WARNING: This post contains MAJOR SPOILERS for Star Wars: The Force Awakens
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As fun as it is to watch all the latest blockbusters that come out in theaters, seeing the Internet parodies that ensue can be an even greater treat. Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens is no stranger to this. Its third and final domestic trailer got the Honest Trailers treatment and Dorkly paired the new characters with their original trilogy equivalents to illustrate the parallels between the films. Now, YouTube channel How it Should Have Ended (HISHE) is getting in on the fun and taking their own shot at Episode VII.
Like they have with so many films of years past, HISHE poked fun at the latest Star Wars movie, offering their comedic alternative for a different ending. As the channel has grown, the videos have evolved from merely illustrating a new conclusion for the target to showcasing a collection of famous scenes in the classic HISHE style. Those who enjoyed The Force Awakens should find a lot to like in HISHE's version (watch it above).
The short takes aim at several key moments from the film, including some of the aspects viewers complained about. R2-D2's deus ex machina awakening is turned into a humorous gag, where BB-8 simply has to toggle the power button to bring the original astromech back. Instead of getting his dramatic entrance, R2 is unwillingly brought into the fold. In addition, the obvious "Starkiller base is Death Star III" joke is made, General Leia Organa apparently unimpressed by the antagonists having yet another super weapon that can blow up planets.
Among the many highlights is the use of the 20th Century Fox fanfare (commenting on Disney's acquisition of Luasfilm), Rey using her Jedi mind trick to escape Starkiller base in a TIE fighter, Gollum filling in for Supreme Leader Snoke, and Kylo Ren using the Force to knock Rey unconscious during their lightsaber duel. Longtime HISHE fans will also get a kick out of Anakin Skywalker's ghost reacting to his relation to Kylo Ren, a callback to the Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi HISHE videos where Darth Vader celebrated the fact he had a son and daughter.
Captain Phasma also gets some redemption in HISHE's edition of Star Wars 7. As opposed to giving in and lowering the Starkiller base shields like she did in the actual movie, Phasma triggers an alarm to alert the First Order that there are intruders present (giving way to a great Han Solo one-liner). Her role in The Force Awakens was something many fans took issue with, but since Gwendoline Christie is coming back for Episode VIII, there's a chance Lucasfilm can do something memorable with the character down the road so she doesn't spend her entire existence as a punch line.
Arguably the funniest bits involve Luke Skywalker, who gets more screen time (and dialogue) than he did in Force Awakens. In one proposed ending, he saves Han's life by stabbing Kylo Ren to death, mentioning how sensing when his friends are in danger is his thing. Another finale serves up a disturbing, yet humorous, twist on Luke and Rey's fateful meeting, with the elderly Jedi Master making a pass at his would-be apprentice. Remarking how that's disgusting since the two could be related (perhaps even father/daughter), Rey is repulsed by Luke shrugging it off, saying that's never bothered him before (see: his initial romantic interest in Leia).
As a film packed to the brim with great moments, it's no surprise that The Force Awakens translated so well to the HISHE brand of comedy. The only thing missing was a patented BB-8 thumbs up. And with Disney set to release a new Star Wars movie every year for the foreseeable future, there will be no shortage of opportunities to spin these projects into laughs for all.
NEXT: Star Wars 7 Characters Meet Original Trilogy Equivalents
Star Wars: Episode 7 – The Force Awakens is now in theaters, and will be followed by Rogue One: A Star Wars Story on December 16th, 2016, Star Wars: Episode 8 on December 15th, 2017, and the Han Solo Star Wars Anthology film on May 25th, 2018. Star Wars: Episode 9 is expected to reach theaters in 2019, followed by the third Star Wars Anthology film in 2020.
Source: How it Should Have Ended