But it also makes for a narrative that feels more creative, and thus more engaging, because it removes certainty from the equation. "I'll teach you the ways of the Jedi - and why they need to end." The idea of the most recognizable hero in the Star Wars franchise not only refusing to take up arms, but disavowing the very teachings that made him such a formidable warrior in the first place, is a bold choice that may prove to be controversial among certain subsets of the fanbase.
Luke's self-imposed exile is punishment for his perceived failure as a teacher, and the symbol for hope that Rey seeks has been replaced by a bitter old man, disdainful of the Jedi religion and the very notion of heroism.īut Luke also recognizes the burgeoning power that Rey is struggling to understand, much less control, and reluctantly acknowledges his responsibility as the last living Jedi master. "Do you think I came to the most unfindable place in the galaxy for no reason at all?" he asks pointedly. Meanwhile, on the other side of the galaxy, Rey is quickly discovering that Luke, haunted by the events which led young Ben Solo to accept the dark side and become Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), has no interest in becoming the savior of the Resistance. It's a thrilling and emotional sequence that showcases the ingenuity of the rebel forces as they face down the sheer military might of the First Order and their legions of war machines, while also conveying the sense of desperation that permeates the Resistance as their resources continue to dwindle. Rather than picking up moments after the cliffhanger from The Force Awakens, which saw Rey (Daisy Ridley) locating the long-missing Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) on a remote planet, The Last Jedi opts for something much bigger: a daring assault on a heavily armed First Order dreadnought, led by the Resistance's best pilot, Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac). Working from his own screenplay, Johnson is eager to explore new territory - both literally and figuratively - with an incredibly ambitious approach that has already resonated with Lucasfilm executives in a big way: he's recently been tapped to craft an entirely new Star Wars trilogy, and audiences exiting the theater this weekend should have no trouble understanding why, because The Last Jedi is absolutely fantastic. The very nature of balancing these two ideals led to a finished film that relied heavily on convention, and a plot that followed the same beats as the original 1977 installment perhaps a bit too closely.īut with the groundwork for this new saga firmly in place, audiences have been introduced to a host of new characters and reunited with old favorites, and Star Wars: The Last Jedi director Rian Johnson is able to build upon that foundation.
It's hard to believe that two years have passed since The Force Awakens, which had the unenviable task of revitalizing the Star Wars franchise for a new generation of moviegoers while simultaneously providing enough nostalgia to capture the imaginations of longtime fans.
0 kommentar(er)
