Star Wars Episode VIII - The Last Jedi (2017)

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I'm not so sure it's that simple.

Both canto and the star destroyer have this narrative muckery to it that drives me crazy when viewing those scenes. Not just because of contrivances but because the characters are rendered so passive. Their journey matters less because they hardly shaped it.

And as for Rey, I agree. But I think almost all of that internalization and drama and consequence happens off-screen. And frankly, in basic cinema terms, it's tonally jarring and emotionally unsatisfying, no?
The biggest mystery of the series-her parents-is revealed and it's the most terrifying and upsetting response she could have imagined. We see her traumatized by this information, we see her fail in turning Ren, and rejects him. While that development is all perfect on a broad narrative level, how can you guys, or Rian specifically, justify keeping Rey's dealing with any of this off-screen? Or worse, have her go from what should be internalized as a deep defeat to her laughing and having fun shooting big guns. This isn't an Empire comparison issue,
but all big operatic art should allow the audience and characters to wallow in their failures before evolving.
Batman's scene in his apartment after Rachel dies, etc. Legolas after thinking Aragorn is dead. We get no such moment for Rey before she's lifting bad-CGI rocks and seems 110% great.
I'm not a plot-caring guy usually. Plot really is the most overrated commodity in narrative art. But here, so much of it gets in the way of how I otherwise wish I was feeling. At times, it seems actively opposed to Johnson's intentions. Particularly as I love the overall picture of all of these character's arcs.


-Vader

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I don't disagree that it's a moment just shy of the Eadu angst >> Yavin speech incongruity, buuut
I don't know that it's meant to be as devastating as all that, more something that she has been in denial over. I think she takes the actual hit when she goes into the cave and seeks solace with Ren because she was promised something and receives nothing.

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atilasantos wrote:
Allstar wrote:
Cilogy wrote:It's fucking depressing to me that Abrams is doing the next one.

Mostly because there's a higher chance he'll undo all the great stuff Johnson put in.
Agreed.

Also, why do Star Wars fans have to be almost as bad as DC fans?
The Force Awakens is a way better movie. Every single fan loved it, but this new one... not exactly.
....I didn’t love TFA either.

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I liked The Force Awakens and even Rogue One considerable more. Wasn't a fan of this new one.
Last edited by MagnarTheGreat on December 18th, 2017, 4:56 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Allstar wrote:
okungnyo wrote:
Bacon wrote:lol
Why "lol", did he like it or not like it? (Can't watch right now.)
Yeah, I'm confused. His reaction is pretty similar to Bacon's.
That's why I said lol. I expected him to be like Collider's in-depth review of it. Couldn't even get through that video. Jeremy's and AngryJoe make some fair points (which I'm surprised by considering the way they both are).

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mark me down as 8.5/10

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Pardon my French, Armand, but I believe Holdo’s speech was the most rebel thing ever. Legit shivers. Dern brings the warmth and experience and it’s a logical first step into chain of events that’ve been led by her character, who she is internally. It tells you everything you need to know about Holdo’s past, despite...
...the twist in Poe’s expectations of her. At some point even the audience isn’t sure about her motives, because we’re following Poe’s pov.
So one point for Griffindor (aka Vader), it really does have a more focused narrative structure. But the broader world is just around the edges of the screen, only this time we’re not bothered by it as much. We know the world already, now we want to get to know our characters. How they tick. For example, from TFA alone, I’d never say Poe would...
...be willing to sacrifice that many ships for one mega destroyer. Holdo was right, god damn it. Guy was a hotshot and needed to realize that alone. When Leia says ‘why are you looking at me, follow him’, then smiles knowingly, it tells you everything.
Luke, Leia and Han in TFA were all beautifully realized characters.

About Luke, my brother said, and I fully agree...
...if we only got that shot of him confronting the First Order troops, it would be enough. The way he ‘ghandies’ the rest of the sequence is juuust... my god. That to me is perfect representation of who Luke is and shows how much he learned from Yoda.
And then you also get that scene. What are we thinking about it?
Old school Yoda giving Luke an old school stick spank. :lol:
Mark in this deserves all the praise. He had layers of all the previous Lukes inside him but also, strangely, himself as a real life person. And it worked. Luke learned so much, he’s older, he’s a bit different while being the same.

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After my second screening: 9.5/10

I was considering a very rare 10/10 for me but there are some minor issues with the plot that I had. But overall it's a fantastic achievement and one of the best additions to Star Wars lore. I'll write my review sometime this week.

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The casino scene was a total waste of time, it would be much better to replace it to some Kylo training. Snoke was a huge wasted character, died like some b-side without any information of his past. Luke behavior of why he chose to be isolated (even though he gave a map to locate him) was not good. Leia floating in space.... no words.
After thinking about it, i'd give the movie a 6.5/10. If SW IX answers all the questions this movie didn't, i will rethink about raising its rate.
Last edited by Master Virgo on December 18th, 2017, 12:06 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: Spoiler

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