While the new trilogy certainly offers much of the humor and charming cheesiness of the original Star Wars movies, it is clear that the new writers are doing what they can to add a few more “deep questions” to our little space epic. For the most part, it seems safe to welcome them as fresh material to what could otherwise be an old story. Concerns arise, however, when they try to squeeze in a few too many.
The Force Awakens called viewers to root for the little guys, to believe in a few scrappy youngsters defying the Empire and even the rules of the Rebellion and the Jedi. A lot of the plot seemed to encourage the more individualistic “go with your gut” sort of approach to adventuring. Finn (John Boyega) is the lone stormtrooper to escape his ranks, Poe (Oscar Isaac) attempts risky and unorthodox military maneuvers to win important battles, and Rey (Daisy Ridley) manages to successfully wield the Force simply by giving it a go.
The Last Jedi, however, seems to pull back from that mindset. Finn now needs to stick with the Rebels, even if it means giving up his personal priorities of protecting Rey. His unapproved mission with new character Rose (Kelly Marie Tran) goes horribly sideways. Poe is scolded like a misbehaving school boy for not having more faith in the leadership hierarchy. Rey learns that to effectively use the Force, she first must understand its overall structure. Even Luke (Mark Hamill), who takes on the GandoWhile the new trilogy certainly offers much of the humor and charming cheesiness of the original Star Wars movies, it is clear that the new writers are doing what they can to add a few more “deep questions” to our little space epic. For the most part, it seems safe to welcome them as fresh material to what could otherwise be an old story. Concerns arise, however, when they try to squeeze in a few too many.
The Force Awakens called viewers to root for the little guys, to believe in a few scrappy youngsters defying the Empire and even the rules of the Rebellion and the Jedi. A lot of the plot seemed to encourage the more individualistic “go with your gut” approach to adventuring. Finn (John Boyega) is the lone stormtrooper to escape his ranks, Poe (Oscar Isaac) attempts risky and unorthodox military maneuvers to win important battles, and Rey (Daisy Ridley) manages to successfully wield the Force simply by giving it a go.
The Last Jedi, however, seems to pull back from that mindset. Finn now needs to stick with the Rebels, even if it means giving up his personal priorities of protecting Rey. His unapproved mission with new character Rose (Kelly Marie Tran) goes horribly sideways. Poe is scolded like a misbehaving schoolboy for not having more faith in the leadership hierarchy. Rey learns that to effectively use the Force, she first must understand its overall structure. Even Luke (Mark Hamill), who takes on the Gandolf type role of aged advisor, must return to the Jedi fold if he is to correct his mistakes.
For much of it, the two schools of thought operated in balance. Indeed, it was refreshing to have a film that didn’t just encourage rugged individualism as the solution for all problems. There were points, however, when their attempts to surprise the viewer made for a poor argument. For instance, we were apparently supposed to agree with Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) in the end that Poe was foolish for distrusting the plans of Vice Admiral Holdo (Laura Dern). As we watched, however, viewers joined Poe in asking “What plan?” With the lives of the entire Rebellion at stake, it is difficult to blame him for putting his confidence elsewhere. His plan fails and Holdo’s succeeds, but in a different Star Wars movie it could have easily been the reverse.
A bit later, Finn seems to have developed a plan that would marry independent thinking and concern for the group: sacrificing himself to destroy a deadly cannon. Instead of the heartbreaking loss of a charming character, however, we get Rose Tico’s moralizing about what they should and shouldn’t be fighting for. Thanks, Rose, but now the cannon’s going to kill all twelve of you instead of just Finn. It might have been a touching moment if it weren’t so tactically stupid and if viewers had actually had the chance to grow fond of Rose. Instead, it felt like the beginning of a forced romance that would clear Finn out of the suspected Kylo-Rey-Finn love triangle. Apparently the maneuver was necessary, because otherwise viewers would have to accept that a single, male character could maintain a strong, platonic relationship with a female character without resentment or jealousy towards her romantic entanglements. (There is also something uncomfortable in putting two strong representatives of racial minorities together so the two white leads can be together unhindered, if that is what they have planned).
Aside from its flaws in reasoning, the film brought several wonderful moments. Luke’s last scene was a stunning parallel to when we first saw his silhouette step up against the twin suns of Tatooine, with John William’s brilliant theme sweeping us into the story. Yoda’s opinions on passing along mistakes as well as successes was interesting, especially given previous movies’ obsession with refining and cleansing the use of the Force. The temporary alliance between Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) and Rey inspires all sorts of theories about what it really means to have balance in the Force.
Overall, it was a building movie. It is the middle film in a new trilogy and the writers needed to sneak in all the questions they hope to answer in the finale. So far as the plot goes, it was almost entirely set up for the next movie, but it was worth the watch to see the characters back again. The 2 hours, 32 minutes essentially provided a new playground for the new fan favorites to develop and complicate in preparation for their coming return. lf type role of aged advisor, must return to the Jedi fold if he is to correct his mistakes.
For much of it, the two schools of thought operated in balance. Indeed, it was refreshing to have a film that didn’t just encourage rugged individualism as the solution for all problems. There were points, however, when their attempts to surprise the viewer made for a poor argument. For instance, we were apparently supposed to agree with Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) in the end that Poe was foolish for distrusting the plans of Vice Admiral Holdo (Laura Dern). As we watched, however, viewers joined Poe in asking “What plan?” With the lives of the entire Rebellion at stake, it is difficult to blame him for putting his confidence elsewhere. His plan fails and Holdo’s succeeds, but in a different Star Wars movie it could have easily been the reverse.
A bit later and Finn seems to have developed a plan that would marry independent thinking and concern for the group: sacrificing himself to destroy a deadly cannon. Instead of the heartbreaking loss of a charming character, however, we get Rose Tico’s moralizing about what they should and shouldn’t be fighting for. Thanks, Rose, but now the cannon’s going to kill all twelve of you instead of just Finn. It might have been a touching moment if it weren’t so tactically stupid and if viewers had actually had the chance to grow fond of Rose. Instead, it felt like the beginning of a forced romance that would clear Finn out of the suspected Kylo-Rey-Finn love triangle. Apparently the maneuver was necessary, because otherwise viewers would have to accept that a single, male character could maintain a strong, platonic relationship with a female character without resentment or jealousy towards her romantic entanglements. (There is also something uncomfortable in putting two strong representatives of racial minorities together so the two white leads can be together unhindered, if that is what they have planned)
Aside from its flaws in reasoning, the film brought several wonderful moments. Luke’s last scene was a stunning parallel to when we first saw his silhouette step up against the twin suns of Tatooine, with John William’s brilliant theme sweeping us into the story. Yoda’s opinions on passing along mistakes as well as successes was interesting, especially given previous movies’ obsession with refining and cleansing the use of the Force. The temporary alliance between Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) and Rey inspires all sorts of theories about what it really means to have balance in the Force.
Overall, it was a building movie. It is the middle film in a new trilogy and the writers needed to sneak in all the questions they hope to answer in the finale. So far as the plot goes, it was almost entirely set up for the next movie, but it was worth the watch to see the characters back again. The 2 hours, 32 minutes essentially provided a new playground for the new fan favorites to develop and complicate in preparation for their coming return.