The scene at the end of TFA is from Rey’s perspective. So it’s epic and momentous - here’s me offering this legendary lightsaber to this legendary person to ask him to save the galaxy. Whatever happens after that doesn’t change the emotion of that moment.
In TLJ, we get a twist on it by seeing how Luke really feels about the “legendary” label. And Luke talks about his feelings about being a legend later in the film - the label is a burden, it caused him great pressure and great shame - it is the reason he has brought himself into exile. In that moment, he’s thinking that that lightsaber brought him terrible emotional and physical pain (remember the last time he saw it?). He doesn’t respect the saber in the way Rey does, he rejects it. Tossing the saber instantly establishes Luke’s feelings about the Jedi and his legendary status (i.e. no thanks).
But that’s okay. That’s just where Luke is at the start of the film. It’s part of his journey here, to coming back around to understanding that he needs to pick up the saber and act once again, to be the legend the galaxy needs. This, by the way, is why he uses that blue saber at the end.
You do realize that if he simply tossed it to the side gently it would be much easier for people to accept it right? The problem is how he comically tossed the lightsaber over his shoulder. The execution was terrible for being the payoff of such a powerful scene in TFA. I, for example, waited 2 years to specifically watch that scene and BAM SNL material right there.
I don’t know what to say except I disagree. I think tossing it gently wouldn’t have the same impact. You need to have the whole throw it over the shoulder thing to show how big the gap is between what Rey wants and what Luke is willing to do at this point. If Luke just politely pushed her aside and said “no thanks,” then the conflict there wouldn’t be nearly as strong.
As for “SNL material”? I don’t even know what to say. It’s a funny scene, it made me laugh. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. Just because there’s humor doesn’t make it “SNL,” especially if that humor is used to define who that character is in this moment.
Also the face Luke makes at the end of TFA makes no sense anymore.
I don’t really see how that’s the case.