In my experience the people who hate on Rebels are the same ones who hate on TFA and haven't shut up about how awful the prequels were for the last fifteen years but when asked why either can't give a real reason or name an issue that was also present in the OT. They are the elitests who don't think anyone outside their generation should be allowed to enjoy Star Wars and thus anything that doesn't bend over backwards to pander to them is garbage.

They were simply bad movies, though Revenge of the Sith was OK and the Original Trilogy (even without later fiddling) were... good. Not brilliant, just good. The plot was not so important, it was the characters that took centre stage. And that is why TFA ranks amongst them, maybe even better.

Part of what makes movies go from good to brilliant is pure accident and serendipity. The opening barracks scene of Full Metal Jacket was entirely AD LIB BY A REAL DRILL SERGEANT TERRORISING THE ACTORS. Ford and Fisher had a real-life troubled love affair. The SFX department convinced GL not to do 50s shiny rocket ships, which would have looked awful. The Falcon was redesigned at the very last second. etc.

Just think about that. One man is 45, the other is 23, and the last is 13.

That's three generations that enjoy the OT, PT, and ST, alongside Rebels.

You know you and your brother are the same generation right?

generation isn't the term for parent-child chain.

it's also used for describing a mass of people roughly the same age that had similar experience due to similar events and conditions.

Not to mention these two were born in different millenia!

I think that's the big sticker there in the argument- I predate this century by eight years. I think predating a century really should put you in a different generation.

...Oh man that's so weird, people born in 2000 are gonna be adults soon...

Especially with how fast our culture is moving on 30 years is a bit too large of a time frame. When I was akid the internet had just barely started to become main stream used. Being allowed 10 minutes (because it was hell expensive back then) on LEGOs website was a highlight!

Then when I look at the younger siblings of my friends, they take the internet for granted already! Touchscreens were science fiction in my early childhood and now completely normal.

I actually liked the space whale story. I even considered stealing it for an RPG mini scenario. Helicopter sabers? Yeah, that was pretty lame for sure. Rebels reminds me of Pinky and the Brain, as well as a lot of other cartoons that while they were intended for children had plenty of content and innuendo geared for adults to enjoy as well.

-Cal

The SFX department convinced GL not to do 50s shiny rocket ships, which would have looked awful.

So he just did them in the prequel films... and they were proved right.

Yeah, who would have thought that ships belonging to the royalty would be shiny and well-maintained?

Thankfully Jar J. Abrams knows his stuff, knows different == bad, so we will be seeing X-wings fighting TIE/ln in the next two Episodes (at least).

You do realise he's not directing Episode VIII, right?

Yeah, who would have thought that ships belonging to the royalty would be shiny and well-maintained?

It wasn't the well maintained look... it was the chrome. Blerg...

You do realise he's not directing Episode VIII, right?

You expect the next directors to drop X-wings after it was established that it was still in service 30 years after Endor?

Yeah, who would have thought that ships belonging to the royalty would be shiny and well-maintained?

It wasn't the well maintained look... it was the chrome. Blerg...

Royal vessels, made for showing off. I think it fits.

You do realise he's not directing Episode VIII, right?

You expect the next directors to drop X-wings after it was established that it was still in service 30 years after Endor?

Yeah, who would have thought that ships belonging to the royalty would be shiny and well-maintained?

It wasn't the well maintained look... it was the chrome. Blerg...

Royal vessels, made for showing off. I think it fits.

Royal Vessels: Apparently made for showing off bad taste. Though I guess that also fits a lot of nobles.

I also don't like the 1950s retro styling of many of the non-shiny prequel fighters... just don't fit my taste.

Also, the idea that the same fighter would still be in service, especially in an updated model, is entirely likely:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Dynamics_F-16_Fighting_Falcon

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairchild_Republic_A-10_Thunderbolt_II

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_B-52_Stratofortress

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDonnell_Douglas_F-15_Eagle

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDonnell_Douglas_F-15_Eagle

If it works, don't fix it.

Not that I wouldn't have minded seeing some other varieties present.

I agree. I don't mind the change in aesthetics between the PT and OT as they were built for different things. In the PT, the Republic had not experienced any major wars for some time, combat vessels were as much ceremonial as they were practical. The more "used" look in the OT as the result of a galaxy that had undergone many years of fighting in the Clone and Civil wars.

Similarly I don't have a problem with seeing familiar designs in new trilogy. Updated versions of proven designs make sense. Also I think it has been stated that even the T70s were not the current cutting-edge of the Republic's fighter technology but older ships that the Resistance made do with much as the Rebellion had made do with Y-wings.

Having said that, I hope that Episode VIII gives more variety of ships on both sides. I want to new versions of the A and B-wings as well as modern Interceptors and Bombers. If these photos are anything to go by, it looks like we might see new generation A-wings at the very least in the next film.

Sure, you can explain that as an analogy to F-16, just like complete replacement of V-19s by V-wing/ARC occuring in less than 3 years can be explained by people trying to remember how starfghters are supposed to work after 1000 years of peace.

But the real reason behind this is painfully obvious in the context of the rest of the movie and I don't think there was much thinking or any explaining involved in the "creative" process.

@UP people like to forget that the "used look" doesn't apply to everything. The Empire in OT (TIEs, Labda, Death Star/ISD interiors) is very clean.

I have no problem with the inclusion of ships from things I don't like or am unfamiliar with (every EU Scum ship falls into that category), but what I personally hate about Rebels from the limited clips and videos I've seen from it is the aesthetic. I just really, really hate it. Same with most American cartoons - that absurdly exaggerated style they have, it instantly puts me in a bad mood just seeing a few seconds of it, I can't help it.

I might try forcing myself to watch it, see if I can acquire a taste for it. Maybe there are skins you can download for it, like mods for computer games...

****ing royal ****ard.

Why can't we have Natalie Portman as Queen?

I saw the OT at the cinema...several times (I managed ANH+ESB in one sitting, but never found anywhere showing all 3 back-to-back ) - I'm not sure anyone who didn't see that opening scene of ANH on the big screen then can really appreciate how truly awe-inspiring it was ( for those of us whose SciFi experience up to then had peaked with 2001)...

...I only played a few Star Wars video games in my early 30's (never really had the reactions for them), so was largely unfamiliar with the ships from them...

...I loved the Prequels ! - after 15yrs, to have it all back again in glorious cinema, and now with these amazing new DVD's of the OT and new stuff, where you could pause any scene you wanted to examine the ships ( I still have a model Falcon I made in about 1979 based upon what pictures I could find in mags & books...internet, what a dream )

...and now, in my 50's, another 15yrs or so later, a new trilogy of films that promise a return to my youth, all whilst finally being able to play a game simulating those incredible starfighter battles ( I actually have another game from the early 80's - "Starhound" - but it was really just rules and some cast metal ships, and a clunkier movement/combat system)

Yes, I'm rambling on - so what does Rebels offer someone of my age, interest and viewing history? - Everything I could possible want ! - I just don't understand how anyone with the slightest interest in GL's creation can not enjoy it...it's Star Wars, people! Just let go your preconceptions, forget about physics and sensible design or how much better other animations may be, and just

IMMERSE YOURSELF !!!

( I hate that only series 1 is on DVD, so I haven't yet seen series 2 - but the 'spoilers' I've read here only increases my anticipation...if what everyone says about it being so much better is right, I'll probably be watching it half a dozen times within the first couple of months of owning it... )

You know, honestly, my reaction to new stuff in this game isn't what I thought it would be. I didn't like Rebels, but I don't mind the ships. I hated the prequels, yet I'm happy the ARC-170 was just announced. It looks like a fun counterpoint to the new Defender stuff we'll be getting soon some day. I'm quite glad that I seem to be able to decouple my opinions of the source material from how this stuff seems to play on the table.

The EA-6B Prowler started life in 1963, and was just last year withdrawn from US Navy service - that's a run of 52 years. It's still being flown by the Marine Corps until 2019. The MiG-21 and F-4 are still being flown by multiple nations, and both of those were first flown in the 1950s. The F/A-18 was designed and built in the late 1970s and is still (in Super Hornet form) the frontline aircraft of the US.

So, yes, entirely possible that the X-Wing would have lived through multiple upgrades and still be in service to the Republic.

Better than seeing some of the EU abominations, like the T-Wing or E-Wing... awh, darnit.

And when we get new starship designs it's stuff like the U-Wing. Does anyone actually like that design?

And when we get new starship designs it's stuff like the U-Wing. Does anyone actually like that design?

Hell yeah I like that design..! A fast, single-squad hyperspace capable dropship? What could be more perfect for The Rebellion for transporting soldiers and VIPs?

And when we get new starship designs it's stuff like the U-Wing. Does anyone actually like that design?

Hell yeah I like that design..! A fast, single-squad hyperspace capable dropship? What could be more perfect for The Rebellion for transporting soldiers and VIPs?

It's actually not a fighter? Okay... so it's for covert ops and to remain inconspicuous. I hope they describe it to be more of a refit of a small bulk freighter like the HWK, otherwise it seems like it'd be too recognizable.

And when we get new starship designs it's stuff like the U-Wing. Does anyone actually like that design?

Hell yeah I like that design..! A fast, single-squad hyperspace capable dropship? What could be more perfect for The Rebellion for transporting soldiers and VIPs?

It's actually not a fighter? Okay... so it's for covert ops and to remain inconspicuous. I hope they describe it to be more of a refit of a small bulk freighter like the HWK, otherwise it seems like it'd be too recognizable.

It doubles as a fighter, though, if I recall correctly. I think I heard that it has proton torpedoe launchers.

... I actually kind of like the heli-blade sabers. But then, my taste in style tends to be rather over the top and absurd at the best of times. Heck I'm a Battletech player with a focus on Solaris, so Rule of Cool is combat power in my book.

I really do like the series, I just kind of watched it as a what-the-heck thing at first, but by the second season I was really enjoying myself. If I had to make one complaint, like others, is that the paint on some of the ships is just a little too... pastel, I think? I dont mind colorful ships, or a wide palette, but something about the color choice for the Ghost, and some of the other things that pop up, remind me far more of Easter Eggs and cake toppers than they do of star ships.

The EA-6B Prowler started life in 1963, and was just last year withdrawn from US Navy service - that's a run of 52 years. It's still being flown by the Marine Corps until 2019. The MiG-21 and F-4 are still being flown by multiple nations, and both of those were first flown in the 1950s. The F/A-18 was designed and built in the late 1970s and is still (in Super Hornet form) the frontline aircraft of the US.

So, yes, entirely possible that the X-Wing would have lived through multiple upgrades and still be in service to the Republic.

Better than seeing some of the EU abominations, like the T-Wing or E-Wing... awh, darnit.

And when we get new starship designs it's stuff like the U-Wing. Does anyone actually like that design?

You missed one. The B-52 Stratofortress, first operational in 1955, is currently performing bombing missions against ISIS in Iraq.

And when we get new starship designs it's stuff like the U-Wing. Does anyone actually like that design?

Hell yeah I like that design..! A fast, single-squad hyperspace capable dropship? What could be more perfect for The Rebellion for transporting soldiers and VIPs?

It's actually not a fighter? Okay... so it's for covert ops and to remain inconspicuous. I hope they describe it to be more of a refit of a small bulk freighter like the HWK, otherwise it seems like it'd be too recognizable.

I'd hardly call the HWK-290 a bulk freighter, or even a freighter to be honest.

And when we get new starship designs it's stuff like the U-Wing. Does anyone actually like that design?

Hell yeah I like that design..! A fast, single-squad hyperspace capable dropship? What could be more perfect for The Rebellion for transporting soldiers and VIPs?

It's actually not a fighter? Okay... so it's for covert ops and to remain inconspicuous. I hope they describe it to be more of a refit of a small bulk freighter like the HWK, otherwise it seems like it'd be too recognizable.

It doubles as a fighter, though, if I recall correctly. I think I heard that it has proton torpedoe launchers.

It might, but what Rebel ship doesn't have the ability to launch ordnance, right?

But yeah the U-Wing is not exactly a fighter. It's... A really odd multi-role, but a perfectly plausible one if we think unconventionally. Which The Rebellion absolutely must do.

It's called the "HWK-290 Light Freighter" so yeah, freighter IS an accurate description. Small bulk (to me) classes what it can carry: Small but highly valuable items like medicine, weapons, holocubes. Large bulk carries stuff that has a small margin so you need a lot of it to make money, like food or clothing. Medium bulk is a compromise between the two and more flexible. The YT-1300 is a medium bulk, for example.

So basically the U-Wing is a combat insertion craft, like the Blackhawk? I...

Look. I'm going to watch the movie, and I'm going to enjoy it. And any complaints about 'canon' are obviously out the window because the movie IS canon. But...

But the Rebellion having a dedicated squad insertion craft, especially in the years before Yavin, is kinda hard for me to swallow. At that point, their navy was cobbled together from older surplus ships like the Blockade Runner, refitted noncombat ships like the first Mon Cal cruisers, or were as general-purpose as possible and manufactured on the sly, like the X-Wing. And that made sense. The Rebellion hadn't won any major victories, and any help they were getting had to be deniable - like stealing the surplus ships in that episode of Rebels.

So IMHO a ship in the role of the U-Wing should be something like the HWK - fast, common enough to blend in, cheap enough for the Rebels to afford, and made for another specification that was repurposed. Or just stolen.

Years before Yavin..? This is basically days before Yavin. As for how the Rebel Fleet was formed, Rebels is pretty much the go-to-source.

What we're saying is that it can hold its own if it needs to. It's probably a pretty common vessel.