THE PRINCIPAL PROTAGONISTS OF "STAR WARS" ARE C3PO AND R2-D2
The sequels overlooked one crucial detail.
Long ago it struck me how much pop music is really about technology.
"Baby You Can Drive My Car" (automobiles)
"I Just Called To Say Love You" (telephones)
"57 Channels And Nothing's On" (television)
From that should follow, that other popular culture also has a subtext about technology.
STAR WARS, when it was new, did something brilliant: It humanized technology - embodied in the two principal protagonists C3PO and R2-D2.
Yes, I said it: THE PRINCIPAL PROTAGONISTS OF "STAR WARS" ARE C3PO AND R2-D2.
Siskel and Ebert were on to it in 1977 - see their review.
Perhaps that's why the sequels made after George Lucas sold off his "empire" have failed...?
The producers, scriptwriters and directors forgot that one crucial detail: The technology is also character, not just a background, and should be treated as such.
Having said that… personally I don’t much care about Star Wars sequels; I think the concept has been milked dry. I’d rather watch something different and new - perhaps another space opera, if it’s done well. I am looking forward to the next DUNE movies.
Footnote: My sci-fi book series DARC AGES features talking robots - and much else. The books are available on Amazon.