ObviousNonsenseTalks

Welcome to another Noteworthy Nonsense, this week we are talking about the most divisive entry in the long running Star Wars movie series. Now as a disclaimer for anyone who is looking forward to a scathing review of this movie pointing out why it’s not the same and how bad it is, I am a sequel defender, and I actually like this movie. There are two reasons for that, one being that I am easy to please with movies, put some lightsabers and cool visual effects on the screen and I’m happy. The other reason is that I go into every movie I see with no expectations, while I can agree that this movie is not the best of the franchise, I still enjoyed it and think it is not as bad as everyone says it is. So, without further ado, let us get right into it. SPOILERS AHEAD, YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

Set Blasters to Fun

Let us start by saying that although I am a sequel trilogy defender, I do understand the issues that people have with the movies and agree with many of the views on that side of the argument. However, I do think that episode 8 has a lot going for it, and with every rewatch I find myself enjoying it more and more. While I wasn’t a fan of the main plot being the slow chase of the Raddus, I did enjoy many of the plot points in the movie. The battle on Crait was extremely fun to look at with the red salt clouds from the V-4X-D Ski Speeder, with upgraded AT-AT’s (the AT-M6) giving it a similar vibe to the battle on Hoth from Episode 5 but with its own twist. General Holdo’s sacrifice by Hyperspace jumping into the Supremacy was one of the coolest visual effects I have seen in my life, with the lack of sound being a particularly cool choice that gives the scene that is a delight for the eyes room to be its spectacular self.

Here is where my opinions differ greatly from some other people I have talked to about this movie. I think the Canto Bight scenes are great and felt perfect for this movie, showing that even when people are fighting for the future of the Galaxy, there are people profiting from it on both sides who could care less about the fight and only want to continue the high roller life. It makes the setting of the movies be more alive and real, which I have always said is my favorite part of the Star Wars franchise, its setting. It also does a lot for the character of Finn, who cannot even fathom there are people out there that don’t care whatsoever about the conflict. It gives more weight to his foolish decision during the Battle of Crait to sacrifice himself, which he doesn’t succeed in doing due to Rose’s intervention who has her own arc of watching her sister sacrifice herself at the beginning of the movie.

Insert Lightsaber noises here.

Another thing that the Last Jedi did well especially compared to the other sequels, is the one and only Lightsaber fight we get in this movie. The fight in Snoke’s throne room did a great job at a couple of things, one is that it showed the definite difference in training of Kylo/Ben and Rey as Jedi. Rey has trouble fighting off just one of these red clad fools, while Kylo takes on the rest and only requires help at the very end. Two is that it gave us a fight that showed off why these red trooper dudes were supposed to be respected and feared.

I also really liked the subversion with thinking that Snoke was going to be the big bad of the whole trilogy, and they just killed him off in this movie. It really opened the doors for anything or anyone to be the big bad of the final movie in the trilogy, is Kylo going to be the guy, is Rey going to fall and maybe have Finn rise up to defeat her? or is someone else going to return somehow? I know now the answer to that question, but when I was sitting in the theater it was the only time that I was unsure of where the trilogy was going, which is a good thing.

More….. MORE

The last thing that I will talk about that I think this movie did very well was to establish Kylo as a different Sith than we had seen before. Darth Sidious was the embodiment of Fear in my mind, since he was so afraid to lose his power that he had gained. Darth Maul was Hate, which fueled his entire arc from Episode I to the current animated show that is airing now. Darth Vader was Suffering, losing everything to become what he was and that suffering was what gave him his strength. Kylo is anger, a man who was betrayed by everyone he loved and cared about and was bitter and angry about it. This was portrayed excellently by Adam Driver, especially during the memed moment of firing at the Force Projection of Luke, blinded by his anger he couldn’t see through this trick of the Force.

Roll Credits

In conclusion, I think that The Last Jedi is a perfectly fine movie, one that I was not upset at spending my money to go see. I understand the criticisms of it and agree with many of them, but it isn’t enough to make me wish this movie didn’t exist. I re-watched it recently with my kids who were watching all of them for the first time and I find that it is more and more enjoyable with each re-watch. So, if you are someone who dislikes this movie, re-watch it with the mindset of an 8-year-old and just enjoy the pretty colors and you’ll find yourself not hating every minute of it.

Thank you for reading another issue of Noteworthy Nonsense, I really enjoy writing these and look forward to many more. Have yourself a wonderful day and I look forward to seeing you on the next issue.