The Last Jedi Effect
The Last Jedi thus far has proved to be a divisive film amongst the die hard Star Wars fans. Some of them like us have heralded it as one of the best Star Wars films we’ve ever received while others have called for it to be disavowed from canon. Whether you love the newest entry of not, you have to admit that Rian Johnson has completely changed the trajectory of Star Wars in the future and given us some unbelievable moments on screen. However, sometimes it’s the smaller moments that stick with you as much as the big reveals. So, with that, I want to share a few smaller moments and lines from the film that are still sticking with us a week later.
1) “Dead Heroes”
The Last Jedi is an incredibly fun movie at times, but the beginning is a rough start for the Resistance. While Poe’s plan to take down a dreadnought pays off, Leia is quick to point out that the costs were too high. I get chills every time this line plays out because it points out just how much Leia sees and Poe does not. Dead heroes are not an asset to the Resistance; they need their limited number of people more than the First Order does.
Not only does this line pack a punch in the moment, but it also plays into this ongoing theme of the choices we make and the consequences that follow.
2) Rey and the Rain
This is such a small moment sandwiched between much more important interactions, but it’s a moment that reminds us all of Rey’s point of view. She’s lived on the hot desert planet of Jakku all of her life, and she was blown away in The Force Awakens at all the green surrounding Maz Kanata’s watering hole. So, when she sees the rain on Ahch-To, she smiles like a little girl as she reaches her hand out to touch it.
It’s sobering to think that this character had never even seen rain before that moment, and the joy she finds in experiencing it for the first time is just one more reason to love her character. Sometimes it truly is about the simple things in life.
3) Ben Solo
One more small victory that I give to Rian Johnson is the connection he establishes between Kylo Ren and Rey. Rey calls him a monster; she purely hates him in the beginning. However, as time goes on, she can find herself having empathy and some shared emotions with Kylo. From that point forward, she no longer calls him “Kylo Ren,” she calls him “Ben.” It’s a small adjustment for the rest of the film, but it’s a tiny reminder of the person Rey can see behind the darkness.
4) Look Closer
While the Canto Bight storyline has been getting some hate online, I really liked the viewpoint it contributed. The Canto Bight casino is outwardly beautiful, but behind the beauty lies the truth about these high rollers. They play both sides of the coin to profit. Rose’s call to look closer and see the ugly truth is another sobering moment, and once again, it ties back into the choices we do or don’t make.
5) “We are what they grow beyond.”
Anyone else get a little teary-eyed during Luke and Yoda’s conversation? No? Cool. This Star Wars film is unique in that it talks about growing old as much as it talks about growing up. Old man Luke is struggling with his failures and his past, and I love this bit of wisdom from Yoda. He too knew about failure and about passing on the baton, and I don’t think any other character could have contributed this line with the gravity it deserves.
So, this is by no stretch of the imagination the only moments that keep replaying in our minds, but these are a few that have stuck. For more of our thoughts on The Last Jedi, you can find our non-spoiler review here on Apple News and a full spoiler talk on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/abovethelinedigital. We also talk about everything Star Wars on “The Resistance Rundown,” a weekly show on Wednesdays at 6:00pm EST via Facebook Live.
Until next time, may the Force be with you!
