Daisy Ridley’s performance I felt was a little bland, she’s charming but I didn’t feel much depth in her performance, didn’t like how she got so offended by Boyega grabbing her hand to get her away from the first order, overreaction much? Its bits like that that add fuel to the flames of those accusing JJ of pushing a femenist agenda in this film with the character of Rey. Many online have also been saying that her character is a bit of a Mary Sue and after having seen the film, its kinda difficult to disagree. She seemed to be so good at everything, piloting, engineering, fighting with pole, fighting with lightsaber she’d never used before, using the force for mind control etc etc especially when she was showing up Han Solo on his own ship, not at all believable. And of course her holding her own in the lightsaber battle with kylo ren with no training at all is another thing that has been mentioned here and elsewhere many times. They don’t seem to have left much space for her character to grow, she already seems incredibly competent at everything, it’ll be interesting to see where they go with her and what is left for Luke to teach her.
I’d be pretty miffed if JJ wasn’t pushing a feminist agenda. You do realize what feminism is, right?
Rey got mad at Finn holding her hand because she’s never met him and he’s suddenly grabbing her and running. Makes sense. She doesn’t need him holding her hand to run and escape, in fact, as she shows, it’s easier to run without holding hands. Don’t forget too that she sort of fancies herself a loner (remember when she meets BB-8). Mostly though, here’s this guy she never met who’s suddenly “marked” her as she says and pulled her into this conflict. In my mind, the whole hand thing is worth it when it’s the reverse and she holds out her hand for him to grab. Awesome moment.
I almost agree about her knowing the force too well, the mind trick thing seemed a little much too fast, though I think it’s a fun subverting of the damsel in distress trope. Don’t see what’s wrong with her being good with piloting, engineering and using her staff. She’s had all her life to practice. And her skills with the staff translates to the lightsaber (she’s got more use with a melee weapon than Luke in ESB). Not hard to believe that she could hold her own, especially considering Kylo’s bowcaster wound.
And she’s not unflawed. She’s got interesting trust and family issues that are obviously due to what happened to her as a kid and cause her to reject Solo’s offer. It’s a nice arc that’s resolved when Finn and co. come back to save her and she realizes they actually care about her. Of course she also fears her past and the unknown truths about herself which manifest when she touches the lightsaber. She doesn’t just become a full-blown, lightsaber-toting hero right away.