Review Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017)

Doctor Omega

Member: Rank 10
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Star Wars: The Last Jedi (also known as Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi) is a 2017 American epic space opera film written and directed by Rian Johnson. It is the second installment of the Star Wars sequel trilogy and the eighth main installment of the Star Wars franchise, following Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015). It was produced by Lucasfilm and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. The ensemble cast includes Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Lupita Nyong'o, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels and Gwendoline Christie in returning roles, with Kelly Marie Tran, Laura Dern and Benicio del Toro joining the cast. The film features the final film performance by Fisher, who died in December 2016, and it is dedicated to her memory. The plot follows Rey as she receives Jedi training from Luke Skywalker, in hopes of turning the tide for the Resistance in the fight against Kylo Ren and the First Order.

The Last Jedi was part of a new trilogy of films announced after Disney's acquisition of Lucasfilm in October 2012. It was produced by Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy and Ram Bergman, with Force Awakens director J. J. Abrams as an executive producer. John Williams, composer for the previous films, returned to compose the score. Scenes that required shooting at Skellig Michael in Irelandwere filmed during pre-production in September 2015, with principal photography beginning at Pinewood Studios in the United Kingdom in February 2016 and ending in July 2016. Post-production wrapped in September 2017.

The Last Jedi had its world premiere in Los Angeles on December 9, 2017, and was released in the United States on December 15, 2017. It has grossed over $1.3 billion worldwide, making it the highest-grossing film of 2017, the 6th-highest-ever grossing film in North America and the 9th-highest-grossing film of all time, as well as the second-highest-grossing film of the Star Wars franchise. It received positive reviews from critics, who praised its ensemble cast, visual effects, musical score, action sequences and emotional weight; some considered it the best Star Wars film since The Empire Strikes Back.[7][8][9][10] The film received four nominations at the 90th Academy Awards, including Best Original Score and Best Visual Effects, as well two nominations at the 71st British Academy Film Awards. A sequel, provisionally titled Star Wars: Episode IX, is scheduled for release on December 20, 2019



 

Doctor Omega

Member: Rank 10
Holdo Was Force-Sensitive In “Last Jedi”


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While there are those like the Jedi and the Sith who are tied inexorably to the Force, the “Star Wars” universe has shown numerous characters in the past (such as Maz Kanata from ‘Force Awakens’ or Chirrut Imwe from ‘Rogue One’) who are ‘force sensitive’ – holding the power in high regard but not necessarily trained or strong enough to wield it.

In a new interview with EW, Laura Dern has revealed that her character of Vice Admiral Holdo from “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” was one such ‘force sensitive’ character – even if the film didn’t clearly spell that out:

“In their minds, and in their understanding of the origin story, we know that she was a true rebel in the Resistance, and in our culture we might have called her a hippie. But she was longing for peace, and a revolutionary in that way, and wanted to be trained by and led by Leia, who taught her everything she knew. She wanted to come up in the ranks to support Leia’s mission, but also had this otherworldly side that does involve the Force.”

Despite it not showing up, it was a key backstory element that was worked out between Dern, Rian Johnson, and Kathleen Kennedy and ties in to the motivation surrounding her sacrificial slamming of the ship into the First Order fleet:

“There’s something about her that longs to protect it, and holds that with great care. There’s a sort of a light on and a wisdom that she speaks about in the film, and speaks to Oscar Isaac’s character briefly about it. Her primary goal was to protect the light, to protect the Force, and to keep the revolutionaries alive. And I think the film speaks so beautifully to that with this last image of the next generation of the Resistance, you know?”
 

Doctor Omega

Member: Rank 10
Mark Hamill Says He Regrets Publicly Criticizing 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi' (Exclusive)


ET sat down with Mark Hamill in Ireland, where he opened up about his public criticism of Luke Skywalker's character development in 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi' -- available on digital now, and on Blu-ray Mar. 27.

 

Doctor Omega

Member: Rank 10
Pegg Talks “Last Jedi” Parents Reveal


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Many of the vocal complaints around “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” all tied back to expectations, be it ones from many years of fandom to more recently potential story directions in the wake of J.J. Abrams’ “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”.

Before release, one of the most speculated on subplots was that of Rey and her lineage. Setup as only a very minor element in ‘Force Awakens’, the question over the identity of Rey’s parents quickly grew as fandom fuelled it with wild theories. Through all these theories though, almost all had her as the child of someone important in the “Star Wars” universe – namely a Skywalker, a Solo or someone else in the previous films.

When Rian Johnson’s film made it clear her parents were essentially nobodies in the greater scheme of the universe, it was a genuine surprise. Some welcomed it – it meant the Force wasn’t reliant on bloodlines, and it re-democratised it as a talent some are just naturally gifted at like music or math.

Others hated it because it not only ruined their theories, it was just seemingly yet one more element of the film that confirmed reports that Disney and Lucasfilm went into this new trilogy without any real plan in mind and so were winging it. Johnson himself has indicated Abrams didn’t have much interaction with the story or development of ‘Last Jedi’.

Daisy Ridley changed that notion a bit recently, saying Abrams wrote drafts for Episode VIII and Episode IX, and Johnson re-wrote his episode entirely and didn’t keep much of anything from Abrams draft. Now, in a recent Happy Sad Confused podcast, actor Simon Pegg suggested that Abrams did have intentions for Rey’s parents that were different to Johnson:

“I know what J.J. intended or at least [the idea of] what was being chucked around. I think that’s been undone slightly by the [‘The Last Jedi’]… There was some talk about a kind of relevant lineage for her… But I honestly don’t know, and I don’t know if anyone knows, we’ll see.”

With Abrams back in the ‘Episode IX’ chair, could that moment in ‘Last Jedi’ be undone? Johnson has said that while he intended in the moment for what Kylo tells Rey to be true, there’s the possibility Abrams’ film could reveal that to be a lie. Either way, this debate is only just getting started.
 

Doctor Omega

Member: Rank 10
Abrams wrote drafts for Episode VIII and Episode IX, and Johnson re-wrote his episode entirely and didn’t keep much of anything from Abrams draft.

Abrams did have intentions for Rey’s parents that were different to Johnson

“I know what J.J. intended or at least [the idea of] what was being chucked around. I think that’s been undone slightly by the [‘The Last Jedi’]

With Abrams back in the ‘Episode IX’ chair, could that moment in ‘Last Jedi’ be undone? Johnson has said that while he intended in the moment for what Kylo tells Rey to be true, there’s the possibility Abrams’ film could reveal that to be a lie.

Am glad to see that there is one, single, coherent vision behind this well thought out, tacked-on, trilogy. :emoji_head_bandage:
 

Doctor Omega

Member: Rank 10
Mark Hamill on The Last Jedi Cutting Luke's Reaction to Han Solo's Death


Mark Hamill on how two particular deleted scenes revealed sides of Luke Skywalker you didn't see, including his reaction to Han Solo's death.


 
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Doctor Omega

Member: Rank 10
“Last Jedi” Star Exits Instagram After Harassment


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A new post by Star Wars Facts indicates that “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” costar Kelly Marie Tran has deleted all her Instagram posts and essentially wiped her profile clean.

The reason? While there’s no statement from the actress who plays Rose in what was her first major role in a feature film, it is strongly suggested that it’s the direct result of months and months of racist and sexist comments from social media trolls following her work in “Star Wars: The Last Jedi”.

Tran is the first woman of color to have a leading role in the “Star Wars” films and there reportedly was a concerted effort by trolls to go after the actress based on her race and gender. Fellow co-stars like John Boyega and Daisey Ridley have all been the target of trolls in the past.
 

ant-mac

Member: Rank 9
I love Star Wars, but my fellow "fans" really piss me off. What is wrong with these clowns?
Yeah, I know what you mean, mate. It appears that a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, there were the Jedi, the Sith and the KKK...

Whatever's wrong with STAR WARS - if there's something wrong - it's certainly not her fault.

Look to the writers, the producers, the director and so on and so forth.
 

Doctor Omega

Member: Rank 10
Oscar Isaac On “Last Jedi” Reaction


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Numerous people have weighed in with their take on Rian Johnson’s “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” since the film’s release last December. It’s a film that has generated such wildly divisive fan reaction that debates are likely to rage for years to come.

In case your opinion wasn’t of the ‘best film in the series’ or ‘it shat all over my childhood’ extreme ends of the spectrum, you’re probably hoping that if you ever have to hear people talking about it again – let it at least be someone who can offer a little more reasoned judgement in their expressions.

Leave it to the space pilot that’s already stolen many hearts, actor Oscar Isaac who plays Poe Dameron, to offer some advice to those on the ‘hate it’ side of the fence. Speaking with Yahoo, he first addressed those who feel scorned by the film:

“What I think is really special about the whole thing – particularly for people that really didn’t agree with where the story went – is that it’s often a great inspiration to do your own stuff. Obviously, making your own ‘Star Wars’ movie is a bit of a tough challenge, but at least from a narrative standpoint maybe you make your own thing and then show what you would want. Make what you would want to see.”

Some fans are attempting to do just that with a crowd-funded campaign that’s seemingly going well finance wise. Isaac also spoke about the reaction to the film at Comic-Con recently where fans expressed their disapproval of his character’s actions in the story. Isaac’s reaction to that disapproval is a welcome one:

“I love that. It’s incredible, because you have people actually engaging with the ethical question of war and what leadership is. The last thing you want is for people to watch a movie and be like, ‘Great,’ and then move on. With [‘The Last Jedi’], the conversation continues and can stir real emotions. You’re having a conversation about actual things that matter, you know?”


Isaac is currently in the midst of playing Poe once again, and perhaps for the last time, in the currently filming “Star Wars: Episode IX” which is to be released on December 20th 2019. The talk comes as a rumor this week have suggested the actor should star as Bruce Wayne/Batman.
 

Doctor Omega

Member: Rank 10
Russian Bots Propagated “Last Jedi” Hate?


A new report claims that Rian Johnson’s much debated “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” and the backlash against it was heavily fuelled by deliberate antagonistic action from Russian trolls and their bots.

Heat Vision reports that a just published academic paper by researcher Morten Bay finds that half of the online criticism aimed at the film was politically motivated. The paper is titled “Weaponizing The Haters: The Last Jedi and the strategic politicization of pop culture through social media manipulation” and finds “evidence of deliberate, organised political influence measures disguised as fan arguments.”

The paper goes on to say that the likely objective of these measures is increasing media coverage of the fandom conflict, thereby “further propagating a narrative of widespread discord and dysfunction in American society” and pushing said narrative remains a goal of both the U.S. alt-right movement and the Russian Federation.

The paper analyzes the negative online reaction which is split into three camps – politically motivated attacks, trolls, and ‘real fantagonists’ with the latter referring to genuine “Star Wars” fans disappointed in the movie. In the sample, 50.9% of tweets were either “politically motivated or not even human” and that a “number of these users appear to be Russian trolls”.

He says overall only 21.9% of tweets analyzed about the movie had been negative in the first place, and complaints about Lucasfilm’s reported politicization of the franchise by disaffected fans says more about them than Disney or Lucasfilm as “the political and ethical positions presented in the new films are consistent with older films, [so] it is more likely that the polarization of the Trump era has politicized the fans.”

However you feel about it, “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” made $1.3 billion at the worldwide box-office, holds a 91% (8.1/10) on Rotten Tomatoes and an 85 on Metacritic, an on IMDb it stands at a 7.2/10 with 417,100 votes counted.
 

Doctor Omega

Member: Rank 10
Johnson: “Last Jedi” Luke Was Consistent


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Like a fighter in a World War I ditch, every now and then filmmaker Rian Johnson will raise his head carefully above the surface to defend his position before ducking for cover as attacks fly from various angry young men who think he’s destroyed their way of life with “Star Wars: The Last Jedi”.

Earlier this week, a trade report suggested that J.J. Abrams’ currently filming “Star Wars: Episode IX” would serve as a ‘course correction’ for the franchise following both the fan backlash to ‘Last Jedi’ and the financial and critical disappointment of “Solo”.

This lead to a fresh wave of ‘Last Jedi’ bashing and Johnson once again standing up to defend his film, this time focusing on one aspect, in particular, following one criticism. A fan tweeted: “It’s just bad storytelling to change Luke so much and have one little flashback scene to explain why. As I said I’m not against it, it’s interesting and a fresh take which is what star wars needs, but execution-wise, done poorly.”

Johnson tweeted in response: “Hot take: Luke is in fact 100% consistent with his character (not the way he’s described in marketing blurbs, but his actual, based-on-his-words-and-actions character) from the [Original Trilogy]. I’ll be at the bar if you need me.”

Mark Hamill’s Luke Skywalker is expected to appear in “Star Wars: Episode IX” which will hit cinemas on December 20th 2019.
 

The Seeker

Member: Rank 6
I think Johnson was just cleaning up Abram’s mess. After that reveal at the end of The Force Awakens, what was he going to do with Luke? I personally was disappointed in the way he turned out.
 

Doctor Omega

Member: Rank 10
Rian Johnson Thanks “Last Jedi” Fans


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It has been one year since the release of Disney and Lucasfilm’s “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” – one of the most highly anticipated movies of that year which became arguably the most divisive film of the whole franchise and one of the most discussion generating blockbusters in recent years.

Some loved its unpredictable direction and deconstructionist approach, some found it insulting for its often ignoring of ‘The Force Awakens’ and/or changing the nature of the characters. Others had mixed reaction – embracing some of its scenes while dubious of others (the casino planet subplot in particular).

However you felt about it, the film’s director Rian Johnson has taken to Twitter to re-affirm his pride in the film and to thank everyone who saw and discussed it:

“Want to thank all the amazing passionate thoughtful kind creative talented supportive argumentative opinionated respectful open-hearted inspiring AMAZING Star Wars fans for the past year. Getting to hear from & meet so many of you has been the experience of a lifetime.”

In one year’s time J.J. Abrams’ “Star Wars: Episode IX” is due out, the final film of the Skywalker saga and the current trilogy, and is expected to inspire a whole new swath of discussion.
 
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