After rewatching the Original Trilogy, we examine whether Star Wars: The Force Awakens made those movies better.
DoesStar Wars: The Force Awakensmake the Original Trilogy better?
Im a Legends fan, so it didnt really bother me that their victory wasnt eternal.
But I also discovered that the entire trilogy is well worth re-watching in the context ofThe Force Awakens.
Heres the list:
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The Imperials had motivation.
The Force Awakensmade me more interested in the Empire than I ever had been before.
Those guys searching for the droids in the desert?
Just doing their jobs on a long, hot day.
That poor guy had a lot of floors to keep clean.
It shows another aspect of the evil of the villainsthey arent even friendly to one another.
However, he also survives, bringing his grudges and rivalry with Ren along with him.
After all, both Rey and Luke were orphans.
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The galaxy has become more diverse.
Or at least, we see more of that diversity on screen.
The notable exception: the gang members who come after Han Solo arent gender diverse.
That said,The Force Awakensstill shows a lot more diversity than the Original Trilogy.
For Captain Phasma, being a female stormtrooper isnt unusual.
Han and Leias relationship is painful because itisntfull of foreshadowing.
What in their parenting could possibly have lead to this, if anything at all?
Maybe we can see how Leia as a parent could be cold.
…Except for that part about the Falcon.
The one thing Han did foresee?
The fact that he loses the Millennium Falcon.
TFAis the first time we see Han really acting as a smuggler.
Wedosee that inThe Force Awakens, when Rey and Finn find Han and Chewbacca on a freighter-slash-rathtar zoo.
At this point in his life, Han might be running from his torn-up family.
Hes probably hiding whatever feelings he had about themand returning to smuggler form.
Han and Lukes relationship gets the foreshadowing.
Luke and Leias perspectives have reversed.
InThe Force Awakens, shes the one insisting on a hopeful redemption for Kylo Ren.
Mark Hamill shows that Luke is heroic in that scene, but he also shows fear.
Luke is brave, but he also feels like he doesnt have a choice in the matter.
He has to face Vader to get to fulfill his destiny.
Does this make it better that he walks away from Kylo Ren?
Maybe, then, he felt like he had a choice.
Palpatines doctrine matches Kylo Rens.
The sequel doesnt take anything away fromReturn of the Jedi.
So, what doesThe Force Awakenssay about the Original Trilogy?
But what about Lukes personal victory, the victory of the light over the dark?
Im confident that well see another victory inEpisode IX, becauseStar Warsis about the triumph of light over darkness.
Megan Crouse is a staff writer.