Post by ayanami on Dec 15, 2017 22:09:51 GMT
In case you somehow skipped the title:
WARNING, SPACE COWBOYS! HERE THERE BE SPOILERS!!!
I don’t even really know where to start here. So much great stuff in the movie! I actually watched The Force Awakens again yesterday to get back in the Star Ward mood and to remember all the small details, and it really fully hit me again just how weak that movie was. Tons of plot holes, rehashed plot, etc. Many people – me included – forgave Disney for it, though, just to get a new movie series that was much closer to the original than the prequels. In that regard the sequel/reboot mix was tolerated, but at the same time, I think most people felt that The Last Jedi was really the point where Disney would have to deliver.
And, boy, did they ever!
I utterly loooved the connection between Rey and Kylo/Ben. Their talks, getting to know each other, and finally their fight together were some of the absolute highlights of the movie for me. That scene where they touched hands… then Luke busting in… Damn!!
Speaking of Luke: The truth about what happened between him and Ben was harsh! Great character motivation for both of them, though. It was clear that there was more to it, when Luke told Rey the story first, and the whole revelation, that Luke had actually wanted to kill Ben in his sleep, did not disappoint. Well, okay, it kind of did, but not in a bad way, story-telling wise.
I also want to point out that I 100% called Luke’s reaction at the start of the movie!
*Rey hands Luke his lightsaber* Hmm, wouldn’t it be funny if he takes it and just carelessly tosses it behind him? *Luke carelessly tosses the lightsaber behind him.* Holy shiiiii…
Another scene I pretty much called - sadly - was Ben not actually turning to the light side after killing Snoke. Of course there was hope for a moment, and the fight scene itself was incredible (those imperial guards were so badass!), but a Sith killing his master - not that astounding, and definitely not always a sign of redemption. Just another way to power.
Btw, I think Ben was lying to Rey about her parents. He either doesn't know, or told her some garbage just to get her on his side, so she would think only he would appreciate her for who she was. Wrong call, dude!
In the other thread I mentioned Poe Dameron, and the wise decision the people behind The Force Awakens made by keeping him around, despite that slightly messing with the movie’s plot. Now, despite my general happiness with The Last Jedi, there isn’t one character in the movie, where I couldn’t critisise at least one scene that was weak or fell flat for whatever reason. Except Poe! He was a highlight from the first to the last minute and Oscar Isaac was – as always – just oozing with charisma! Okay, maybe the humour in the “Holding for General Hux” scene was a bit unusual for a Star Wars movie, but it was perfectly in character for Poe (“Okay, who talks first? You talk first? I talk first?”) and simply hilarious!
Actually, though, now that I think about it, I think I can add two more characters that didn’t have a single weak scene: Grandmaster Snoke and General Hux, of all people! Honestly, who would have thought, that after those weird holo appearances in TFA, and with all that CGI, Snoke could actually be such a menacing presence? Massive props to Andy Serkis, the techs and writer/director Rian Johnson here!
As for General Hux: That guy is a sniveling, sadistic little weasel, and Domhnall Gleeson plays him to utter perfection! Always fun to see him in scenes and/or add odds with Oscar Isaac, btw! (-->Ex Machina) The Supreme Leader is dead. Long live the Supreme Leader! Indeed…
Oh, how I wish they had kept Laura Dern’s character alive! (And how I bet Disney wish they had!) Especially knowing the fate of our favourite princess, it would have been great to have such a competent and interesting character in charge of the resistance. That might be Poe’s position some day (as he clearly thought it would be already), but he’s not there yet and speeding his career up in light of Carrie Fisher’s (and Leia’s?) death would be a disservice to his character. Aw, well, we’ll see.
Same goes, I expect, for Kylo as the new leader of the First Order. He already showed a lot of character growth from the first movie, but still got massively pwned the moment he was put in charge. Gotta work on that temper!
Wonder if we’ll see Luke again. I assume we will, not only because of his cryptic “See you around, kid,” but also because he’s now the last of the old guard still around, so to say. (Sorry, Chewie!)
Of course, they could always bring ghost-Yoda back as well! (Thank you, btw, internet, for making me think of seagulls now every time I see Yoda. Not annoying at all! 
)
One more point where the movie made massive points, as I pointed out in the general thread, was the cinematography. Snoke's chamber, the battle on the planet with the red salt, the vice admiral's suicide run into Snoke's ship (the entire theater was holding its breath in the silence that followed!!), and so much more. Gorgeous!
As for probably my biggest problem with the movie, that was without a doubt the whole side plotline with Finn and Rose taking off to find that master code breaker. Sure, Benicio Del Toro was great in that role, but the whole plotline felt completely out of place to me. Yeah, yeah, war profiteers are everywhere, just as potential resistance fighters. Does that mean the next trilogy will take place when that kid is all grown up, with him as the new hero? Really lame, imo.
And what's up with all that cloaking technology they suddenly have whenever the plot demands it? Is that new or did I just forget about it?
Anyway, it really makes you wonder, how a guy who wasn’t even supposed to be alive for this movie in the first place (Poe), gets such a way better story line than the dude who was the second lead from the beginning. Something went seriously wrong here!
Oh, and Rose, honey, YOU’RE FIRED!!! Stopping the guy who’s just about to blow up the enemy’s super weapon?!? That’s way worse than deserting!!!!!! Saving the ones we love, my ass! Damn, she was lucky that Luke was there to save the day. Otherwise the resistance would have been toast, all thanks to her.
Still, despite that one glaring flaw in the movie, the rest was pretty damn awesome, so I’ll be able to look past that. Plus, there were just so many funny lines!
“...an urgent communiqué. About his mother...”
“I’ve seen your daily routine. You’re not that busy.”
“I think they hate me.” – “Can’t imagine why.”
“They really hate that ship!”
“You were always scum.” – “Rebel scum!”
WARNING, SPACE COWBOYS! HERE THERE BE SPOILERS!!!
I don’t even really know where to start here. So much great stuff in the movie! I actually watched The Force Awakens again yesterday to get back in the Star Ward mood and to remember all the small details, and it really fully hit me again just how weak that movie was. Tons of plot holes, rehashed plot, etc. Many people – me included – forgave Disney for it, though, just to get a new movie series that was much closer to the original than the prequels. In that regard the sequel/reboot mix was tolerated, but at the same time, I think most people felt that The Last Jedi was really the point where Disney would have to deliver.
And, boy, did they ever!
I utterly loooved the connection between Rey and Kylo/Ben. Their talks, getting to know each other, and finally their fight together were some of the absolute highlights of the movie for me. That scene where they touched hands… then Luke busting in… Damn!!
Speaking of Luke: The truth about what happened between him and Ben was harsh! Great character motivation for both of them, though. It was clear that there was more to it, when Luke told Rey the story first, and the whole revelation, that Luke had actually wanted to kill Ben in his sleep, did not disappoint. Well, okay, it kind of did, but not in a bad way, story-telling wise.
I also want to point out that I 100% called Luke’s reaction at the start of the movie!
*Rey hands Luke his lightsaber* Hmm, wouldn’t it be funny if he takes it and just carelessly tosses it behind him? *Luke carelessly tosses the lightsaber behind him.* Holy shiiiii…
Another scene I pretty much called - sadly - was Ben not actually turning to the light side after killing Snoke. Of course there was hope for a moment, and the fight scene itself was incredible (those imperial guards were so badass!), but a Sith killing his master - not that astounding, and definitely not always a sign of redemption. Just another way to power.
Btw, I think Ben was lying to Rey about her parents. He either doesn't know, or told her some garbage just to get her on his side, so she would think only he would appreciate her for who she was. Wrong call, dude!
In the other thread I mentioned Poe Dameron, and the wise decision the people behind The Force Awakens made by keeping him around, despite that slightly messing with the movie’s plot. Now, despite my general happiness with The Last Jedi, there isn’t one character in the movie, where I couldn’t critisise at least one scene that was weak or fell flat for whatever reason. Except Poe! He was a highlight from the first to the last minute and Oscar Isaac was – as always – just oozing with charisma! Okay, maybe the humour in the “Holding for General Hux” scene was a bit unusual for a Star Wars movie, but it was perfectly in character for Poe (“Okay, who talks first? You talk first? I talk first?”) and simply hilarious!
Actually, though, now that I think about it, I think I can add two more characters that didn’t have a single weak scene: Grandmaster Snoke and General Hux, of all people! Honestly, who would have thought, that after those weird holo appearances in TFA, and with all that CGI, Snoke could actually be such a menacing presence? Massive props to Andy Serkis, the techs and writer/director Rian Johnson here!
As for General Hux: That guy is a sniveling, sadistic little weasel, and Domhnall Gleeson plays him to utter perfection! Always fun to see him in scenes and/or add odds with Oscar Isaac, btw!
(-->Ex Machina) The Supreme Leader is dead. Long live the Supreme Leader! Indeed…Oh, how I wish they had kept Laura Dern’s character alive! (And how I bet Disney wish they had!) Especially knowing the fate of our favourite princess, it would have been great to have such a competent and interesting character in charge of the resistance. That might be Poe’s position some day (as he clearly thought it would be already), but he’s not there yet and speeding his career up in light of Carrie Fisher’s (and Leia’s?) death would be a disservice to his character. Aw, well, we’ll see.
Same goes, I expect, for Kylo as the new leader of the First Order. He already showed a lot of character growth from the first movie, but still got massively pwned the moment he was put in charge. Gotta work on that temper!
Wonder if we’ll see Luke again. I assume we will, not only because of his cryptic “See you around, kid,” but also because he’s now the last of the old guard still around, so to say. (Sorry, Chewie!)
Of course, they could always bring ghost-Yoda back as well!
(Thank you, btw, internet, for making me think of seagulls now every time I see Yoda. Not annoying at all! 
)One more point where the movie made massive points, as I pointed out in the general thread, was the cinematography. Snoke's chamber, the battle on the planet with the red salt, the vice admiral's suicide run into Snoke's ship (the entire theater was holding its breath in the silence that followed!!), and so much more. Gorgeous!
As for probably my biggest problem with the movie, that was without a doubt the whole side plotline with Finn and Rose taking off to find that master code breaker. Sure, Benicio Del Toro was great in that role, but the whole plotline felt completely out of place to me. Yeah, yeah, war profiteers are everywhere, just as potential resistance fighters. Does that mean the next trilogy will take place when that kid is all grown up, with him as the new hero? Really lame, imo.
And what's up with all that cloaking technology they suddenly have whenever the plot demands it? Is that new or did I just forget about it?
Anyway, it really makes you wonder, how a guy who wasn’t even supposed to be alive for this movie in the first place (Poe), gets such a way better story line than the dude who was the second lead from the beginning. Something went seriously wrong here!
Oh, and Rose, honey, YOU’RE FIRED!!! Stopping the guy who’s just about to blow up the enemy’s super weapon?!? That’s way worse than deserting!!!!!! Saving the ones we love, my ass! Damn, she was lucky that Luke was there to save the day. Otherwise the resistance would have been toast, all thanks to her.
Still, despite that one glaring flaw in the movie, the rest was pretty damn awesome, so I’ll be able to look past that. Plus, there were just so many funny lines!
“...an urgent communiqué. About his mother...”
“I’ve seen your daily routine. You’re not that busy.”
“I think they hate me.” – “Can’t imagine why.”
“They really hate that ship!”
“You were always scum.” – “Rebel scum!”
I'll be spending next weekend with some family I like and trying to avoid any remotely controversial conversations with others that I spend the rest of the year avoiding 