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The biggest thing I noticed at first was when Kylo Ren first brought Rey before Snoke.
"Well done, my good and faithful apprentice."
The words spoken by the major enemy were taken almost word for word from the Bible. That greatly disconcerted me. Were the directors trying to make a point?
On the way home, the beginning of a lengthy discussion on the spirituality and direction of the Star Wars movies began with this topic. One of the teachers I was riding with made the point that the enemy knows what words to use, and they use bits of the truth. That is a good point, with which I agree; that phrase, however, threw me off for the rest of the movie, and had me thinking even after.
There was, as usual, much reference to the popular eastern religions. Think yin yang, meditation, and the like. As a part of the Star Wars universe, that 'theology', if you will, is also indispensable. As to whether the producers are backing such religion, that's another question. Another of the teachers here pointed out that, as the predominant view of religion changed in America from the start of the series to now, so did the focus of the religion in the Star Wars universe. Where the view on religion in the 70's and 80's in America was greatly focused on finding a mentor and being at peace (with little emotion), so the religion in the original films focused. The Jedi were trained to let go, and to have little emotion, for that would lead them to the Dark Side. Where religion today is vastly more in favor of finding what you as an individual connect to, so the religion in the film was much more intently focused on Luke Skywalker NOT being a new Obi-Wan Kenobi, Rey NOT finding a new parental figure, and each person finding their own way with the Force. Furthermore, the Jedi were no longer encouraged to be emotionless, but to channel their emotions to good. This mirrors the much more emotional approach to religion that is predominant today.
Another thing I noticed was that the makers of this movie were making a move toward the less innocent. The cameras were not as quick to pan away from violence as they were in the older ones (excluding episode 3), and there was more swearing. However, it was a part of the story, and largely indispensable.
Besides this, there were lots of things to think about, merely on a fan level.
Kylo Ren was such a conflicted character, I hardly knew what to make of him. The fact that he didn't ultimately turn to the good side leaves much to be expected of the next film. The ending of The Last Jedi was largely ambiguous, which makes me hope the next film will solidly resolve all these issues. It's likely that the next film will take place quite some time after this one, as many of the people in our discussion agreed. The Resistance pretty much needs to start from scratch now.
Finn and Rey, as characters, were greatly developed in this film. Several of the people I talked with were wondering about Finn's backstory, as was I. How did he get his conscience? Was it a fluke, as must happen with the huge number of Storm Troopers there were? Or was there more to it? In The Force Awakens, he obviously had heard the stories about Han Solo, and from the perspective that he was a war 'hero'. He was kidnapped as a child, not a clone adult. Perhaps the next film will clear that up, perhaps not.
I'm really concerned about Finn and Rey's relationship now, with Rose in the picture, but I do think it was a good move. As one of the people I talked with said, the addition of Rose and the people at the casino really drew the attention away from the war machines, and to the people whose lives the war affects, bit negatively and positively.
It was quite a surprise that Rey really didn't have important parents, if what Kylo Ren says is true. Personally, I think it would make sense if it was.
Back to Kylo Ren, though, because he's the character I feel the most interest in. Star Wars was one of the first movies in which I felt really attached to the bad guy. Because I watched them in chronological order, I watched cute baby Anakin grow up, get hurt, turn evil, and eventually get redeemed. With Kylo Ren, I didn't see the beginning, but I feel a vested interest in his redemption. If he doesn't turn back, I shall be hugely disappointed.
One last thing. If ramming into the starship at light speed was an option, why didn't Vice Admiral Holdo do it sooner, before so many transporters were destroyed?! Someone mentioned that it was because Rey and Kylo Ren needed to finish their fight before the ship was destroyed, but honestly it might have been better if they hadn't. The producers could have made an epic reference to Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin's fight, with the burning, fiery backdrop. Either way, what's done is done.
At first I was so shaken up by the little pieces I wasnt sure about, I couldn't say if I liked the movie. However, after having talked about it to more depth than almost any other movie I've talked about, I feel much more satisfied. The Last Jedi was a great movie; it moved the characters and plot forward in all the right ways, and I have decided that I quite like it. I can't wait for the next episode!
