I've read in a couple of different places now that some feel that this new trilogy is lacking an overarching theme or story. I really couldn't disagree more. We only have two movies so far, but already I am picking up a definite theme. In fact, due to this theme I'd say that the new trilogy is my favorite (so far). I enjoyed both the original and prequel trilogies, but the sequel trilogy is taking things to a new level.
If I had to sum up the theme of the original trilogy in one word, it would be HOPE. Never giving up hope that the light side will overcome the dark side, and that people can be redeemed. I would say that redemption is the sub-theme, such as redemption of Darth Vader and redemption of the bad-boy settling down with the princess.
I think that the prequel trilogy is the weakest when it comes to having one main theme, as it was more of a political and personal story to explain how we got to the original trilogy. But if I had to pick one word, I would say that the theme is ARROGANCE. The Jedi were arrogantly complacent, not able or willing to confront the darkness rising right in front of them. Anakin was arrogant in many ways, and his eagerness to prove himself led to his downfall. Also, he arrogantly thought that saving Padme from the fate in his visions was more important than all else, even more important than the lives of younglings.
I feel that the new trilogy has a strong theme of FAILURE. I have felt this all along, but it was solidified for me when Yoda spoke his line about failure being the greatest teacher. Both of these movies have really been about the failures of Luke, Leia, and Han and the lasting impact that has had. Han has failed both Leia and his son, and it gets him killed. Leia has failed her son and the resistance, which barely exists at this point. Luke failed Kylo Ren, his other students, and (he feels) all Jedi since there is now no next generation. Whether these feelings of failure on their part are justified or not, the perception that they have failed impacts them greatly. And of course, Kylo Ren is failing in his internal struggle between light and dark.
The first two films in this new trilogy have really focused on these negative feelings and consequences, so I can understand why many aren't loving them so far. No one likes to see the heroes fail. However, unless they really screw it up, I feel like the third movie will come full circle and bring us back to hope. Rey, Finn, and Poe are the students learning from the previous generation's failures. They are the new heroes, and will hopefully avoid making the same mistakes that their teachers did.
I actually think I like the failure theme best of all. It feels the most realistic to me, and allows us to see some really emotional struggles and decisions that these characters are forced to make. With the original and prequel trilogies, it felt like there were fairly straightforward choices between light and dark, with some characters always choosing light and others always choosing dark, and those on the light side almost always knowing what the right thing to do was.
In the new trilogy, the choices feel much more complex to me. It's much less clear to everyone what the "right" thing is. We see this from the very beginning of TLJ, when the resistance destroys a dreadnought, but at what cost? In the original trilogy, they would have rejoiced at destroying an enemy ship and conveniently ignored, or had a throwaway line or two, for those who died in the battle. This time we are feeling the repercussions, and recognizing that such choices aren't easy. In almost every plot line I can think of from TLJ, and many in TFA, this idea of wanting to do the right thing but struggling to know what that is comes up.
TLJ recognizes that there are varying levels of light and dark. Some people grapple with both. Bad guys sometimes do good things, and good guys sometimes do bad things. This means that the new trilogy isn't so much your typical space battle popcorn flick escapism, but to me it's something much more interesting, deep, real, and meaningful.
If I had to sum up the theme of the original trilogy in one word, it would be HOPE. Never giving up hope that the light side will overcome the dark side, and that people can be redeemed. I would say that redemption is the sub-theme, such as redemption of Darth Vader and redemption of the bad-boy settling down with the princess.
I think that the prequel trilogy is the weakest when it comes to having one main theme, as it was more of a political and personal story to explain how we got to the original trilogy. But if I had to pick one word, I would say that the theme is ARROGANCE. The Jedi were arrogantly complacent, not able or willing to confront the darkness rising right in front of them. Anakin was arrogant in many ways, and his eagerness to prove himself led to his downfall. Also, he arrogantly thought that saving Padme from the fate in his visions was more important than all else, even more important than the lives of younglings.
I feel that the new trilogy has a strong theme of FAILURE. I have felt this all along, but it was solidified for me when Yoda spoke his line about failure being the greatest teacher. Both of these movies have really been about the failures of Luke, Leia, and Han and the lasting impact that has had. Han has failed both Leia and his son, and it gets him killed. Leia has failed her son and the resistance, which barely exists at this point. Luke failed Kylo Ren, his other students, and (he feels) all Jedi since there is now no next generation. Whether these feelings of failure on their part are justified or not, the perception that they have failed impacts them greatly. And of course, Kylo Ren is failing in his internal struggle between light and dark.
The first two films in this new trilogy have really focused on these negative feelings and consequences, so I can understand why many aren't loving them so far. No one likes to see the heroes fail. However, unless they really screw it up, I feel like the third movie will come full circle and bring us back to hope. Rey, Finn, and Poe are the students learning from the previous generation's failures. They are the new heroes, and will hopefully avoid making the same mistakes that their teachers did.
I actually think I like the failure theme best of all. It feels the most realistic to me, and allows us to see some really emotional struggles and decisions that these characters are forced to make. With the original and prequel trilogies, it felt like there were fairly straightforward choices between light and dark, with some characters always choosing light and others always choosing dark, and those on the light side almost always knowing what the right thing to do was.
In the new trilogy, the choices feel much more complex to me. It's much less clear to everyone what the "right" thing is. We see this from the very beginning of TLJ, when the resistance destroys a dreadnought, but at what cost? In the original trilogy, they would have rejoiced at destroying an enemy ship and conveniently ignored, or had a throwaway line or two, for those who died in the battle. This time we are feeling the repercussions, and recognizing that such choices aren't easy. In almost every plot line I can think of from TLJ, and many in TFA, this idea of wanting to do the right thing but struggling to know what that is comes up.
TLJ recognizes that there are varying levels of light and dark. Some people grapple with both. Bad guys sometimes do good things, and good guys sometimes do bad things. This means that the new trilogy isn't so much your typical space battle popcorn flick escapism, but to me it's something much more interesting, deep, real, and meaningful.
