The Elastic Jedi

A place to talk about Porgs, and everything else in The Last Jedi! Spoilers are allowed on this page, but please still front-fill and comments with spoilers, for those who might glance at the scrolling preview bar up there on the right.

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Lando’s not a system, he’s a man.

69 thoughts on “The Elastic Jedi

  1. Ok I was not expecting hard scifi from the SW universebut the chase of the rapidly diminishing rebel fleet was just silly (just fire missiles FFS!) and Finn and Rose buggering off to find the hacker and coming back was sillier still.

    But bloody hell I want Rose to end up with Finn or a threesome with Finn and Poe.

    I’ll get my coat.

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    C3PO is the new lord of the Sith!!!??? Amazing.
    The ghost of Han Solo is the new lord of the Sith? Amazing.

    There. Properly front loaded. The first half of the movie didn’t really feel like Star Wars to me. Or maybe felt too much like Episodes 1-3. The emphasis seemed to be on presenting as many CGI aliens as possible and whacking me over the head with as many political commentaries (e.g., Lockheed is evil, dog racing is evil) commentaries as possible. But once we really got into the Rey/Kylo/Luke interplay, things got better and better. I like where it all went, just seemed like the first half of the movie was mostly unnecessary.

    As for silliness like chasing down the rapidly diminishing rebel fleet, I came to expect that sort of thing from the star wars universe long, long ago. No worse than any other device they have used to establish a limited scope of time.

  3. OMG Disney/Marvel made Iron Man save the day??! Spider-Mans spider-sense is really The Force??
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    Rogue One is still the best modern Star Wars movie to me. This one was good. The only stuff I really loved was the Luke/Kylo scenes. His lone stand was fantastic. I did not dig his last scene in this movie. It felt unnecessary.

    Will we find out who Snoke is?

  4. I knew Rey’s parents were going to be the two that were giving Luke a hard time in the Mos Eisley cantina before Obi-Wan cut one of their arms off. It was so predictable!
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    So, overall, I enjoyed it more that The Force Awakens. As with any Star Wars movie, including the original trilogy, applying too much scrutiny to the endeavor causes the whole house of cards to collapse. There were certainly some things that made the back of my mind itch a bit, but overall, I found much more to enjoy than to dislike.

    I’m probably going to check out the novelization after I finish Brandon Sanderson’s Oathbringer sometime in 2024….it’s a 1200 page monster of a book and 55+ hours of audiobook. Hopefully, it will explain just WTF the deal was with Snoke.

    Interesting, as I look at Audible, The Last Jedi isn’t releasing until March 6th of next year in any format. Usually a movie tie-in novel comes out right at the same time, or even a little before the movie release.

    • See, Ed and I agree!

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      Blue milk is full of midichlorians!
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      The TFA and TLJ movies also do a pretty poor job explaining how the First Order became so much more powerful than the Republic/Resistance. The movies should tell the full story, and not require the books and extras to fill in vital details.

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      A friend of mine won $1 from a Vegas odds-maker for their over-under on whether or not Jar Jar Binks was actually Snoke.

      Yeah, I will be pretty miffed if this series never explains anything about the guy who builds up the secret First Order and quickly makes them more powerful than the Empire had ever been.

      • Sure, though, to be fair, it took a couple of decades worth of comics and books to rationalize how the Empire came to be and how they managed to build an even bigger Death Star just a few years after it took decades to make the first one.

        Given the hard glare, out beloved OT doesn’t fare terribly well either.

        What really set the OT apart from the prequels was they didn’t suffer Lucas abysmal dialogue and directing…ok, so A New Hope was him, but even then he wasn’t so all powerful that he could wreck it the way he did the prequels.

        In that regard, TFA and TLJ both compare well to the original movies.

        And, while I think Rian Johnson isn’t the perfect Star Wars director, I do wish it was going to be him again for IX rather than JJ taking another swing.

        • Yes, I can live with The First Order’s quick rise, I’d just like it explained a bit further. ########################################################
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          Especially Snoke.

          I think Lucas was once a passionate and detail-oriented filmmaker. That shows in THX-1138 and especially American Graffiti, as well as the OT. You could also say that his genius was on display in the first 3 Indiana Jones films, even if most of the credit for them goes to Spielberg.

  5. Porgs…the other white meat
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    You know in all the articles, threads, posts, etc. regarding the big force projection fight scene that Luke pulled off – folks are posting all kinds of clues – he had his original light saber…that had been ripped in two a few hours earlier by Kylo and Rey, he made no marks on the sand, never made contact with Kylo..etc.

    Did no one else notice the fuck that he was 20 years younger during the fight? I swear it seems like he went through two deaging jumps along the way. He was back to the age he was in the flashback the night he almost murdered Kylo Ren in his sleep.

    • I noticed that his beard was back to “younger” brown with no more white in it. But I attributed it to a mistake on the filmmakers part. Then had an ah-ha moment when it was revealed what was going on.

      • Yes, I noticed both of those things, too – that Luke had no grey hairs and was still fighting with his(/Anakin’s) old blue lightsaber. I didn’t think it was a filmmaker’s gaffe; I figured something weird was going on, but I had no idea what it was… until the reveal. Which was awesome, and epic.

        Personally, I absolutely loved that last shot of the cloak falling away… just like Obi-Wan. That, ForceGhost!Yoda, and the Rey/Kylo/Luke interplay were my favorite parts of the movie. The movie as a whole was arguably too long, but I was buzzing with excitement the entire first time I watched it.

  6. Having the Porgs do the Yub-Yub song after the credits made the movie worth every penny.
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    As far as scrutiny of a Star Wars movie goes, around BSP we have a saying,

    “It’s a movie about SPACE WIZARDS with LASER SWORDS…” and just leave it at that.

    Overall, in the moment… I had a blast watching the movie.

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    Really looking forward to the Kylo Ren and Stimpy Wan Kenobi animated spin-off series.
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    Mostly good article. And the Scalzi piece that they link is good too. https://whatever.scalzi.com/2017/12/15/spoiler-free-observations-on-the-last-jedi/
    I’m OK with Star Wars aspiring to be high art, like Dune. Internal consistency is important, whether it’s Hard SF or Fantasy-laced SF. The original films have plenty of moments of great depth, and logical continuity.

  8. Porg Marsala

    4 skinless, boneless, porg breasts (about 1 1/2 pounds)
    All-purpose flour, for dredging
    Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
    1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
    4 ounces prosciutto, thinly sliced
    8 ounces crimini or porcini mushrooms, stemmed and halved
    1/2 cup blue milk
    1/2 cup bantha stock
    2 tablespoon unsalted butter
    1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
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    Apparently, Luke wasn’t thrilled with his fate:
    https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/mark-hamill-last-jedi-luke-skywalker_us_5a3cf644e4b025f99e16864d

    There’s even a video showing him looking glum after the premiere, speculating that he hadn’t known about the ending before seeing the full movie.

  9. Finally saw this flick
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    So over all, I enjoyed this one. Unlike the last one though, I have no real interest in seeing it again.

    It’s strength is that it is in the Star Wars universe. Based on that I was able to comfortably able to suspend my disbelieve with things like the silly “chasing down the fleet” bits and even the “Gee we are all in an inescapable spot … except that we can jump in a small ship and pop in and out of the peril any old time we want.”
    Hey, it’s a dramatic space opera.
    … except when it suddenly wasn’t. All the damn, “cutesie” cgi creatures they threw in there were inexcusable “Jar Jar Binks” moments. Their worse crime wasn’t that it was blatant product placement (those plushy birds are probably already on sale in Disney Land), it’s that they were a JARRING break in the mood/feel/pacing of the film and for absolutely no advancement of the plot or even relevant “world building”.
    For me, a good film engages me and distracts me from the fact that I am sitting in a theater watching something. It makes me forget for at least a few minutes, the problems of the world outside that theater. This film had several sections that did that for me.
    Then they go and throw in the milking scene, those damn birds, that tangent movie “Road Trip to Mar Lago” to pick up a clumsy plot device to get captured (all stuff that seemed to me to have been added by what ever committee finally released the script for production) and they kicked me right out of their Universe and back into mine.

    None of that made me “not like” the film but for me, those little jarring “Disney moments” and “add-ons” made it a less less of the film it could have been.

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      ###It was fitting for Jabba the Hutt to say, “Make Tatooine Great Again”
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      I’d prefer not to give that website the click, unless there’s something amazing to see there. Can I guess?
      -The casino scene was just liberal whining about businessmen making money.
      -Forcing diversity down our throats.

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        ###The Rebal fighters are a bunch of Snow Flakes. Or Ammonia Flakes. Maybe Methane. What ever they got on that planet.
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        Yes. I too refuse to give that site the click through.
        I am amazed that the deplorable types even care about anything like Science Fiction. I can’t see any of them as actual Star Wars “fan boys”. So basically they are a bunch of Trolls sitting around looking for anything some group that isn’t them might like so they can urinate on it.

        Sad. So much loosing.

        • Remember that there’s small but fervent movement of “Sad Puppies” in Sci-Fi. They’re basically conservative-identifying SF writers who don’t think that Sci-Fi should be about anything but chisel-jawed white men flying spaceships in combat vs. other starships. So, even with its weird Force mysticism, Star Wars was OK until a female and a dark-skinned character were made into the lead heroes.
          These guys hijacked have the rules of the Hugo Awards, and basically ruined the format for everyone.

  10. Finally saw it and really enjoyed it. There is a lot to pick apart in this movie, but no more than what was present in the OT. I found myself asking questions like, if a vessel at lightspeed can wreck such destruction to a capital ship, why aren’t there lightspeed missiles in Star Wars. But to ask such questions is missing the point.

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    Before I look at any other comment, I wanted to share my first impression.

    I enjoyed it quite a bit, despite its flaws. There were some Disney “slap-stick” moments that I didn’t like, such a “leaking” Finn; the “I’ll hold” was OK. I think it ridiculous how Rey needs no training whatsoever. And my biggest disappointment is the lack of explanation for who Snoke was.

    Visually, it is a beautiful film with some great dramatic moments. The tension building with the chase of the fleet was well done. I also loved the nods to previous films, such as the battle in the throne room, and the Battle of Hoth. I didn’t expect Princess Leia to survive, though I wasn’t surprised by Luke’s fate. And his battle with Ben was clever.

    It was definitely a big reset, which I expect upset some fans. But, overall, it felt like a better transition to the new generation than the previous film, with a bit better character building and writing.

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      Ren, he don’t like it
      Rock Dagobah. Rock Dagobah
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      We’re mostly in agreement, ditto. I liked the “still holding for Hux” bit. I think the nods were well done, but I’d still have preferred new scenes/settings that stood on their own, without needing to be reminders of scenes from the OT.

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        I agree wholeheartedly with both of you. TLJ is very beautiful and has some excellent dramatic moments. I loved most of the nods to previous films, but I too would like to see more new, original ideas and directions. I hope we get some in the next film.

        As for Snoke; I agree, even a few words of dialog explaining any of the steps by which he got to be the new Emperor Supreme Leader would have been nice. (From Leia or Holdo, not from Snoke or Kylo – the last thing we needed is the latter ‘as you know’-ing at each other.)

    • #########################################################################################################################”I think it ridiculous how Rey needs no training whatsoever”

      There’s an argument, I feel, that as someone (especially female) that had to raise herself from the age of 8 and learn to protect herself, fend for herself, and simply survive that in effect that WAS her training, she simply didn’t realize it.

      Another (maybe more adequate but less interesting) notion is that there will always be that “on in a million” genius that doesn’t need training and simply knows how to do it. A Shakespeare or a Mozart…etc.

      • That argument was valid in TFA, though not for TLJ. Are people still saying that?? In TFA, it took her 20 minutes to be proficient in things that every other Jedi in history had had to train and learn how to do.

        In Earth terms: I’d be fine with her picking up a guitar for the first time and being naturally able to play a few chords, but if she picked it up for the first time and played the solo to “Beat It,” I’d have to roll my eyes.

        • Right. A small fight is one thing. A brawl while using the force to throw and push while fighting with a relatively unfamiliar weapon is a vastly different thing. You don’t fight that well without experience and some level of training. I’m fine with ignoring it since this is Star Wars.

  12. Ok has everyone seen it now?
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    Just a quick thought… it astounds me the fan hate for this film. Youd think it would be a prequel with all the scoffing its getting. It’s one of the most critically acclaimed films on Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic but extremely LOW audience scores. 49% on RT? Thats some bullshit and it saddens me that audiences went gaga over a complete rehash like Force Awakens but refuse to embrace an actual original Star Wars film. I don’t get it and I hate people. This film makes Force Awakens a worse film.

    It’s brilliant, it’s flawed, and it’s pretty much everything I didn’t know that I wanted because I didn’t know we could get it. I was seriously expecting a rehash of ESB as Force Awakens was to Star Wars. This was the complete opposite. Nods to ESB, yes. A rehash, not even close.

    Some things I would have done differently for sure but that’ll be for later.

    • Right. There’s fanboy hate out there, but I haven’t observed 49% levels of it. I’m putting on my tinfoil hat and saying it’s right-wingers on a mission. They proved with Sad Puppies that they can mobilize and distort honest voting system results. I’m guessing that they’re attacking TLJ because, you know, female characters.

      • That’s a LARGE contingent to be sure. There’s also a lot out there of fanboys saying “this isn’t my Star Wars” for other, less sinister reasons.

        Fucking alt-Sith.

        • I can understand the objection, but they don’t own SW. If it isn’t yours… move on.

          From one point of view, the movie is a huge FU to JJ and his devotion to his ancient religion… obsession with Star Wars. Rian Johnson followed through on what Ben said: Kill the past.

          I’m fine with that actually. The Galaxy shouldn’t revolve around the Skywalkers. That conceit is far more ridiculous than anything in any of the movies. The original Extended Universe got mired in that, imo. This reset opens up the possibilities. There are good reasons why Rogue One is the best of the modern movies. Now imagine a new SW movie that is even more free to explore story telling without treading down Lucas’ over-worn Hero Path.

          • Imagine a universe with NO Skywalkers. That’s a happier, less chaotic universe. Think about it…Anakin/Vader and Ben/Kylo ruin everything and Luke tries his best but ruins everything. Leia is really the only one true non destructive Skywalker. I think once that bloodline is gone the universe will smile.

          • Also – – Mark Hamill is a very outspoken anti-Trumper, which energizes that base even further.

            The commentary I liked didn’t even focus on the destructive side effects of the Skywalkers – – it suggests that Luke is now a pacifist. Which is an interesting way to frame his actions in TLJ.

    • I think that expecting a fan fare from a majority of SW fans is like expecting a perpetual motion machine to work. SW and Star Trek fans are extremely wide spread and they all have very different experiences with the series. It’s personal on crazy levels and no film ever would reach the whole fan base. Anything that one group would like, the rest will hate. And trying to satisfy them all will just result in even more moments that someone disagrees with. And the fans take it so seriously that flaws that would be given a pass in any other movie become a major crime to them.

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    BTW that whole killing off Snoke thing without him being really anyone was a giant middle finger from Rian Johnson to JJ Abrams. Seriously, the giant CG Snoke was one of the stupider things/characters in TFA. Well done Rian.

    • Great article. It says what I’ve been feeling much better than I could say myself.

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      Also, I haven’t seen much commentary on how The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi make a great yin-yang pair. The youthful optimism and hero worship in the former balanced by inexperience and regret from the failed heroes in the latter.

      • ############################################################RIGHT!!!!!! That’s an excellent point. I’m excited to see how that all (if) it imbalances in Episode IX

        • Thanks. It also opens a true possibility for finding a balance in the Force. Lord Dead Fish said that Rey was the direct consequence of Ben turning to the dark side. Luke implied the same with the Sith and the Jedi. So, perhaps the “new” balance will be to address that. And that goes back to the Anakin Prophecy(tm) that he will bring balance to the force. It sounds interesting at the very least. 😀

  14. You know what’s funny is that it looks like the majority of us feel Rogue One is the be modern film. I have it tied with tlj as my favorite but could easily be talked in to putting it ahead in it’s own spot. Imagine that… and it was supposed to be a throw away film. It’s by far one of the most rewatchable star wars films old or new

    • And I still hold firm in my opinion that the reason Rogue One was liked so much better universally is that it was the first film since Empire Strikes Back that didn’t seem to be manufactured specifically for children (with the hopes that it would also appeal to adults). I just wish that Disney and whatever directors would get that point into their heads and start to bring up the level of the main series a bit. But, you know, merchandising for tots is definitely the cash cow that Disney (and Lucasfilm for that matter) knows best.

      • It’s a reason, and a big one, but not the only reason for why I like Rogue One.

        You’re not wrong though. Lucas is rich because he held the merchandising rights for Star Wars. Disney now holds those rights, so the problem is never going to go away. Plus a lot of us adults like some of the merch. Lego sets are popular with all ages.

      • I’d argue that TLJ did a good job in not being marketed specifically to children what with it’s long run time and deep themes. Sure there’s Porgs and spaceships and everything kids like… but here’s a fun fact – it’s the ONLY SW film where two lightsabers NEVER touch each other.

        • No that’s not right. Saw it again today and liked it even more. But then realized that in the flashbacks Lux and kylos lightsabers touched. Maybe they meant that two lightsabers never touched in battle for the first time in this film

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