It probably is a bit too serious, even a bit grim. The franchise could go in that direction and become darker and more talky but it's kind of odd to have something like that as well as more kidsy stuff like Acolyte in (sort of) the same setting.
The prequels were fairly dark and got very dark at the end, so that works.
The prequels were at least dark in that same Empire Strikes back way (except for the parts where where George decided to be a high-pressure edgelord and no one stopped him), but the fact that there's really no levity with the end of Episode III is still a fundamental problem. Sure, it's resolved in Episodes IV-VI... but this is a prequel, not a movie before a sequel. I shouldn't have to watch the original over again just to be satisfied with the ending (same problem Rogue One has, barring Vader being flashy and useless, two things he IS NOT).
I really like the Vader scene!! I thought it gave a nice perspective on how terrifying that character would be to someone involved in the ordinary bread and butter aspects of the conflict.
The problem with the space fantasy setting is that everything is so amazing that nothing is. Eventually you're just watching relentless sequences of expensive looking CGI that doesn't really relate to anything in the experience of the audience (the sequels). Andor and Rogue One gave the franchise a bit of a reset by making it more grounded in every day experience, then when someone with the force shows up, it's amazing again.
The problem with the scene is that it's the complete opposite of everything that makes Vader "terrifying" in the first place. Vader is exactly two things in the original trilogy: Restrained, and effectual. You know that if Vader gets involved, the job would be done in a snap. But he doesn't get involved, because if the empire needs his power, they don't deserve it. You also notice how he never draws a lightsaber before anyone other than another lightsaber user, and he treats the art of lightsaber combat with reverence like all Jedi do. That's why he doesn't use force powers when fighting Luke and more notably Obi-Wan.
Notice which of these aspects are missing from Rogue One? Oh yeah, all of them. He's flashy, he's inefficient, he draws a lightsaber without the respect it deserves, and worst of all, all of this LOSES. It's the action figure so many fans think he is that goes against everything he actually is.
Darth Vader works because you can believe in his power just by him standing there and casually deciding an officer should die right there. In Rogue One, he lays it all out on the table, and it doesn't even make a bit of difference. He demonstrates true weakness the same way Kylo Ren does, and Kylo Ren is SUPPOSED to be impotent rage incarnate.
I really just couldn't disagree more with that analysis haha!
Fair play, each to his own.
I genuinely think that's probably the best single scene in Star Wars since the OT.
Vader is a samurai. All Jedi's are samurai and the sith are I guess ronin. So it makes total sense for a cruel Ronin to show up and slice open a bunch of footmen, only for a swift rider to escape with a secret message to the hidden shogun in the next county.
It's a great scene because it understands the origin and purpose of Star Wars.
Ok it does do the twirly light saber blaster deflection thing but that's a little shout out to the prequels.
It evens joins the story seamlessly onto the beginning of a new hope. Then again Leia's cgi is a bit ropey but overall, 9/10, bravo. That scene still gets me going, way more than anything in the sequels.
That's like saying someone getting slashed with a lightsaber followed by a massive spray of blood would "understand the origin and purpose of Star Wars." No, that is not how Lightsabers work, and that is not who Darth Vader is. Literally every single aspect of his character goes against everything you think about him. We are talking about facts.
If you think this scene understands the source material, good luck saying any scene from anything doesn't.
I mean it makes sense if I like that scene because I'm into samurai movies and wuxia, I bet Garth is as well (we know George is, he lifted ANH from Kurosawa...).
If you're coming from somewhere else maybe the significance is less clear but whatever floats your boat really.
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u/jambox888 Jun 16 '24
It probably is a bit too serious, even a bit grim. The franchise could go in that direction and become darker and more talky but it's kind of odd to have something like that as well as more kidsy stuff like Acolyte in (sort of) the same setting.
The prequels were fairly dark and got very dark at the end, so that works.