Star Wars - The Last Jedi (The Aftermath)

Star Wars - The Last Jedi

So normally.. I try to keep these short... well... this movie was devisive. I scored it a 8/10 on first watch walking out of the theatre. I still think its a solid film, but I feel strongly about how the story went.

Story: 5/10 (it just passes for me)

Rewatchability: 8/10 (it was beautifully shot visually)

Overall: 6.5/10 (4th watch)

"Let the past die... Kill it if you have to. It is the only way to become what you were mean't to be." - Kylo Ren

I have never walked out of a movie that is part of a bigger picture going... so... what is going to happen next? 

The first time I watched the Last Jedi, I accepted it for what it was, a Story written and Directed from Rian Johnson. I accepted that his take on Star Wars was different, I accepted that I found the movie acceptable and I laughed and felt a sadness when watching Carrie Fisher as General... and Luke finding his way forward (except... he didn't really move forward he just kinda got stuck in the past until he projected himself at the end).

What I did not accept, was Rey and Finn, and Poe and Rose and Holdo and Snoke as characters. What's with the jokes? Whatever happened to a bit of logic... , and the idea of having to work to achieve something and not just being given it. 

The only thing going for me.. for Star Wars is the journey of Kylo Ren. He has a certain complexion that no other character has. Perhaps he may be lost forever to the Dark Side, but perhaps he can also gain redemption for his actions in the end. I'm really looking forward to seeing his arc play out. It also does not hurt that I feel like I can relate to him more than any other Star Wars character ever. 

Watching it several more times since... I can only accept that this, while I enjoyed the film for what it was, is not the Star Wars I would have wanted or written. Rian, I can understand why you took bold turns in the story, but let's be honest, being different for the sake of being different and making plot twists for the sake of plot twists... may not always be a great idea. Thor Ragnarok was a great Troll Movie... The Last Jedi? Maybe didn't need that Marvel-ess comedic style. 

JJ Abrams has... a massive job guiding the course of this trilogy. I hope that political messages take a back seat to story telling. The ending of The Last Jedi gives almost a blank canvas and I think JJ can and will make a great movie. The Force Awakens was a great return to Star Wars, now let's end this trilogy with a lasting memory. 

A quick run through the main characters:

Rey.. Respect is earned not given, characters earn their achievements, they are not given them. Rey... you are really given a lot. 

Luke, should have been respected more, but was reduced to nothing more than an old man running away from a problem he himself made (I really doubt he would have even thought of killing Kylo to begin with). It was not the "Jedi way" as Mark Hamill said himself on Luke's character in this movie. Luke has had decades to grow... he was suppose to be the chosen one perhaps. The strongest force user we have known, one who was trained by Obi-wan, who was able to save his father Darth Vader, is now hiding, "(going to the isolated place) to die". What? Not to mention how he threw away the Light Saber Obi-wan gave to him right at the start. And dies.. in the end to a call back of the twin Suns... I hope his Force Ghost plays a major role in Episode 9, JJ you can fix this still.

Kylo... I hope you find resolution from your anger. You really should have noticed that Luke somehow had his Blue Light Saber when you... just destroyed it. Perhaps you were blinded by anger. Perhaps you are un-redeemable, but perhaps like Vader there can be a moment of light in all the darkness.

Leia, RIP. It was emotional watching your scenes, you gave perhaps the strongest performance as the Legendary Princess. 

Poe... dude you got a lot of people killed. I know it wasn't your fault about the sneaky sneaky escape plan that Holdo did not tell you... for whatever the fuck reason. However... yah... you really messed up big a few times.

Holdo... I am all about Feminism, but this movie really bashed the audience over the head with this message eh? I am perfectly OK with your purple theme, but... logically... you probably should have told your Ex-Commander and Best and only Fighter Pilot... the plan to escape to the planet Crate (Krait? w/e). You also get the most epic scene in the movie. The Silence was Deafening and the shot of the scene... was beautiful I will admit. 

Snoke... I really hope you were right about not being able to be betrayed. I hope that you wanted Kylo to kill you. I hope you are somewhere as a Sith Ghost and returns...

Finn and Rose... I really do not know why you existed. Rose, you had one of the best lines in the movie I will point out, it isn't about what you hate, but about what you love. That was poetic. However... I want the 30 minutes redirected to the main.. more important story. I also love animals... but seriously? "Now it's worth it" or something like that letting one of the animals go? wtf? 

Chewie... you can kill all the Porgs. I tell myself... this is a Kids movies... then and only then can I accept why they exist. Otherwise, it was emotional seeing you and Luke reunite and then fall into sadness knowing Han wasn't there too.

Captain Phasma... lol you drew the short straw again. 

Other Characters... meh however... "It's just an Engine... Good Guys... Bad Guys... all the same... live free, don't join." Great Line. 

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My Favorite Scene:

The Holdo Suicide Light Speed Silent Deafening Beautifully Shot and Coolest Scene in Star Wars.

My "Errrr" Scene:

The Holdo Suicide Light Speed Super Weapon Of Mass Destruction. Why can't they just make bigly ships and auto light speed warp into anything....