So, I’m watching “The Fallen Knight” right now (the first fanedit of The Last Jedi). As I watch it, I’m just going to edit this post with my thoughts. I will tell you that, at least initially, while I value what the creator was going for with this project, I can absolutely say that this is clearly rushed in an effort to hold the title of being the first TLJ fanedit. It’ll get some traction, but I really hope we get some high quality edits out of this film.
Okay, here are my thoughts on what was good or bad. (Updated in real time.)
The ENTIRE exchange between Poe and Hux has been cut from the beginning of the film.
I think this was a bad decision. I think cutting SOME of the conversation would have been good, but not all of it. Keep the “Hello, holding for Hux,” etc. at least for the first line of their exchange, but cut out the “tall, pasty guy” remark Poe says. And of course, cut out the “your mom” joke. But cutting the whole exchange makes it very obvious there has been a cut, especially because Hux out of nowhere screams, “OPEN FIRE!” when it’s just one X-Wing fighter that he suddenly wants to blast out of the sky, when he seemed amused by it just moments earlier.
When BB-8 fixes Poe’s X-Wing by jamming his whole head into the instrumentation panel
I would have taken this out. I think it was pretty silly.
When Paige Tico (the Resistance bomber pilot) kicks the ladder to make the bomb remote fall
First of all, I thought this scene took WAY too long. I kept yelling at my TV, “JUST CLIMB UP THE LADDER AND PRESS THE BUTTON!” It took like 45 seconds. If I were editing this, I would have given it like two kicks, and then the remote falls. Maybe, while it is falling, interject the shot of it falling with the other battle scenes that are shown during this sequence. Also, the end where she catches the remote as it is falling I thought was a little too cliché, even for Star Wars.
Luke drops the lightsaber instead of tossing it over his shoulder
Much better. It’s a little short (looks like the editor just cut the shot just before he tosses it). I wish we could have a shot of it at his feet or something. Maybe if someone feels like getting into costume?
The inclusion of the “Luke Mourns” deleted scene
I think this was really good to have. Shows that Luke isn’t entirely heartless like he comes across as for so much of this film.
Deleted the space cow boobs and giant fish scene
This was probably for the best. But now, when Rey and Luke talk at the ancient tree, she says to him, “Why can’t you teach me? I’ve seen your daily routine. You’re not busy.” Well, now she hasn’t seen his daily routine. So either that line needs to be cut or cow boobs needs to stay.
Adding the deleted scene where Poe catches up Finn and gives him his jacket (“not much of a sewer”).
GREAT addition, in my opinion. Adds so much more to Finn’s character. Should have been in the final film.
Cutting the Resistance cruiser explosion / Leia floating though space
I’m really glad that the Leia floating through space scene was cut… but the editor also cut the bridge explosion entirely. So… I’m wondering how they’re going to explain Leia’s injury / absence from the rest of the film. UPDATE: I’m realizing that the editor cut out all of the scenes involving the Resistance after this point. The movie just becomes a big Rey / Luke training sequence… honestly, I’m kinda digging it. Maybe a single cut back to Resistance would be good, I don’t know.
Chewie eating the porg as the porgs watch
I would have been fine with keeping the first shot and him growling (hey a little humor in Star Wars is good), but the close up / “sad eyes” of the porg is just too over-the-top for me.
The first Force / mind meld with Rey and Kylo has been shortened
Why? This didn’t make any sense to me. It was so abrupt. Luke just says, “Let’s get started,” and then we see Rey walking away. No indication if Kylo is following them or why she didn’t say anything about it. Easily the sloppiest part of this edit so far. The editor also gets rid of the natives on the island — I think I may agree with that. I kind of like the island being completely secluded.
Cutting the “reach out” / tickling with the leaf moment
I never really had a problem with this scene. I know some people are very anti-humor in Star Wars, but I almost think this scene should have stayed. I mean, he’s talking about reaching out with the Force and making rocks float, it’s taking itself way too seriously. A little moment of slapstick is fine because it’s not overdone. Reminds me of Yoda in ESB. I would have kept it.
During that same Luke / Rey training scene (when she first sees the cave in her mind)
Almost wondering if it would be worth playing a subtle version of the Imperial March here. Or whatever music played in ESB when Luke went to the cave. Maybe not.
The Cave sequence
I’ve never fully understood this sequence, and maybe something could be improved here, I don’t know. Maybe better to leave it alone.
Yoda could use some color correction
Yoda is way too saturated as a force ghost. Not in all the shots with him, but many of them, particularly at first.
For the first time since the Leia floating in space scene was cut, we’re catching up with the Resistance. Leia never got injured and the Canto Bight sequence never happened.
At this point in the movie, we’ve been watching Rey almost the entire time. It’s been almost 30 minutes and we haven’t checked in with the Resistance or Poe or Finn. While at first I didn’t mind the longer sequences spent with Rey and Luke, it became TOO long and I found myself wondering, “What happened since last we saw the rest of the characters?”
Turns out we don’t see them again until Rey leaves the island. The next scene is Leia telling Holdo to get on the transport to escape. As soon as Holdo came on, I was like, “Who is this chick?” This is seriously our first introduction to her? I think way too much got cut here. Also just some bad editing here, obvious music cuts.
I think Canto Bight has to stay. At least some of it. I have some ideas for what could happen here in my own edit, but I’ll leave those comments elsewhere.
We don’t see Poe again until after the Resistance is on the shuttles escaping the crusier
This is way too long. We haven’t seen him since the beginning of the space chase. No idea where Finn is during this time. Just everything after this part doesn’t make sense. Suddenly the First Order is attacking the Resistance because, in the actual film, Finn and friends gave away the Resistance’s plan.
Throne room sequence
Only thing I would have changed here would have been shortening the sequence where Kylo Ren spins the lightsaber toward Snoke. I like keeping Snoke’s death a little more of a surprise and I don’t want to just give it away what’s about to happen.
We see Finn for the first time since the beginning of the film after they’ve landed on Crait. This is also the first time we see Rose.
Again, this just seems like way too long. We’ve gone almost the entire movie without seeing Finn. It also makes Rose’s sisters sacrifice mean nothing, the amulet around her neck, etc.
Total cut of the Finn sacrifice scene and Rose kiss
I’m glad the Rose kiss is gone, but I kinda wish Finn’s (attempted) sacrifice stayed. I think it’s a huge part of his character arc from The Force Awakens
Kylo Ren / Luke Skywalker battle
How difficult would it be to make Luke hold his green saber instead of his blue? Or is the blue saber more symbolic?
Long story short… I think this was a good first fanedit for The Last Jedi. There were some things I really liked, such as the extended time spent with Rey / Luke training (although it was too long and we didn’t check in with our other heroes even once during that period).
I don’t think Canto Bight can be cut completely. It needs to stay, or at least some of it needs to. That was the biggest change with this film. But doing it completely, took away from the rest of the characters and it was just too much.
Overall, I enjoyed it, but I don’t doubt others will have more creative implementations of their own fanedits.