logo Sign In

The Last Jedi: Official Review and Opinions Thread ** SPOILERS ** — Page 5

Author
Time
 (Edited)

Everyone has their own tastes, of course, but trying to explain to someone why they should like this film is too reminiscent of what went on during the Prequel era.

I either like a movie or I don’t. I don’t have to analyze it to figure out “oh yeah, you’re right! This WAS a good movie!”

I like the original-original trilogy. That’s it. I’m done with anything else star wars. They’ve finally lost me. I never thought I’d say that about a star wars movie with Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher, but…there you go. Even they couldn’t save it this time.

Hopefully the fox/disney merger will speed along an OOT blu-ray release, but other than that you can keep IX because I’m not interested anymore. 😕

Author
Time

ChainsawAsh said:

And you just joined today to bitch about the site and give all of us the finger?

Smooth.

Better late than never!

Author
Time

ModsRBad said:

DominicCobb said:

Yeah, okay… holy fucking shit!

JEDIT: haha of course you guys hated it, what else should I have expected from this joyless site

DominicCobb said:

It honestly seems like there’s no pleasing people. I really don’t know why I’m surprised.

DominicCobb said:

I guess somehow I’m an odd man out even though beyond this site I feel like the response has been overwhelmingly positive.

To address a couple complaints… One of the bigger surprises was that I had no idea this would be the funniest Star Wars film. All of the comedy was pitch perfect, I thought. And am I the only one who LOVED that Leia moment? The only scene that brought tears to my eyes.

I’m very neutral on Luke’s death, I can see both sides of that. Need to watch again.

The biggest disappointment is that they so clearly set up a story that can’t be told anymore.

DominicCobb said:

darthrush said:

DominicCobb said:

I guess somehow I’m an odd man out even though beyond this site I feel like the response has been overwhelmingly positive.

To address a couple complaints… One of the bigger surprises was that I had no idea this would be the funniest Star Wars film. All of the comedy was pitch perfect, I thought. And am I the only one who LOVED that Leia moment? The only scene that brought tears to my eyes.

I’m very neutral on Luke’s death, I can see both sides of that. Need to watch again.

The biggest disappointment is that they so clearly set up a story that can’t be told anymore.

Which story thread specifically? I do agree that this feels like the end of a saga/trilogy and I’m honestly fine with that. Depending on how episode 9 turns out, I am fine with this as the last film of the saga. Not a cut and dry fairy tale ending but you still feel that Kylo lost and the heroes won. I know it sounds crazy but the emotion feels that way. Not the actual galactic situation.

It seems pretty clear that Leia was going to have a big part in IX, obviously in leading the Resistance but also in mentoring Rey and most likely saving Ben.

DominicCobb said:

What’s funny to me is people complained that TFA played it too safe, now this did the opposite of that and people are still complaining.

DominicCobb said:

darthrush said:

DominicCobb said:

What’s funny to me is people complained that TFA played it too safe, now this did the opposite of that and people are still complaining.

That’s the thing. At least fans should be a bit consistent. I personally really, really enjoyed The Force Awakens but my main gripe was that it played it too safe. So no wonder the Last Jedi felt so refreshing and amazing to me.

I personally felt that both served the purposes they needed to. As happy as I am that JJ will be back, I do still wish they brought in someone else to bring it somewhere else (though here’s hoping JJ can deliver).

Also, since I guess my review will just come out in random fragments, here’s something I just realized: my least favorite scenes in TFA were Snoke scenes, my most favorite scenes in TLJ were Snoke scenes.

DominicCobb said:

adywan said:

The casino planet actually added quite a bit to the story and for what is to come. Little threads in the film that lead up to the ending and also showed that not everything is black and white (the resistance is dealing with the same people who deal with the first order). The resistance has now become the rebellion and is all but gone at the end of the film. Something that was said earlier on (and again later). “We are the spark that will light the fire that will burn the first order down”.

Canto Bight is a planet where the rich and elite congregate in luxurious overindulgence while the rest of the inhabitants live in extreme poverty and slavery, including the children. Finn and Roses interactions with those inhabitants is a major factor here. they show the willingness to fight for freedom. At the end we see the children telling their story and then a single child use the force to grab the broom, he has the rebellion ring. The seeds of rebellion are planted. So Finn and Rose are that spark that will light the fire that will burn the first order down.

There are so many little details that are easily missed on a single viewing. I’ll write a proper review once i have seen it again. So far i liked it.

Exactly.

DominicCobb said:

darthrush said:

The animal cruelty message just felt kind of forced in for me. I feel like despite there being some cool stuff on Canto Bight, I feel that cutting it down significantly would benefit the pace of the movie as a whole experience. Each man to their own. Glad to hear about some more people who enjoyed the film.

It wasn’t really an animal cruelty message, that was just used more as a specific example of the pervasive inhumanity of the casino/galaxy at large.

DominicCobb said:

People are going to warm up to this one. It’ll take some time, because it’s so different. But it will happen.

DominicCobb said:

Jeebus said:

DominicCobb said:

People are going to warm up to this one. It’ll take some time, because it’s so different. But it will happen.

I think you’re right. I can already feel myself warming up to it a bit, definitely gonna have to watch it again.

I’m excited to watch again too. The funny thing is I guess I’m the opposite of everyone - the first time I saw TFA I just thought it was pretty good, with some issues, but I eventually warmed up to it and really loved it on my subsequent viewings. With TLJ it was an intense love affair from start to finish.

DominicCobb said:

DrDre said:

Yeah, I will watch it again tomorrow as well. Perhaps I will warm up to it too, but I will say, that despite it’s weak execution in the prequels, Lucas’ six episode saga had some underlying themes of hope and redemption that have gone by the wayside with this installment, like for example Luke who transcended his masters’ pessimism by believing in his overtly evil father’s capacity for good, now contemplating killing his nephew for having dark thoughts, and Leia ultimately giving up on her son at the end of this film. I know most people wanted to originality for TLJ, but this seems like throwing out the baby with the bath water.

If you think they abandoned the theme of hope in this… I don’t know what to tell you but… watch the film again, I think you’ll see it’s very much there.

Incessantly posting that you hate these movies and backing up with arguments = warnings and bans

Incessantly posting how much you love these movies and arguing with people about their own opinions = great job!

Jay’s once great site now SUCKS!

Okay, first of all, little creepy, no?

Second of all, what the f are you talking about?

Author
Time
 (Edited)

SilverWook said:

In any case, this is a TLJ thread, not the OT.com bitchfest thread. Further derails will not be tolerated.

Since some need to reminded.
http://originaltrilogy.com/announcement/About-The-Last-Jedi-Spoilers-How-to-behave-when-the-movie-is-out-THIS-MEANS-YOU/id/52497

That’s right, so do what you do when people complain about the movies too much! Tell Dom to chill out! He gave his opinion now let everyone else give theirs! I’d like to hear!

Author
Time
 (Edited)

Mielr said:

Everyone has their own tastes, of course, but trying to explain to someone why they should like this film is too reminiscent of what went on during the Prequel era.

I either like a movie or I don’t. I don’t have to analyze it to figure out “oh yeah, you’re right! This WAS a good movie!”

I mean, that’s fine if that how you go about it, but there’s nothing strange or unusual or annoying about having a debate about the quality of the film and backing up your position with analysis. I mean it literally just sounds like you’d prefer a discussion that went like this:

“I didn’t like the movie!”
“I did like the movie!”
“Fine whatever”
“Same”

And sure, there’s nothing wrong with that, but what you’re doing is asking for people to cease intelligent film criticism and discussion and just keep it to a base level impression.

Author
Time

ModsRBad said:

SilverWook said:

In any case, this is a TLJ thread, not the OT.com bitchfest thread. Further derails will not be tolerated.

Since some need to reminded.
http://originaltrilogy.com/announcement/About-The-Last-Jedi-Spoilers-How-to-behave-when-the-movie-is-out-THIS-MEANS-YOU/id/52497

That’s right, so do what you do when people complain about the movies too much! Tell Dom to chill out! He gave his opinion now let everyone else give theirs! I’d like to hear!

There isn’t a line, you can give your opinion whenever you want. I don’t think I’ve even really said that much (I’ve barely stated my thoughts on the film beyond the most general of sentiments), although your bitching certainly makes me want to post even more.

Author
Time
 (Edited)

DominicCobb said:
… but what you’re doing is asking for people to cease intelligent film criticism and discussion and just end it with a base level impression.

Nope. Not asking for any of that.

Author
Time

Windexed said:

Silly question, but does anyone have an opinion on whether I could take my 6-year old to this. He’s not really allowed to view anything violent however I make an exception for Star Wars. I don’t want him to see Tfa as I find Kylo’s murder scenes a little too dark. This didn’t seem nearly as violent. Is it just me?

Well I took my 7yo daughter and she survived without any nightmares. Although she also saw R1 in the theater.
YMMV only you know your kid. i.e. there is no way my 11yo wouldn’t be terrified of TFA, TLJ, or R1.

Author
Time

Mielr said:

DominicCobb said:

Mielr said:
And sure, there’s nothing wrong with that, but what you’re doing is asking for people to cease intelligent film criticism and discussion and just end it with a base level impression.

Nope. Not asking for any of that.

But you did say that people who like the film should stop trying to analyze it to explain why they do, didn’t you?

Author
Time
 (Edited)

DominicCobb said:

Mielr said:

DominicCobb said:

Mielr said:
And sure, there’s nothing wrong with that, but what you’re doing is asking for people to cease intelligent film criticism and discussion and just end it with a base level impression.

Nope. Not asking for any of that.

But you did say that people who like the film should stop trying to analyze it to explain why they do, didn’t you?

No I didn’t say that at all. I said that “I” didn’t need to analyze a film to know whether or not I like it.

I just think it’s ridiculous to dismiss everyone who has legitimate criticisms of the film and try to explain to them why they should like it. Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, etc. Flashback city.

Author
Time
 (Edited)

Mielr said:

DominicCobb said:

Mielr said:

DominicCobb said:

Mielr said:
And sure, there’s nothing wrong with that, but what you’re doing is asking for people to cease intelligent film criticism and discussion and just end it with a base level impression.

Nope. Not asking for any of that.

But you did say that people who like the film should stop trying to analyze it to explain why they do, didn’t you?

No I didn’t say that at all. I said that “I” didn’t need to analyze a film to know whether or not I like it.

I just think it’s ridiculous to dismiss everyone who has legitimate criticisms of the film and try to explain to them why they should like it. Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, etc. Flashback city.

Well okay but if the legitimate criticisms are countered with legitimate points, what’s the issue? There’s a distinction there.

You essentially have the same attitude, but from the other side…
I just think it’s ridiculous to dismiss everyone who has legitimate things they appreciate about the film and try to explain to them why they shouldn’t like it.

Author
Time

STFU already! Let other people give their review and opinion which is what the thread topic is about! Not how right you are!

If someone did what you are doing but they hated the movie and told everyone who liked it they are wrong, they would have been banned already!

Author
Time
 (Edited)

DominicCobb said:

Mielr said:

DominicCobb said:

Mielr said:

DominicCobb said:

Mielr said:
And sure, there’s nothing wrong with that, but what you’re doing is asking for people to cease intelligent film criticism and discussion and just end it with a base level impression.

Nope. Not asking for any of that.

But you did say that people who like the film should stop trying to analyze it to explain why they do, didn’t you?

No I didn’t say that at all. I said that “I” didn’t need to analyze a film to know whether or not I like it.

I just think it’s ridiculous to dismiss everyone who has legitimate criticisms of the film and try to explain to them why they should like it. Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, etc. Flashback city.

Well okay but if the legitimate criticisms are countered with legitimate points, what’s the issue? There’s a distinction there.

You essentially have the same attitude, but from the other side…
I just think it’s ridiculous to dismiss everyone who has legitimate things they appreciate about the film and try to explain to them why they shouldn’t like it.

I don’t think there is such a thing as “legitimate” or “illegitimate” points when it comes to subjective tastes. This isn’t science—it’s art.

I don’t have a problem with people who like the film, I just don’t like being preached to as to why I should. I haven’t criticized anyone for liking the film. I don’t appreciate being attacked for not liking it.

Author
Time
 (Edited)

Mielr said:

DominicCobb said:

Mielr said:

DominicCobb said:

Mielr said:

DominicCobb said:

Mielr said:
And sure, there’s nothing wrong with that, but what you’re doing is asking for people to cease intelligent film criticism and discussion and just end it with a base level impression.

Nope. Not asking for any of that.

But you did say that people who like the film should stop trying to analyze it to explain why they do, didn’t you?

No I didn’t say that at all. I said that “I” didn’t need to analyze a film to know whether or not I like it.

I just think it’s ridiculous to dismiss everyone who has legitimate criticisms of the film and try to explain to them why they should like it. Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, etc. Flashback city.

Well okay but if the legitimate criticisms are countered with legitimate points, what’s the issue? There’s a distinction there.

You essentially have the same attitude, but from the other side…
I just think it’s ridiculous to dismiss everyone who has legitimate things they appreciate about the film and try to explain to them why they shouldn’t like it.

I don’t think there is such a thing as “legitimate” or “illegitimate” points when it comes to subjective tastes. This isn’t science—it’s art.

That was your word, though, you said “legitimate criticisms.”

Listen, I don’t care if you just like what you like and don’t like what you don’t. But intelligent film criticism is about exploring why you have those reactions, and I don’t see why there’s anything wrong with that. This doesn’t even have to do with my thoughts on the film itself. It’s just a weird thing for someone to say.

Author
Time

Mielr said:
I don’t have a problem with people who like the film, I just don’t like being preached to as to why I should. I haven’t criticized anyone for liking the film. I don’t appreciate being attacked for not liking it.

So true! But that happens a lot on here. Lots of people have been banned doing what Dom is doing! But only if they don’t like the same movies as the mods!

Author
Time

Mielr thanks for sharing your posts! It’s nice to see other people who hated this movie and think it sucks as much as me!

Author
Time

DominicCobb said:

Jeebus said:

DominicCobb said:

People are going to warm up to this one. It’ll take some time, because it’s so different. But it will happen.

I think you’re right. I can already feel myself warming up to it a bit, definitely gonna have to watch it again.

I’m excited to watch again too. The funny thing is I guess I’m the opposite of everyone - the first time I saw TFA I just thought it was pretty good, with some issues, but I eventually warmed up to it and really loved it on my subsequent viewings. With TLJ it was an intense love affair from start to finish.

I’m the same, but overall less impressed with VII, and still not crazy about it. It makes sense from a business standpoint, but is stagnant to the point of being skippable.

TLJ I absolutely loved, and I’m weirded out by the fairly negative fan reactions thus far. Then again, I approached this expecting a Rian Johnson movie - which is what we got. I feel this is the first Star Wars movie post-OT which drops needless lore reverence and for the first time manages to use the rules of the well-established universe in a creative way that feeds meaningful character development which in turn supports a strong thematic undercurrent. Sounds kinda pretentious once you say/write it, but if you’re going to start nitpicking ‘power levels’ as if you’re watching Dragon Ball you are missing the point completely, and the point is great, nuanced drama. Just look at Snoke and Kylo Ren: it’s an incredible, tangled, crunchy mess of a relationship that completely explains why that character acts the way he does. It’s not easy to make someone sympathetic without having him be sympathetic (he’s absolutely pathetic by any measure), but it is achieved here seemingly effortlessly, and through interpersonal dynamics outside of the one between Snoke and Kylo Ren as much as through it.

These might be ramblings of a madman, but I’m really impressed by how this movie is written.

Author
Time
 (Edited)

DominicCobb said:

Mielr said:

DominicCobb said:

Mielr said:

DominicCobb said:

Mielr said:

DominicCobb said:

Mielr said:
And sure, there’s nothing wrong with that, but what you’re doing is asking for people to cease intelligent film criticism and discussion and just end it with a base level impression.

Nope. Not asking for any of that.

But you did say that people who like the film should stop trying to analyze it to explain why they do, didn’t you?

No I didn’t say that at all. I said that “I” didn’t need to analyze a film to know whether or not I like it.

I just think it’s ridiculous to dismiss everyone who has legitimate criticisms of the film and try to explain to them why they should like it. Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, etc. Flashback city.

Well okay but if the legitimate criticisms are countered with legitimate points, what’s the issue? There’s a distinction there.

You essentially have the same attitude, but from the other side…
I just think it’s ridiculous to dismiss everyone who has legitimate things they appreciate about the film and try to explain to them why they shouldn’t like it.

I don’t think there is such a thing as “legitimate” or “illegitimate” points when it comes to subjective tastes. This isn’t science—it’s art.

That was your word, though, you said “legitimate criticisms.”

Listen, I don’t care if you just like what you like and don’t like what you don’t. But intelligent film criticism is about exploring why you have those reactions, and I don’t see why there’s anything wrong with that. This doesn’t even have to do with my thoughts on the film itself. It’s just a weird thing for someone to say.

I used the term “legitimate” as in “not-nit picking-for-the sake-of nit picking”, not in the sense that you can tell someone they’re “wrong” about how they feel about something. Maybe I should have said “substantial” instead, to make my point clearer.

I have no problem with exploring “why” you have a reaction (either positive or negative) about something.

I don’t think I’ve said anything “weird”, but I know that plenty of weird things are said on this site for you to find.

Author
Time

Mielr said:

Everyone has their own tastes, of course, but trying to explain to someone why they should like this film is too reminiscent of what went on during the Prequel era.

I either like a movie or I don’t. I don’t have to analyze it to figure out “oh yeah, you’re right! This WAS a good movie!”

I like the original-original trilogy. That’s it. I’m done with anything else star wars. They’ve finally lost me. I never thought I’d say that about a star wars movie with Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher, but…there you go. Even they couldn’t save it this time.

Hopefully the fox/disney merger will speed along an OOT blu-ray release, but other than that you can keep IX because I’m not interested anymore. 😕

I feel the same way to a somewhat milder degree. The way I see it is this - the first time I went ‘eh?’ at a Star Wars film was in '83 with ROTJ. But I was willing to tackle the mental gymnastics required (is that cognitive dissonance?) to make it ‘fit’. With the prequels it was even harder, but I made a good go of it before plotholes and midichlorians caused me to de-canonise them in my own nerdish heart. So I was left with the unaltered OT.

TFA was cool, hit all the right notes, but again I had to mentally flex around such stupidity as the Starkiller base and a slew of outrageous coincidences. I was okay with it. Now I was ready for a great SW film.

With TLJ I find myself going ‘eh?’ once again. The space casino plot makes no sense to me. Why the hell didn’t Laura Dern just tell Poe what the damn plan was? Why did Yoda look so ridiculous (we can recreate Peter Cushing but can’t duplicate a friggin’ puppet)? Did someone actually say ‘Godspeed’ in a SW film? Did we really need the cheesy ending with the stable-boy or is Rhian setting up his next trilogy Marvel-style?

I loved the Luke stuff. I loved the resolution of Rey’s parentage, the conflict she shared with Kylo etc etc. I loved the backstory behind Luke’s shame and his viewpoint re Jedi hubris. His final showdown and death scene were wonderful. But the rest? I just don’t know. My head-canon is edging towards sticking with the unaltered OT and calling it a day.

Author
Time
 (Edited)

ModsRBad said:

Mielr said:
I don’t have a problem with people who like the film, I just don’t like being preached to as to why I should. I haven’t criticized anyone for liking the film. I don’t appreciate being attacked for not liking it.

So true! But that happens a lot on here. Lots of people have been banned doing what Dom is doing! But only if they don’t like the same movies as the mods!

Well, I’ve been here since 2006 and if hating the Special Editions and the Prequels wasn’t enough to get me banned, then probably nothing will! 😃

I don’t think I posted anything about my feelings for TFA, I guess my expectations were lower, and maybe it was even a better film than TLJ. I’m just really, really disappointed at the way TLJ turned out. So many wasted opportunities.

Author
Time

ModsRBad said:

Mielr said:
I don’t have a problem with people who like the film, I just don’t like being preached to as to why I should. I haven’t criticized anyone for liking the film. I don’t appreciate being attacked for not liking it.

So true! But that happens a lot on here. Lots of people have been banned doing what Dom is doing! But only if they don’t like the same movies as the mods!

Get used to it. There are some people who only see their own opinions and don’t appreciate others. I like to read other members’ opinions wheather they like a movie or not, both can have good points and I don’t have to reply on every single post I see if I disagree with. Unfortunately this has lowered to prequel-level where all valid criticism will be argued against similar to “but Hayden was meant to be annoying!” etc. Ugh.

Even though I don’t like all choices the film-makers have made on this or TFA or whatever, it doesn’t mean I hate these or people who enjoy them thoroughly. But I do hate when they are trying to force-feed their points like there can’t be another opinions or that others “are not capable of understanding”. That’s just some high level BS, people can understand and still have criticism about it.

Anyways, I also need to see this again. But the more time goes on, it does feel less and less SW… I mean, if you watch SW and then TLJ, they are from a different universe as films. Or ROTJ and TLJ, same thing. There is a massive gap in many ways. Some think it’s good, some don’t… It needs to be digested a little more for me.

And in the time of greatest despair, there shall come a savior, and he shall be known as the Son of the Suns.

Author
Time

Shopping Maul said:
Did someone actually say ‘Godspeed’ in a SW film?

Ha ha. Stuck out like a sore thumb. “May The Force Be With You” is what it’s supposed to be, isn’t it? 😉

Author
Time

Mielr said:

Shopping Maul said:
Did someone actually say ‘Godspeed’ in a SW film?

Ha ha. Stuck out like a sore thumb. “May The Force Be With You” is what it’s supposed to be, isn’t it? 😉

I don’t remember that but they also they said “cops” which took me out of the movie, too. Well, the whole casino scene did with all the slot machines, champagne etc.

And in the time of greatest despair, there shall come a savior, and he shall be known as the Son of the Suns.