![Star Wars 2.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmNejKCGdEyGL589uUE6s3i8gnkeWVeXeXaBHYVxqCNgDi/Star%20Wars%202.jpg)

I am very confused about the Star Wars phenomenon. To me, the franchise is very unique. I cannot understand the appeal though that makes the newest movie, *The Last Jedi* gross $1 billion in three weeks. Movies are only half of the products of the IP. In fact, probably more than half of the IP's value is in the merchandise.

I am told, and rather convincingly that Episode VII is not much different than one of the movies from the original Trilogy but with a lot of plot holes. Maybe these plot holes will be cleared up. In light of the fact of how average Episodes I-III were, hearing what I have about Episode IIV makes me think at least Episode VII wasn't much more than a rehash but PC to a lot of emergent social mores. Movies and the like aren't just culture but culture creators. 

I cannot fathom where all of this is going but considering the first Trilogy came out in the late 70's and sold product and spinoffs strong through to the time when Episodes I-III came out, I doubt there is any stopping the IP.

I enjoyed the IV-VI when I was a kid once or twice but that was it. Back then, I had my own hankering and visions for more.  I really don't get this new stuff or the remakes not that I don't appreciate some of the characters, groups, charecter designs and archtypes. How was the villain in episode VII, badass under the mask but then revealed as what seemed to be a gangly guy not a deal breaker.

To me a big part of what was so appealling about Star Wars was the dichotomy between tech and grittiness, old style effects in the futristc past and I guess world building that was simple yet effective. It had nothing to do with leaning on special effects.