Theres only one thing allStar Warsfans can agree on: there is imbalance in the Force.
Maybe its the era were inhabiting.
Lightning-fast reactions mean sides are separated and battle lines drawn immediately.
David James/Lucasfilm
(By comparison,Rogue Onehas 87 percent fan approval andThe Force Awakenshas 88 percent.)
Im not going to say those who dont likeThe Last Jediare wrong, but I felt differently.
So heres my defense of what I think stands as one of the finest of theStar Warsmovies.
© 2017 Lucasfilm Ltd.
I was exhilarated that it pushed me, and surprised me, and subverted expectations and tropes.
Some might say Im swayed by being too close to the moviemakers and Lucasfilm.
Having written about this film so intensively, how could I possibly be objective.
Jonathan Olley/© 2017 Lucasfilm Ltd.
(Thats why the beat reporter on a film doesnt also do the review.)
Great, I have a plan to evacuate unnoticed to a nearby planet.
Lets pursue both plans in case the other fails.
Lucasfilm Ltd
Surely the parallels to our own world dont need to be pointed out here.
Poe also learned a little about respect and listening.
And loose cannons dont have great aim.
I liked that he was wrong, even though we thought he was right.
And I was moved that he eventually came to see this himself.
Oh, and the Holding for General Hux joke that Poe makes in the beginning?
Come on, that was hilarious.
Remember Han Solo speaking into the intercom on the Death Star?
Were all fine here, now, thank you.
Uh, how are you?
Fair enough, but they were going rogue to do what they could, independent of the leadership.
Do or do not, as the little green guy says.
Two people can make a difference.
And so can one person who sells them out.
I didnt mind that they didnt actually save the day.
It reminded me a little of another Lucasfilm movie Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Think about it: If Indiana Jones had just stayed at the university, what would have happened?
The best laid plans go oft astray.
Are you still sure?
This reader may feel the same way about my and my view of the film.
People on opposite sides have a hard time believing why anyone would take the other view.
It seems so obvious to them.
And yet, Reys contempt for Kylo Ren and his past is clear.
I didnt see the relationship between them as romantic at all.
Her response isnt attraction.
Its literally:Can you put something on?
Luke Skywalker was my Lone Ranger as a kid.
Is it better to just stand down, step aside, and check out?
The answer is no.
The answer Luke Skywalker comes to is no.
No, and no, and no.
But this is a lesson Luke needed to learn.
An arc and evolution for his character to pursue.
Things are right in front of him, and he doesnt get it.
Like when Im looking for Ben Kenobi and I dont recognize Alec Guinness for who he is.
I shoo Yoda away, Get out of my rations, Im looking for a great Jedi warrior!
Its not that Luke is dim, hes just blinded by his expectations.
I think that may be something he shares with some of the dissatisfiedStar Warsfans.
Luke doesnt bend, he breaks.
Maybe he gets that from his father.
The tossing of his old family lightsaber?
That worked for me.
It was funny, but it fit.
He knew what it was, he knew what it meant to his past.
But Luke Skywalker had already thrown himself away.
It was easy to toss that old artifact, too.
Overall, I was deeply moved by what Johnson did with Luke in this film.
The Last Jedimade me happy because Luke does figure it out.
He proves that the Force is about more than clashing lightsabers or throwing objects.
He uses it to literally project an ideal across the galaxy.
I was a little sad to see him go.
But that time comes for all of us.
He learned these new lessons, and once that journey was complete it was time to move on.
I actually dont believe Luke Skywalker died.
I think he was transfigured.
Eventually, I believe feelings aboutThe Last Jediwill, too.
