Read on Twitter
Seeing a lot of posts about 'Return of the Jedi', which I appreciate (it was my favourite SW movie as a kid). But I'm realising that people's impressions of Luke in this film have probably led directly to the widespread upset with his character development in 'Last Jedi'. (1/)
Loads of people are saying things like, "it was great seeing Luke in control of his powers", or "Luke's at his most heroic here."
But that's not what I see when I watch RotJ. And taking a closer look at how Luke behaves in the film makes 'Last Jedi' Luke totally believable. (2/)
But that's not what I see when I watch RotJ. And taking a closer look at how Luke behaves in the film makes 'Last Jedi' Luke totally believable. (2/)
When Luke turns up at Jabba's palace (as well as on numerous occasions throughout the film), he's not being a badass; he's PLAYING at being a badass.
Dressed all in black like an edgelord, making arrogant pronouncements about how he's going to fuck everyone up. (3/)
Dressed all in black like an edgelord, making arrogant pronouncements about how he's going to fuck everyone up. (3/)
And where does that arrogance get him? The rancor pit.
Luke in RotJ has the same energy as a teenager who's gained access to their parents' gun cabinet. He reminds me of a lot of my male friends right after they got their driving licences (just before crashing their cars). (4/)
Luke in RotJ has the same energy as a teenager who's gained access to their parents' gun cabinet. He reminds me of a lot of my male friends right after they got their driving licences (just before crashing their cars). (4/)
If Anakin was too old to be trained, Luke was definitely too old. Obi-Wan and Yoda only take him on as a pupil out of sheer desperation!
Watch the scene when Luke confronts Vader on Endor before going to the Death Star. He comes across like a smug, know-it-all teenager! (5/)
Watch the scene when Luke confronts Vader on Endor before going to the Death Star. He comes across like a smug, know-it-all teenager! (5/)
And of course, he completely botches his heroic mission by giving into his anger, and almost killing the father he claims he's going to save.
THEN - like a school kid who's been hanging out with the older boys and has gotten into trouble - he has to be saved by his dad. (6/)
THEN - like a school kid who's been hanging out with the older boys and has gotten into trouble - he has to be saved by his dad. (6/)
Luke saves the day by - *checks notes* - getting so thoroughly owned by the Emperor that his brutal, mass-murdering father chooses to save his son's life and kill his master.
Luke betas his way to a victory!
(7/)
Luke betas his way to a victory!
(7/)
So this angry, arrogant young man with delusions of grandeur sets out to restart the Jedi. What could possibly go wrong?!!!
Can I believe this Luke would try to kill his Sithy nephew? Absolutely. Can I believe this Luke would give up the fight and become a hermit. For sure! (8/)
Can I believe this Luke would try to kill his Sithy nephew? Absolutely. Can I believe this Luke would give up the fight and become a hermit. For sure! (8/)
Thing is, none of this is bad in terms of storytelling. In fact, it makes Luke a much more interesting character across BOTH trilogies! But people love their uncomplicated white knights.
Anyway, this is one of the reasons I still love 'Return of the Jedi'. (9/9)
Anyway, this is one of the reasons I still love 'Return of the Jedi'. (9/9)
