Hot Take: I liked Hermit Luke

[@ashtongaskill3980]

Me too

[@daniel_netzel]

I did too, I generally think The Last Jedi is easily the best of the sequels, also from what I've read Lucas actually had similar plans for Luke if he ever made his sequel trilogy.

[@Seasonal-Shadow_4674]

@@daniel_netzel I just think it’s nostalgia everyone hated hermit Luke, hermit Luke actually I found relatable and helped me feel less alone in the world

[@Rubber_Monkey]

Me three

[@daniel_netzel]

@@Seasonal-Shadow_4674 There was a nice quote I read once from Rian Johnson where he talked about how a lot of fans see character arcs like a permanent video game upgrade rather than being a human with flaws who may backslide at times. Plus with the setup of TFA that basically showed how the rebels didn't even accomplish anything and his attempt to rebuild the Jedi just led to Kylo, I don't blame him for struggling to keep the hope.

[@collinschoenfelder677]

Disney Star Wars makes the lightsaber just a 500 degrees baseball bat

[@jjandorliadul]

How one can love the pre-quels and just find Rogue One "meh" may be a generational issue. I grew up with the original trilogy and found the prequels horrendous. It wasn't until Rogue One and finally Andor that resuscitated me. I honestly have no interest watching a "Star Wars" feeling anymore to be republicated. I want an adult one.

[@daniel_netzel]

I was born in 1991, so I was the perfect age for the prequels. It's impossible to say how much of my love for them is blinded by nostalgia, but love them I do. Rogue One was just bland for me, forgettable story with forgettable characters, the action was great but I love Star Wars for a lot more than action

[@rn6312]

@@daniel_netzel I'd say about 90% is you being blinded by nostalgia becuase a Gen X'er like myself found your massive praise of the prequels ridiculous.

[@GamerNation1221]

I can't say that I blame Lucas for selling the IP, but regardless of what he was told there was no way he believed Disney would treat the franchise the way he envisioned. It sucks that it happened but I suppose it's inevitable in this age; look at the Rings of Power. Even George was eventually swayed by the greenbacks. The dark times.

[@daniel_netzel]

@@GamerNation1221 I don't know, he had known Kathleen Kennedy for decades, before she was even at Disney unless I'm mistaken, so I could totally believe he thought he was leaving it all in good hands, but you never know for sure

[@alancranford3398]

I was a 20-year-old Marine stationed on Oahu when Star Wars hit the big silver screen. My reaction before seeing the movie was "good!" Hollywood had written off the science fiction movie repeatedly--as it had with the western movie and the fantasy movie. The success was impressive and inside of five years the science fiction craze had fizzled out--mostly. What? Star Wars proved to be the exception? How about that! It seems that America's motion picture industry has no idea what makes a good movie. There were blockbuster movies of the Thirties (The Wizard of Oz and Gone with the Wind) that were box office failures due to bloated budgets and because World War Two cut off foreign markets. There were blockbusters in the Sixties that suffered the same problems without a world war to blame--Cleopatra and The Alamo are just two. Throwing a lot of money at a movie doesn't make it successful. There are several reasons. Let's begin with "you can never step in the same river twice--it's not the same water and you're not the same person." Sure, just snarl at the customers--being slapped in the face is a sure-fire way to increase revenue--NOT! The movie business is a BUSINESS, and if there is no return on investment, movie studios go out of business. There's a balancing act between "new and fresh" and giving more of what made the audience like a movie. The Empire Strikes Back subverted expectations and there were stakes at risk--Luke lost a hand and Han was frozen, potentially dead. The Empire was winning. Back in 1977 I got to see Star Wars when the Corps sent me to California for additional schooling. Otherwise, I had little time to indulge in hobbies--I was sort of busy as an avionics tech. From November 1977 to August 1978, I was servicing helicopter radios while living aboard LPH-10/USS Tripoli as it cruised the western Pacific. I was living out of a sea bag--no room for hobbies. I guess that's why I found Star Wars entertaining but could never become invested as a fan.

[@gregmosher4287]

As a kid who grew up watching and rewatching the originals, loving the prequels as a teenager, diving into all the blend of media you mentioned... the sequel trilogy never landed for me. force awakens actually felt like it could have been good. Mirroring the old which was fine at the time, nerds on the internet had spent years claiming the prequels were horrible. so OF course disney would distance themselves a little from the prequels. Force Awakens set up a likable new cast, felt like it could have gone anywhere they wanted. But then everything you point out in the video is true. It was painfully clear in episode 8 and 9 that they never had a plan for what they wanted to actually do with these new characters. which is such a shame cause there was a ton of potential to make for excellent stories. its just a shame

[@conrad4852]

The hype for Andor is deserved btw. I hope you’ve finally seen it.

[@conrad4852]

I did enjoy this video too btw.

[@-e-1536]

I just cannot believe that even the most ruthless and pathetically mechanical corporate demands on the franchise could possibly perfect the incredible "Uglification" that Star Wars has become...in other words, it appears to be a highly educated and intentional disaster.

[@elichilton7031]

Outstanding commentary. As a fellow lifelong SW fan, I wholeheartedly agree with your perspective.

[@CarltonYoung]

Excellent analysis and essay, disagree with you on Rogue One though. I thought it was an excellent entry into the franchise. Yeah, give Andor a watch, it’s a different take from all the lightsabers and the Force. I loved it.

[@chriskrahn]

Great video

[@copordrop]

Andor is the only thing disney has done with Star Wars that i would consider S tier, everything else feels like B Tier at best

[@michaeljaymarshall]

Finally. Well said, great video.

[@rhaelfixer2584]

Funny enough when Disney announced that Disney purchased Star Wars. I had a bad feeling about it. Turned out I was right. By the way, I didn't even watch 8 and 9 because 7 is a total piece of trash. I don't expect 8 and 9 to be good since 7 is a total piece of trash.

[@rn6312]

You were upset they killed Han too huh?

[@BillyBob-bd1hj]

"My heart can only take so much" dude I feel that

[@Horrorzeit]

I would recommend doing a different thumbnail on this, doesnt tell me what the video is about so I didnt click. I dont get what the Disney vacuum is when I see it. As your title is already vague the thumb should tell a bit more.

[@jildertfilms9376]

Yeah no, yes.... watch Andor. Dew it

[@MandarinQ-cq5qk]

I have been a Star Wars fan for 47 years, and currently, I am struggling to find the magic again. Disney has killed it for me. Season 3 of The Bad Batch, was the final nail in the coffin. I miss the magic and the excitement and the wonder...I miss Star Wars and everything it once meant to me.

[@rn6312]

Take a break, then come back and enjoy what you do love about it. It's that simple.

[@tomhahnl1927]

Unfortunately I have to agree with you 😢

[@brockfoose9892]

We gotta push this one. V well said sir

[@nixielee]

Andor is the only good thing that came out of this, so you have to watch it like right now. Just do it, it's really good. Forget Disney and Star Wars, Andor is one of the best tv shows in recent years.

[@MATRIX-AGENT]

I think you have summarized things pretty well. I grew up with the original trilogy and the aw of it all. I will always love those movies. Disney needs to slow down on production and find people who understand and care about Star Wars. Kathleen Kennedy isn’t that person. If Disney is concerned about its 4 Billion dollar investment they need to replace her ASAP. In my opinion Rogue One is the best Disney has come up with and yet it still falls flat in comparison to anything George Lucas did.

[@LadyAstarionAncunin]

The irony is that the most recent trilogy will be defended by someone who's a kid now in the same way the prequels are being defended by you. And goodness only knows what quality the subsequent trilogy they will contrast it to will be like.

[@daniel_netzel]

There are plenty of adults who defend it now, so you're certainly not wrong. But I do think that time will reveal all, the prequels have their flaws but they tell a solid story over three films that all feel connected, and the sequels simply do not. Once that initial charm wears off, enough years pass and age the VFX and all we're left with the story or the characters, I think it's inevitable to see fewer and fewer people defending them

[@lookingforwookiecopilot]

I defend the sequel trilogy, and I'm 51. 😮😅

[@Schmidtelpunkt]

Well, the next trilogy will ruin it for them as well.

[@thealexgundam5006]

​@@daniel_netzel By that point will be far away from the sequels in terms where Disney taking star wars, bot mention considering they keep pumping stuff out to month to a year apart essentially oversaturation the brand vs the prequels which had breathing room and was a lot more original elements.... I doubt people will even care to talk about the film

[@fgdj2000]

What people forget is that Licas films were independent films. They have more in common with Arthpuse than any big franchise. I enjoy Mitch of Disney, but not to the level of Lucas era.

[@n8wzdm562]

Your thesis comes down to time. I couldn’t agree more.

[@VirtusH]

Wow this was an emotional watch.

[@JacobDudlicek]

"as a fan my heart can only take so much" ... that is why they have done this. They needed to get rid of the most beloved modern Western myth. They did not buy Star Wars to expand it, they bought it to end it

[@thumos]

Frankly, even if you tripled the production timeline for the sequels, they would not have been able to create anything great. The writers and directors simply do not have the proper emotional and cultural mindset to do that. No matter what, they wanted to have a flawless woman as the main character whose journey is really just about having other people recognize how awesome she is. And the achievements and journeys of Luke and Han really irked the writers because they were so wholesomely traditional. They hated these characters and wanted to bring them down.

[@nikolaiswartz3116]

Thank you. I always get attacked when I say that the prequel trilogy is better than the original trilogy... despite how winy Anekin becomes. In fact, I feel like the wininess was befitting of the character he was destined to become. I hate the Disney trilogy because the first one copies Episode 4, the second one does nothing other than trying to undo everything from the first movie and the third movie is nothing but fan service and nothing else. The third movie felt like it was begging people to come back

[@Menstral]

Star Wars is a great hero's journey story for children and youth. However, over-the-top worship of the Star Wars mythology, as celebrated by adults who own Star wars toys is a bit sad/pathetic. Star Wars is a decidedly mediocre hero's journey for 'adults' (mature nerds with no knowledge of literature or mythology)

[@daniel_netzel]

Yeah, shame on all those 7 year olds for not being brushed up on their Iliad or Beowulf, so uncultured.

[@Menstral]

@@daniel_netzel your comment has merit because I didn't make the exception for children, so I refined and sharpened my original comment.

[@PeverellTheThird]

Shadow projection much?

[@Mystery207]

23:45 by "by 2024 we hope to destroy all your favorite characters including marvel comics because we are greedy and we have men & boys" KK w/ RZ. Disney Ted talk

[@Mystery207]

(Hate )not (have) " hate little boys and men " Amazon auto correct is dumb as a bag of censorship

[@Dxnttv]

Still waiting on the Andor review!!!!

[@willfanofmanyii3751]

Besides some ups and downs, the only good things I feel Disney has made for Star Wars is the content that fills the gap between the PT and OT.

[@saberiandream316]

Learn to distinguish what is original and what is copied from the EU. It isn't that much, tbh, they have no original bones in their whole bodies.

[@sumanoskae]

PLEASE watch Andor. It's probably one of the best pieces of Star Wars fiction ever released. I say this as a fan of the old EU, whose favorite Star Wars story is KOTOR II.

[@daniel_netzel]

I loved both KOTOR games so much, I even enjoyed SWTOR for quite some time, I desperately hope to see more in the franchise

[@sumanoskae]

@@daniel_netzel Andor, to my mind, is one of maybe 3 Star Wars products produced by Disney that's interested in progressing the universe instead of just fawning over it.

[@saberiandream316]

@@daniel_netzel I just wish Disney wasn't so rigid, the old EU had every bit of diversity under the sun, and while Disney Star Wars makes empty words about diversity, it's their way or the highway if you don't like what they make.

[@MichaelLeriVideos]

Did you really not like Jedi: Fallen Order?

[@daniel_netzel]

I'm kind of an old curmudgeon when it comes to most games these days, pretty much everything is just ripping off of something else and doing a shittier job(Fallen Order being an awkward hybrid of Uncharted and Dark Souls) and I find most modern Triple A titles to just be super lackluster in design and fun factor, not to mention the lack of polish on virtually everything released that doesn't even always get patched away

[@MichaelLeriVideos]

@@daniel_netzel I understand. I thought it was a good 8/10. I didn't like Survivor, though. There are some great AAA games out there, but there are also plenty of mediocre ones, so it can be tricky to sift through it all.

[@daniel_netzel]

@@MichaelLeriVideos I've just been playing video games for so long that the only ones that really get me excited are games that feel like a breath of fresh air, or are the pinnacle of whatever type of game. Like, I LOVED Elden Ring, not a brand new concept but nearly flawless execution, and more recently I discovered Outer Wilds and that felt like something I'd never seem before and is one my all time favorites now. I'm just tired of all the games that feel like they've been done a thousand times lol

[@rickyspanish4792]

Money has such destructive power.. ugh!

[@ryancoody7069]

It was the light sabers for me. Just light sabers

[@daniel_netzel]

Fair

[@Hazard33]

I dropped out the second it revealed itself as "Disney Star Wars" and not "Star Wars"

[@Groundrunner100]

As a Star Wars fan, I’ve pretty much disassociated myself with the Sequel Trilogy. It was doomed from its inception, & it’s a blatant failure of a film trilogy. For fans of the first 6 films, it’s easier to disregard it, & just dive in, head first, into the Legends universe. The Old Republic & Legacy eras are the PERFECT antidote to Rey.

[@lordzedd343]

While the Hobbit trilogy isn't better, I still enjoy it for the similar reasons you mentioned about the prequels despite the rush order. Still better than Rings of Power.

[@Coolnesski]

Wasting Fin’s potential was their biggest sin

[@ejoshcoron]

Incredible analysis!

[@joshuaward2271]

My last ray of hope for the Star Wars franchise was The Last Jedi to be honest. That was the last bit of Star Wars media that really felt like it was trying to tell a real story with heart, soul, and passion behind it. Obviously, it's also a movie laden with a lot of bad choices and moments but the heart of the movie, the emotional highs, and the cinematic experience left me with so much excitement for Episode 9, whereas episode 7 left me with a "... so that's it?" I would love to love star wars again, but for now I'm going to enjoy what I already have and just hope that Disney either democratizes the IP to other artists like Lucas did (unlikely) or smartens up (seemingly just as unlikely).

[@tommymarco]

Great video

[@PlasticGeek]

You realize Empire and Jedi only took 3 years to make as well right? Comparing how long these took to LOTR just isn’t accurate. The time between Disney buying StarWars and Awakens coming out is the same amount of time from when Lucas started StarWars and made each subsequent film.

[@snippetandvideogames2350]

cause GL choose the technical, alien design and etc etc, you can feel his touch were gone when other director direct the movie

[@michaelzhu0929]

Star Wars is George Lucas's work: it is all the things he was passionate about and influenced by. These things gave Star Wars multitudes and depth. No matter how many novels and video games there are, Star Wars is fundamentally that six films in which George Lucas showed himself. Disney is just making Star Wars a normal mediocre franchise that aims to entertain the Internet.

[@HieMan-g1n]

Jay Jay Abrams can absolutely be held responsible.

[@chickendog3042]

Just remember you loved the prequels growing up but the older starwars fans hated it. Hated it so much we lost out of starwars. Now kids like this and you are now the older fan hating on it. Remember, starwars is ultimately a kids franchise made to inspire the imagination of kids. Don't be like the older starwars fans when we were kids. Don't ruin it for them they they did us.

[@nickraes3483]

I think the Disney series is towing a line between the hardcore deep cut and the average viewers. The new movies are not good. But the streaming content is good. I don't really care fore the prequels. The added content of the cartoons and all the new content make me realize their importance

[@ashtongaskill3980]

Everyone told me Andor was worth putting aside my complaints with Disney Star Wars so I tried it and was apparently the only person who didn't enjoy it. Had some good bits but overall did not feel worth the time it took to watch the whole season. Feels like people were comparing it to the recent Disney stuff which it shines compared to rather than actually good SW stuff which imo it pales against. I miss being passionate about SW but I've resigned myself to being limited to what existed before the Lucasfilm purchase.

[@beavisdoge237]

Its fine, good, regular grade "prestige tv drama". It's not really star wars.

[@brentknudson311]

It's the closest thing to A New Hope or Empire that has ever been created. It fits in with the original trilogy better than the prequels. It is absolutely Star Wars. It's for grown ups.

[@ashtongaskill3980]

@@brentknudson311 Oh okay

[@harlemraider3347]

I don’t really get the hype neither. It’s pretty good but people talk about it like it’s the greatest thing since sliced bread. I guess it’s because almost everything Disney’s put out is either awful or at best mediocre. Mandalorian was good but fell flat on its face with season 3. I think I like the idea of a darker & grittier Star Wars than the actual show.

[@777Tralfaz777]

I agree with you. The first 6 were all great films. I never agreed with the haters of the prequals. I thought they were nuts, and didn't grasp how they needed to be different then the first 3 films. Disney took everything we loved, and desecrated it for the sake of their new characters. The corporate conveyer belt cannot compare to good story tellers. Add to that pushing of silly ideologies, and they took a dump on this franchise, to the point I do not care to watch what they make anymore. I loved Ashoka in the animated series. But the live action Ashoka series was horrible. I actually hate Ashoka now. They ruined all the good characters. Making Han a loser dead beat, Luke a loser recluse, and Ashoka a terribly dull and uninteresting person I do not care to watch. You cannot mass produce greatness. They did for a bit with the Marvel movies, but that ended quick. Now, everything they touch turn to poo.

[@hi_austin]

There are more great Star Wars video games than good Star Wars movies.

[@daniel_netzel]

That's surreal to admit, but just undeniably true lol N64-Xbox era was fucking incredible.

[@tjenahoj]

Good stuff!