Observations and Revelations of “Star Wars: The Last Jedi”
Star Wars: The Last Jedi has been out in the world for four whole days, so I naturally expect that everyone has seen it by now. If you haven't, click that back button and return once you've taken a trip to a galaxy far, far away because we're talking about all aspects Episode VIII, spoilers and all. And if you're still with me, "Get your head out of your cockpit."
Like all things in 2017, The Last Jedi seems to have divided the fanbase in a way I didn't foresee, I guess I'm just not that force sensitive. The general pulse, as I understand it, centers around the film not being what some fans wanted/expected. While I loved The Force Awakens, I think we can all agree that it played it too safe, repeating the same story beats from A New Hope and being predictable in almost every way, even down to Han Solo's death. Harrison Ford was essentially stepping into the Obi-Wan role, sacrificing himself to the new masked villain in front of the future Jedi apprentice, Rey.
Early looks at The Last Jedi featured AT-M6 Walkers on a snow-like planet (it's salt) and Director Rian Johnson also sought to recapture some of the visual esthetic of The Empire Strikes Back. My assumption is that those aggrieved by the film were expecting a rehash of plot points from that film and while there are a few more similarities (Yoda, force ghosts, an x-wing under water, a third act kiss), they are completely different stories.
The other big criticism is that people expected Luke to get in a ship, fly away with Rey, and join in the fight. That didn't happen, but for where Luke is at this point and from what we learn about him, I think his character choices make sense. One of the themes of the film is "Don't meet your heroes" and Luke certainly didn't live up to Rey's expectations. But in the end, he shows us a new side of the force and left me with chills and tears.
I don't want to dwell too much on controversy, but I will say that fans who walked away with dark sided feelings should give it another chance. I know several people who were initially upset and have grown to love it on successive viewings. All that aside, I'd like to dive into some better topics and some of the thoughts I walked away with.
Star Tours Homage
Did you notice the homage to Star Tours in the film? I didn't catch it the first time, but almost let out an R2-D2 pitched squeal when I noticed it on my second viewing. When Rey arrives on Crait in the Millennium Falcon, she is chased through a red crystal cave. Change the jagged rocks to clear and it visually brings back flying through the center of an asteroid in the original version of the attraction. On top of that, the music changes to "The Asteroid Field," a theme John Williams wrote for The Empire Strikes Back which was used at that exact moment in the ride. The original Star Tours strikes back. While I haven't had an opportunity to revisit the attraction since Crait was added, I've been told that this is the moment the Imagineers chose to recreate. It couldn't be more fitting to pay tribute to the Disney attraction that was a collaboration between George Lucas and Disney long before the franchise was truly part of the kingdom. In Episode IX, I now expect a little throwback to Captain Eo. Hee hee! (*chick chick* *chick chick*).
Young Force Ghosts/Astral Projections
Remember that one time when George Lucas tweaked The Return of the Jedi again and replaced Sebastian Shaw with Hayden Christiansen as Anakin's force ghost? Original Trilogy fans will never let that one go and Lucas' explanation was something about only Jedi's can be force ghosts so Annie appears the way he was as a Jedi, not a Sith... or something ridiculous like that, which I don't care to Google. But The Last Jedi, without saying anything about it, explains it beautifully. Yoda is the only true force ghost we see in the film and he looks good for his age, almost younger than when we last saw him. Props to Rian Johnson for bringing back a real puppet for that scene. A porg for you, sir.
The film introduces the concept of Jedi being able to converse with each other from light years apart as if they're in the same room, something Snoke does to manipulate Kylo Ren and Rey. Later, when Luke uses this same technique to buy the Rebellion time to escape the First Order, he appears to Kylo Ren with less gray in his hair and a shorter beard. He's portraying himself to Kylo Ren as Ben Solo last saw him. And while I don't think Rian Johnson was necessarily trying to explain Hayden Christiansen, I feel like Jedi's being able to chose how they appear is a better explanation. And to be honest, if I at one point in my life looked as good as Hayden Christiansen, I'd probably choose to haunt people that way, too. Alas, I look more like Sebastian Shaw.
While we're on the subject, if you see it again, pay attention to a line by Snoke when he reveals that he is the one who linked Kylo Ren and Rey together. He mentions that it requires so much power that it would have killed them had they been doing it themselves. A quick line, presumably a throwaway, but the second time you see it... wow. Rian Johnson, another porg for you, sir.
Shut Up, 3PO
C-3PO can't seem to get a word in during The Last Jedi, and it's hilarious. I loved him as a kid, but as an adult with irreversible prequel memories of him ("This is such a drag") I can barely stand the sight of him. Neither can General Leia Organa, apparently, when she tells him to wipe that nervous expression off his face. If you notice, every time he speaks someone interrupts him.
More than the character growing stale and annoying, I'd be curious to know if part of this wasn't payback to Actor Anthony Daniels. When you catch him at a speaking engagement that is just for him, he's fine. But put him on stage with other actors from the saga and he inevitably hijacks the panel discussion. I've been to two Celebrations (the official Star Wars convention) and more Star Wars Weekends than I care to admit. Ever time, every single time, he steals the conversation and gets out of his seat to reenact moments from the film, taking time away from anyone else who has stories to tell. Another porg for Rian Johnson if this was the intent.
On the subject of droids, I was surprised how little R2-D2 was in this film. He slept through almost all of The Force Awakens and could barely keep his lens open this time, too. However, his moment with Luke gave me goose chills. I'm worried about him though, is he rusting? Will he be the next OT character to bite the dust in Episode IX?
Overhyped BB-9E
I was already a fan of BB-8 and with all the merchandising around BB-9E, I was really excited to meet the bad droid on the block. I wore a t-shirt with him on it to the showing and even added his Sphero likeness to my collection in advance of the film. Blink and you'll miss him, but I hope we see him again. Here's what I was expecting from him in this film:
At some point, BB-8 would roll past this darker, boxier version of himself and they would be instant enemies. Compartments on the sides of each droid would open, revealing cute little weapons. They engage in a battle royal and both escape with battle scars, having met the other's match. During a climax duel between Jedi and Sith, BB-8 and BB-9E face off again, partially for comedic effect. In the end, before one takes the other down, they have a change of heart, becoming frenemies. BB-9E rolls aboard the Millenium Falcon and flies off with his new buddies. The last shot of the film zooms in on his lens and we see Kylo Ren is watching on the other side, using him as a spy. BOOM!... A porg for me, me thinks.
Poe Dameron's Flirtatious Eyes
After The Force Awakens, the internet went wild with speculation that Poe and Finn were having a bromance due to the way Poe looked at him (and all the hugs... and shoulder grabbing... and the kiss... okay, I made that last part up). In this film, they have about 60-seconds of shared screen time, during which there is a hug... with Finn naked... inside a somewhat transparent leaking suit... it's as if Rian Johnson was concurrently writing the sticky screen parody...
But the first time I saw The Last Jedi, I got cougar vibes from the way Poe was always making eyes with Leia... and touching her hand... and licking his lips her way... okay, I made that last part up. However, when I saw it again I instead perceived it more like a mother/son relationship. They've yet to really address how long they've known each other, but at the start of the trilogy Poe is on a mission for Leia, so perhaps he's like a second son to her and she's the mother he never had. I'm not crying, you're crying!
I think what we have now is a case of Oscar Isaac simply having the dreamiest eyes in the saga and they betray him, portraying longing and desire when what he means to say is "I'm just making eye contact with you because it's a necessary part of acting." Either way, find someone who looks at you the way Oscar Isaac looks at anything.
Studio Ghibli Caretakers
I'm a big fan of Studio Ghibli films and I couldn't help but notice the similarities between one of Ponyo's forms and the Caretakers on Ahch-To, which seem to be cut from the same cloth. It seems that a lot of creative people are influenced by the work of Hayao Miyazaki. I didn't have to do too much digging to find Twitter evidence that Rian Johnson is also a big fan.
In Ponyo, which tells the story of a fish who becomes human, Ponyo's first attempts at looking homo sapian aren't exactly successful. She has chicken legs and the facial dimensions are still too fishy. The Caretakers have a similar fish/frog face with chicken-esque legs, so... another porg for Rian Johnson.
Some Day My Prince Will Come?
The second time I saw the film, I noticed that when Rose and Finn crash through a lounge in the casino on Canto Bight there is a piano song playing. It's not on the soundtrack and if I were playing Name That Tune, I would have sworn that it was "Some Day My Prince Will Come" from Walt Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. It would have been cool to have a Disney Easter egg in the saga, but alas, it doesn't seem to be the case.
The song that is really playing is reportedly "The Long Goodbye," a song John Williams wrote with Johnny Mercer for a film of the same title in 1973. Listening to it, there are a few chords that progress similarly to the main refrain of the Disney classic. But next time you see the film, listen for it and see what you hear.
Did Star Wars: The Last Jedi give you any flashbacks to other films or any big revelations? If so, please share them in the comments below and may the force be with you. Maybe I'll see you at the movies the 7th or 8th time I see Star Wars: The Last Jedi.