All in all, I have loved mostly everything Star Wars. Sure, some movies and projects are better than others. Empire Strikes Back and The Mandalorian are much higher on my list than The Phantom Menace and The Book of Boba Fett.
With that said, I've found entertainment value in it all. Star Wars has definitely followed a certain formula, but it isn't this formula that makes or breaks it for me. Its more about the epic struggle of good versus evil. All of my favorite books, movies, and stories illustrate the tension between good and evil well and in-depth.
As a Christ-follower, it may be that I have an appreciation for seeing the power and temptation of evil overcome by the forces and much stronger power of good. I understand in my own life the power of evil, but the ultimate victory found in Jesus Christ. But, I think most human beings enjoy seeing that struggle played out in stories. It makes for great drama.
I share all of that to say The Acolyte, Disney's latest Star Wars story, fails to produce this classic tension. The Acolyte seemingly wants to show how systems and ways of thinking can become corrupt and self-serving, as well as leave the viewer with a conundrum of trying to decide which evil entity is worth rooting for or salvaging. Perhaps, its a reflection of our society which seems largely as a whole primed to choose the lesser of two evils. Its all most know as of late. Surely, we can appreciate this parallel in art form?
Well, its not a bad idea. The Netflix hit Cobra Kai presents this dilemma extremely well. However, at no point in the story are we left without a rooting interest, even if that rooting interest changes from time to time and the enemy becomes the hero or vice versa. The Acolyte takes Star Wars classic rooting interest, the Jedi, and immediately thrusts them into controversy, cover-up, and shame. Its not due to the fact that I was bummed to see the Jedi fail, even fail morally. I enjoy that tension of navigating the temptations and ethical issues that all of us face in a fallen world. However, I like to see the story justify the tension, in that it makes for good storytelling and compelling drama to see this battle played out. And no, the good guy doesn't always have to win in my book. It just needs to make sense.
In The Acolyte, it didn't make sense. The only reason for the presented struggle between evil and evil seemingly was to shake up the Star Wars formula and possibly relive Anakin's expressed thoughts to Obi-Wan in Episode III, "From my point of view, the Jedi are evil!"
I won't spend much time on the fact that the main character was not compelling at all, the primary Sith was awkward and goofy, and the best character on the entire show was killed off. I wanted more Sol and his backstory. His arc should probably be the focus of this series. And the actor, Lee Jung-jae, gave the best performance by far! Even the surprise cameos at the end didn't get me that excited.
The story was a mess. There was no purpose. I know writers, creators, and studios often have an agenda outside just good storytelling and moneymaking. The outside agenda of Disney and the creators really made this story just flat out suck and not go anywhere for me. Good storytelling inspires, gives chills, makes you think, surprises, and invokes emotion. The Acolyte did none of those things.
If you're looking for a classic battle of evil versus evil, this might be for you. But, I personally don't see the point here, other than somebody wanted to make the Jedi seem just as messed up and evil as the Sith. That doesn't work for guys like me. I love hope.
0 Comments