'Star Wars' ketchup: A long time ago, I wrote this stuff about a galaxy far, far away
Han Solo and Chewbacca palling around in "Solo: A Star Wars Story." (Photo courtesy Lucasfilm/Disney)
To celebrate the release of "Solo: A Star Wars Story" - read my review here - the first-ever solo movie featuring Han Solo (Get it? He's the titular role), I've compiled this annotated compendium of links to stuff I wrote for my previous employer. In order of publication:
How a "Star Wars" lifer should gauge expectations for "The Force Awakens"
A deeply personal piece in which I explain my fandom, which dates back to when I was three years old, and my parents gave me "Star Wars" action figures as rewards for using the big potty. I still have those figures. You can't make this stuff up.
Since I wrote this, I've seen the movie probably 10 times. My assessment seems lukewarm. I love this movie now.
The pros and cons of being a diehard "Star Wars" fan
Any opportunity to slag off Jar Jar is also an opportunity to praise Ewoks.
Review: "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story"
Repeat viewings of this are difficult, because the movie ends on such a downer. Caveat: I've watched the scene in which Darth Vader kicks ass approximately one million times.
A great film. Progressive, smart, intelligent, rich in theme and visual composition. My head still threatens to pop right off during the big lightsaber battle. It's too soon to declare it a classic. But. Maybe it is. "Let the past die. Kill it if you have to."
All nine "Star Wars" films, ranked
Written in 2017, after "The Last Jedi" was released. Addendum: My knee-jerk reaction is to slot "Solo" behind "Rogue One" and above "The Phantom Menace."
