LEGO Star Wars Summer Vacation is a fun-filled animated special that kids of today can easily relate to. It is a humorous attempt at connecting all three Star Wars trilogies, highlighting the importance of friendship. Not only does it tell kids how to deal with bullies, but also how to tackle loneliness, fight boredom and, above all, how not to deviate from nostalgia-centric parents.
Directed by Ken Cunningham, the film revolves around former stormtrooper Finn, who plots a fun vacation following the dramatic events of Star Wars: Episode IX: The Rise of the Skywalker. The gang, comprising Finn, Poe, Rose, Rey, Chewbacca, BB-8 and others, book a trip on a cruiser to celebrate their victory. Finn, who has planned this getaway for his pals, is abandoned by his friends just as the ‘fun’ begins and that’s when he happens to encounter three iconic Force Ghosts in different places and learn the lessons of life.
The Ghosts of Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker and General Leia Organa impart some emotional wisdom to him regarding his friends. They tell three stories that taught them ‘to enjoy life when you can, do what you love and make happy memories with friends and family’.
Anakin Skywalker, who later becomes Darth Vader in the original Star Wars, recalls a time when evil took a vacation. The last Force Ghost Finn met was General Leia, someone who knew him personally. Like Anakin, the former Princess Leia could not believe that Obi-Wan talked about fun. She reminisces about the last family vacation she took with her husband and son, just before they drop their son off at Jedi training.
After learning something from the elders, Finn reaches the conclusion that nothing stays around forever and the best way to have fun is to celebrate the moment. In the end, Finn reunites with his friends and shares what he learned. They all bond together to cherish the moment which might never come again.
The entire movie has funny references involving the nine Star Wars movies. Those who are fond of the film characters would consider it the perfect finale to another marvellous trilogy, while those who are yet to delve into the world of Star Wars, would start loving it.
Published in Dawn, Young World, October 22nd, 2022
