It has been over a week since The Last Jedi was released, so if you haven’t seen it by now I honestly don’t understand your priorities. But for those of you who have not, STOP READING. This post is pretty much entirely made of spoilers.
I LOVE LEIA
Whereas the two men from the original trilogy deal with their problems by running away, Princess General Leia stays in the action, leading the Resistance and clinging fiercely to hope despite all evidence to the contrary. It’s no wonder the world has fallen in love with Leia, and perhaps even more so, with Carrie Fisher.
So much of this movie plays as a love letter to her, which is astonishing since it was completed before Fisher’s death. Clearly, the woman is beloved and this film wants to honor her properly. Was I the only one who thought-screamed, “That’s my Bipolar Space Mom!!!” when Leia rescued herself by using the Force to draw herself back into the ship after an explosion? And let’s not gloss over that: LEIA USED THE FORCE. I don’t care about anyone who thinks it was hokey – the Force was bananas in this movie, and I loved it, so please complain elsewhere. Leia finally got to use some of that Skywalker bloodline in something other than feeling people’s deaths long-distance.
Another scene that felt weirdly prescient was Luke and Leia’s reunion. By the end of the movie we realize that it was an opportunity for Luke to say his goodbyes, but in the moment it just felt like a goodbye to Carrie Fisher. I can’t even remember the lines very well, because I was crying hard throughout. All I could picture was Mark Hamill watching the scene after his friend’s death and my heart was shattered.
Unfortunately, Luke is gone and Leia remains. I am heartbroken that we won’t get to see more of Leia in episode IX, which was supposed to be Her Story in the way The Force Awakens was Han’s and The Last Jedi was Luke’s. I don’t know what they’ll do, and I mostly trust them, but nothing they dream up will compare with Carrie Fisher alive and performing once again.
I LOVE LUKE
Luke Skywalker was my first fictional crush, and even though at the time I loved him for his purity, I love him even more now that we see he’s turned into a cranky hermit. Every scene he’s in is a delight, and I 100% bought that his youthful idealism, once broken, would result in what we see in this film. I also adored the revelation that, if even for a moment, Luke considered murdering his nephew, and that this is what turned Ben Solo entirely to the Dark Side. This is my kind of drama!
Of course, we don’t end the film with Luke the Cynic – fittingly, it’s being reunited with R-2 D-2 and seeing his sister’s hologram that reminds him that there is still hope. WHEN HE SHOWS UP ON CRAIT!!! His decision to take control of his narrative and use his legendary status as a distraction to save the Resistance is beautiful. I noticed that his hair was different and that he wasn’t leaving red sand footprints, but I didn’t connect the dots to realize he wasn’t physically there. My awe at his ability to withstand so much firepower turned into awe at his projection ability, and then…having believed in hope once more, Luke dies. I love that he disappears like Obi Wan, and I very much hope he will be a Force Ghost in episode IX.
ODDS AND ENDS
- The “hope against all odds” theme felt very much like Rogue One to me. Watching character after character willingly choose to die in order to help their friends live for one more day was suuuuper depressing and suuuuper beautiful.
- I love Admiral Holdo. I love that she contrasts Poe’s impulsive heroism with the boring, quiet, consistent heroism that is also necessary in a fight against evil.
- After the movie, one friend said, “I think true Star Wars fans will be annoyed at the humor in this one.” My other friend replied, “Uh, I’m a true Star Wars fan, and I loved it.” YES, friend #2.
- I don’t WANT to understand the Rey/Kylo shippers, but ugh, I kinda do. Their loneliness and connection was pretty fascinating, but wow is he a classic abusive boyfriend. “You’re worthless to everyone! Except me.” As interesting as their relationship was, I’m so glad Rey left him.
- Although I have since changed my mind, I was initially disappointed with the reveal that Rey’s parents were nobodies. (My personal fan theory: she was the daughter of Luke and Leia. I was really leaning into the oops! incest plot of the original trilogy, and I figured that explained why she was Extra Powerful.) I appreciate this story a lot more now, especially connected with the force-sensitive slave boy at the end. I assume that’s the direction they will take the story – showing us that the Force can be in anyone. Really, I just blame the two year wait and how the Internet makes everything seem So Big, which made a reveal like this feel more disappointing than it should have been.
- I love Rose! She is a perfect human being, and I hope she continues to be a big part of the series. I definitely ship Rose/Finn, and Rey can…I dunno. She’s a Jedi, so probably she will be single, huh?
- All the animals were great, from fish nuns to porgs to crystal critters. Love them all!
- It did feel overlong, and I was genuinely surprised when the movie didn’t end with Snoke’s ship exploding. But then I really liked the scenes on Crait, so even though I don’t think it’s Good Plotting, I wouldn’t change anything about it.
- Ending with the slave kids retelling Luke’s story and then revealing that one of them can use the Force is 100% a shout out to Star Wars fans who find inspiration in the story to change their own worlds in big and small ways. It’s kind of unfair to make me cry seconds before credits, movie!!
- “It’s not about destroying what you hate. It’s about saving what you love.” PLEASE let this be the theme of the last movie! It is the most perfect sentence in the whole series.
It Is Trish 