Expanding the universe: 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi,' before and beyond
SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) With "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" making its 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD debut on Tuesday, March 27, 2018, fans might be looking for ways to further their Star Wars experience.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
When “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” was released in December it was welcomed by warm reviews from critics, but there was a division among fans. Some loved the film, others despised it. For my part, I thought there were a few comedic beats that were taken too far and Canto Bight needed some Billy Dee Williams, but I was perfectly content with the “Marry Poppins” moment and I found myself reconnected to Luke Skywalker, my childhood hero, through his redemptive storyline. I know many had issues with the way Rian Johnson picked up the story following “The Force Awakens,” but if you listen to his audio commentary, which was recorded prior to the release of the film, his logic is sound (and slightly different to my original take on the story).
I know that there are some who will never find anything to redeem the film, but if you can set aside your blind hate for a moment, listen to the commentary and watch the feature-length documentary “The Director and the Jedi” and maybe you’ll come to see how ridiculous it is to accuse Johnson of not being a life-long fan who didn’t invest his whole heart into the creation of “The Last Jedi.”
Visual Guides
Moving past the film itself and on into additional reading materials we have the excellent “The Art of Star Wars: The Last Jedi” a phenomenal look at the many ideas that were and were not used in the creation of the film. Sometimes what wasn’t used is as interesting as what made it into the film itself. Phil Szostak guides readers through a massive number of storyboards and costume sketches offering a glimpse into the massive creative production that is a Star Wars Films.
Those looking for a closer look at the finished products that made their way into the film will want to turn to Pablo Hidalgo’s “Star Wars: The Last Jedi – The Visual Dictionary.” Hidalgo takes a look at the many characters, worlds and spacecraft that populate “The Last Jedi.”
Novels
If it is an extended look at the narrative of “The Last Jedi” you’re craving Jason Fry’s adaptation of includes scenes that were in the script, but didn’t make the final cut.
Elsewhere is Delilah S. Dawson’s “Phasma” explores the origins of Captain Phasma and serves as a precursor to “The Last Jedi" and “Canto Bight” is a collection of four novellas by Saladin Ahmed, Rae Carson, Mira Grant and John Jackson Miller that explores the exotic casino city of Canto Bight.
Young Adult Novels
Other books, which are written with a teenage or younger audiences in mind, include “The Legends of Luke Skywalker” by Ken Liu, which finds a group of children relaying stories about Skywalker, uncertain if the stories they have heard are true, “Leia: Princess of Alderaan” by Claudia Gray a story about sixteen-year-old Leia as she begins her journey to becoming the fearless member of the rebellion against the Empire and “The Last Jedi: Cobalt Squadron” a novel by Elizabeth Wein with art by Phil Noto that offers a look at the backstory behind Rose and her heroic sister Paige.
All-Ages Comics
For even younger audiences are “Star Wars: Forces of Destiny” and “Star Wars: Adventures.” “Forces of Destiny” focuses on the female characters of the Star Wars universe, whereas “Adventures” tells stories pulled from all the Star Wars time eras.
Classic Newspaper Comics
I have vague memories of Star Wars as a newspaper comic. When I learned about the Library of American Comics’ project to resurrect the old comic strips I was intrigued. I expected an oversized paperback book that featured the comic strips. That’s not the case at all as the two volumes (a third is scheduled for later this year) are beautifully presented hardback books that not only feature the stories, but also offers a detailed history of the series. The first volume covers stories printed between March 11, 1979 through October 5, 1980. The second volume contains an adaption of Brian Daley’s “Han Solo at Stars’ End” and covers the period between October 6, 1980 through July 25, 1982. Those familiar with the Dark Horse Comics series “Classic Star Wars” will already be familiar with the stories, but I guarantee you that you’ll be amazed by what these volumes have to offer.As someone who was too young to enjoy these stories the first time around, I’m relishing this new opportunity. Anyone dismisses this as a coffee table book hasn’t looked beneath the cover.