The Last Jedi

[elisi]

Saw it on Tuesday, but haven't had time to write anything.

And still not sure WHAT to write.

But basically, I think it's my favourite out of all of them. It had that *something* which pings me; interesting, complicated somethings, which meant that when the movie was over, all I wanted to do was for it to start straight back up again. If it wasn't so horrifically expensive to go to the cinema I'd watch it many times. Instead I guess I'll have to wait months for the DVD. :(

Vox has a v good article (WITH MANY SPOILERS): The “backlash” against Star Wars: The Last Jedi, explained
Why the latest film in the galaxy-spanning franchise has proved so unexpectedly polarizing.

Which was useful since my other half is one of those disgruntled fans (he has loved it since he was a boy and queued round the block to watch the originals etc etc), so I am just ignoring him. And anyway, we tend to like different things.

Above everything else, however, I shall recommend Kylo Ren's twitter:

Emo Kylo Ren

It is hilarious (and spoilery) and I love it to pieces.

Comments

[shapinglight]

What aspect of it did your other half not like in particular?

My son-in-law is also a huge Star Wars fan and he really liked it. In fact, he's put it second on his list of favourites, after The Empire Strikes Back.

Maybe he has a Thing for middle episodes.

[elisi]

What aspect of it did your other half not like in particular?
He wrote a very long facebook post, which I avoided. A lot of it was probably writing/pacing any and all kinds of things that he notices especially, being a film maker. It makes it nigh on impossible to watch ANYTHING with him. And it's impossible to argue with him about it, because he always knows best. So I just avoid the subject.

My son-in-law is also a huge Star Wars fan and he really liked it. In fact, he's put it second on his list of favourites, after The Empire Strikes Back.
See, I think it's completely individual. But I am glad he likes it. :)

Maybe he has a Thing for middle episodes.
I think I may too. F.ex. I am very fond of The Two Towers. The characters are established, but they're not rushing around doing the big final battle, we can just spend time with them and watch them develop.

[shapinglight]

I am very fond of The Two Towers.

Me too! I think it's the best of the movies, and the best of the books. Likewise, the middle Hobbit movie is the best one, IMO.

Looks like I have a Thing for middle episodes too. ;)

I do agree the pacing dragged at times, but I think having lots of plates juggling at once is just something that happens in middle episodes. And I agree with the article that nothing we saw was actually a waste of time.

[elisi]

Me too! I think it's the best of the movies, and the best of the books. Likewise, the middle Hobbit movie is the best one, IMO.
I think I have only watched the first one, so I couldn't say, and generally disliked the overly shiny texture.

Looks like I have a Thing for middle episodes too. ;)
Heh. I think it's a bit like a TV show? You have a pilot, introducing everything, but the point of watching is the unfolding story.

I do agree the pacing dragged at times, but I think having lots of plates juggling at once is just something that happens in middle episodes. And I agree with the article that nothing we saw was actually a waste of time.
I really want to watch it again, put it all in context. And so much of it was just character stuff. Say Finn & Rosa's story - which may have been overly long but what it showed and what it taught them was immensely important.

[beer_good_foamy]

I'm just a porg boy nobody loves me

[kerkevik_2014]

Poe Dameron thinks the Porg would be very tasty...

kerk

[elisi]

Puffins are tasty, yes!

But I doubt even Poe could cope with those eyes.

[beer_good_foamy]

Tastes like chicken!

...or wait, it's a long time ago in a galaxy far far away. Chicken tastes like porg!

[elisi]

Delightful! :D

[avrelia]

I loved The Last Jedi, and the more I think about it, the more I like it. Also waiting for DVD already :)

There are real scientific exploration about porgs and their taste: https://gizmodo.com/what-do-porgs-taste-like-1821194647

And two posts I loved and agree strongly with:
https://www.tor.com/2017/12/21/star-wars-vice-admiral-holdo-and-our-expectations-for-female-military-power/
https://www.tor.com/2017/12/21/star-wars-vice-admiral-holdo-and-our-expectations-for-female-military-power/

[elisi]

I loved The Last Jedi, and the more I think about it, the more I like it. Also waiting for DVD already :)
I may go see it in the cinema again. I can't afford it, but... it's so good.

There are real scientific exploration about porgs and their taste
Cooool. Thank you.

And two posts I loved and agree strongly with:
You linked to the same one twice - since I very much like it, could I have the other link also?

[avrelia]

https://www.tor.com/2017/12/21/why-canto-bight-is-vital-to-the-last-jedi/

Heh. copy-paste fail me... the end of days is near.

This is a curios part of the movie - it looks like an unnecessary detour and yet subverts anyone's ideas about the story. we are used to thinking that Luke is the hope of the galaxy, but it's actually Rose who brings hope to those who had none, when she joyfully does what she believes is right.

[verdande-mi.livejournal.com]

I loved it as well! I am working on getting thoughts down now. I am staying clear of the negativity as best I can, I just want to enjoy what I enjoy :)

[elisi]

Same here! I almost titled this post 'Blanket fort of Squee'.

;)

[thedothatgirl.livejournal.com]

ooh thanks for that Vox article link, a really good read. Kind of summed up my feelings about the film.

Being an old codger I remember with great fondness how I felt about the first trilogy, but having seen the film last night was really pleased with the direction this new trilogy are headed with such a great diverse cast. Time to say goodbye to the old guard, although the Carrie Fisher scenes were poignantly painful to watch.

[elisi]

ooh thanks for that Vox article link, a really good read. Kind of summed up my feelings about the film.
My pleasure. Vox are often good for thoughtful articles like that.

Being an old codger I remember with great fondness how I felt about the first trilogy
Well, I am old enough, but I lived far far away, and they never impacted on my life.

but having seen the film last night was really pleased with the direction this new trilogy are headed with such a great diverse cast.
Yes, it could easily have been a re-treading of the past, but they managed to forge a new path. I am so happy.

Time to say goodbye to the old guard, although the Carrie Fisher scenes were poignantly painful to watch.
*nods* So very sad, I wonder what they had planned for the last film...

[liliaeth]

I haven't been able to watch it yet. (was planning to tomorrow, but am too sick to do so.)

But most people I know who did watch the movie, are complaining about the way the movie focuses too much on Kylo Ren, giving him too much attention and screentime, while pushing Finn aside and turning Poe into a racist caricature.

What's your opinion on that?

[elisi]

I haven't been able to watch it yet. (was planning to tomorrow, but am too sick to do so.)
You poor thing. Hope you feel better soon!

But most people I know who did watch the movie, are complaining about the way the movie focuses too much on Kylo Ren, giving him too much attention and screentime, while pushing Finn aside
*blinks* Finn has a brilliant story/arc, and I have seen people complaining that his story took too long! Don't believe them. That said, Kylo Ren's story is excellent too. Darth Vader was iconic, but Kylo Ren is fascinating and a properly complex, chewy character. Miles and miles better than poor Anakin. (Yeah, not a fan of the prequels.)

and turning Poe into a racist caricature.
Poe is smart, brave, impulsive and often reckless. Sometimes this pays off, sometimes it doesn't. If I had to categorise his flaws, I'd call them typically male. (Not that women can't be hot-headed hotshot pilots too, of course!)

So don't believe them.

This film is a fabulous character piece for everyone involved. Whether or not you like it is something else of course...

[a-phoenixdragon.livejournal.com]

I REALLLYYY NEED TO SEE THIS!

[elisi]

YOU DOOOOOOO!!!

[ragnarok-08.livejournal.com]

I loved it too!

[elisi]

:D

[sea_thoughts]

So much to unpack and think about. There were a couple of things that I wish they would have put a little more thought into but I enjoyed the movie a lot.

I especially loved that this was a movie (like Pacific Rim) where the leaders were in charge because they *gasp* actually knew what they were doing! And going against them/deceiving them actually led to people dying and things getting really bad! Even with Rey and Kylo, Luke was allowed to be right about things not going the way Rey expected they would (of course, they didn't go the way Kylo expected they would either *snort*).

[elisi]

So much to unpack and think about. There were a couple of things that I wish they would have put a little more thought into but I enjoyed the movie a lot.
I never expect perfection. Like, I can ignore plot holes the size of Wales (*vaguely waves towards various Doctor Who/Torchwood plots*) as long as the characters ring true.

I especially loved that this was a movie (like Pacific Rim) where the leaders were in charge because they *gasp* actually knew what they were doing! And going against them/deceiving them actually led to people dying and things getting really bad!
Thisssssss. And we are SO USED to the plucky young heroes automatically being right, that the 'twists' were even more delightful.

Even with Rey and Kylo, Luke was allowed to be right about things not going the way Rey expected they would (of course, they didn't go the way Kylo expected they would either *snort*).
I loved everything about that. Just everything. Kylo Ren's 'origin' is just so many miles better than Anakin's that it's painfully unfair.

[sea_thoughts]

Yeah, that was one of my only problems, Luke's actions in the flashback didn't ring true to his character. And it only needed a little adjusting for them to keep Luke IC while still making Kylo's origin tragic.

I found the Pacific Rim post I mentioned where they talk about how rare it is for action films to show disobeying orders as a Bad Thing.

we are SO USED to the plucky young heroes automatically being right, that the 'twists' were even more delightful.

Poe: OMG Leia's back! Yay all my actions will be val- *is shot*
Leia: GDI Poe, I can't even take a nap without you ruining our carefully laid plans and starting a mutiny! You're lucky I like you so much.

Another thing I really liked was how the movie managed to show Kylo Ren as someone who has definitely been abused and manipulated but still has agency and choice! He had two chances to walk away and do things differently, he turned them both down. It's so rare for media to show a character (especially a male character) as someone who is hurt and vulnerable but still accountable for his actions.