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rlaferney's review against another edition
3.0
This is a thoughtful, well-informed series of essays that focuses on the first few years of the Star Wars franchise in the Disney era, combining critical accounts of the new films with discussions of media industries, fandom, and questions of franchising and legacy film-making. I really enjoyed Golding's analysis of the emergence of Legacy Films and how the sequels operate in this specific genre of film. I also loved his exploration of how Disney era Star Wars has utilized nostalgia to its benefit and detriment. The Force Awakens, Rogue One, Rebels, and The Last Jedi are all discussed in great length with a brief mention of Solo. As wonderful as this book is, it lacks cohesion, as it would be fitting to end this book with a chapter dedicated to an analysis of The Rise of Skywalker (which I would love to read Golding's analysis of).
ckanderson's review
4.0
This book was fascinating, and full of interesting facts and thoughts. It picks up where How Star Wars Conquered the Universe leaves off in the Star Wars pop culture timeline. How Star Wars Conquered is a little lighter, it's more popular history, and this one is definitely academic in tone and nature.
Some of his points I disagree with, but there was so much to appreciate here. I like that he had some of the same issues with The Last Jedi that I did (though I wouldn't have minded if he had dwelt more on these!), and his discussion of the positive points of the Last Jedi gave even more depth to the parts of that movie that were strong.
He seems to disregard Solo almost entirely, which I find unfortunate, but his reflections on The Force Awakens and Rogue one made me appreciate those movies even more, as well as marveling (for better or for worse) at Disney's marketing skills. Really interesting points about the weaponized nostalgia of The Force Awakens, diversity as the politics of the Disney Star Wars era, and a great summary of the critiques and praises of Star Wars over the years and how Stars responds to its time and to itself.
There's a beautiful chapter on the music of Star Wars, and how the music of The Force Awakens relates to the previous Star Wars music. Had to look up both songs and some musical terms for that one!
Some of his points I disagree with, but there was so much to appreciate here. I like that he had some of the same issues with The Last Jedi that I did (though I wouldn't have minded if he had dwelt more on these!), and his discussion of the positive points of the Last Jedi gave even more depth to the parts of that movie that were strong.
He seems to disregard Solo almost entirely, which I find unfortunate, but his reflections on The Force Awakens and Rogue one made me appreciate those movies even more, as well as marveling (for better or for worse) at Disney's marketing skills. Really interesting points about the weaponized nostalgia of The Force Awakens, diversity as the politics of the Disney Star Wars era, and a great summary of the critiques and praises of Star Wars over the years and how Stars responds to its time and to itself.
There's a beautiful chapter on the music of Star Wars, and how the music of The Force Awakens relates to the previous Star Wars music. Had to look up both songs and some musical terms for that one!
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