Last Jedi? What'd you think?

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climb-up
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Last Jedi? What'd you think?

Post by climb-up »

It seems like no one here is an X-files fan (or at least not a season 11 fan), but what about Star Wars?

I FINALLY saw Last Jedi and, despite some of what I heard...
...I liked it. A lot.
What did you think?

My thoughts:
Yes, there were some story issues (..true of, literally every movie), but I thought it really fun.

The big concern was Luke; I was very surprised, but I liked that he was funny, surly, and didn't just automatically become some perfect master because of his previous deeds. He had doubt, resolved it, saved the day and manifested the rainbow body!

Luke hesitating, and then Yoda burning the tree for him: ...favorite scene.

The cute birds that everyone complained about were cute. There was a vegetarian theme with them ...good.

I listened to several negative reviews on youtube and I think it is telling that ALL of them criticized "social justice warriors" and "feminist agendas" either directly or in passing; which may say a lot about the people having negative reactions.

One person said that he like the prequels,
...and I have no idea what he said afterwards because, who has the time? lol :)
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Re: Last Jedi? What'd you think?

Post by boda »

I don't know if it's part of the so called "feminist agendas" take but the Laura Dern casting did seem a bit off for some reason that I can't pin down.
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Re: Last Jedi? What'd you think?

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boda wrote: Wed Mar 28, 2018 9:22 pm I don't know if it's part of the so called "feminist agendas" take but the Laura Dern casting did seem a bit off for some reason that I can't pin down.
Yeah, I'm with you on that.
I liked the idea of her character, I liked the arc, not explaining was odd but kind of made sense and the end was badass...
...but I too never quite bought her as that character. Genuinely don't know why.
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Re: Last Jedi? What'd you think?

Post by Matt J »

As some one who grew up with Star Wars—— I rank it as the second best of the series.
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Re: Last Jedi? What'd you think?

Post by Johnny Dangerous »

It's actually my favorite Star Wars movie, but honestly I also -really- liked Rogue One, and loved the originals as a kid. I have never watched the prequels and I'm told that's a good thing.

I'm undecided on whether or not there was really an 'SJW" message, or just an anti- elite message in the movie, i've read both explanations and find them both plausible. Laura Dern's character was silly, and like most Star Wars movies I thought it was funny that apparently the all p[powerful Empire did not prepare for some crappy little ships suicide mission.

Still, I had a ball and am actually excited about Star Wars, the first time I remember that happening since I was seven years old or something.
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Re: Last Jedi? What'd you think?

Post by climb-up »

Nice!
High praise indeed from both Matt J and Johnny Dangerous! :thumbsup:
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Re: Last Jedi? What'd you think?

Post by Matt J »

SPOILER ALERT



I liked how they inverted all the paradigms. The first movie was obviously just a remake of the original Star Wars, well-done but about worn and bland. Of course, a lot of people never saw the original Star Wars, so it was a way to reboot the movie. But to actually invert the sci-fi / space cowboy / war tropes such as movies like Star Wars are based on was great. You thought they were going there again--- the long shot mission, the hotshot mutiny, the chosen one, converting the bad guy, the heroic sacrifice. All complete disasters, or subtly converted. Middle movies can do that--- they can engage in darkness and ambiguity, just like the Empire Strikes Back. It is like Star Wars is maturing from a reckless teen to a serious young adult.

Plus the scene were Rey is trying to find the force, and Luke is tickling her with the leaf--- I mean, who hasn't sat down, and had some experience, and been like "Is this enlightenment? Oh man, it is! I'm getting enlightened!"
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Re: Last Jedi? What'd you think?

Post by climb-up »

Yes totally.
I actually loved the force awakens (I saw it in the theater with my daughters! <3). I loved it specifically because it took the original ideas and gave them an update look, new characters, etc.. it was strong and true to the mythology (don't know if that's the right word, been watching a lot of x-files).

And I love Last Jedi because it took all the things we were set up to expect from Force Awakens, and turned them on their heads. A LOT of genuine surprises and interesting turns.

The scene with Rey getting her arm tickled was hilarious; although I felt a little bad for her, since he didn't explain what he meant! :p

I actually liked that her parents were just regular folks too. That was a big surprise, but kind of cool because, why would only a Skywalker (...or whoever) have access to the force?
In keeping with Lukes teaching that the force doesn't belong to the Jedi and Yoda burning the tree (favorite scene!), it made a lot of sense.
It also reminded me of Milarepa's rebuke to his students who assumed he must be a tulku to have such high realization; and home saying that that just demonstrated a lack of faith in the teachings, and that anyone can do it.
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Re: Last Jedi? What'd you think?

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(An avid SW fan since I first saw the Return of the Jedi at the ripe age of five:) I was sorely disappointed. Really tried to like it. Could not.
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Re: Last Jedi? What'd you think?

Post by climb-up »

Was there one, or several, main points that you didn't like; ...or just, everything?

I'm talking to one of my friends on facebook and he absolutely hates what they did with Luke. In addition to having seen all the movies (as, I assume, we all have) he has read many Star Wars novels and so has a very strong conception of Luke's personality; including, presumably, much closer to the timeframe in 7&8 than I have (for me, Luke's actions are a complete mystery between 6 and 7).
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Re: Last Jedi? What'd you think?

Post by treehuggingoctopus »

climb-up wrote: Thu Mar 29, 2018 6:21 pm Was there one, or several, main points that you didn't like; ...or just, everything?

I'm talking to one of my friends on facebook and he absolutely hates what they did with Luke. In addition to having seen all the movies (as, I assume, we all have) he has read many Star Wars novels and so has a very strong conception of Luke's personality; including, presumably, much closer to the timeframe in 7&8 than I have (for me, Luke's actions are a complete mystery between 6 and 7).
Tbh, the Luke thread was one I really enjoyed -- the Rey/KR story was also mighty fine. I think the whole military plot was a disaster (and an entirely unnecessary one), and the casino sequence was just unbearable (again, quite unnecessary too). The Snoke arc ending was a massive let down as well. Lots of underdeveloped/entirely undeveloped new characters there, too (Holdo, Rose Tico, etc.). On the other hand, the Skellig Michael scenes were glorious (or would be, had it not been for porgs), and the ending was quite breathtaking.

Not my least favourite SW picture (that dubious honour falls to the third and especially the second installments of the prequel trilogy) but certainly not what it could have been. Still, I intend to watch it again.
Last edited by treehuggingoctopus on Thu Mar 29, 2018 7:11 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Last Jedi? What'd you think?

Post by Könchok Thrinley »

I think it is a good movie but kinda sucks to be honest.

I love Luke and he was the only reason why I was interested in watching it. I have absolutely enjoyed his parts, but found the rest mostly boring or uninteresting. The only exception being the chemistry between Ben and Ray, I love that part.

Honestly that movie has many weak points. For example, why was there that scene in the casino? Quite useless to me, but interesting to see the shift in culture where we see rich as the most wretched (compared to the 4th movie). Also there are bit too many plotlines to my taste and bit too many lines of story to focus on, it didnt give enough space to Luke and Ray but also to anyone really. Also did you notice that most probably 90% of rebel death in this movie were a consequences of Poe's actions?

Also I am kidna tired that they went into the whole huge war thing again. I get it it is called star wars, but still... the prequels were quite refreshing... plus if they didn't go into the whole great war thing again, there would be more time for the juicy jedi stuff! :jedi:
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For those who do non-virtuous actions,
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Re: Last Jedi? What'd you think?

Post by climb-up »

I think all of the complaints are fair and legit (except the porgs. Why doesn't any like the porgs?)

I liked the Finn and Rose chemistry (especially when they meet and she goes from hero-worship to tazing him, lol), and I actually liked a lot of parts of that whole arc; but, it was the most disappointing let down that it just seemed to fizzle and go literally nowhere.

As for the whole war thing...
...I thought about that in Force Awakens. If I thought too hard about it then, yeah, same old thing over and over (I laughed when Khylo Ren said, "let's leave it all behind and bring order to the galaxy" because, you know "let's forget the first order and just go ahead and do what the first order was doing" lol), but I just kind of let those go by because I was more interested in the characters and their interactions.
There where some funny scenes, and some good action scenes too, in the space battles, but mostly I was just waiting to get pat those so I could see Luke and Rey and Finn.

I listened to Kevin Smith's review of it (the review was almost as long the movie!) and he had a thought (in re: the space battle) that I wouldn't have thought of, but would have been awesome.
The final, light-speed-through-the-first-order-ships was, IMO, awesome and heroic. I really thought it was cool.
Kevin Smith saw the movie twice and on the first viewing felt the same way, but on the second viewing thought, ...they should have had Leia do that.
That would have been an amazing and inspiring way for her to go.
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Re: Last Jedi? What'd you think?

Post by Bristollad »

Personally I liked it, and I like it more after watching it a second time.
All through this film people kept making wrong choices and then you had Yoda to explain - wrong choices, weakness can be the greatest aid to learning. Being the infallible hero who makes no mistakes or trying be one, can get in the way, e.g. Luke's handling of Ben. Instead you have to be open to learn from what happens, the good choices and the bad choices.

I also liked Rose's line to Finn - we don't fight to destroy what we hate, we fight to save what we love. That is, the distinction between the Light and the Dark is intention, not acts. Sound familiar?

P.S. It would have been a good end for Leia, but then I think I've read that the original plan was:
7th end of Han, :guns:
8th of Luke, :jedi:
9th end of Leia, I wonder if the original plot lines had Kylo/Ben kill off his mother too? Interesting that he didn't fire his canon at her when he had the chance.

but then impermanence....

So what do we reckon? Will Rey save Kylo like Luke did his father, or will he perish like the emperor?
And what about the stable boy/jedi youngling at the end....oh well, just have to wait.

P.P.S. the porgs were just blatant christmas toy material!
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Re: Last Jedi? What'd you think?

Post by treehuggingoctopus »

climb-up wrote: Thu Mar 29, 2018 7:59 pm I think all of the complaints are fair and legit (except the porgs. Why doesn't any like the porgs?)
I know exactly two persons who love the porgs. One is a Vajra brother of mine who very, very occasionally posts here. The identity of the other I have sworn never to reveal to the world on the penalty of becoming an undead terror of the high seas forever and ever, or til' the curse is revoked. I intend to keep my promise.
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Re: Last Jedi? What'd you think?

Post by climb-up »

treehuggingoctopus wrote: Thu Mar 29, 2018 10:10 pm
climb-up wrote: Thu Mar 29, 2018 7:59 pm I think all of the complaints are fair and legit (except the porgs. Why doesn't any like the porgs?)
I know exactly two persons who love the porgs. One is a Vajra brother of mine who very, very occasionally posts here. The identity of the other I have sworn never to reveal to the world on the penalty of becoming an undead terror of the high seas forever and ever, or til' the curse is revoked. I intend to keep my promise.
LMFAO!
Fair enough, Davey Jones' ship doesn't. Red anymore cursed captain or crew anytime soon!
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Re: Last Jedi? What'd you think?

Post by Könchok Thrinley »

treehuggingoctopus wrote: Thu Mar 29, 2018 10:10 pm
climb-up wrote: Thu Mar 29, 2018 7:59 pm I think all of the complaints are fair and legit (except the porgs. Why doesn't any like the porgs?)
I know exactly two persons who love the porgs. One is a Vajra brother of mine who very, very occasionally posts here. The identity of the other I have sworn never to reveal to the world on the penalty of becoming an undead terror of the high seas forever and ever, or til' the curse is revoked. I intend to keep my promise.
That will be Malcom... bet Malcom liked them.... :sage:
“Observing samaya involves to remain inseparable from the union of wisdom and compassion at all times, to sustain mindfulness, and to put into practice the guru’s instructions”. Garchen Rinpoche

For those who do virtuous actions,
goodness is what comes to pass.
For those who do non-virtuous actions,
that becomes suffering indeed.

- Arya Sanghata Sutra
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Re: Last Jedi? What'd you think?

Post by treehuggingoctopus »

Miroku wrote: Fri Mar 30, 2018 1:16 am
treehuggingoctopus wrote: Thu Mar 29, 2018 10:10 pm
climb-up wrote: Thu Mar 29, 2018 7:59 pm I think all of the complaints are fair and legit (except the porgs. Why doesn't any like the porgs?)
I know exactly two persons who love the porgs. One is a Vajra brother of mine who very, very occasionally posts here. The identity of the other I have sworn never to reveal to the world on the penalty of becoming an undead terror of the high seas forever and ever, or til' the curse is revoked. I intend to keep my promise.
That will be Malcom... bet Malcom liked them.... :sage:
That would make him the third one.
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