Yeah, Andor and Rogue One kind of underline how badly Disney botched the sequels, also how badly Lucas botched the prequels for that matter. I'm beginning to agree with various critics (including John Scalzi) who've stated that the Stars Wars films that didn't feature Skywalker or Han Solo tended to be better than the ones that have. I don't know why that is.
Force Awakens was okay. I was admittedly let down by it. And the two that followed, sigh. I didn't even bother seeing Rise of Skywalker in the cinemas, I'd given up by that point. By the time I did see it on television - I was kind of relieved that it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Last Jedi - was a mess. (Yes, yes, from a thematic standpoint - or political one - it was lovely, but from a plot, character, and logistical standpoint it was a mess.) I'm beginning to think that may just be Rian Johnson though? I saw the Knives Out films - and he does like to jump all over the place with his plotting, doesn't he? Although I do agree Bob Iger rushing things didn't help. But what also didn't help was having JJ Abrahams of all people show-running it - Abrahams got bored after Force Awakens, and had no plan in place and zip to say. You don't give this guy franchises. They also needed a good script writer in place throughout - someone like Lawrence Kasdan (who got tired and dropped out of it after Force Awakens). The problem with these films is they didn't have the same collaborative team throughout - while Andor has one show-runner and a cohesive vision. (The guy behind Andor did House of Cards, and is an excellent show-runner.)
I honestly think if you have a good writing/directing team - that's half the battle. But you do need both, and it should be the same throughout - or at the very least there should be someone who pulls it all together - kind of like Kevin Fiege did for the Marvel verse? Star Wars didn't have that. And without that - things get a little defused, I think.
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Force Awakens was okay. I was admittedly let down by it. And the two that followed, sigh. I didn't even bother seeing Rise of Skywalker in the cinemas, I'd given up by that point. By the time I did see it on television - I was kind of relieved that it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Last Jedi - was a mess. (Yes, yes, from a thematic standpoint - or political one - it was lovely, but from a plot, character, and logistical standpoint it was a mess.) I'm beginning to think that may just be Rian Johnson though? I saw the Knives Out films - and he does like to jump all over the place with his plotting, doesn't he? Although I do agree Bob Iger rushing things didn't help. But what also didn't help was having JJ Abrahams of all people show-running it - Abrahams got bored after Force Awakens, and had no plan in place and zip to say. You don't give this guy franchises. They also needed a good script writer in place throughout - someone like Lawrence Kasdan (who got tired and dropped out of it after Force Awakens). The problem with these films is they didn't have the same collaborative team throughout - while Andor has one show-runner and a cohesive vision. (The guy behind Andor did House of Cards, and is an excellent show-runner.)
I honestly think if you have a good writing/directing team - that's half the battle. But you do need both, and it should be the same throughout - or at the very least there should be someone who pulls it all together - kind of like Kevin Fiege did for the Marvel verse? Star Wars didn't have that. And without that - things get a little defused, I think.