What’s Aged the Worst?
Retitling, representation, the reduced Fox slate, franchise alterations, and mishandled extensions dominate the criticism.
In the discussion (10)
Approx. transcript time · 00:52:19Read transcript
- Adding A New Hope to the original Star Wars title is called unnecessary and irritating.
- The movie is called a 'big sausage party' with only Leia and Luke's aunt identified as women.
- The film’s assumption that fascism is obviously bad is jokingly said to feel less secure in 2025.
- After Star Wars succeeded, 20th Century Fox reducing its annual slate from about twenty films to seven is criticized as a lost opportunity.
- The original story’s incestuous tension is awkward in retrospect, though Luke does not know Leia is his sister.
- A Marvel comic run ending after 107 issues is treated as a missed opportunity for continued storytelling.
- Disney’s early rejection of the screenplay is contrasted with its later purchase of Lucasfilm for four billion dollars.
- The film could have used more than twelve minutes of Vader, though his limited screen time may strengthen him.
- Contemporary criticism of the film’s whiteness and of black imagery being attached to Vader is preserved as historical reception.
- The special-edition alterations, Holiday Special, and empty early-bird toy boxes are cited as mishandled parts of the movie’s afterlife.