So here we are, the middle part of the new Star Wars films, coming after the divisive but still pretty solid "Force Awakens" which set up some intriguing plot threads such as Ren's character arc and Rey's past.
The Last Jedi does try to follow up on those threads as we see more of Ren's past and Rey's journey into more of the force while at the same time catch up on The Resistance who're on the backfoot and on the run from a massive First Order Fleet on their tail. And, credit where it's due, it does try to world build and show a now older Luke dealing with the consequences of how Ren turned out under his tutelage. But the writing is just utterly clumsy in some cases. Going by the plot threads, one, the Finn and Rose plot feels so disconnected to what is happening. It tries to go for the "Rich folks who profit off the poor" message and how it's a parallel to how the First Order is this on a grand scale of the universe. While there is payoff to show that the force is alive and well for the next generation, it feels very pointless in the long run because nothing really comes from it in the overall plot. The duo's mission fails into execution and they're nearly killed. I guess Finn beating Phasma was satisfying but is anti-climatic cause it was barely touched upon and he never really earns it.
Next is the remaining Resistance trying to outrun the First Order. Again some in-fighting squabble among the ranks is interesting and using Poe, who does tend to leap before he looks, was a good choice for it to show that he has a lot to learn. However rather then just have the conflict with Holdo feel organic, the story goes out of it's way to prove how wrong he was in his methods while not even believably showcase why he should trust Holdo. Their scenes always go about her saying "Follow your orders and don't question things" when he is rationally asking what is going on and how to proceed. I understand she was just following Leia's order but there's playing it to the hilt and making an exception so you know, it could keep Poe from going mutiny on her. Just why?
And finally the Luke/Rey/Ren plot. For the most part it's competent, and I can see how a misunderstanding started Ren's path to darkness and Rey getting both sides of the story on his turning from Luke and Ren. But when it comes to her, it falls a bit flat. Again I get they wanted her to see things from both perspectives to make her decision in proceeding with her force powers. But that leaves little character for her, she doesn't really go through much of an arc because most of the story isn't really dedicated to her. The most we get is that her parents weren't anything special and that was it. It doesn't influence much of anything when all said and done.
In conclusion, yeah one of the weaker entries of the series, you can sense what they were trying to do but it's focus is a bit all over the place that could've benefited from better writing. Oh wells better luck next entry, hopefully.
I get what it's trying to do, but bad writing is still bad writing.
So here we are, the middle part of the new Star Wars films, coming after the divisive but still pretty solid "Force Awakens" which set up some intriguing plot threads such as Ren's character arc and Rey's past.
The Last Jedi does try to follow up on those threads as we see more of Ren's past and Rey's journey into more of the force while at the same time catch up on The Resistance who're on the backfoot and on the run from a massive First Order Fleet on their tail. And, credit where it's due, it does try to world build and show a now older Luke dealing with the consequences of how Ren turned out under his tutelage. But the writing is just utterly clumsy in some cases. Going by the plot threads, one, the Finn and Rose plot feels so disconnected to what is happening. It tries to go for the "Rich folks who profit off the poor" message and how it's a parallel to how the First Order is this on a grand scale of the universe. While there is payoff to show that the force is alive and well for the next generation, it feels very pointless in the long run because nothing really comes from it in the overall plot. The duo's mission fails into execution and they're nearly killed. I guess Finn beating Phasma was satisfying but is anti-climatic cause it was barely touched upon and he never really earns it.
Next is the remaining Resistance trying to outrun the First Order. Again some in-fighting squabble among the ranks is interesting and using Poe, who does tend to leap before he looks, was a good choice for it to show that he has a lot to learn. However rather then just have the conflict with Holdo feel organic, the story goes out of it's way to prove how wrong he was in his methods while not even believably showcase why he should trust Holdo. Their scenes always go about her saying "Follow your orders and don't question things" when he is rationally asking what is going on and how to proceed. I understand she was just following Leia's order but there's playing it to the hilt and making an exception so you know, it could keep Poe from going mutiny on her. Just why?
And finally the Luke/Rey/Ren plot. For the most part it's competent, and I can see how a misunderstanding started Ren's path to darkness and Rey getting both sides of the story on his turning from Luke and Ren. But when it comes to her, it falls a bit flat. Again I get they wanted her to see things from both perspectives to make her decision in proceeding with her force powers. But that leaves little character for her, she doesn't really go through much of an arc because most of the story isn't really dedicated to her. The most we get is that her parents weren't anything special and that was it. It doesn't influence much of anything when all said and done.
In conclusion, yeah one of the weaker entries of the series, you can sense what they were trying to do but it's focus is a bit all over the place that could've benefited from better writing. Oh wells better luck next entry, hopefully.