Spoiler Review: The Last Jedi. A Surprise, to be Sure, but a Welcome One
This review contains extensive discussion of spoilers for The Last Jedi. Turn back now if you don’t want to know the details of the film.
Let the past die. Kill it if you have to.
Kylo Ren’s words serve as the primary basis of conflict in The Last Jedi. Kylo Ren feels betrayed by his elders. His parents, his mentors have all failed him and should therefore be purged so the next generation can start anew.
As a counterpoint we are given the wisdom of Master Yoda. The greatest teacher, failure is. And in the dichotomy of these two viewpoints, we are given the mission statement to what might be the most mature of all the Star Wars films to date.
And by mature, I’m not saying that past movies have been immature. But, this film sets out to take a deep examination of characters growing up. Even the older ones. Even the masters.
The primary theme of The Last Jedi is watching what characters do when they are exposed to the realities of life. What happens when you realize your parents, mentors, or masters are flawed? What do you do when you realize you shouldn’t worship your heroes or that heroic acts are not always in and of themselves the right path?
The Last Jedi dares to take a look down the path at what happens when heroes fail. And I love this film for it.
At every turn, the heroes in The Last Jedi fail. Poe fails to be a true resistance leader. Finn and Rose fail in their mission to disable the tracking device that is putting their comrades in peril. They fail so badly, it actually ends up costing lives. Rey fails to get Luke to come with her to face the First Order. Luke even calls us, the audience, out in the process. He lets us know that what our expectations for him as the hero of this story are, will not match reality, when he scoffs at Rey’s plea that the Resistance needs him.
Because in the end, although this movie teaches us that our heroes are fallible, they are also (as Yoda points out) wise because of that very fallibility. Luke knows that what the resistance needs isn’t a bad ass Jedi bringing down Star Destroyers with his mind. What the Resistance needs is a new hope. Leia knows that brave acts of heroism aren’t enough to bring down the first order. Going out in a blaze of glory will make you a legend, but it won’t necessarily win the war.
And that is what our new generation of heroes learns in The Last Jedi. It is what Kylo Ren can’t learn and instead rages against. Failures don’t make one weak, they are what you grow from. Turning away in anger and seeking a perfection only made available by the naiveté of youth is the path to the dark side. Ben Solo made that choice. Rey chooses wisdom over anger. And we are left with one of the most unique story constructions in the history of Star Wars as we watch it all play out.
What Rian Johnson did with The Last Jedi is nothing short of remarkable in my opinion. Upon first viewing, I had mixed emotions about the movie. I respected it, but I had major reservations due to how different everything felt. I had to (I’m sure everyone has heard this a million times this week) unlearn what I had learned. My second viewing was an experience of pure joy. Once I let go of what I expected, I came to see a movie of such high ambition and unifying theme, that it had confused me on my first watch.
Everything in this movie threads from the central theme in a way we don’t often see in blockbusters. Everything from Finn’s disillusionment at the war profiteers in Canto Bight, to the unexpected early dispatch of Snoke, and all the way to the last shot of that kid with the resistance ring who will soon learn he can sweep up the stables much easier if he uses the Force. Every aspect of this film pulls us right back to that central story of Luke, Ben, and Rey.
Luke’s part in this film has of course been divisive within fandom. We build up a superhero in our head and are horrified when we find he is just a man. The audience in the same boat as Kylo and Rey, learning Luke isn’t the infallible god we thought he was. The temptation of the dark side wasn’t defeated forever in the Emperor’s throne room. It is a daily struggle against which, even a Jedi has moments of weakness. And that moment certainly was a doozy. But that is what the frailty of humans will bring. A momentary lapse leads to an endless spiral of repercussions that continue down the line from generation to generation. Each subsequent one, learning from that mistake in new ways.
But in the end, Luke may not find complete redemption for his failings. But he does find renewed purpose. There have long been debates about how Luke should act in his inevitable return. Should he be the legendary warrior-wizard, bringing the empire to its knees with his extensive power? Or should he be more like Yoda in Empire, passive and wise. Rian’s answer gives us a best of both worlds alternative.
Luke’s showing on Crait is likely the most bad-ass way of using defensive, non-violent Jedi powers you’ll likely ever see. He is the warrior and he is the monk. He achieves victory over the First order without ever drawing blood. A great feat. And in the end, as with his own mentor Obi-Wan, he becomes one with the force so he can guide Rey from beyond the constraints of his flawed physical body. Luke’s death, is handled in a way more beautiful than I could have possibly predicted. We knew his death was coming in this trilogy at some point. But it was poignant and emotional while remaining hopeful in a way Han’s was and inevitably Leia’s will be. Luke’s death was not without purpose. It was a victory for the light.
It’s a beautiful and hopeful story, but a bleak one. I imagine many, when dreaming we’d someday get a grey Jedi, didn’t quite picture this. And I see how it will anger many. For me, it is heart wrenching and exciting in all the ways I want a Star Wars movie to be.
Some notes on the positives:
- Rian Johnson is the first director to bring his own visual style to Star Wars since Empire and it is a thing of beauty. The silent shot of the Supremacy being torn apart is probably going to become one of my favorite Star Wars shots of all time. Just reliving it in my head gives me chills.
- Everything about both the Rey/Ren/Snoke scene, and Luke’s final showdown with Kylo are just note perfect. I can’t say anything bad about them. They will go down as two of my favorite scenes in Star Wars history I’m sure.
- The technical skill shown by Johnson in his expertly crafted setup for Luke’s surprise at the end of the film was amazingly handled. We see throughout the film, people using the power of this force projection in many ways. Snoke’s ability to throw Hux around when light years away. Kylo and Rey’s connection and Ren’s explanation that using this power on her own would kill Rey. And, then finally Luke’s sacrifice on Crait. All the information we need is there, yet it still surprises us without feeling like a cheat. I kicked myself after first viewing for not noticing that Luke’s blue light saber was destroyed minutes earlier yet he was somehow holding it on the battlefield, or that his hair was different and reflected a younger, less damaged version of himself.
- I’m perfectly fine with Rey being a nobody. She is the “everyman” as her experience in the cave shows. Tearing down your heroes from the pedestal also means recognizing that power through lineage has no meaning. Rey represents this concept as a no one who is just as important as a someone.
- The performances in this movie are all top notch. But special Kudos to the trio at the center of the film. Adam Driver continues to create one of the most interesting and dynamic villains in recent memory. Daisy Ridley has quickly grown into the part of Rey and does some great, serious work here. And Mark Hamill is a huge delight, giving what is easily his best performance in this film.
- Canto Bight reminds me of the prequels in all of the best ways possible. It was bright, and clean, but still felt dynamic and real. The plotline there may not have been the strongest part of the movie, but the design was fantastic.
- I hope John Williams lives to be 150 and never stops scoring these movies. I love Michael Giacchino and he did an admirable job with little time on Rogue One, but even if this is second tier Williams, it was refreshing just to have his textures back in the background. The movie was light on new themes, but the frequent callbacks to OT themes was very welcome.
- Ewoks and Gungans could learn a thing or two from the Porgs. That, to me, was just the right amount of cuteness and comic relief without getting obnoxious or cringe inducing.
Negatives and nitpicks:
This movie is not without flaws. I love the film, but it is in no way perfect.
- I think the biggest misstep was the conflicting feel of the three story lines. Ahch-To and Canto Bight were fine on their own, but felt way to leisurely in comparison to the Resistance fleeing the First Order Plot. They all worked separately, but in conjunction felt tonally misaligned.
- Most of the new characters took great steps in development in their second film. But of the big 4, Finn clearly suffered the most here. A lot of his comic energy was removed, and although they gave him a strong arc, it always felt secondary to what was happening with the others.
- Some of the logistics of how everyone ends up on Crait at the same time at the end were seriously glossed over. The movie is already two and a half hour long. Just give me 30 seconds of Rey leaving the Supremacy.
- Phasma and DJ are two characters, who I think may be hurt by being portrayed by celebrity actors. These are small parts, with little to them, that are given too much importance by the audience because of who they are. If these parts were played by no-names, they would probably fade to the background with any number of nameless military commanders or alien creatures with limited screen time. As is, their lack of impact makes them stand out.
- I know it fits the symbolism that Leia is pushing with her whole “hope is most important when you can’t see it“ thing. But Leia flying through the vacuum of space takes me out of the film every time. I can rationalize it. Maybe she makes an instinctual force bubble around her that keeps her alive or something, but still that was the one ambitious reach Johnson made that didn’t quite land for me.
- Although this is definitely the funniest Star Wars movie, some of the jokes fell a bit flat. Particularly that shirtless Kylo Ren scene. That didn’t get even a chuckle at either of my screenings. The rest may depend on your mood or who you are watching with. The two audiences I watched with varied greatly on which parts they thought were hilarious and which didn’t get much of a reaction at all.
All in all I loved The Last Jedi. It’s bold, it’s fun, and it’s ambitious. It brings a new dynamic to the Star Wars universe that at the same time feels like it has always belonged there. It mixes some of the best dynamics of the prequels and original trilogy while adding quite a bit new to the equation as well. There are a few easily overlooked missteps, but they are insignificant in the long run. The film feels fresh. I haven’t been this excited to go back and see a Star Wars movie again for a third time in decades. I imagine this one will be in regular rotation for years to come as I unpack all of those details and subtexts I missed.
I understand how this movie will not be for all fans. It will probably be listed among the worst for some. But in the end, that is a good thing to me. A safe movie is good for all, but just good… never great. A movie that takes risks as The Last Jedi does may not land for everyone, but will be among the favorites for those to which it hits all the right notes. The Last Jedi was that movie for me. For those who hated it, maybe the next one will hit those notes for you.
That Luke Yoda scene was beautiful. Not just the great life lessons as always, but what it represents for this trilogy.
This crap you think is sacred and important, just let it burn down so it can hopefully grow again.
So true
Is it just me or did Yoda look REALLY rough? He also acted quite out of character. Sure, he acted like he did when he first met Luke, but as soon as Obi-Wan chimed in with at Yoda’s house, he turned serious. I always understood goofy Yoda as a test for Luke. You didn’t even really see him like that in the prequels too much.
Yeah kinda. He was a little too green, and it looked like he was missing his yoda dentures. But at the same time it makes wonder if Rian Johnson and LFL were like, hey this clamoring for yoda to be a puppet and not digital, well here you go and see for yourself how ridiculous it looks in the year 2017. Sure you can have puppet practical aliens in the back ground, but once they have to interact with the actors, forget it. Its why they do not do it anymore.
Yeah kinda. He was a little too green, and it looked like he was missing his yoda dentures. But at the same time it makes wonder if Rian Johnson and LFL were like, hey this clamoring for yoda to be a puppet and not digital, well here you go and see for yourself how ridiculous it looks in the year 2017. Sure you can have puppet practical aliens in the back ground, but once they have to interact with the actors, forget it. Its why they do not do it anymore.
That’s the thing. He looked much better in ESB. That was 37 years ago.
I think he was supposed to be how Yoda looked in ROTJ, which was not as healthy or fit as in ESB. the ROTJ Yoda was physically more frail and I think that is why they went with it. Ties in to the theme of accepting your flaws and weaknesses…
I thought Yoda didn’t look nearly “ghostly” enough. He looked too solid. It took me right out of the movie. But then, when it was later made clear that you can Force-project an image of yourself halfway across the galaxy, it occurred to me that Yoda was probably just doing the same thing, but from “beyond.”
He looked strange, definitely. I think they nailed his character, though. But yeah, something was up with his mouth.
No one hates Star Wars more than Star Wars fans.
You might be on to something there
You might be on to something there
“I haven’t been this excited to go back and see a Star Wars movie again for a third time in decades.”
This review upvoted x1000.
Hell yeah
I’ve seen it four times already and I’m getting withdrawals just reading this.
Even after the 3rd viewing, I still left the cinema an emotional wreck.
That’s what I want from a SW movie.
I’ve seen it 5 times and want to see it more. I didn’t have this reaction at all to TFA or R1, as much as I enjoyed them.
I definitely agree with the “a safe movie is good for all, but just good…never great”. Nice review. I was a little concerned coming out of TLJ, but it has been growing on me. I did feel like it was rushed, and they packed to much into the one movie. They should have just done two movies with this, and added more character development. Overall, this movie was amazing, but Rian should have made the 9th one too. I really want the visual guide now too lol
I loved the movie. Its a sad one, about disappointment, and an adult one. Heroes are commom people and fail, but also nobodies can destroy leaders. This movie made me think much more than any SW sequel
I have no problems with anything in the movie except one little thing. I actually like Rose and really liked Finn in this one. The one thing I do not like and which unfortunately ruined it all for me was Luke igniting his light saber to kill his nephew while he was sleeping. I know that he changed his mind and that his failure was only brief but it is now Kylo’s reality in that he doesn’t know Luke changed his mind. It was just too much of an epic fail for Luke and made his whole life’s journey so tragic.
you’ll get over it
I hope so. lol.
An interesting point… but don’t forget that Kylo’s reality also includes him not knowing that Vader turned to the light at the end of his life also. So his reality can now be doubly shattered. They could actually use that as a major plot point.
Wait. Why doesn’t he know that?
He does, at least in the TFA novelization. He and Snoke have a discussion about it, in fact.
After Luke ignited the Lightsaber and nothing happened to Ben Solo, Kylo picked his own path.
Nobody forced him surrender to Snoke.
I get your point, but you cannot make Luke responsible of all the dark choices Kylo did after, San Tekka and Han Solo included.
But, I missed more explanation about his relationship with Vader legacy.
And I am sure it will be a topic in Ep. IX.
How Luke’s failure was handled is devisive but I really liked it, especially after a second viewing. The character is much more interesting to me after seeing TLJ than my expectations after TFA. Fortunately, my expectations went over the shoulder with the light saber early on.
Mark Hamilll may not like this version of Luke, but he should thank RJ for creating a conflicted character and for drawing out his best acting performance to date…in my opinion.
I think this movie will win over the years and it will become a classic of Star Wars.
People who fiercely don´t like it now will like it in the future.
Now we know, TFA was easier to get the fans because Luke was not involved. We have discovered the path of Luke is what more concern to some people.
But I guess RJ had not other choice, sources are what they are and that cannot be changed, only interpreted.
I think this movie will win over the years and it will become a classic of Star Wars.
People who fiercely don´t like it now will like it in the future.
Now we know, TFA was easier to get the fans because Luke was not involved. We have discovered the path of Luke is what more concern to some people.
But I guess RJ had not other choice, sources are what they are and that cannot be changed, only interpreted.
Great review. I left the theater with a mix of being an emotional wreck and sheer joy. Leia flying through space really didn’t bother me as much. I had finally read “Lords of the Sith” which had a scene where Vader did kind of the same thing to breach a rebel ship. I think the pacing of that scene is what may have hurt it for some. If Rian had Leia blown out into space and she immediately pulled herself back in as a quick action shot it may have worked better. I think they could have done away with Canto Bight altogether. Maybe have Rose and Fin sneak onto the Supremacy using their own skills. Rose’s engineering and Fin’s knowledge of the First Order. Luke was finally the bad ass I wanted to see. Yeah, there was no big lightsaber battle with Kylo, but he won in an even more legendary way. Last Jedi is my favorite by far.
Watched TFA again last night, my thoughts on the “Plot holes”;
The map to luke- No where in this film does it specifically outright say that Luke left behind a map so someone can find him. It stated that he vanished and they think he went looking for the first jedi temple. Kylo refers to the “map” as map, but also refers it as a navigational chart. They are looking for where Luke went to, and this “map” possible gives a clue to where exactly in the galaxy he went to. The first order and R2 D2 both had the same piece, Max Von sydow on Jakku had the other.
Why he has the other, or any of it, yeah that is a mystery and a story of its own. But none of it says Luke left a come find me map. People just assumed that.
Rey’s Parents not important – Maz/Rey scene, Maz says “Whoever you are waiting for on Jakku, they are never coming back. The belonging you seek is not behind you, but ahead.” Basically saying out right, her parents are not important to care about in this story
Also JJ Abrams in an April 2016 appearance comes out and says Rey’s parent are not in TFA. So that eliminates everyone that made an appearance in TFA.
You are right. It was rumored that Luke went off to find the first Jedi temple. It was a just map to the first Jedi temple, not to Luke.
You are right. It was rumored that Luke went off to find the first Jedi temple. It was a just map to the first Jedi temple, not to Luke.
It’s suggested that, while wishing to disappear, Luke left some breadcrumbs as a goose hunt for anybody who was clever enough to figure it out, which of course makes zero sense in light Luke’s apparent true reason for going to the island. And if R2 was with him when he landed, naturally he would have mapped and known their location. / The loophole is that Lor San Tekka [Von Sydow] has the other piece which suggests he was perhaps with Luke when he arrived on the island [R2 had to get off the island somehow.]
Unless they’re planning some elaborate back explanation scene with 9, it seems like it’s just plot loopholes.
Hyperspace ram totally breaks canon and our understanding of how Star Wars works. What’s the point of major fleet engagements when a weapon like that is so effective?
The entire premise of how and why the chase is happening makes no sense. Send ships ahead of them. Keep launching fighters… the first three did a lot of damage.
Finn and Rose… needed to be reworked entirely. DJ was cool but fell to the same problem they had. Wasted valuable time that could have been spent elsewhere.
Having a major character shift their established manor needs to be better portrayed. You don’t rush it in 3 variant flashbacks. There are many ways Luke could have failed. That was not… the best one. Nor were his actions after.
Cutting off all the build up from TFA. Where one film seemingly puts great importance on things… the next cuts them down and at times almost treats you like you were foolish to think otherwise.
Snoke… it’s more important to know who he was because this was the end of the legacy for the original cast. This was the results of their efforts. He undid so much of it. Why? Who is he? How could he possibly exist in this galaxy of such powerful Force users. Doesn’t matter now I guess.
Rey’s parents. Honestly… nobody is a powerful concept. I didn’t like it’s execution. The impact of that could have hung a little longer. I see what he was going for there and it’s a noble idea I felt didn’t quite land.
These are the biggest issues I had with it. The rest I generally liked. Don’t worry I wont constantly spam it unless people want to debate over things. Even then never such a list again.
first of all, In the original Thrawn Trilogy. Grand Admiral Thrawn used the manipulation of the physics of hyperspace several times as a weapon to control a fleet battle. two your forgetting artificial gravity wells ships like the interdicter class ships that could easily stop said ram.
I was going to waste a bunch of time on this but then I remembered this site did get tickets to the premiere, so we know where their allegences stand.
I’d say that’s unfair. Plenty of people did love this movie. Plus going to a premiere can heighten the experience with no incentive other than how exciting it is. It’s sort of like Nascar. A lot of people say it’s boring to watch. You go see it in person and there is just this atmosphere that sucks you in. So much else is happening while they race.
I wouldn’t know… I think Nascar is boring. 😛 Just using an example of how being there can change the experience. Like playing the preview build of a game at the developers studio before anyone else.
Maybe its just a coincidence that the critic score is dropping now that the uninvited are getting their reviews out.
At the end of the day I don’t care what anyone else thought of it, critic or otherwise. I doubt Disney will view it as a failure, despite what some people might want (not labelling you as one of them). I still expect ep9 to be greeted with as much anticipation and hype as 8 was.
My only problem is getting my mind back on some seriously tight deadlines at work when all I want to do is think Star Wars.
Oh, God, it went from 93% to 92%. What a drastic drop off. A staggering 27 negative reviews against a pathetic 310 positive.
Guess what? Critics get advanced screenings to nearly every movie. There is no conspiracy or scam going on, they liked the movie because most critics don’t come with the baggage of fandom. It’s fine if you didn’t like the movie. But stop trying to pretend that everyone who liked it is in on a scam because they got to see an early screening.
All studios invite journalists, and they make the critic, good or bad, for all movies.
Oh please
Guess you didn’t read Dekka’s review?
This review is spot on and balanced.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/79afe32fcea9e2338d1a37a7b7bec495dcd74677c7e16321680d4cecc9344f99.gif
I don’t understand one thing here: If you don’t want to waste time why do you comment someting like this?
I think we’re all here to discuss the movies, express our feelings about it, to get an idea of what others think about it. For me this doesn’t really seems to be a comment to start a discussion, it’s just here to insult/annoy people.
Who said I wanted to start a discussion? I was at the gym taking a shit and commented on this bad review.
How did you know the review is bad if you didn’t read it? Why do you care commenting? I’m interested seriously
Cut back on the roids, bra!
You sound like a 12yo child throwing a tantrum.
12 year olds throw tantrums? Where are you from, California?
Wow! Maybe you should try decaf or Star Trek…
What a ridiculous comment if you’ve been reading this site for more than a week you know that every article about TLJ has been written with the intent to push their agenda that TLJ is one of the best Star Wars films ever made and in all the articles the authors of this site do there upmost to shoot down people who think otherwise.
I agree as they sort of look at this as an art house film and certain fans just don’t get it. The only argument I hear is it was different, it was daring. So was Waterworld!
Yeah, and jews run all of Hollywood, american government are all Templars and Disney runs the whole entertainment reviews board, blah, blah. Tired of these ridiculous conspiracy theories. I saw it in NYC theaters twice already. Hundreds of people laughed, cheered, and cried along with my friends. The response of the crowds is what I’d go by rather than few disgruntled “internet warriors” who’re bitter because of a movie. This isn’t life changing experience. You either enjoy it, or move along.
Oh so if I don’t agree with thinking the film is good I should just shut up and keep my thoughts to myself??? Grow up. Maybe all people you saw the movie with liked great, good for you. Everyone I saw it with or talked to about it with in my place of work thinks it’s pretty bad. So just because you’ve talked to only people who liked it doesn’t make it so and vice versa. That’s what opinions are but you might want to look up the definition and refresh yourself. your jus someone who gives no respect to people who disagree with either way, you sound like the worst sort of person.
No one is saying that. But your conspiracy theories are silly. The folks who run the site happen to like the movie, so of course the articles they write will reflect that. It’s not some sinister ‘agenda’. I’ve disagreed with the angle of a movie site before, there’s a big difference between disagreeing and making laughable accusations of some conspiracy.
I never claimed it was a conspiracy of this site. All i’m saying is the Star Wars fan base is very divided on TLJ and it would be nice if this site gave recognition to the people who didn’t enjoy the film by writing an article that isn’t filled with praise for once. I would think a site dedicated to all things Star Wars would wanna cover both angles of story not just writing articles that are demeaning to people who have different opinions.
There is a review on this site that’s more balanced. Have you read it?
The review on here that declared it a masterpiece was from someone who did attend the premiere and watching a film that you enjoy together with the experience of seeing it in the way that he did may colour the experience somewhat.
I wonder if some opinions will change over time in the same way that it now feels safe to knock TFA for it’s flaws – back in 2015 you’d have got hung, drawn and quartered.
By the same token, will familiarity with TLJ bring about a change of heart in the detractors, myself included?
Could you provide the name of the review or a link. I’d love to read something from this site that isn’t filled with praise.
I am pretty sure they mean this one:
https://www.starwarsnewsnet.com/2017/12/spoiler-review-star-wars-the-last-jedi-this-didnt-go-the-way-we-thought.html
Oh it has praise in it too!
I’m sorry I don’t have any bookmarks but it should be there if you look back through the older stuff.
Oh it has praise in it too!
I’m sorry I don’t have any bookmarks but it should be there if you look back through the older stuff.
For the record. I did not attend the premiere, nor was I invited to attend it. This review was based on my own purchased ticket at my local theater. Two viewings. Two days apart. No agenda, just my personal take.
Oh, and the truckload of $$$$ Disney gave me for the good score.
But you have to admit that something is fishy when critics are at 93% and fan reviews are at 54%? I’m not saying you personally but most critics loved this movie yet the fanbase is pretty much split down the middle. Something is not adding up?
I think it adds up fine. There just isn’t much of an overlap between the two sets of viewers. Critics and the subset of fans who are driven to post reviews on a site like RT.
The two sets value different things in a movie, and neither is fully representative of viewing audiences in total. And neither is incorrect in their opinion. As it is just that….an opinion.
Trolls on Rotten Tomatoes, as evidenced by the fact that the audience scores on other major sites are significantly higher.
The RT audience score was hit with a bot attack by Alt Right activists mad about women featured prominently in the movie.
You’re also writing for a site that was invited. Dont think they are to risk losing that momentum. I know its business nothing personal.
Note to self: Buy stock in companies that produce tin foil hats.
Excellent review. The path you took to reach these conclusions reflects my own. I think that many fans will unify around this film given some time for it to sink it. TLJ is working it’s way up my rankings of SW films…..
Among dozens of haters attacking Rian’s instagram yesterday, I just wrote this to his latest photo:
I truly loved The Last Jedi. It’s the first SW since the OT that I don’t need any excuse to like. You deserve to begin a new trilogy cause you’ve been a decision maker and you were emotionnally honest in the way you deconstructed the franchise. You made a meta-starwars, an episode that talks about star wars itself, making a bridge between this universe and ours, and you looked to answer why we care about the myth both to us and to the characters. Damn it this film was awesome because it showed me how unimportant were some questions I looked forward to be answered, yet it answered others that were much more relevant and were hidding in the bottom of my heart. Thank you.
Great reply. I hope he reads it. I felt the same. I don’t need an excuse to enjoy this film.
I second that comment!
ah, TUD likes it! I’m glad. I don’t know you, but it seems that we tend to agree on here a lot. Cheers
I liked it for the most part. I had no issues with the twists. I liked how the movie changed things up. The entire Canto Bight scene could have been removed and we wouldn’t have really lost anything. There were just too many “prequel” moments in it. Just the silly jokes to have a quick laugh, but most of them fell flat. Yoda looked pretty rough and was acting quite out of character. I did enjoy the movie other than that.
This pretty much sums up for me anyone, inlcluding Rian Johnson, trying to defend The Last Jedi.
https://youtu.be/KOO5S4vxi0o
He doesn’t need to defend it. He dared to push our beloved, and by 2017 too familiar universe over the edge. Most fans who complained how “similar” TFA was are the same people who’re crying in tears TLJ, because it’s too different. SW fans are impossible to ever satisfy.
He doesn’t need to defend it. He dared to push our beloved, and by 2017 too familiar universe over the edge. Most fans who complained how “similar” TFA was are the same people who’re crying in tears TLJ, because it’s too different. SW fans are impossible to ever satisfy.
I was 100% satisfied before Disney took over. So a better assumption would be, Disney Star Wars fans are impossible to satisfy.
Not me. As an old-timer, Disney has brought back the magic for me that was lost in orbit over Naboo back in 1999.
Disney restored Star Wars from the dark times – the prequels. The greatest thing George Lucas did for Star Wars since 1983 was let other people take over his universe.
Crixxx – Couldn’t agree more.
Another fanboy that cant accept change. Because the prequels didn’t meet your built up expectations, you don’t like them. Crybaby.
Sounds exactly like you complaining about TLJ. I didn’t like the prequels because they failed as films first and foremost. They lacked the very basic fundamentals of quality filmmaking. My reaction to them as bad Star Wars films was purely secondary. Maybe you can defend unlikable characters, horrendous dialogue and acting, boring ass politics and committee meetings, nonsensical plots and fake CGI overkill. Good luck with that.
Sounds exactly like you complaining about TLJ. I didn’t like the prequels because they failed as films first and foremost. They lacked the very basic fundamentals of quality filmmaking. My reaction to them as bad Star Wars films was purely secondary. Maybe you can defend unlikable characters, horrendous dialogue and acting, boring ass politics and committee meetings, nonsensical plots and fake CGI overkill. Good luck with that.
Stop crying.
Again… Irony. You are exactly what you are complaining about. “Another fan boy that can’t accept change”. In the immortal words of you childhood hero…
“Messa thinks you are craaaazy!” – Jar Jar Binks
You can’t triple stamp a double stamp
To use your words…”cry baby”…
I’m flattered man!
So, Phantom Menace was 100% in your book…? If so, wow…
What’s wrong with the Phantom Menace crybaby? Cant you except change? Because it didnt meet your expectaions you cant handle it?
What’s wrong with the Phantom Menace crybaby? Cant you except change? Because it didnt meet your expectaions you cant handle it?
Phantom Menace is full of what you are complaining about with Last Jedi. Plot holes, pacing, selling out…etc.
The irony here is you are calling people “cry baby”, but you are the one trolling and/or freaking out on everyone posting anything positive. Name calling…SO mature. Maybe you should go back on or get on some meds.
Woah, most fans who like TFA don’t like TLJ so don’t generalize. The reason we hate this movie because it ignores or doesn’t care about any mystery box so it makes TFA essentially irrelevant.
You clearly didn’t pay attention what Lucas himself thought about fan opinions or appeasing the crowds. The very history of SW success was due to the creator’s uncompromising vision. He made the films he wanted to see. Hate or love the Prequels, he didn’t do it for the fans. It’s his integrity as a filmmaker, you either loved them or hated them. Johnson simply followed his footsteps and followed his own instinct.
TFA’s role is the same as any any introductory chapter. Introduce the characters and establish their relationship to one another. Nothing about TLJ changes that.
I was complaining that TFA was too similar to the OT. Now I’m just delighted with The Last Jedi. It might not be the same people here and there.
Great review. You nailed how I personally felt about all the major points. It’s mostly an awesome and inspired film with a few rough spots. I applaud Johnson for his bold vision, and when the film succeeds is soars so high, TFA and RO are left behind.
The problem with TLJ is more of a TFA problem. Why keep setting up all these mysteries if you don’t want to answer them. A New Hope didn’t drill you with mystery boxes and that’s what made the Vader twist in Empire so satisfying.
I know they say it’s a map to the Jedi temple but it’s not clear. It’s told to us that it is a map to Skywalker himself multiple times in the movie.
Rey being a nobody is fine and cool but why not just tell us in TFA instead of giving us weird mystery scenes like Maz asking who the girl is or Rey looking at the force visions of Luke.
You don’t have to make Snoke Plagueis but what were his motivations? I know the argument is that the Emperor’s backstory was not there but we knew him as the Emperor, it’s explicit, he is the dictator of the Empire. So now you give us Snoke and that’s it.
TLJ is a very good film on its own terms but as part of the 9 part series, The story between 7 and 8 seems murky.
We may get some of those answers in 9. That may in some part take away any feelings of being left unsatisfied as to plot points. We really need to see the full thing before deciding what didn’t get the treatment it duly deserved.
The reason this movie sticks out like a sore thumb comes straight from an interview with Rian Johnson. He said they NO story after TFA so he had full reign to tell his story. It’s an absolute slap in the face to fans that Disney makes Episode 7 essentially a Mystery Box movie and then hires a different director for Episode 8 who pretty much ignores them and makes his own narrative. It’s mind boggling.
Nah
The tonal issues and the unnecessary comedy undercutting the serious scenes is the biggest detriment of this movie, followed closely by the narrative mess that requires half of the main cast to wear stupid pants in order for characters to grow or the plot to move forward. Also Leia in space.
It’s beautiful, well acted, action packed film, it just doesn’t hold up to the others IMO because of those tonal and narrative issues.
It’s okay to like this movie, it’s also okay to not like this movie. There is no right or wrong answer.
This review so perfectly captures my feelings on TLJ I wish I could put it on a business card and hand it out to all the detractors. Brilliant writing — thank you, sir.
My business card says: “what You Can Keep The Gum said”.
I, for one, absolutely loved this film. I can understand why some may not, but for me it’s flown straight to the peak of my totem pole.
TLJ was daring. Never before in any SW movie have I ever felt so afraid for every single character. It brought new depths of Mythology that not only enhanced the story, but felt as if they belonged all along.
The big three were fantastic, with Rey and Kylo well and truly becoming my favourite characters from within all bounds of the SW universe, Canon and legends alike. However, I don’t think enough praise has been sent Poe Damerons way. He may not have had much of a role in TFA but in this his character has grown leaps and bounds and he is, aside from Han, I believe the best non force wielding figure in the series.
I do have to though point out the one major plot hole I can’t help but ignore. With the Resistances escape from the First Order, I see little to know sense whatsoever in the First Orders complete disregard for the use of their own hyperdrives to microjump ahead of the Raddus or failing that, to call in reinforcements we know they had elsewhere to jump in front of the Resistance path.
Oh, and before I finish I also have to give a quick shout out to Domhnall Gleason and his portrayal of lacklustre Hux. Much like Theon Greyjoy in GoT this was a thankless role that will see him no glory, but it must be said that Domhnall played this pathetic character with brilliance.
I, for one, absolutely loved this film. I can understand why some may not, but for me it’s flown straight to the peak of my totem pole.
TLJ was daring. Never before in any SW movie have I ever felt so afraid for every single character. It brought new depths of Mythology that not only enhanced the story, but felt as if they belonged all along.
The big three were fantastic, with Rey and Kylo well and truly becoming my favourite characters from within all bounds of the SW universe, Canon and legends alike. However, I don’t think enough praise has been sent Poe Damerons way. He may not have had much of a role in TFA but in this his character has grown leaps and bounds and he is, aside from Han, I believe the best non force wielding figure in the series.
I do have to though point out the one major plot hole I can’t help but ignore. With the Resistances escape from the First Order, I see little to know sense whatsoever in the First Orders complete disregard for the use of their own hyperdrives to microjump ahead of the Raddus or failing that, to call in reinforcements we know they had elsewhere to jump in front of the Resistance path.
Oh, and before I finish I also have to give a quick shout out to Domhnall Gleason and his portrayal of lacklustre Hux. Much like Theon Greyjoy in GoT this was a thankless role that will see him no glory, but it must be said that Domhnall played this pathetic character with brilliance.
I watched it a second time and felt more positive about it than during my first time, so who know how I’ll feel about it in 10 years. Still, there’s stuff that bugs me about it. I’m not quite sure why there are people who are saying it’s so different from Episode V; to me, it relies very heavily on ESB in much the same way that TFA relied on Episode IV.
We’ve got one of the heroes studying to be a Jedi with an old Jedi master in a desolated place. There’s a dark side cave where we have a strange Force vision. Meanwhile, the other heroes are pursued by Star Destroyers but can’t jump to light speed. There’s a subplot where we go to a city where we meet a shady character who betrays the heroes. The first hero leaves the training by the old Jedi master to confront the Big Bad–to whom she has a connection– and there’s a “plot twist” that sets up that the next confrontation in the next movie is going to be more important and more intense. There’s a ground battle with walkers on a white planet. And so on. All of this comes directly from Episode V, so I find it very strange that there are people praising how different it is from that movie.
Anyway, despite complaining I did overall enjoy it–I certainly liked it better than Episode VII.
Those similarities, such as the walkers on a white planet, often come down to visuals alone. Comparing TLJ to ESB requires one to only look at the very broadest strokes of storytelling – the films are very different if you actually look at them in anything resembling detail.
“Those similarities, such as the walkers on a white planet, often come down to visuals alone.”
The “ground battle with walkers on a white planet” is the only one from my list that is merely visual in nature. The rest is not. I do not find it a coincidence that in both movies, the plot is split between one plot featuring one hero training to be a Jedi with an old master in a desolated place, and another plot that’s basically a chase movie about the other heroes being pursued by Star Destroyers while being unable to jump to light speed
The heroes jumping to lightspeed was a problem for like 5 minutes in TESB, hardly a major plot point. You’re reaching. By your standards, Guardians of the Galaxy 2 and TESB are the same film because there’s an asteroid field in both. The reason that people call TLJ original is because it’s original in any way that matters.
The heroes being chased by the Empire was a major part of ESB. It started with the escape from Hoth and continued until they reached Cloud City. That’s not “5 minutes.”
I’m certainly not reaching, and your “guardians of the galaxy” comparison is ridiculous.
Once again, in both movies we have two simultaneous subplots, one “chase” subplot plot where the heroes are chased by Star Destroyers but can’t jump to lightspeed, including a trip to a city where we meet a shady character who betrays them, and a second subplot where a hero is training in a desolated place with an old master to become a Jedi (complete with dark side cave, force visions, etc.). The hero leaves to confront the Big Bad (to whom she has a connection), and during this confrontation we have a plot twist that ensures that we’ll have another, bigger, more intense confrontation in the next movie of the trilogy. And so on. None of that is superficial or “merely visual,” none of that is reaching (like your “asteroid field” comment), all of these are plot points that are fundamental to both movies and are shared between both movies. I find this obvious; if you don’t feel that way, more power to ya and good luck with that.
The heroes being chased by the Empire was a major part of ESB. It started with the escape from Hoth and continued until they reached Cloud City. That’s not “5 minutes.”
I’m certainly not reaching, and your “guardians of the galaxy” comparison is ridiculous.
Once again, in both movies we have two simultaneous subplots, one “chase” subplot plot where the heroes are chased by Star Destroyers but can’t jump to lightspeed, including a trip to a city where we meet a shady character who betrays them, and a second subplot where a hero is training in a desolated place with an old master to become a Jedi (complete with dark side cave, force visions, etc.). The hero leaves to confront the Big Bad (to whom she has a connection), and during this confrontation we have a plot twist that ensures that we’ll have another, bigger, more intense confrontation in the next movie of the trilogy. And so on. None of that is superficial or “merely visual,” none of that is reaching (like your “asteroid field” comment), all of these are plot points that are fundamental to both movies and are shared between both movies. I find this obvious; if you don’t feel that way, more power to ya and good luck with that.
I specifically meant them jumping to lighstpeed. In TLJ, it’s a major plot point. In TESB, it’s a wrinkle that’s an excuse for the asteroid field sequence. Training, confrontations, reveals, those are staples of Star Wars. Hardly grounds for any valid “rehash” comparison.
Great review, one of the bests I’ve read so far. Though I doesn’t agree on everything completely, I think this article sums up the pros and cons really well.
I just came home from my 2nd viewing and this time the film felt something completely different. I wasn’t overwhelmed by all the twists, and could pay attention more to the details. I liked the humour far more this time (even though there are some jokes that are still felt forced, and overplayed), it really felt like a fun movie. I still don’t like the Leia scene (not the idea but the execution), and I think the film has the same problem as TFA: It wanted to show us too much.(like none of the two films could do anything with Phasma) But overall this film is very well made in my opinion. Maybe not the best, but certainly is one of the better ones.
Some of my comments were detected as a spam and got deleted (like this one). Why?
I also don’t agree with this review completely, I’d say it’s a bit on the generous side, but then again, everyone’s opinion is biased. It’s OK to enjoy a film with issues. With TFA, I felt like they “hid” too much plot from us and didn’t tell enough. My main issue was the awesome “Knights of Ren” shot, only to find out it was a two second frame in the movie, lol. I was sad we didn’t see them in action in either film. Their actions seem like an integral part of this trilogy’s plot.
When I read these positive reviews it really shows that this movie is better on paper. Much like the PT, TLJ is very ambitious in its storytelling, but it’s the execution is where it lacks. That is why the books are usually better then the movie because central theme gets lost if the movie execution falls flat.
Rey was a great character in TFA and Disney struck gold with Daisy Ridley to lead a new era of SW. Her character is so underused it’s criminal as I would love to know her screentime compared to Finn/Rose. If it’s less or even close then you have exhibit A as the problem with this movie.
The movie is too long and bloated and tries to tell too much with 3 stories going on as it doesn’t let any scene develop because it is edited to keep shifting from story a to b to c. Let things play out and develop these characters! Nobody waited 2 years to see the Finn/Rose Casino plot.
There were some odd moments that took me out of the movie like Poe/Hux cellphone gag that was better suited for Austin Powers. Leia flying space was a head scratcher. And Luke drinking milk from the t**s of some animal? I don’t know what that was all about.
Again, this review sounds great on paper, but we must have watched a different movie cause it came off as a complete mess. I say this as someone who enjoyed TFA and R1 and was utterly shocked when Disney didn’t go 3 for 3 with me.
Respect your issues with the film. I also felt it’s rough around the edges, some humor didn’t land, some characters could have used a bit more development instead of unnecessary “Canto Bight” detour. But I felt this chapter’s greatest reward were it’s emotionally high moments. It’s interesting how all three of the new SW films bring something interesting to the franchise, and all lack in one way or another. We have yet to get our “perfect” SW film but to me TLJ is pretty damn close!
The character arcs and development is the most important thing to me about SW and sort of what separates it from the average dumbed down blockbuster.
The character development in this movie was utterly frustrating. You had Rey/Luke and those scenes could have so well developed to talk philosophy, the jedi, the future, but it just never goes there as it’s all simple. Poor Daisy Ridley has nothing to do in this movie.
Then you go to Snoke and Ben Solo and a real chance to develop Snoke into something different then the Emperor. And RJ essentially kills him cause he didn’t make TFA so he feels the character is expendable since it’s not his creation. You can’t do that in a Trilogy as you have to respect the narrative before you!
Ben Solo is the only interesting character in this movie as Driver is solid, but again they should had more Ren vs Rey stuff. The one positive film for me was the force talking, but again it goes nowhere.
Which leads me to Rose/Finn which to me is mind boggling how they got this much screentime. They should have involved in Poe/Leia story and you go back and forth throughout with the Macro story of Resistance vs First Order and Jedi story with Rey/Ren/Luke/Snoke.
I say this because this is what big budget movies are these days is RJ is afraid to let scenes play out to further the drama in fear of losing the audience. So they shoehorn action every few minutes to keep the viewer interested. What’s funny is the opposite happens to me as once they switched from Luke/Rey or Snoke/Ben to the Resistance, I felt it being dumbed down.
Overall, I’m cool with fans liking it. But I do pause when fans and reviewers mentions this in the same breath as The Original or Empire. You’re either pushing an agenda, or if you really believe, then the modern blockbuster isn’t for me anymore.
Why do I have to have an agenda if I put TLJ with the OT (which I do)?
The OT is in a different league above anything that has come after…. and that is why the sequels have basically reset everything to the OT status quo and show no originality at all. Goddamn, they could do literally anything but they keep going back to the well.
The OT is in a different league above anything that has come after…. and that is why the sequels have basically reset everything to the OT status quo and show no originality at all. Goddamn, they could do literally anything but they keep going back to the well.
1977… Star Wars…. A perfect SW movie. Nothing will ever compare. TESB and ROTJ are close.
One of my complaints about this film is not so much the jumping between stories but how they do the jump. In that there were no Star Wars wipes.
This is a matter of consistancy, making the film part of a greater whole (This is just one example). I appreciate doing your own thing, but you have to remember it’s just one piece of the puzzle.
Much as I disliked TFA, it still felt like a Star Wars film, not because of it’s recycled plot and characters but because of it’s ‘feel’.
When JJ finished the series, I suspect that TLJ will stick out like a sore thumb because of how differently it was made.
Nice review, which mirrors many of my own feelings.
Nice review, which mirrors many of my own feelings.
Good article. i am seeing them ovie with an other eye. i ve to rewatch it
“My second viewing was an experience of pure joy”
Saw it in IMAX 3D last night, and that exactly how I felt.
About the jokes: they’re not all jokes. Seeing it again at 1am with a sparse cinema I realized that things like Luke Tossing the saber, ren with no shirt etc….they’re not really supposed to be that funny necessarily. They’re character moments. They’re fine NOT being funny. Luke is saying this object is worthless. He not trying to get a laugh. Rey has always “rolled her eyes” at any overt Macho behavior, like with Finn in TFA. So the put on a shirt thing is just an extension of that.
Leia flying: it’s great. It’s lovely. It’s perfect. there’s no force bubble. You can theoretically survive a few minutes in space. (Arthur Clark and Kubrick researched it for 2001…but admittedly made the error of bowman holding his breathe when he should have let it out first). Anyway she was unconscious. Then force levitated herself back to the ship. A basic Jedi skill used on herself. And she nearly died from the exposure to a few minutes of vacuum. But she survived. Perfectly plausible.
DJ is fine. i liked him more this time. Phasma is fine. Short lived but who cares?
Huxs hammy performance I liked better this time around. There’s people like this. Petulant incompetent blowhard true believers
The only weak bits I found on second viewing:
Holdo – I don’t like derns acting much
The space horses —weak effects, action scene not very exciting. The casino stuff was fine until the horses. (Hanging on with No saddle??)
Crait battle, not that interesting. Until Luke.
And the film felt a bit long. but the problems are not really problems.
This film really worked for me on second viewing. I kinda love this movie.
Plot
The story for me was a HUGE misfire. “the rebels have to outrun the empire but are low on fuel” isn’t a premise that can carry a movie. Hell I didn’t realize FUEL was an issue in the SW universe. Now that fuel consumption IS an issue with space ships that casually go in and out of hyperspace…It makes a lot of things logically very inconsistent…which is a major issue with this film. Logical inconsistencies, and the overabundance of leaps in logic.
Opening
I read a lot on twitter/reddit of people complaining about “bombers” and gravity in SW…but like…they had bombers in the asteroid belt in ESB so who cares? there aint no fire in space so who gives a shit about the science aspects of it. My main takeaway and gripe with the opening was….the Empire is soooo fucking useless.
The hamfisted dialogue between the Empire’s commanders in the opening is just too on the nose of, “GEE WHATS ONE SMALL FIGHTER GOING TO DO?” like are you people retarded? you’ve lost HOW many superweapons to this rebel alliance? why are you not GRAVELY concerned when any ship of any size comes near you guys, cause your fucking inept at dealing with small ships apparently…
The opening was dragged out pretty hard, it was conceptually a cool idea that honestly should have ended the “escape” plot right there, but it doesnt sadly, and everything hereafter becomes an incredibly convoluted mess for the rebel alliance.
Characters
This movie was hard-carried by Rey, Kylo and Luke… which is why its a fucking tragedy that most of the movie wasted time with Finn and bad asian actress
I laugh at all the people saying “Kylo Ren” is a whiny teenager…. like bitch Luke Skywalker for the first like 45 minutes of Star Wars did nothing but be a whiny teenager until he came up with the Chewbacca prisoner plan. Kylo is a complex character with a lot of internal problems which this movie kind of explored, but yah, quit fucking whining about Kylo Rens character…its different but its good so shattt up already!
Pacing
Pacing was an issue, after the bombing sequence, this movie fucking drags hard. And unfortunately the tone of the film is all over the place when each B plot starts taking shape so it becomes quite messy jumping from each plot thread. The film is alternating between moody-emotion with Luke/Rey/Kylo, what is supposed to be high paced action-adventure with Finn/Rose, and then like moody political drama with Poe and the Alliance management team… its just OFF when you’re getting really into the character introspective of Luke/Rey/Kylo, then you go to this prequel-esque nonsense about a casino planet that has horse-racing and force-sensitive children and what have you.
Rey-Luke-Kylo
Easily the films strongest storyline, felt cohesive, and had a really good narrative with possible arcs for each character! Only problem was, the arc for Kylo leaves the series essentially heading towards another Return of the Jedi type, “blow up another superweapon” movie. The Arc for Rey is completely unfulfilled, and at the end of the movie, she’s essentially the same character as she was by the end of the first movie….only she thinks Kylo can be a good guy? And Luke well….he has an arc, although the way it ends, for me anyway, is fucking hilariously stupid and contrary to his character.
Finn-Rose
This is where I kind of delve into the lapses in film/plot/character logic, that even after bridging the logical gaps. in turn, makes our heroes, and the everyone in the movie look like complete retards.
So to help the rebellion escape, the 2 embark on a secret mission to go to a casino planet to retrieve a deus ex machina that Maz (a character that ONLY Finn BRIEFLY met) knows. With the intention of destroying the Dreadnaught’s hyperspace tracker. This involves a lot of logic jumps for our heroes that makes them look, really fucking stupid
How do they know the tracker is located JUST on the Dreadnaught? there are like 4-5 Star Destroyers ALSO in tow who very well could have their own tracking “tech”
How are they sure that when they take the escape pod out of the ship, they wont just get blown away by the closely trailing Empire?
When they get to Casino planet, how do they plan to enlist the codebreaker if they have no money or goods to barter with?
Were Finn and Rose simply hoping that namedropping Maz would get a criminal-for-hire to do death-risking work for hire pro-bono?
Wouldn’t it have been easier to fly to a planet to purchase FUEL?
Rose apparently is so well versed in the planet, and is aware of how seedy everyone on there is a piece of shit war profiteer…so then, if your GUT instinct says everyone around you is a criminal working for both sides, then why even bother with the plan?
Regardless, the entire plan is just a massive waste of time….as they are predictably double-crossed and are taken to the hangar bay where then Captain Phlasma takes 15 minutes to give the order to behead Finn and Rose for being rebel scum.
Finn was completely wasted in this film, he has no development really except for when he decides to kill himself for the greater good? but he gets saved, so his arc is unfulfilled
Laura Dern is a stupid dumb asshole who decimates the Rebel Alliance
Everything about the mutiny subplot is just retarded. All it does is makes the rebellion look like a bunch of complete retards.
Why is Laura Dern acting suspicious?
Instead of having a secret plan to evacuate everyone to not-Hoth, why not just tell everyone, “oh yeah, we’re going to use our defenseless ships cloaking devices to get everyone to not-Hoth and this ship will just be bait, hold tight everyone, there is a plan!”
instead…Laura Dern being secretive and NOT telling the fucking 500 or so remaining resistance fighters about her plan ends up with 95% MORE casualties, than if she had just told everyone her fucking plan. Because 1. Poe wouldn’t have sent Finn and Rose on sub-plot C which pretty much dooms the entire rebel alliance
Leia gives Poe SHIT, and stuns his ass for inciting a mutiny, and then cites Laura Derns plan as justification for “Poe following orders.”
LAURA DERN JUST LOST THE REBEL ALLIANCE SEVERAL CRUISERS AND ABOUT 600 MORE FIGHTERS IN THE ESCAPE TO KRAIT!
IS EVERYONE IN THE REBEL ALLIANCE RETARDED?
In the end, the remains of the rebellion fit into the fucking Millenium Falcon ..
Also if you knew you could turn a ship around and put it into hyperdrive towards the empire fleet to decimate it (cool visuals by the way) why wouldn’t you have TOLD the entire rebel alliance that the goal was to fly close enough to Krait so that they could cloak their defenseless ships onto the old base, then turn the ship around and annhilate the Empires fleet by going hyperdrive straight through it….
also remember when Han told Chewy to chart a course for Alderaan? I’m not pilot, but that sounds like charting a course, puts your ship on a predetermined path to a location….why do pilots need to “stay behind” and pilot a dying ship without gas? just chart a course until it runs out of gas, and evacuate with everyone else?
Not-Hoth Defens Plan and the compounding lapses in logic
everything on the salt planet felt like an elongated waste just to see AT-AT’s again… I dont understand what the fuck the pilots plan was…it wasn’t clear at all…they were just gonna fly their shitty, outdated b-wings, towards the “battering ram” and throw salt at it?
or was the goal to literally have one survivor just suicide crash into it and blow it up? the fact that they pull off because they’re getting picked off makes no sense to me if this was intended to be a suicide run? otherwise the entire sequence was just for neat trailer visuals and for a character to point out that “its salt!” he might as well have said, “its not snow!”
Did the rebels KNOW Rey was on the Dreadnaught? and was going to escape on a ship, reunite with Chewy, board the Millenium Falcon, and then draw tie fighters away from the battle so they could continue their suicide run?
The last half of the movie and the problem with an overabundance of logical leaps
Pretty much the entire finale/conclusion of the movie had so much filler, and resolutions that didn’t benefit the audience, instead it cause further confusion, and require the audience to fill in so many logic gaps on their own, that it makes both the Empire AND the Rebel Alliance look like complete retards.
everything about the conclusion was so confusing and required so many leaps in logic that it was no longer comprehensible or coherent as a narrative because while you’re trying to be engaged by the nice visuals, your brain is trying to process how we went from Point A to Point B
Rey escaping Kylo
stealing Snokes private shuttle
reuniting with Chewy on the falcon and then saving the day
This is a MASSIVE sequence of events that is kind of hilarious NOT to be included in an action-adventure film…at least ROTJ showed Luke’s escape from the super-star-destroyer
The dreadnaught or whatever its called got absolutely decimated but Rey has no scratch on her except the one from her knife fight, and she escapes in a ship no problem.
Same thing with Finn, Rose and BB-8 ….I’m sure everyone on r/redlettermedia was going – wait why is Captain Phasma RE-ENTERING the hangar bay? wasn’t she just standing over Finn ready to execute? Lightspeed is fast…you know…faster than the speed of light…so its not like any of these monkeys had time to REACT to a ship colliding into them…
Lukes End
So we get a very sentimental scene with Luke in the end of the movie, where he gazes upon the setting twin suns, the music cue from the original Star Wars and he’s at peace with himself/the force/family? and he vaporizes into thin air.
Now I can tell that what the director is trying to do is put a stamp of closure as Luke is reminded of his home planet of Tattooine, and the swirling musical cue blasts to make us think that Luke is happy…. but there’s a big problem with this cut of nostalgia…
Luke didn’t like Tattooine…he fucking hated it. He hated it so much he vowed to never return to this planet again when he left with Obi-Wan. When he stares at the setting suns in A New Hope, he isn’t fucking happy about where he is….he’s gazing out hopeful that one day he will leave, but he’s sad because in all likelihood he does not see a way out. It’s a moment of sadness, where our main character internally wishes for a place of belonging other than where is right now.
Luke wasn’t looking for a place to belong in the last jedi…he was fucking depressed that he had robbed Han and Leia of their son, destroyed the Jedi order due to his own perceived hubris….and died to give the rebels one more chance at killing his nephew and the empire lol. So him staring at the setting suns shouldn’t be like a reminder of peace or a place of belonging for him NOW of all time….
Imagine your dying, and you feel a bit hopeful that Rey is going to keep the jedi alive, and then you see something that reminds you of your horrible upbringing, miserable teenage years, and when your aunt and uncle got burned alive by the Empire who EVEN AFTER YOU DIE THIS MOMENT, WILL STILL EXIST AND CONTINUE TO EXIST UNTIL SOMEONE ACTUALLY ACCOMPLISHES SOMETHING….
my first instinct at this scene, was wow, this is a great bit of closure for his character…but the more I thought about it, it just doesn’t make any sense… maybe the music cue was a perfect placement….but the setting twin suns felt very out of place
The Future
So this movie begins and ends, and is sprinkled thorughout with the message of “hope for the future”
I can’t tell if thats Rian Johnson saying, guys WE’RE GOING TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT, or if its just the only message they can have in this series now because realistically, Star Wars is creatively bankrupt.
I hope to hell the next movie isn’t just, Kylo Ren and his new-new Empire seek to destroy the rebel alliance once and for all with their new superweapon… but honestly with the way this film ended, its hard to imagine what direction they take this series in…
TLJ felt like it should have been a Genndy Tarkovsky anime short series that explains how every character got to the REAL Episode 8. Because this movie truly felt like filler, where no character really evolves, changes, or ends up somewhere new, the Empire is still a juggernaut that cant be stopped, and the Rebel alliance is at its lowest point yet….so I dunno…
I was not hopeful for this one at all…I had incredibly low expectations…and it was still shocked by how dumb it was at times
there is stuff that I really like in this…like REALLY enjoy…better than any of the stuff in the prequels or in Rogue One,
but it was just suchhhh a convoluted mess