While Rian Johnson's Star Wars: The Last Jedi deserves some criticism related to pacing, plotting, and a lack of general exposition when it comes to establishing the world in this new trilogy, the film deserves far more credit for its willingness to step out on its own, taking the original trilogies thematic assertions related to heroism and expanding upon them, delivering a mature deconstruction of the nature of power, and the coercive effects it can place on all individuals, whether they appear to be good natured or not. Star Wars: The Last Jedi starts off with a bang, with the first half of the film being a visceral, non-stop chase movie, one that slowly succumbs to its large cast of characters, all of which seemingly need something to do. While some character's archs in this film are completely meaningless, or at least unnecessary in regard to keeping the core narrative thrust in motion, Star Wars: The Last Jedi's treatment of Luke Skywalker is one that is mature, nuanced, and impressive, detailing in Luke a character whom has tasted failure first-hand and has responded with seclusion, cynicism, and internal conflict. With Luke's characterization, Star Wars: The Last Jedi displays an intriguing examination of heroism and authority, examining how power itself, whether well-intentioned or not, often leads to dark places. Luke himself failing as a Jedi master is directly related to the position of power and authority placed on him by those whom viewed him as infalliable, an internalized appointment which led him, at least in part to fail Kylo Ren. Star Wars: The Last Jedi first and foremost is a story about Luke's redemption and true heroism, a character who recognizes that power structures such as the Jedi themselves, the traditional hierarchies established within, are nothing but an elevated status and mean nothing about the character from within. Featuring a story about heroism that is far more mature than I was expecting, detailing the grey area which exists between good and evil, light and dark, Star Wars: The Last Jedi recognizes the coercive effects which power and authority can place even on good individuals, recognizing that the difference between good and evil is never binary.
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AuthorLove of all things cinema brought me here. Archives
June 2023
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