Star Wars Last Jedi Critique
I had wanted to wait until I had seen it twice until I wrote this, but though I hope to at some point, I have realized that most of my complaints are likely to get worse rather than better, so I can hope, but I do not predict a positive change.
First, the good news.
So, here we go:
I have been more conflicted (feel the conflict?) about this Star Wars movie than any since the first 24 hours after Ep. 1 when I assumed there must be something wrong with me for not liking anything about it but some music, some sound effects and Darth Maul. After that first 24 hours when all of my other SW fan friends felt the same way and we realized it was ok to hate it and after another 2 viewing, there was no conflict. I have not let go of my hate.
So why am I conflicted now?
A couple of my favorite scenes in Star Wars history is in The Last Jedi. For the first time EVER in Star Wars, I have understood the actual temptation of the Dark Side (as it is presented in these movies – not theologically in real life, but as it is presented in the Star Wars Universe).
The abject failure of anyone to make the fall of Anakin seem in any way plausible didn’t help. The “fall” of Anakin is one of the most forehead slapping scenes in all of the SW universe (if you count 1-3 as part of that universe).
The best thing about TLJ was the final fall of Kylo and the temptation of Rey after the death of Snoke. For the first time ever, I could feel the draw to the dark side. Never before in the SW universe has the dark side ever seemed even vaguely realistic conceptually – why would anyone actually ever choose it? I know it is allegedly quicker and easier, but more seductive in the long term? Quicker and easier is tempting in a moment, but not as a lifestyle choice unless it carries some significant payoff.
However, Ren’s desperate loneliness, pain, and fear… his desire for Rey to join him is palpable! I found myself wishing for her to not leave him in his misery alone. I was almost rooting for her to join him and could imagine his motivation and her justification, if she had joined him.   I can imagine him continuing to choose it across time, rather than converting from it.
For someone to have finally truly captured the lure of the dark side is no small feat, especially after Lucas so disastrously failed to do so in Ep 3 with the “fall” of Anakin. Man, Ep 1-3 were so terrible. As much as there is that I despise about 8, I am not among those that hate it as much or more than the prequels.
The fight scene that preceded that scene was pretty good, too, with the teamwork of Rey and Kylo.
Also, the scenery was beautiful. Many scenes were intentionally developed to present color or bleakness and reminded me of some of the colors and scenes of Ep 5. That was all that reminded me of 5, but there was that. I appreciated the cinematography of the scenery on planets and space. The visual of the FO armada being wiped out with no sound was another example of that – the visual, but not the fact of it happening.
Aaaand that is about it for the good news.
Next week, we start the adventure into the problems