Learn How To Actually Enjoy 'The Mandalorian And Grogu'
Image Source: StarWars.com
The release of The Mandalorian and Grogu means we’re about to be treated to something we haven’t had in almost seven years: a new Star Wars film in theaters. Those of us who lived through the extended periods of time where we had no new films to look forward to know how special times like this are. For years, the very idea of getting another Star Wars movie on the big screen seemed like a pipe dream. Now we’re lucky enough to exist in a time where that experience has become more common, but it hasn’t become any less magical.
But unfortunately, we all know the harsh truth of our current culture; the discourse around this movie is going to become a dumpster fire the moment it’s released. Even if it ends up being beloved by critics and fans, there’s a certain group of “fans” who are already sharpening their pitchforks and preparing to viciously attack this film and anyone who dares to enjoy it. Simultaneously, there are plenty of people who are committed to defending this movie with all they’ve got and fighting back against the rampant toxicity in our community. The battle lines have been drawn. A war in the stars — and online — is coming. But now more than ever it’s important to remember this crucial fact:
You don’t have to be a part of it.
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Image Source: StarWars.com
So much of the discourse we’re about to bear witness to is going to be done in bad faith. People will go into the theater with their minds made up, and will later leave trying to mold the movie to fit their preplanned narrative. If someone goes in expecting it to suck, then guess what? They’ll probably get what they expected. And don’t get me started on the box office numbers discussion! We all know that no matter how much money this movie earns, certain people will twist the numbers to match their own critical opinion of the film itself. It will either be condemned as a “flop,” or hailed as “blockbuster” depending on who’s doing the analyzing.
But at the end of the day none of that will actually matter. Plenty of great movies have flopped, and plenty of awful movies have been financially successful. A movie’s monetary yield, its cultural relevance, and its critical reception are all very different things. The sooner we all accept that fact, the sooner we can all stop trying to prove we are right about a movie being good or bad using semantics. Because at the end of the day, movies are an emotional experience. How they make us feel is perhaps the most pivotal aspect of the entire affair. No one should be able to tell you how you feel about a film, and no one should be able to take that feeling away from you. It’s your innate, intangible perspective and emotional reaction that is most significant, and we should do our best to protect it.
Image Source: StarWars.com
So how do we navigate this virtual minefield of online toxicity? Is it possible to simply watch a movie and accept it for what it is? Can we avoid being bogged down in the constant culture wars? While it sounds impossible, I believe there are small things we can do to ensure our enjoyment of a new film is not only safeguarded, but even improved.
As we approach the release date for The Mandalorian and Grogu, my hope is that all of you will take some time to simply… watch the movie. No, seriously, just watch it! Leave your expectations, your preconceived notions, and your cynicism at the door. Watch the movie and take it for what it is, not what you hope it could be. And when you walk out of the theater afterwards, don’t rush to social media to see what everyone else is saying. Don’t pop in your earbuds immediately so you can hear what your favorite podcasters have to say about it. Don’t open YouTube and see what all the talking heads are complaining about. Just… sit with it. Think about it. Soak it in. Don’t go online and let other people tell you what you should think. Take a moment to figure out how you feel about it.
If you liked it, then that’s great. Loved it? Even better! Enjoy it. Watch it again. And don’t let anyone ruin that for you. And if you didn’t like it? That’s also valid. As long as you’re approaching it in good faith, you don’t owe anyone an explanation one way or the other. Don’t let strangers on the internet convince you that you’re wrong about your unique emotional experience. And, likewise, don’t try to forcefully persuade others to agree with you either. Let people enjoy things. And also let them dislike things. It’s okay to agree to disagree. In fact, it’s downright necessary.
After all, it’s essential to keep in mind: it’s just a movie. None of this is nearly as serious or as important as we sometimes feel like it is. In reality, it’s precisely as important and meaningful as we need it to be. Movies can be awe-inspiring, mesmerizing, and even life-changing. But they can also just be “fine”. They can be worth a three-hour podcast discussion or a five-minute-long chat with a friend. Movies are often what we make of them. But it is, at the end of the day, still just a moving picture projected onto a wall.
Image Source: StarWars.Com
Some things are worth fighting for. But some movies aren’t. This doesn’t have to be the hill you die on. Sometimes you just have to put your phone down and focus on what makes you happy. If you can’t find joy when watching and discussing a movie, then maybe you’re doing it wrong. There are plenty of things in the real world to be stressed about right now, and a new Star Wars movie shouldn’t be one of them.
So, go watch The Mandalorian and Grogu. Enjoy it. Or don’t. Protect your peace. And may the Force be with you.
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