Guest Talker: Nancy (of Graphic Novelty²)
“This is not going to go the way you think.” No truer words were said, and Luke Skywalker’s words proved to be prophetic as the movie The Last Jedi unfolded.
I grew up on the original trilogy of Star Wars movies, with Luke being my first crush. Even as a child I was a practical lass, and the bad-boy swagger of Han Solo held no appeal to me. Instead it was humble and heroic Luke who held me enthralled. Years went by; with the trilogy being the only Star Wars I knew until the late 1990’s when the prequels began. While the prequels have been derided for many deserved reasons, I still felt they were authentic to the Star Wars universe. George Lucas might not write good dialogue, but his vision held true, and there were many strong moments in the prequel trilogy.
When Disney bought out Lucas’s Star Wars movie rights and announced yet another trilogy with other stand alone movies planned, I was apprehensive but hopeful. The Force Awakens combined both the legacy characters and added some intriguing and strong new ones and I was thrilled with the new direction. It honored the past but looked towards the future, as did Rogue One. My first Star Wars movie review post on my blog about Rogue One (https://graphicnovelty2.com/2016/12/22/rogue-one-movie-review/) said “if this storytelling continues, Disney will have handled the buyout of Star Wars beautifully.” It turns out I spoke too soon.
- Photo Credit – Disney/Lucasfilm
*While I assume at this stage people reading this post will have watched the movie, I do want to warn you that there are spoilers ahead.*
I headed into the movie with incredibly high hopes, but twenty minutes into my first viewing of The Last Jedi, I was whispering angry thoughts about the movie to my husband. By the end of the movie I was seething. I felt it dishonored Luke’s legacy, and I was distraught.
Soon afterwards I contacted Jeff here at The Imperial Talker and Michael at My Comic Relief to vent. Both men are huge Star Wars fans and I wanted to see if I was alone in my thoughts. While I certainly cannot speak as to their reactions to the movie, my conversations with them were enlightening, and I watched the movie a second time on their recommendation. Once all the surprises were gone, I could concentrate more on the movie as a whole and get a more nuanced view the second time.
Afterwards, I gave myself some time to mellow, but then I struggled with writing this post. I hate to be provocative and feared a backlash of other bloggers who would vehemently disagree with me. I’m typically a go with the flow person, who rarely let’s people know if I’m truly upset (except my children- they know when I’m mad). This post was going to make me push my boundaries, and I did some over-thinking before I started to write.
But here we are, so let’s get into WHY this movie affected me so negatively. There were several smaller issues such as: Leia’s use of the Force, which was visually comical, Rose’s part, which ate up time that could have been given to already established characters, Chewbacca being treated as a pet/afterthought and the Rey/Kylo scenes (don’t even get me started on the connection through time and space!). On the other hand, there were many memorable moments, one of my favorites being when Poe is schooled on long-term strategy by General Organa and Admiral Holdo. I enjoyed the overriding idea that the rebellion is for everyone and that a small spark can ignite a winning rebellion.
But that’s not what upset me the most. It was Luke, all Luke.
As Star Wars has been around since 1977, there are now several generations of fans who have come into this franchise at different times. So you have fans like me who grew up on the original, fans such as my children who watched the Prequels as they came out in the theatres, and now a new generation who will grow up loving the newest set of characters. You can even argue, as my oldest son observed, that I am a “purist,” for although I have occasionally read some of the Expanded Universe (now called Legends) books, the movies are really my only touch stone to the Star Wars universe.
- Luke Skywalker at the end of A New Hope.
Photo Credit – Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
As such, I have always viewed Luke as the true hero of the movies. Whereas Anakin, Ben Kenobi and certainly the Jedi Council from the Prequels let pride, power or shame affect their judgment, Luke was pure. He came from a humble background, not knowing of his true parentage yet, and with little training was able to defeat Darth Vader and bring balance back to the Force.
This new movie gave us a nihilistic Luke, who years later, was filled with so much remorse and regret that he refused to leave his island where he had banished himself to wallow in misery. When the actor Mark Hamill, who has embodied Luke and will be forever connected to the role, tells Rian Johnson, “I think I fundamentally disagree with everything you’ve decided for me” that is telling as to how Luke’s hero arc was going to play out. Now I know there has been further clarification that MH has shared about this quote, and he supposedly stands behind RJ’s version…but, if his first thought was unhappiness, as was mine when I first watched it, then this viewpoint cannot be discredited.
Now this is where another quote can be used to explain the movie’s direction. “Let the past die. Kill it, if you have to,” says Kylo Ren to Rey. I understand if Star Wars is to be a viable movie franchise, it needs to grow and change. Han Solo left us in The Force Awakens, and Carrie Fisher’s death meant that Leia’s arc was going to end earlier than expected. That left Luke. He was to be the torch bearer to Rey and the new Rebels. So why did his destiny need to end so ignobly?
In this role, Luke could not cope with the crushing disappointment of Kylo’s turn towards the dark side and the guilt he felt towards letting Leia and Han down. Yes, I understand that he helped the rebellion when he sent an astral projection of himself to the planet Crait and was able to distract Kylo and send his sister and the other rebels to safety. I even understand that he used his hard won wisdom to help and wasn’t the impetuous youth who left his training with Yoda early to help Leia and Han. On one level- I get it- but I didn’t like it.
- Photo Credit: Vanity Fair
Luke’s and Kylo’s flashbacks to the night that Kylo destroyed the new Jedi Academy are what truly turned me against this version of Luke and led me to feel that he was dishonored in director Johnson’s interpretation. My Luke never would have considered killing his nephew. He put his lightsaber down in front of Darth Vader, and never gave up hope that his father still had a remnant of love left in him (Jeff’s post Luke Skywalker: A Farewell To Arms beautifully describes this moment). A wiser and older Luke would have tried anything to prevent Kylo from joining Supreme Leader Snoke. Killing him would not have been an option. I believe the quote “You were the Chosen One!” that Obi-wan Kenobi shouts at Anakin in Revenge of the Sith, is in fact a better one to have used to describe Luke. His entire character was crucified in this latest movie, and he deserved better.
In real life, there are times when things go to hell. Our lives do not turn out the way we envisioned. A great success can be eroded away with failures later in life, and becoming disillusioned can be a sad reality for some. Taking all that into consideration, Luke should have gone out as a battle-worn but still dignified warrior. I wanted him to have a loving goodbye to his twin (as I wrote about in this post: https://graphicnovelty2.com/2018/01/24/star-wars-comlinks-favorite-tlj-scene/ ) and for him to have been a mentor to Rey. This lack of a proper conclusion to Luke’s story arc was not a fitting end to the Skywalker saga.
- I laughed at this meme about Luke, Ben and Yoda, for despite my opinion about the movie, I can see other perspectives!
Guest Talker Bio: Nancy is half of the writing team for Graphic Novelty², a blog that centers around graphic novels and geek life. She is a married mom of three who loves her job as a teen librarian and is a Star Wars & Star Trek aficionado.
The Imperial Talker 
I agree wholeheartedly. I’m a Darth Vader fan from the first original episode (IV), yet I found The Last Jedi to be an insulting film. I knew The younger generation would love it, my daughters did, but I thought from the moment with the conversation with Poe and General Hux…this is not the Star Wars movies of old. I felt there was TOO MUCH CGI, and the Matrix like scenes with Luke were…ugh. What frustrates me is Rian Johnson has been handed the next trilogy to direct…ugh…I just don’t know what to think anymore.
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Thank you for your comment! Having really liked TFA & RO, I was shocked at my negative reaction so early into TLJ. I couldn’t believe the new direction that the movie was going in, and was aghast at how Luke was portrayed. I felt he deserved so much more. I am still hoping against hope that JJ will adjust some of the plot lines (perhaps even bring Luke back!) and pull it together in a more respectful manner. I am still a Star Wars fan, but will go into the next films with trepidation.
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Beautifully said Nancy! This is a sincere and heartfelt piece. I get what you’re saying too. For me, I can’t reconcile this Luke with the Luke Skywalker I know and love from the Original Trilogy. As you put so perfectly, “My Luke never would have considered killing his nephew. He put his lightsaber down in front of Darth Vader, and never gave up hope that his father still had a remnant of love left in him.” I can only see TLJ’s Luke as as the “alternate timeline” version. However, the vast majority of Star Wars movie-goers don’t spend a ton of free time reading novels and comics across canons. So, for many, this is what happens to Luke. There are no other timelines or options. And I think you’re right, it’s not the ending the Skywalker family deserved. Thank you for sharing such a moving piece.
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Thank you Michael! There have been times in other books, movies or tv shows I have not liked a new revelation and pretend it didn’t happen in my mind (such as the reveal as to who the father is of Scully’s son in X-Files) but in this case it can’t be ignored. I’ve been tempted to type #NotMyLukeSkywalker on Twitter, but that seems to court controversy, and ultimately I do respect other’s thoughts on the movie. But as a long time fan, Luke’s arc felt disrespectful not only to him but to the legacy of the Star Wars films and what they stand for.
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Michael and I are no strangers to controversy. Granted I dragged him into the controversy but I mean come on I was telling people not to tell other people that they suck. Is that really controversial (yeah, apparently it was…#facepalm). Seriously though, use that hashtag!!!!!
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A big thanks to you, Jeff, for having me be a “Guest Talker” on your blog! Your positive tweets all day were so appreciated! I’m glad that the conversation I started with you & Michael was able to come together in this post.
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My pleasure! I hope you write something else for me in the future (ahem….Rey….ahem).
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If I do write a Rey piece, I believe it will go on MY site! 😉
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*insert video of Vader yelling “NOOOOOOOO!!!” right here*
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We over at the SW Shadow Council were just as shocked by Luke’s portrayal initially, but now think there’s more going on than it appears. This isn’t over yet.
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JJ Abrams has his work cut out for him going forth! Does he double down on the Rian Johnson version, or does he alter course? No matter what direction is taken, there will be a certain segment of fans in an uproar.
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I’m of the opinion she is Luke’s daughter and TLJ knows it:
https://swshadowcouncil.wordpress.com/the-tlj-case-for-rey-skywalker/
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Your site is going to take some time for me to go thru! You are dedicated to the idea that Rey is a Skywalker! She just might be…
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Largely because we can’t get anything else to work either thematically or based on the narrative. Turns out TLJ itself is greatly enhanced if you come at it from that angle.
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Interesting. I’ll have to check out your stuff and give it some thought.
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As I take some time off at Easter, before jumping into The Last Jedi on home entertainment release, I’m spending time catching up on recent posts from my nearest and dearest in the Star Wars fan community. Have to say having reflected on the film since it’s release it holds less and less for
me as a film. I don’t want to see Rian Johnson near another Star Wars film. His film is cold, has little heart, and I think he is a terrible online advocate for
Star Wars. If he is kept on for his Trilogy I may just abandon it.
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I can say, with little remorse, that I have not even purchased The Last Jedi yet. I am willing to give the novel a chance, given your recent review of it, but the film just does very little for me. I appreciate certain moments in the film, and can also acknowledge some of the stellar acting that plays out (Adam Driver is fantastic). But beyond that, I see nothing truly special, just a “child in a mask” playing Star Wars dress up. I envy those who have been oved by the film, I truly do. I wish I could say the same, but sadly I just cannot. In fact, for me, the most powerful moment – the moment that resonates with me deeply – is when Paige Tico sacrifices herself. That moment is profound, but following it the film just doesn’t affect me. Perhaps the most revealing admittance in all of this is that I haven’t sat and listened to the soundtrack from front to back ( a tune here or there out of curiosity but nothing more). Never before have I felt so disinterested in a Star Wars soundtrack, completely unwilling and uncaring, not having the excitement to sit and imagine the story as the music hits my ear drums. No, not even John Williams could salvage The Last Jedi for me. It is just a film masquerading in a Star Wars mask.
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Ultimately I find it a film that tries to be clever but lacks heart. I can forgive anything in Star Wars if it is done with heart, but if that is absent even the most technically brilliant film won’t win me over. The Last Jedi is not the most technically brilliant film and lacks heart in my view!
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It did seem as RJ was trying too hard to subvert the themes of Star Wars. Then there was the attitude of if you didn’t like his vision then you weren’t smart or deep enough to “get it”. While there were certainly some fine parts in the movie, all the parts did not equal a cohesive whole to me. Plus, I shall never forgive him for Luke’s ending. Please JJ- fix the next movie!
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Amen!
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Oh I think you hit the nail on the head Nancy. “…there was the attitude of if you didn’t like his vision then you weren’t smart of deep enough to ‘get it'”. YES! That is so damn right!!!! People are bandying about acting like they have some gnostic connection with the film, as if the esoteric depth is there if only YOU had the special knowledge to understand it. Honestly, between Andrew (and what I said in return to Andrew) and your comment, I might just articulate in an actual post what I honestly think about The Last Jedi. It might be time for a….wait for it…..REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Jeff- You MUST write a review!!!
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“As such, I have always viewed Luke as the true hero of the movies. Whereas Anakin, Ben Kenobi and certainly the Jedi Council from the Prequels let pride, power or shame affect their judgment, Luke was pure”… this paragraph sums up everything I’ve ever thought about Luke Skywalker and the reason why I will never accept what they did with him in TLJ. Nice article 🙂
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Right!?!?! Nancy sums things up beautifully in this piece, and I love the line you quoted! I was so happy she was willing to share her thoughts on my site. I knew how much Luke’s portrayal bothered her in TLJ and when she agreed to write this piece I was really excited. And it turned out even better than I expected. So much so that I didn’t really even need to discuss Luke too much in my own reflection on the film because she captures my thoughts better than I could have!
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Agreed 🙂 not much more to say to that lol
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Thank you, Jeff! It means a lot to me that you were pleased with my post, as I consider you a Star Wars expert.
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Thank you for your kind words! Since this review, The Rise of Skywalker came out and while there was a bit of course correction, the damage had been done. Luke truly deserved a better conclusion.
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Agreed 🙂
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