Five Questions: What The Fan loves about ‘Star Wars,’ we discuss
Dec 18, 2019, 7:19 AM | Updated: 8:14 am
If you’ve been living in a country without WiFi, or under a rock, this may be news to you. The final installment of the Skywalker saga, “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” hits theaters this week.
Here at 104.3 The Fan, sure, we’re fans of sports. But this is “Star Wars,” and to say there’s a buzz about this film around the office would be putting it mildly.
This week, we’ve gathered some of our mega-nerds … ahem … “Star Wars” aficionados to get their perspectives on the end of an era.
Johnny Hart, 1043TheFan.com digital producer: First things first. Who shot first, Han or Greedo? And why should we care?
Raj Sharan, program director for 104.3 The Fan:“Maclunkey! Obviously, Han shot first. Now Harrison Ford may not care; he’s actually said as much. But you should.
Consider Han’s character arc. You meet him as a half-witted, scruffy looking, nerf herder that fries his Rodian competition without a second thought. By the end of original trilogy, he’s evolved into a moral leader and a hero.
And besides all that, the altered scene looks ridiculous. A professional bounty hunter is going to miss that badly from point blank range? What is he, a stormtrooper?
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Nick Ferguson, co-host of “The Drive”: Han shot first. When you’re a smuggler, con-man and scoundrel, you’re bound to make enemies. This means someone’s always gunning for you, so you have to be on your toes. Besides, Han knew he did a job for the Huts, didn’t come through and there was a bounty on his head.
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Cecil Lammey, 1043TheFan.com digital talent: Han shot first. It matters because it shows just how wild the bounty hunter world is in “Star Wars.” Han knows he has to shoot Greedo first or else he’s going to die. It matters because it also lets you know that Han is a bit of a scoundrel.
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Shawn Drotar, host of “The Fan Late Night”: Han. Shot. First. If he doesn’t, his unforgettable character arc from selfish anti-hero to selfless Rebel general isn’t nearly as impactful. Plus, Greedo had it coming.
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John Davis, 104.3 The Fan host: Come on, dude. Han shot first.
Hart: If you had to assume the role of one character, who would it be and why? How about some of the major characters and the 104.3 The Fan staff?
Sharan: The easy answer would be a Jedi, like Luke, but I’ll go with Lando. As someone whose never been cool (I know, shocking right?), it’d be a fun change to be the smoothest cat in the room.
As for The Fan staff, Tyler has to be Chewy. He’s tall, so that’s an easy one. Sandy would be R2, as his database is incredible. Stink would be our Obi-Wan, always sharing wisdom. Finally, Mike Evans is definitely Palpatine, always scheming and stirring the pot.
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Ferguson: Yoda because he was always calm under fire and never allowed the stress to get to him. He was wise beyond his 8,000 years, never exposed how awesome his Jedi skills were until he needed to and his manner dialect was backward but spoke so much truth.
Yoda’s 8,000 years worth of badass.
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Lammey: It has to be the greatest Force user of all time: Anakin Skywalker. His power was off the charts, on par with Master Yoda. I would have used both the light and the dark side to be what is called a “gray” Jedi. I would use my powers mostly for good but would not be as shut off as traditional Jedi were.
Nick Ferguson is C-3PO. Tyler Polumbus is Chewbacca. DMac is Watto. Sandy is Yoda. Orlando is Mace Windu. Mike Evans is R2-D2. Mark Schlereth is Han Solo. Shawn Drotar is Wedge Antilles. Raj Sharan is Obi-Wan Kenobi.
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Drotar: Who wouldn’t want to be Luke Skywalker or Han Solo? I know I did growing up. But I’ll happily settle for Lando Calrissian; that man’s smooooth.
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Davis: I’m clearly the Luke Skywalker of The Fan.
» Schlereth and Evans are Han and Chewy
» Orlando and Sandy are Vader and The Emperor
» Stokley and Zach C-3PO and R2-D2
» DMac is Darth Maul, Polumbus is Qui-Gon and Nick can be Obi-Wan I guess
» Cecil is Lando, Drotar is Snoke and Merilatt is Yoda
Hart: Since there doesn’t seem to be a fair way to judge each era of “Star Wars” film, this question has several parts. What’s YOUR favorite among the original trilogy, the prequel trilogy, this current trilogy and the spin-offs? Which of all of them is your favorite and why?
Sharan: My favorite from the original trilogy is “The Empire Strikes Back,” which is a pretty common choice. It introduces Yoda, Lando and Boba Fett (before the special editions). It takes all of our characters on unique journeys and culminates with an incredible plot twist and cliffhanger.
Of the prequel trilogy, my favorite is “Revenge of the Sith.” It contains some of the cringeworthy dialogue and acting that plagued the prequels but also featured several terrific lightsaber battles. And Palpatine’s seduction of Anakin at the space opera is one of the best scenes in the entire franchise.
Oh boy, now comes the scary part. Please don’t “at” me. In the sequel trilogy, I prefer “The Last Jedi,” and among the spin-offs I lean towards “Solo.”
First, “The Last’ Jedi,” which you may not know, was directed by a Denver guy: Rian Johnson. I get why it’s so controversial and why many fans hate it. I completely see all of those reasons and respect why those fans feel that way. For me, the movie really worked. I found it thought-provoking, shocking, visually stunning and unapologetically different, which I’ve always felt was the spirit of the original “Star Wars.”
In terms of “Solo,” I connected with young Han, Chewy and Lando because I’ve loved those characters for years, even if it was new actors playing them.
Overall, “Empire” is not only my favorite “Star Wars” film but my overall favorite movie of all time. From Hoth to Dagobah to Bespin, I’m enthralled with every minute of it.
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Ferguson:
» “The Empire Strikes Back (original)
» “Revenge of the Sith”
» “The Force Awakens”
» “Rogue One”
“The Force Awakens” is my favorite because we saw the original cast come together after so many years to once again take up arms against a new threat. We finally had an opportunity to witness the story of the fall of Ben Solo unfold on screen, as he fell victim to the Dark Side like his grandfather.
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Lammey: Original trilogy favorite; “Empire Strikes Back.” Prequel trilogy favorite: “Revenge of the Sith.” Skywalker trilogy favorite: “The Force Awakens.” Spin-offs: “Solo.”
“Empire” is the best “Star Wars” movie and one of the best movies of all time.
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Drotar: In the pitch-perfect original trilogy (before George Lucas started messing with it), it’s almost impossible for me to choose. But if I had to, give me the one that started it all: “Star Wars.” And don’t give me that “A New Hope” crap either. I know what the movie was called.
In the current trilogy, I’ll take Denver native Rian Johnson’s “The Last Jedi,” which subverted expectations in a way that the 40-year-old franchise didn’t even know it needed.
Along the spinoffs, I admire the chutzpah of the mature, complicated “Rogue One,” perhaps the first “Star Wars” movie that was truly for adults.
Besides Ewan McGregor’s game portrayal of a younger Obi-Wan Kenobi? You can keep the awful, unnecessary prequel trilogy. “Meesa” just keep pretending they never happened.
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Davis: “Empire,” “Revenge,” “Awakens,” and “Rogue”
Hart: From Ewoks to Porgs, there seems to be a lot of hate toward the cute, cuddly characters of “Star Wars’ — Baby Yoda not included. Why do think this is the case?
Sharan: I think you have some fans sort of wanting the franchise to grow up with them whereas George Lucas always designed the movies for children. You’ve got a generation of 20-somethings now that grew up with the prequels as the “Star Wars” of their childhood, and they love Jar Jar Binks. Many children today, my daughter among them, have Porg toys they love to play with. Lucasfilm, particularly since being acquired by Disney, tends to market these pretty heavily, so perhaps that contributes to the fan pushback.
As for Ewoks, they’re not cute or cuddly at all; those little murder bears are terrifying. They were going to eat Han Solo!
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Ferguson: I never had a problem with the Ewoks, as some other “Star Wars” fans did. But the issue may have to do with the idea of being missed placed in the storyline. The idea of such characters appearing takes away from the action surrounding the main characters and that screen time should be devoted to telling the story of Luke, Vader, Han, Leia, the Rebellion and the Empire.
I see that you didn’t include Jar Jar Binks, for good reason. These characters are assumed to be the comedic relief at times, but it seems forced. Besides, Chewy and Han’s conversations are just the right amount of comedy for me.
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Lammey: People are uncomfortable with the realization that “Star Wars” is a kids movie. People hated Jar Jar Binks, unless you were a little kid. People hated Ewoks, unless you were a little kid. Porgs were fine, mostly irrelevant to the story, and Baby Yoda has won the internet.
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Drotar: Who hates cute, cuddly characters? The answer is nobody. But the edgelord dudebros on the internet want you to think they’re too cool for that. Not me; I’m a grown-ass man. And if loving Baby Yoda is wrong, I don’t want to be right.
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Davis: Because they’re stupid.
Hart: How do you anticipate you’ll feel once you see the final installment of the Skywalker saga? Empty? Satisfied? Sad?
Sharan: Probably a combination of several of those emotions. “Star Wars” certainly isn’t going away, as we’ve got “The Mandalorian” now and future TV shows coming to Disney Plus. But wrapping up the central nine-movie saga does feel a little bittersweet.
I’m hoping I come out of that theater obsessing over every sequence, character and small detail in “The Rise of Skywalker” because that’s what dorks like me do. Most of all, I hope I come out of the theater just as I have after every “Star Wars” movie I’ve ever seen: with a smile.
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Ferguson: It’s going to be sad for me either way. I grew up watching this story of good versus evil, and I’ve fallen in love with the original cast. The death of Han Solo, a beloved character, shook me to my core. The sudden death of Luke Skywalker just downright pissed me off. The real-life loss of Carrie Fisher left me full of emotions.
This is an end of an era that spans 40-plus years. And if they take into account what fickle we “Star Wars” fans are, they will give us a fitting end or they will feel the wrath all over social media.
I will not cry, so “ may the Force be with you.”
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Lammey: I’m going to be sad. I’ve been a “Star Wars” fan my whole life. It will be sad to see the Skywalker saga come to an end.
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Drotar: Over all these years, I’ve just been happy to be along for the ride. And it’s been an amazing one that’s seen me go from being a kid to having my own and happily handing it off to that generation. I’m confident I’ll be satisfied when it’s over … because it’ll never be over.
“Star Wars” will outlive us all.
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Davis: I hope I’m not mad like I was after the trash that was “Last Jedi.” That movie sucks.
