Last Saturday night at the Great Escape Theatre, I kicked back in a comfy chair, raised my feet, and feasted my eyes upon the new Star Wars film. It took a while for me to see this because of people spoiling me and all the hate the film got, but I decided to see for myself. And I’m glad I did.
I never grow weary of hearing the glorious theme music accompanied by the main title. While I did love seeing old characters and new characters back in conflict and action in this spectacular space opera, the film left me with some head scratching. Spoilers ahead, if you haven’t already seen it.
It’s been many years since the events of Return of the Jedi. I buy Leia having time to learn about the Force during those years between episode 6 and 7. However, if she is as powerful as she demonstrated in this film, why has she not confronted Kylo Ren herself? Don’t say because she’s old and has no experience with a lightsaber. If a girl no prior knowledge or experience with the force can best Kylo, surely his own mother can. Put your boy in his place and tell him to knock all this crap off, Leia
Part of what makes a good villain is getting to know more about him/her. I wasn’t satisfied with Snoke’s death because I didn’t know enough about him to dislike him. What is he? Where did he come from? Did he know Darth Sidious? Was he trained by anyone we the audience should know? How does he know the Force? We should have learned more about him before killing him off so soon. No need for any more prequels, just use this film and the next to explain. Snoke, gone too soon.
The only reason I think people would dislike the death of fan favorite Luke Skywalker is because we the fans have watched him grow since the The New Hope. You just feel an attachment to characters you’ve known for so long , and it’s tough to see them go. Also, with them killing off Han Solo last film, some would think that the writers are going with the route “Out with the old characters, and with the new characters”. I’m fine with letting characters go, but I can understand why people would be displeased with it. At least Luke went out like a boss. He bamboozled his nephew into thinking he was actually on that planet fighting in person, when in actuality Luke never left his island. Satisfying, but this sadly also proves once again how beatable Ren is. It’s just too easy.
I’ll be straightforward, I have been on board with Finn and Rey growing closer since their interaction in The Force Awakens. This subplot with Rose seemed like a distraction from Rey and Finn growing closer, as Han and Leia grew in Return of the Jedi, if the writers are leaning towards a Finn and Rey romance of course. That kiss from Rose seemed awkward and too soon since this was their first mission together. Rose was cool and brave, but she struck me a bit as a fan girl who got to hang with and kiss her hero.
All the buildup as to who Rey’s parents are seemed like a letdown when we learn from Kylo Ren that there was nothing special about them or Rey at all. If this was a lie, why are we still left with the unanswered question as to who they are? Maybe we’ll get answers in the next film. I can be patient.
I still can’t figure out why Rey had a connection to the Force to begin with. Maybe I missed something. Feel free to enlighten me. Is she a Skywalker, the family which the Force is strong with? Is the Force now something anyone can just tap into and use with no prior training or knowledge?
After nitpicking, I feel like the filmmakers and writers have a right to know what the highlights of the film were for me. What did I like the most?
- The opening space battle. You can almost never go wrong with one of those
- Seeing Luke Skywalker back onscreen.
- Leia forgiving her brother Luke for what happened to her son and disappearing.
- Seeing Master Yoda back onscreen.
- BB8 saving Finn and Rose.
- Finn vs Captain Phasma.
- Leia flying back into her ship after being sucked into space.
- Finn and Rey reuniting.
- Kylo Ren and Rey fighting together.
- Luke trolling Kylo Ren after being shot at with heavy fire power, and again after revealing he wasn’t really there.
Aside from the answered questions and so forth, I thoroughly enjoyed Star Wars :The Last Jedi as a film. If you haven’t seen it, I recommend you do. Overall, I give the film 4 stars out of 5. It was good, but it could’ve been a little bit better.
DavidSpeaks 