Top 5 Moments in Star Wars since Disney Bought Lucasfilm
By Randy Guiles (@giggityguiles)
Over the years there have been many amazing moments in Star Wars history. They range from watching Alderaan getting destroyed by the Death Star in A New Hope to one of the biggest moments in cinematic history, Vader revealing he is Luke’s father. Since Disney purchased Lucasfilm, to tune of 4 Billion dollars, they wanted to make sure that they got their money’s worth. In doing so in the past 3+ years since they made this purchase they have been creating all new moments that have made us cheer, laugh, get angry, and even cry. So let’s take a look at what in my opinion is the Top 5 moments since the purchase. I want to make it known, if you haven’t been keeping up then there will be some spoilers here. I will say there are a lot of amazing moments since the purchase of Lucasfilm and it wasn’t easy coming up with just 5, so there will be some honorable mentions.
#5 – Disney Turns the Expanded Universe into Legends
Now I know you are reading this thinking I am on something for even mentioning this, but hear me out. We all have some bond with the EU, whether it is video games, comics, or the novels. There was definitely a huge negative response when this happened. I know I wasn’t happy with it but figured let’s see where this goes. So far I haven’t been disappointed. The main reason behind EU becoming Legends was to allow for mass creativity without being handcuffed to old stories. With this Disney has launched a huge Star Wars multimedia assault on us. Everything from this is all considered canon to the Star Wars universe. This doesn’t mean Disney won’t pull ideas from Legends and make it canon (Malachor from Knights of the Old Republic II making an appearance in Rebels season 2 as an example).
#4 – Kanan vs The Grand Inquisitor Season 1 Finale Star Wars Rebels
Star Wars Rebels is an animated series from Clone Wars creator Dave Filoni that is set between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope. Overall season 1 set the standard for what we could expect moving forward from the Lucasfilm story group as far as content. The story follows the crew of the Ghost as the birth of the Rebellion against the Empire is beginning. In the season 1 finale we saw Kanan Jarrus, a padawan who survived order 66, take on the main antagonist for the season, the Grand Inquisitor. The battle was exciting and emotional. We get to see Kanan take the next step towards becoming a Jedi Knight. After seeing Ezra fall from a bridge while both are fighting the Inquisitor Kanan finally gains control of his fear. In an amazing display of skill while dual wielding lightsabers and confidence in the Force he defeats the Inquisitor.
#3 – “Chewie, we’re home.”
These 3 simple words brought grown men to tears when the first full trailer for The Force Awakens was released. Stirring memories of childhood nostalgia and rekindling the love of the Original trilogy we all still had. This trailer set us on the path towards The Force Awakens with an anticipation and fervor the world had never seen. As we all know The Force Awakens did not disappoint and became the biggest movie of 2015 and quite possibly one of the greatest of all time.
#2 – Ahsoka Tano vs Darth Vader Season 2 Finale Star Wars Rebels
Season 1 of Rebels showed us that Ahsoka had survived Order 66 and was pulling the strings behind the scenes to help rebel against the Empire. Once we knew Ahsoka was alive then it was only a matter of time before we got to see Ahsoka take on Vader. At the end of Season 2 fans got their wish. In one of the most intense lightsaber duals in the entire Star Wars saga, we saw Ahsoka fight with a ferocity against Vader that not most Jedi would have survived. It was elegant, fast, and full of emotion as Master and Student danced with death. In the end Ahsoka’s fate is left ambiguous as we never see Vader land a killing blow but we also know she is not alive during the OT.
Honorable Mentions
Like I said before there have been so many amazing moments since Disney bought Lucasfilm that it is hard to think of just 5 so here are some honorable mentions: JJ Abrams announced to direct The Force Awakens, Rey vs Kylo Ren, Kanan revealing the Jedi are not all extinct in Rebels Season 1, Disney announcing a Sequel Trilogy and standalone movies, Fulcrum’s reveal as Ahsoka Tano in Rebels Season 1, Rebels Cameos (Yoda, Leia, Lando, Tarkin, Bail Organa)
#1 – The Death of Han Solo at the hands of his own Son, Kylo Ren
One of the bigger reveals early on in The Force Awakens is Kylo Ren is the son of Han Solo and Leia. As the movie progressed we learn that Kylo Ren struggled with both sides of the Force. Supreme Leader Snoke has brainwashed him and he is trying to follow in the footsteps of his Grandfather, Darth Vader. In the penultimate moment we see Han come face to face finally with Kylo Ren and reveals his true name to be Ben. In a scene that reveals the struggle of light and dark we see the light of the star that is being drained shine upon father and son as they share a moment. Han doing his best to coax Ben back to the light. Ben even begins to hand Han his lightsaber. Once the star is fully drained we see darkness settle over them as Kylo Ren ignites his lightsaber through Han Solo, signifying the death of Ben Solo. In one last show of affection to his son, Han cups his hand over his face as to say it is ok and falls to his death. The moment is heart wrenching and symbolic.
There you have it, my top 5 Star Wars moments since Disney purchased Lucasfilm. You may agree with some, all, or even none. Let’s keep the party going. What are your top 5 Star Wars moments since the purchase? Feel free to leave comments and share your favorite moments.
