Sci Fi Reflection of American Culture and Society

Rating: 8/10 (15 December 2017)

The movie smacks of political correctness and inclusiveness buzzwords of contemporary American society racial and cultural identities. The introduction of the short chubby Asian female and the African-American actor who plays the ex-storm trooper as sub-plots further heightens the notion of an ongoing theme to incorporate aspects of American society into the Star Wars trilogy films. I might please American audiences but overseas might not have the same appeal. But an otherwise all-Caucasian characters would be really controversial in the current social climate. Also noteworthy are the British accents of some of the especially Imperial characters. The Star Wars film characters and plots were always inspired by and adapted from previous elements of American society right from the original Episode IV. Location shooting introduces nothing new from the last film Luke is still away on his little island home although the introduction of maintenance worker creatures and the little bird-like big eye animals is questionable to the story development. Those old enough to remember the entire series since 1977 will be reminded of their age especially when looking at General Leia and Luke in their very apparent older years. Given that Carrie Fisher actress has now died we would expect her to be killed off in this sequel but apparently not so. As always, great space battle special effects and well choreographed fight scenes does not disappoint. The ending of the movie is a little bit puzzling showing some seemingly unconnected children who presumably will somehow play into the next sequel possibly to become the new generation of Jedi warriors.