It is entirely possible that TLG might be more popular than you give it credit for. There are bound to be fans who aren't that active on social media and the members here only represent a tiny percentage of fans and people who are just very casual Star Wars fans. I also think that a lof of people who might have truly enjoyed all 3 sequels are just not old to be very active on social media and talking about Star Wars specifically. You have to remember that while a lot of the fans who grew up with the OT didn't particularly care for the PT, yet decades later, the kids who grew up with the PT love it & regard it as their Star Wars. I'm fairly certain that all of the little kids of today who are growing up with the ST will feel the same way when they get older, because it's what they grew up with it will be their Star Wars.
TLJ really divided the base. I totally agree with that.
But then deleting droves of negative fan reviews and modifying the weight of critics' reviews --who were bribed with "access"-- is pretty telling that the movie was not well received.
Some folks *loved* it, but a discussion about what there was to love usually resulted in being called a "phobe" or H8'er; the telltale sign that they didn't have a valid reason.
Rian selfishly made a movie from a popular franchise totally for himself.
I remember someone reviewed TLJ 100%. Seriously?!?!
Revised earning expectations as well.
this is all a dead horse
The recent social media push and teasing about Rian getting more movies was very forced (no pun intended). The media acted like everyone was already on board, they discovered otherwise.
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TLJ was the linch pin, the chink in the armor that started the fall of (what should have been) bulletproof Star Wars.
I dont see how anyone could disagree with that.
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We still play the Danger Mouse intro and sing, "Mar-ry Sue," instead Of "Danger Mouse."