Spoilers are on the way, so if you haven’t seen Star Wars: The Last Jedi, bookmark this article and get to your closest theater immediately. There is no time to waste. If you are a person who has never seen any Star Wars film, we would like to take this opportunity to invite you to do so immediately.
#DETAILED SPOILERS AHEAD#
Fans showed up for the latest chapter in the epic (and now Disney owned) Star Wars franchise this weekend. If the theater I was in was any indication, Star Wars: The Last Jedi was probably the funniest Star Wars film ever made. From Luke Skywalker simply throwing that light saber that Rey brought to him in the previous film, to Yoda smacking Luke in the face with his cane, the humor was strong with this one. Although, we really didn’t learn anything about the new characters, we now know the Force abilities of the Skywalker twins have grown substantially over the last forty years. As Leia, in Carrie Fisher’s swan song, flew through the cold, dead, vacuum of space to arrive on the ship not quite dead– awe fell over our theater. As well, when Luke showed up to “fight” Kylo Ren, with shorter hair and a recent Just for Men application, we learned that root touch-ups are now a thing only the non-Jedi people must suffer through.
As for those burning questions left over from The Force Awakens, we have a short break down of how they were answered in The Last Jedi. They weren’t.
Who is Snoke?
Andy Serkis is the only answer we have for this one. Looking like a snail without his shell, the ever creepy Snoke tried desperately to give us the same vibe and terror as Emperor Palpatine, yet fell short. About half short to be exact. The fact we have no idea where this talking piece of chewing gum with eyes came from is one thing, but now knowing that we will never know due to the fact that Kylo sliced his bubblicious mentor in half using Rey’s light saber means we just need to say goodbye to a character without character. How do you feel about Snoke’s death?
Who is Rey?
Even Luke Skywalker himself simply looked at Rey and asked, “Who are you?” while inside the Jedi Temple on the island of Ahch-To. This question was never answered. Maybe it was, but not accurately. During a moment similar to the Force connection shown between Luke and Leia in earlier films, Rey and Kylo Ren had their minds connected through the Force by non-other than Snoke. During their intimate sessions of conversing, the two were able to reach out and touch each other’s hand. In this moment, Rey (played by Daisy Ridley) was able to see the night when Adam Driver’s Ben Solo went all Vader-child on the Jedi Temple and left Luke’s training. As well, Kylo Ren claimed to know who Rey’s parents are. When he confronts Rey about this later, he tells her that she knows already. Turns out, they are nobody. Just drunks who sold their kid. Rey is “no one with no stake in this fight, you’re nobody”, according to the still whiny, still unhinged grandson of the greatest villain in the Galaxy. What are your theories on the origins of Rey? Does it matter; we don’t know Mr. and Mrs. Solo, yet Han was still a very important guy. May he rest in peace.
What happened at Luke’s Jedi school?
Finally, an answer about these characters’ pasts. Reminiscent of a Three’s Company episode, Kylo Ren wakes up to see his uncle and mentor standing over him with his light saber at the ready to destroy the young Solo. Upon this sight, he used to Force to completely destroy the building and left the Jedi Temple ablaze as he left with the younglings and set off to follow his true master, Snoke. Although Luke tells a different story, the jist is that Luke saw the Dark Side in his nephew and knew that he must kill him to save the balance. Despite changing his mind, it was too late and Ben Solo became Kylo Ren. This answers the question as to why Luke had been missing for so many years.
Oh, Luke.
The ancient island of Ach-To, became Skywalker’s refuge from the Force. After failing his Padawan, he chose to leave the Force and be the Last Jedi. As if he alone decides something so major. Rey follows him throughout this island pleading for his help with the Resistance against the First Order. After numerous attempts, she decides to use his light saber for practice and this changes his mind. He begins training her, but when he realize how strong she is in the Force, he cowers away in fear. It’s is not until his old teacher Master Yoda, Frank Oz himself, shows himself to his now elderly student, does Skywalker realize that he can not stop the Force or the Jedi. Mark Hamill had arguably some of the best lines in the film this time around, especially when faced with Master Yoda’s classic hilarity and impish nature. However, it was Skywalker’s use of the never before seen Force Projection, with which Luke was able to appear at the Resistance base without ever leaving his island that showed how powerful his character had become. The interesting thing about this Force Projection is that Luke appeared younger with trimmed hair and beard, as well as quite a few less white hairs. While General Leia made a joke about her having changed her hair, Luke simply laughed and his Force L’Oreal was never mentioned. But here is where things get tricky.
The Death of Luke Skywalker
After the death of Carrie Fisher last year, many fans were concerned for the fate of General Leia Organa. Especially after having witnessed the death of Han Solo in The Force Awakens. However, it was Luke Skywalker, safe on his island refuge who became One with the Force in this film. But unlike Solo’s terribly sad and anger filled demise at the hands of his son Ben, the death of Luke Skywalker was about finding peace in the Force while sacrificing himself so that the Resistance can escape The First Order. After his miraculous feat of Force Projection, Luke had used all the power he had to live and he simply faded off into the Galaxy, One with the Force. This, of course, means that Luke is now with all the Jedi who came before him and more powerful than ever before. With his student, Rey now showing skills more powerful than even Kyle Ren, it is safe to assume that the Jedi order will continue forward.
A new character introduced was Rose Tico, played by Kelly Marie Tran. A bubbly super genius who is infatuated with Michael Boyega’s Finn. The two jet off to find a code breaker who can disarm the Star Destroyer’s ability to track ships with light speed. Rose Tico ingratiated herself with fans by being a fan girl herself, gushing over Finn and later saving his life in an act of love.
All in all, this second chapter of the sequel trilogy to one of the greatest box office hits in movie history hit the mark with fans as far as action and space battle. The decision by Laura Dern’s Holdo to use the Resistance ship to ram the First Order while entering light speed gave The Last Jedi one of the most awe-inspiring moments within the franchise as a whole. From the moment Dern walked onscreen, she captivated audiences. Going from hated to questioned, and then finally savior to the Resistance, Holdo erases the legacy of Jar-Jar Binks as supporting characters go.
Along with new characters, The Last Jedi delivered on a Star Wars staple– odd ne creatures. Among them were the adorable porgs which seem to resemble a cross between a Furbee and a penguin. With these and other creatures, Star Wars: The Last Jedi was able to own its place in film history alongside the original trilogy, and to some, exceeding the prequel trilogy. Although some of the most burning questions remain unanswered, we won’t have to wait long to find out how this story ends, as Episode IX is set to hit theaters in December of 2019. What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below how you felt after seeing Star Wars: The Last Jedi.