Watching The Last Jedi, it is obvious that Johnson was either mandated to create the anti-The Force Awakens or he himself decided this was the only way forward. The Force Awakens was criticised by many for being too reverential to its source material and not trying anything new. Despite that, the film was incredible, pacey and introduced us to new, full-fledged characters that we immediately fell in love with. Most critics and fans of The Last Jedi have reiterated what a refreshing take the film is and how, by destroying people's expectations and the franchise's past, it gives Star Wars a new hope.
via GIPHY
I do not disagree with part of this argument. The film itself blatantly tells us - through Kylo Ren's dialogue - that we must let go of our past if we want to grow. Hence, the writer subverts many standard expectations, including Luke destroying (or so he thinks) the last of the Jedi texts and religion; Vice Admiral Holdo not being the bad guy that Poe wants her to be, Rey being much more than the sum of her parentage or Kylo Ren turning against his master only to wilfully turn to the Dark Side. Yes, these are actions that would perhaps not have taken place in previous instalments of the franchise. But, there are far too many other plotlines and narrative tics that have all come before, in Star Wars itself.
I do not disagree with part of this argument. The film itself blatantly tells us - through Kylo Ren's dialogue - that we must let go of our past if we want to grow. Hence, the writer subverts many standard expectations, including Luke destroying (or so he thinks) the last of the Jedi texts and religion; Vice Admiral Holdo not being the bad guy that Poe wants her to be, Rey being much more than the sum of her parentage or Kylo Ren turning against his master only to wilfully turn to the Dark Side. Yes, these are actions that would perhaps not have taken place in previous instalments of the franchise. But, there are far too many other plotlines and narrative tics that have all come before, in Star Wars itself.
The very beginning of the film is a throwback to the invasion and evacuation of Hoth in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. Then, Rey convincing Luke to train her is similar to Luke's pleas falling on Yoda's deaf ears (though, unlike Yoda who is testing his potential pupil's patience, Luke is just cruel to Rey). Following that, Rey's powers are questioned by a magical Force test, just as Luke's were on Dagobah - except, Luke had to struggle with his desire to fight Vader and find out the truth about him, while Rey just got pulled into the mysterious cave and all she does is try to find out who her parents are. We do get some cool mirror and timeline effects but it feels all too familiar.
via GIPHY
Much of Rey's journey is derivative, and I am not sure why the critics have latched on to the fact that Johnson denying her Force-sensitive or Skywalker heritage is ground-breaking at the expense of all else, when critics themselves are the ones who obsessed about her parentage after watching The Force Awakens. Rey's decision to willingly face Snoke and convince Kylo that he's a good guy is so Star Wars: The Return of the Jedi. The entire sequence in Snoke's office, while visually distinct from the dark and gloomy offices of Palpatine's, plays out exactly the same. Except, it has next to no context or at least not enough build up. Having said that, the fight between Rey, Kylo and Snoke's guards is a masterpiece that felt like it belonged to a much better film. For once the female hero didn't need to be rescued by a male character - she does the rescuing instead! At least that was new.
Much of Rey's journey is derivative, and I am not sure why the critics have latched on to the fact that Johnson denying her Force-sensitive or Skywalker heritage is ground-breaking at the expense of all else, when critics themselves are the ones who obsessed about her parentage after watching The Force Awakens. Rey's decision to willingly face Snoke and convince Kylo that he's a good guy is so Star Wars: The Return of the Jedi. The entire sequence in Snoke's office, while visually distinct from the dark and gloomy offices of Palpatine's, plays out exactly the same. Except, it has next to no context or at least not enough build up. Having said that, the fight between Rey, Kylo and Snoke's guards is a masterpiece that felt like it belonged to a much better film. For once the female hero didn't need to be rescued by a male character - she does the rescuing instead! At least that was new.
The Canto Bight casino is like the Cantina scene in Star Wars: A New Hope, Benicio Del Toro's amazing DJ is little more than a Lando Calrissian stand-in.
The internet critics keep telling us that this movie is fresh and new and so bold, but we have seen all this before. There are big ideas in this film, but they are not intrinsic to the main storyline, instead, they deviate and pad up an overly bloated film, and worse, the inclusion of these big ideas isn’t even executed properly.
The internet critics keep telling us that this movie is fresh and new and so bold, but we have seen all this before. There are big ideas in this film, but they are not intrinsic to the main storyline, instead, they deviate and pad up an overly bloated film, and worse, the inclusion of these big ideas isn’t even executed properly.
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| Benicio Del Toro as DJ |
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