Secret Invasion Binge List

As Secret Invasion approaches on Disney Plus, I’m excited to see what Marvel will make of this intriguing storyline. My brother had told me about this plot from the comics years ago and then I saw it play out in cartoon form in Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. Now we get to see it in live-action. I can only hope that Daisy Johnson (aka Quake) will return, as she was part of Fury’s team in the comics and cartoon. But since Agents of SHIELD is kind of semi-canon… we’ll see. There are two aspects of this show we know though: it will contain Nick Fury and the Skrulls. So let’s review Director Fury and his experience with these shapeshifters.

Captain Marvel

This prequel movie was Fury’s first encounter with the Skrulls, as well as ours. As a misunderstood faction of the shapeshifters infiltrated Earth, they sought only for the discovery and safety of their families. Along the way becoming allies with Carol, Fury, and Maria, they fought off the Kree before fleeing into space with Captain Marvel as their protector. We wouldn’t see the Skrulls again (knowingly at least) for many years yet.

Iron Man and Iron Man 2

This was our first present-day appearance of Director Fury. In the credits scene of Iron Man, he approached Tony Stark about the Avengers Initiative. Six months later, he set Black Widow undercover in Stark’s company to evaluate him. After helping Tony Stark save himself, Fury left as quickly as he’d arrived.

Thor

In the credit scene for Thor’s inaugural movie, we see Selvig in the aftermath of New Mexico, teaming up with SHIELD and Fury, leading directly into the events of The Avengers. Unfortunately, it’s obvious to the viewer that Loki is along for the ride with Selvig.

Captain America: The First Avenger

Again, Fury only makes a short appearance (he’s good at those). This time he appears in Times Square, welcoming Steve Rogers (aka Captain America) to the 21st Century. Defrosted after nearly 70 years, it understandably takes Steve a few minutes to acclimatize. 

The Avengers

A major player in this movie, Fury is the one who gets the Avengers together. It was his pet project after all, as we learned in Captain Marvel. First he was sending Widow to recruit Banner and then he was bringing Cap in himself. After Coulson’s death, Fury rallied them together and gave them someone to avenge (Coulson, of course) in the Battle of New York. He also helped them give the World Security Council the slip after the battle. 

Agents of SHIELD

Season 1, Episode 2

After assigning Coulson and his new team to the Bus, they got it wrecked leaving South America. So naturally Fury showed up to tell Coulson off, in a semi-humorous ending to the episode. Fury made a note to warn Coulson about his recruit, Skye. Things turned out okay in the end, so maybe that means Fury will recruit her as Quake to help in Secret Invasion (I’m going to keep dreaming).

Season 1, Episode 22

This episode takes place after Winter Soldier, but I’ll talk about it here while I’m already under the SHIELD heading. On his way to Europe after the events of Winter Soldier, Fury catches the signal of a stranded FitzSimmons. After rescuing them, it's off to help Coulson beat Garrett. And he does. And Fury goes off to do Fury-type stuff (starting to form his Secret Invasion team maybe?).

Captain America: The Winter Soldier

I loved this team up of Falcon, Cap, and Widow. This movie is largely considered one of the best MCU movies and it’s not hard to see why. In a way, this movie probably set in motion Fury recruiting his private team for Secret Invasion. With the fall of SHIELD and Fury’s supposed death, it creates a power vacuum and I wouldn’t be surprised if the Skrulls used this vacuum to begin advancing their invasion. It was also nice to see Fury in more of a major role, instead of making an appearance that lasted maybe five minutes like many MCU movies.

Avengers: Age of Ultron

So after the Avengers get their butts and minds kicked by Wanda, they take a little respite at the Barton Homestead. And it’s there that Fury shows up to give the Avengers the needed pep talk (and some intel about where to go next to fight Ultron). With the Avengers on the mission, Fury goes to pick up Coulson’s fleet of helicarriers (per the Theta Protocol in Agents of SHIELD). And with Ultron defeated and the New Avengers Facility up and running, Fury slips back into the shadows. 

Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame

While the Avengers are off fighting Thanos and the SHIELD team is off fighting Graviton, Fury and Hill are in Atlanta doing who-knows-what. Just as things are heating up, they start dusting into the air. But not before Fury can use his pager to call Captain Marvel. The next time we see Fury, it’s at Tony’s funeral. Or maybe it was never Fury… you’d never know if a Skrull got dusted instead of him. Peter Parker certainly didn’t know… but we’ll get to that in the next section.

Spider-Man: Far From Home

We’re led to believe that Fury is featured throughout this movie (only to find out in the credits scene that he’s off-world and Talos is covering for him). However, that doesn’t mean the appearance of “Nick Fury” with Spider-Man is meaningless. Fury obviously trusted Talos enough to leave him in charge and to play him. And this Skrull does a pretty good job (though I’d say he doesn’t have Fury’s instincts, or else he wouldn’t have trusted Mysterio). 

WandaVision

Season 1, Episode 9

After Monica Rambeau became super-powered during the events of WandaVision, a Skrull messenger was sent to touch base with her. This takes place during the mid-credits scene, so hopefully you didn’t miss it. It’s likely that she was recruited to help Fury. Only makes sense I suppose.

In addition to what I've already noted for Fury and Talos, we've also been told that Rhodey and Agent Ross will be appearing. If you want to watch Rhodey's story, I'd say to check out the Iron Man movies (all 3) and the Avengers movies (2-4). For Everett Ross, check out Civil War and both Black Panther movies.

So now we wait. Who’s a Skrull? Who’s human? And who’s a Skrull we can trust? And will we finally get to see Quake in the proper MCU? Come on and make Agents of SHIELD fully canon! But that could be a pipe dream. Only time will tell who’s in Fury’s inner circle.

Rockin' Music

If you were born in the 90’s and had teen angst during junior high school, then here are a few memorable songs that prove that you Rock! There are a lot of songs to choose from, but I will present one entry from each rock band that were a hit in our age.

Three Days Grace: Never Too Late

I remember buying this album and thinking how I would hide this from my mother who would not approve of such music. Needless to say I couldn't hide it and was surprised that she let me keep it. 

To me this song is powerful. It motivates us not to give up. Life gets hard and the world is not what we expect, we decide whether to try and keep moving or stop. It’s not too late, it’s never too late to keep moving forward.

Flyleaf: All Around Me

I think one of the best things about being born in the 90’s is to experience Flyleaf in their prime. Their music deals with topics such as Christianity, love, and death. Their music reached the top 100 on the Billboard 200, which wouldn't happen now with Christian music.

I loved their music. Lacey Stern has a unique crisp voice that is wonderful to hear. All Around Me is a song about our relationship with Christ. “My hands float above me and you whisper you love me” tells the world that yes God does love you.

Breaking Benjamin: The Diary of Jane

The hardest part about being a teenagers is feeling alone and rejected. The person you liked didn't like you back or didn't know that you exist. Well The Diary of Jane by Breaking Benjamin relates to those feelings because the song is about a guy who loved a girl who never loved him back. It's a song for those that are lonely and that want to hear a great beat to it.

Evanescence: Bring Me to Life

The first time I heard of Evanescence was when I watched Daredevil in 2003. Bring Me to Life was the highlight of the movie to me. I believe the music video was in the VHS of the movie. The only memory I have of that movie is this song. Such a good song. Like Lacey Stern, Amy Lee, the lead vocalist, has an unique voice that resonates to the listener.  

Linkin Park: In the End

Being the youngest with only older sisters I wanted to find a band different to what my sisters liked. I thought that I couldn't like the music my sisters loved because they were older than me and they were girls. . . (How silly of me). Luckily for me at the time YouTube was new and The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess came out and some brilliant person made a music video of In the End using clips of the game. I remember when I found that song I had to ask my friend if I could like it to get a conformation that guys like it. This is a special song to me because it was the first song I chose to like from my own discovery. 

The band uses a mixture of vocals and rap mixed with an unforgettable piano accompaniment which plays excellent with each other. I still listen to this song to this day. To be honest I listen to all these songs to this day. They are still great music. 

Green Day: Boulevard of Broken Dreams

I know I have mentioned this before but as a teenager feeling lonely is a common emotion. Boulevard of Broken Dreams by Green Day is a song that is about loneliness. With the first line being:

I walk a lonely road

The only one that I have ever known

Don't know where it goes

But it's home to me, and I walk alone

Great song, great beat. Makes us feel less lonely knowing others are feeling that way as well.

Skillet: Monster

I didn't know for a while that Skillet was a Christian rock band. Once I found that out I liked them more. I think John Cooper explains this song the best, he said "It's a song about being fake and putting on a face for people that's not the real you. But it's basically about the nature of sin and the nature of the divine, which is the duel nature we have a Christians. Everyday we have to strive to throw away the old and be the new person in Christ."

Eluveitie: A Rose for Espona

 

I will be honest I didn't know the meaning of this song. After looking it up I learned it is a mournful song depicting the plight of the Celtic Gauls during the reign of the Roman Empire. Gauls were a group of Celtic people that encompassed present-day France. Apparently they lost their original identities and language during the late antiquity after the Romans took their land. 

What I like about the song is the use of unique instruments. They use a violin, Flutes, Guitars and had a good lead singer. I enjoy listening to this song. 

Paramore: Misery Business

I think everyone can relate to being jealous of someone else in their class who always seemed to be more popular or had a better friend group. Misery Business is a song that relates. It's a song about how being popular doesn't make you great. The purpose behind this song is to help the listener know that they don't have to be jealous of someone else's popularity. 

 Good Charlotte: The Anthem

Similar to Misery Business, The Anthem is about how kids that are not popular can still have confidence. It is upbeat with memorable lyrics like:

I don't ever wanna be you
Don't wanna be just like you
Oh, what I'm saying is
This is the anthem
Throw all your hands up
You
Don't wanna be you

Simple Plan: I'm Just a Kid

Again another song about loneliness. I'm Just a Kid is about feeling left out that no one cares about you. Ironically, the song is upbeat and enjoyable to listen to. 

I think a lot of bands try to capture our emotions. And apparently in 2000s we felt alone. If you feel alone and depressed music maybe helpful, but also reaching out and getting help. The month of May is mental health awareness. If you need support seek it out. Trust me you are not alone. 

 

The Other Mother: The Main Reason this Kids’ Movie Terrifies People

Coraline (2009) is considered to be somewhere between a kids movie and a horror movie. I found it in my late 20s and became totally enamored with it. The stop motion animation sings with Coraline’s every facial expression. The writing, acting, camera work and editing all work together to create seamless, and compelling storytelling from beginning to end. You may not be a fan of stop motion or of horror movies, but I do recommend Coraline, because it challenges us to find meaning in reality as it is, instead of becoming lost in a dream-world of empty gratification.

Coraline is a young girl who moves with her parents from Michigan to Oregon. As she wanders around her apartment and the surrounding forest, she finds a strange cat, an awkward neighbor boy, an old well, and a tiny locked door, concealed behind wallpaper in the living room of their new apartment. In her boredom and frustration with her parents, she begs her mom to open the tiny door, but finds only a solid brick wall behind. But later, she follows an enchanted mouse back to the door in the middle of the night, and finds instead a tunnel to another world like her own, but somehow perfect. Everything there, including the neighbor boy and even her parents seem to live and breathe for her, and know and capable of giving her just what she wants.

But Coraline discovers this “other” world is too good to be true, and fights to save herself from the evil creature at the center of the Other world. Little hints along the way reveal the sinister intent behind all the perfect veneer on top of the Other Mother's world.

Coraline: “You’re my other mother."

Other Mother: "Your better mother, dear.”

The Other mother not only believes her version of reality is better, she presumes that she is the better mother.

Other Father: “So sharp, you won’t feel a thing."

The other Father lets slip the reality behind the other Mother’s evil intentions in a few key moments. This one happens when the Other Mother present Coraline with a gift box containing a needle, thread, and a pair of black buttons, ready to be sewn in place of her eyes, just like every other person in the Other World.

“He pulled a long face, and mother didn’t like it.”

• the Other Father

  
  

When Coraline asks why the other Neighbor boy, Wybie, doesn’t speak, the Other father explains the Other Mother sewed his lips shut to both keep him silent, and freeze his lips in a grotesque smile.

“They say even the proudest spirit can be broken… with love.”

• the Other Mother

  
  

Russ Harris talks about negative control strategies in his book, “The Happiness Trap.” These strategies are unhealthy methods we tend to believe can eliminate negative thoughts, for example, or force us to be happy. The Other Mother is not only a deceptive manipulator, but she tells Coraline the only way she can be happy is with her, in a world where Coraline does not need to worry about boredom, or parents that can never listen. or pay her enough attention. Coraline fights to escape the Other Mother’s web of traps to stay with her real parents, because it became clear the Other Mother’s offer was a hollow disguise for her desire to swallow Coraline up, as she had three children in the past.

By the end of the movie we have not only seen Coraline escape a horrifying kidnapping, but we have seen her grow from a moping kid to someone capable of quick thinking in life-threatening moments. Rather than accept the Other Mother's invitation to escape the real world, she accepts things as they are, and winds up finding joy in her new home.

She also becomes more responsible and considerate to her parents and neighbors. Her real world family and neighbors are all lovable oddballs who make strange companions for a young girl, but compared to an interdimensional, needle-spider woman capable of fabricating a life-sized replica of a child's dream-world, the oddballs' real-life warmth and authenticity are shockingly refreshing. The Other Mother's hideous transformation at the end reveals that there are much worse things than a boring, mundane life.

But do we still secretly wish for the greener grass? Would we be trapped by the Other Mother’s empty promises? The creepiness of “Coraline” is so powerful because most of us never grow out of at least a little part that wonders if we would take the chance escape to the other world.

Would you be strong enough to avoid getting button eyes sewn in?

Disney Moms

Last year I wrote a post about Disney Dads and after writing that post I realized that it’s hard to find good fathers in Disney films but I didn't expect finding good Mothers in Disney to be harder.

But it is.

I can already hear you compiling a list in your brain of good mothers, but here is my criteria for a good Mom in Disney films:

1) They live; sorry Bambi’s mom you seem like a great doe

2) They raise their children which would rule out Sarabi from The Lion King because Simba runs away after Mufasa dies

3) Obviously they must be a good parent unlike Mother Gothel in Tangled

4) They must be present in the movie unlike Ariel’s mother, Queen Athena, in The Little Mermaid because we want to know how they parent

With these criteria and having over 1000 films to consider (including short films and TV movies) I have come up with 5 mothers that are great examples to everyone.

Chicha: The Emperor’s New Groove

Since this is the first pregnant woman to appear in a Disney animated film, you bet that she will be the first mother I mention in this list. I think she is a great example of a mother. In the Family Proclamation it states that Mothers nurture their children and sure enough we see Chicha do that.

In the movie we see Chicha showing affection for Pacha in front of their children showing them that they love each other. We see that she involves her children and gives them responsibilities like distracting Yzma from catching up to Pacha and Kuzco. She cares for her family and does hard things while pregnant.

Mrs. Potts: Beauty and the Beast

I don’t know about you, but I have associated Angela Lansbury with having a motherly persona. I believe that came from watching Beauty and the Beast and hearing her voice Mrs. Potts.

When I think of lessons that I could learn from Mrs. Potts I think about how we should be caring and forgiving. When the young prince and the household were transformed into a beast and household appliances those who were in his service could have been upset and stopped working for him because of his mistakes. I would have done that, but Mrs. Potts didn’t. Instead, she was Christlike and showed compassion towards Beast and became a pseudo mother that patiently taught him to become the prince with a heart.

Also, she is shown to have the most kids in a movie (minus 101 dalmatians). She has at least six kids without including Beast.

Julieta Madrigal: Encanto

I think one of the best things about Encanto is the message on family. Julieta Madrigal literally has the touch to make you feel better, after you eat her cooking.

Abuela Alma, the grandmother,  who oversaw and was the matriarch of the household was afraid of Mirabel destroying the house and, as a result, she shunned her from the family while Julieta, who knew about the prophecy, still loved her as a mother should--- telling us that family is more important than magic.

Mirabel may not have any powers and may cause more trouble than the rest of the family, but her mother loves her. How do we know this? Because Julieta sets time to spend time with her and talk with Mirabel as an equal. She tells Mirabel that even though she may not be supernatural, she is amazing. Julieta is a supportive mother that encourages her children.

Lucille: Meet the Robinsons

This is a great example of how you don’t have to be a biological parent to be a great Mother. Usually in animated movies the stepmother is usually evil. Lucille is technically an adopted mother to the protagonist Lewis yet she had a huge impact on him.

Lewis meets Lucille after winning the science fair, Lucille was the judge addicted to coffee. What is great about her is, firstly, she is educated: she is a scientist with a doctoral degree. Secondly, she encourages Lewis to become a great scientist and surpass her. Instead of being jealous of Lewis and his achievements she is supportive and proud of what he has created.

With a family motto of “keep moving forward” and the love that this family has for each other you know that Lucille is a good influence to them.  

Helen Parr (Elastigirl): The Incredibles

Last, but certainly not least, we have the most flexible parent Helen Parr---an incredible mother and wife. While Bob, Mr. Incredible, goes through a midlife crisis and tries to live in the glory days by being a hero again we see a true hero Helen come to the rescue after Bob is captured by Syndrome.

After, her two oldest children (Violet and Dash) disobey her directions and follow her to rescue Bob. She prioritizes their safety while giving them responsibility. While in the crashing plane she instructed Violet to make a shield. After Violet's failed attempts she risks her life to save her children. When they are on the island, she does her best to keep them hidden while she rescues her husband by herself. She learns from her children that families are stronger together than when they are apart.

Helen is a great example of how mother put the needs of the children above her own and being willing to be taught by them.

There are a few more great mothers in Disney that could have made this list. Maybe next year I can talk about them. 

To all mothers reading this post, Happy Mother's Day.  

 

“To all mothers in every circumstance, including those who struggle—and all will—I say, ‘Be peaceful. Believe in God and yourself. You are doing better than you think you are.’” - Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Moments of Motherhood by Calvin's Mom

With Mother's Day coming up this weekend, I was thinking about which mother of all fandom I wanted to spotlight. I decided to go with the (almost) always patient mother of Calvin, from Calvin and Hobbes. And here are just a few moments with her that I think every parent (especially moms) can relate to.

To be honest, I know I wasn’t an easy child. So why would I expect mine to be easy?

Imaginative play is wonderful and healthy… but it certainly gets in the way of reality at times. 

The job of a mom is full-time work… the job of being a child… whenever they feel like it. 

Seeing your little one sick is the worst part of parenting. Period. 

Moms have this intuition to know how to comfort their child.

Two minutes of quiet with a child is inherently suspicious 

Playtime/TV time > Feeding yourself

My toddler’s latest bedtime question: “What are you doing?”

Sometimes you just gotta tell the kid what they need to hear. 

Fun with Spy Family

What happens when you combine anime melodrama with hyper competent characters and 60s spy thriller plot arcs? You get an enormously entertaining show with massive potential.

I’ve really loved watching Spy X Family with my wife. We’ve related to the emotional roller coaster each of the characters experience, and had a lot of good laughs. The first season weaved through phenomenal adventures of a ‘family’ putting their daughter through an elite private school, and growing closer than they expected.

Spy family is about three exceptional individuals, a spy, an assassin, and a mind-reader, who come together as the Forger family. 

Code name, Twilight is a spy who takes on the alias of Loid Forger when he is assigned a mission to prevent a major conflict in the middle of a brimming war between the two countries, Westalis and Ostania. His daughter, Anya, is a recruit from a local orphanage, and succeeds in grabbing his attention because she uses her mind reading capabilities to her advantage.

Loid also recruits a woman, Yor, to pose as wife and mother to Anya. Yor is secretly an assassin for hire just trying to make ends meet, since she grew up as an orphan. Anya is a former orphan, who just wants to keep her family together. She, in fact, loves her fake parents all the more because she is completely and totally informed of their secret identities as assassin and spy

So all three individuals in the spy family have different ways of responding to their bizarre situation. The truth is they are lovable; their internal dialogue is incredibly relatable. Lloyd is goal oriented to the nth degree but he can't stop himself from seeing the needs of his fake daughter, Anya, or how impressed he his by fake wife. 

Yor wants desperately to keep her family together, and is terrified that when they find out she's an assassin, it will destroy them.

Anya is probably the least imposter although the fact that she keeps her mind reading to herself is quite a bombshell.

Interesting thing about imposter syndrome is it leads to all sorts of negative feelings on the basis of cognitive distortion. Usually people who are hard-working and well deserving of their accomplishments have this nagging idea that one day they could lose everything when people realize that it was nothing more than an act all along.

No one in the family is quite so plagued by the sense that she could lose everything as Yor. She is constantly aware of how her work as an assassin or her shortcomings could end her relationship with Loid. Despite her superhuman assassin skills, she always terrified she won’t measure up in the eyes of her family. Her self-doubt is so relatable and endearing.

There’s time to binge the first season before season two comes out in October 2023, followed by a full length film the following December. I can’t wait!

For the Love of Star Wars, End The Mandalorian

**Minor Spoilers**

Image: WorthPoint

There comes a point where every series should end. Yet the studio continues to produce more of the show to make money, even though the overall story ended seasons ago. Common shows that fit this category are Greys Anatomy, The Simpsons, Psych, Chuck, and Law and Order. We should want The Mandalorian to end here at season 3 and have Disney explore more of the Star Wars universe.  

The Mandalorian has been one of the most successful Star Wars series that Disney has made and if they continue it will surely become disappointing. Season 3 has received the lowest score yet with a 50% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, while the previous seasons scored in the 90’s. It's time to end the series.

Gotye's Hit Parodied With 'Star Wars That I Used to Know'

As you may have gathered I did not like season 3 of The Mandalorian. I was quite bored with a few of the episodes and at one point I asked myself: “why am I watching the series?”, “do I even like Star Wars anymore?”, “what happened to Star Wars that I used to know?” Some of you may like what Disney has been doing with Star Wars and that is OK. You can have a different opinion than mine. To me I have either A) changed my tastes and I only like the older movies for nostalgic reasons, B)  the new series is missing what made the original great, or C) a mixture of both.

Two episodes made me cringe the most and they were episode 3 (chapter 19) where we follow imperials in the New Republic trying to adapt, and episode 6 (chapter 22) “Guns for Hire” where Jack Black, Lizzo, and Christopher Lloyd played themselves ruling over a planet; they hired Djin Djarin to solve a mystery about imperial droid malfunction. Without going into too many details I felt that these two episodes felt out of place and were the worst episodes of the season. I can't even decide which one was worse, they were both so bad. Episode 3 had nothing to do with the plot of the series, but attempted to set up for a potential series that was cancelled before it even began called “Rangers of the New Republic”--- so that episode was a waste. I didn’t like episode 6 for similar reasons; it felt out of place. Having those quest stars made it feel like a cameo ploy more than a plot to the story. It felt forced and I was bored watching it; even though the premise of the episode was interesting, it failed due to the cameos. 

After finishing this season, I thought this would be a decent conclusion to this series but then after a quick google search I found out that Jon Favreau, the showrunner, has confirmed that there will be a season 4. At the end of season 3 there are some easter egg mysteries that can be solved, but it finishes with a happy ending. Din Djarin and the other Mandalorians are content, Grogu ends up being adopted, and Moff Gideon has been axed for the 3^rd time. Great place to stop with Moff Gideon gone. Since there is another season I bet he will return. . . . again.

Image of Thrawn by Del Rey

When I found out that he was the antagonist again this season I was confused. Moff Gideon isn’t really a threat to Din Djarin because he keeps being defeated by him every season. He reminds me of Palpatine returning in Rise of Skywalker. At that point Palpatine returning was not threatening since he was defeated so easily by Darth Vader in Return of the Jedi. However, in Revenge of the Sith, Palpatine was fearsome because we knew he was going to win and take over the galaxy and we wanted to see how he would accomplish it. In this season they alluded to Admiral Thrawn coming back who is a threat because, unlike Moff Gideon, he wins against the protagonists, watch Star Wars Rebels for evidence or read some of the cannon/non-cannon books. 

I think this is the most optimal place to end the series. It doesn’t mean that this is the end of us seeing Din Djarin, Grogu, and Bo-Katan. They should show up in other series and play supporting characters. I mentioned earlier how there are some things that haven’t been fully examined and that’s fine. It teases the audience to search for the meaning of those easter eggs. Disney should have those nuggets explained in different series. They aren’t crucial for this series to explore them. It’s important for a certain character to be involved, but that person can show up in different series.

Moff Gideon

I think I have ranted enough about this. Disney should end The Mandalorian here. I would be happy if it got cancelled but since it brings in money, I don’t see the series ending here. I expect that season 4 antagonist will be Moff Gideon, sadly, but I don’t know what else they can explore with this series. I think that season 4 will be the worst season of The Mandalorian but, on the bright side, it will still be better than the most recent trilogy of Star Wars (episodes 7-9).