There's actually a really cool short documentary series on Netflix called "The Toys That Made Us," and one of the episodes covers the Star Wars toy franchise. It was a pretty good watch, with some interesting info. Highly recommend. 

As far as the rest of the franchise, Lucas has always been good at conceptualizing and vision - he is not good at writing, lol. The prequel films felt wooden and forced, with more emphasis placed on shiny things (means more toy sales!) than the characters or the dialogue. That said, I'll fully admit to being a hardcore Phantom Menace fan - it came out when I was 12 and I finally got the experience of seeing a brand new Star Wars movie in the theater with my dad, something none of us ever thought would happen.

I thought The Last Jedi was a solid film, and rather enjoyed it. It'll be interesting to see how the rest of that trilogy plays out.

Yes, I was 2223 wwwwwwwhen the firsttttttttttttt film came out...so I was already past the target aaaauddddience for toys.

[I might have to edit that - bloody keyboard]...

You dont want to know how old i was when phantom menace came out. I noticed no one talked about reading Splinter of a minds eye, the prequels to the phantom menace, or a butload if books after Endor, like dozens, im just saying, and you call yourselves real Star Wars fans.

I read all of those older Star Wars novels! Quite a few of them more than once. They are still kicking around my basement in the midst of a 1000 other books. Not sure when I stopped buying those, but it has been a while. Think I quit buying *everything* during the midst of the young adult, young jedi books. Still bought a few more of the non-YA after that, but think tapered off after that.

I really enjoyed some of the Han Solo and Lando stories, the Rogue Squadron books were fun. Of course the Grand Admiral Thrawn story-line I loved back then. And was great to see him in the recent Rebels cartoons!

As for the movie, meh, I'll probably watch it once it hits Redbox or maybe even when it appears on cable. The Last Jedi didn't exactly kill Star Wars for me, but it certainly didn't help.

I really liked The Force Awakens on first watch, little less on the 2nd and 3rd viewing. It's sort of settled in as a mid-range for me at this point. LOVED Rogue One! Think it sits at #2 behind only Empire for me personally. The Last Jedi I didn't care for, and probably made it so I'll not go see a Star Wars in the the theater again, or at least until I've seen something that looks like it is not only pointing back in the right direction, but actually moved some way in that direction. Obviously, I'll need to watch the newer movies as they release to see when that happens, it just won't be in a theater.

Wow, a C+ grade from our local Las Vegas film critic.  Headlined (in the print edition) "Overplaying their Han", he writes:

The 8-year-old me would take his inflatable lightsaber and throttle the current me for even suggesting this, but maybe — just maybe — there’s such a thing as too much “Star Wars.”

I found it a very interesting and well written review, with only light spoilers. If you're interested, the review is here.

Have never been to a cinema showing of aStar Wars movie, ever.  Most likely never will. 

Yeah, I love the sci-fi genre, but like Jafo said, the entire Star Wars film franchise was essentially an overlong and expensive toy ad.  I got the series on DVD for the kids, but even they were nonplussed and took off outside after a partial viewing of the 1st installment.  The collection was subsequently packed up a few years back and hasn't seen the light of day since.  Should probably get it out and sell it.

I've never seen a full installment. either.  The concept didn't appeal to me after seeing trailers for the 1st movie. 

For mine, the Star Wars franchise is rather childish, but with some adult-ish themes so's parents 'll be inclined to take their kids.

I would say Grand Admiral Thrawn was probably the best post Endor, and to my opinion is as good as any other character in Star Wars Heir to the Empire got enough of my attention to read the Conqourer's pride trilogy. I think Timothy Zann is probably one of the best Sci Fi writers out there.

I saw it on Sunday. It was decent. Strong when it comes to usual stuff like effects, overall cinematography, IMO actually some good acting this time around (Emilia Clarke, Woody Harrelson, Paul Bettany, Thandie Newton, even the Solo actor i found okayish)...weak when it comes to story. Which was nothing special. I saw zillion movies with similar premise. Except this one was set in SW universe and cost zillions to produce.

Then again, it least it was not ripping off previous SW iterations, like Farce Unleashed did. 

Still no match for Rogue One. Which is IMO actually the only one from this current crop of SW movies, which can actually hold a candle to the original trilogy. 

I didn't take to Star Wars to well, I'm more of a Trekkie. However, Avatar I though was excellent. I haven't seen the sequel yet but the first one blew my brain into the next century.

Same here!  I'm more into Star Trek... and Avatar, like WOW.   Didn't know there was a sequel, though.  Oh well, there is another movie I'll have to investigate.  If it's only half as good as the original it'll rock my socks.

I was pleasantly not disappointed with Solo.  Not the greatest movie, but a lot better than 7, 8, & even Rouge One.

I too am more of a fan of Star Trek, however the "re-imaging" of Star Trek II has pretty much killed my interest (never bothered to see the last one.  The premier of Discovery further killed it.

It's not doing good from what I here. I was both a Star Wars, and a Trekkie fan I was caught in the middle of 2 brothers on this.

Yeah, story of my life.  I like things that no one else does.

I enjoyed both SW (even episodes 1-3) and ST in my younger days.  Maybe my tastes have changed, but latest movies just have too big of holes that I can't suspend my disbelief and accept them.

Do not agree with Solo being better than Rogue One, but obviously tastes differ...however i am another of you trekkies, so yeah Star Trek > Star Wars for me definitely.

Regarding Star Trek: Beyond, you did not miss much. It was the worst of the triplet of modern ST movies, boredom from start to end. 

doublepost for whatever reason