Star Wars: The Sequel Trilogy Through My Daughter's Eyes

 Star Wars: The Sequel Trilogy Through My Daughter’s Eyes

The final three films in the Star Wars Saga have met with intense criticism since their theatrical releases. Complaints about character development and story direction have flooded social media and tarnished the reputation of the films. Fans of the franchise have broken out into arguments and firmly planted their feet on their chosen sides.

I stand here in the middle ignoring the hostility as I watch these films through my daughter’s eyes. For her, she got to see three films where a woman was the main hero. Three films where women ran the Resistance. My daughter doesn’t yet know of the bikini clad Princess Leia. She only knows Leia as a wise and confident general. When tragedy struck the heroes in the second film my daughter watched an intelligent and capable woman, Vice Admiral Holdo, take command and make the ultimate sacrifice for the future of the galaxy. My daughter saw the female hero, Rey, defeat the evil Emperor. She saw Rey struggle with her own self doubt but always make the right choices in the end.

Thanks to these movies my daughter saw a universe where women are just as strong and capable as their male counterparts. These movies set an incredible example for her. They were the inspiration that led her to pick up her own lightsaber and save the galaxy in own imaginative play.

My gratitude to these films and film makers can not be measured. To Kathleen Kennedy, J.J. Abrams, Rian Johnson, and every member of the cast and crew I say thank you. No matter what negativity is splattered across the culture in reference to these films, please know that as a fan, and as a mother I could not be happier.