Firstly I will just say that I love both The Last Jedi and The Force Awakens and that going to the cinema to see both films was an absolutely amazing experience for me. I never got the chance to see the Prequels in the cinemas so preparing for 5+ years of being able to watch a new Star Wars film every year was a very exciting prospect for me.I will also say that I just really, really love Star Wars! I have enjoyed every piece of Star Wars media I have been exposed to: from the films to the TV series, the games and even a few of the books (though only 2 from the old EU). What I am setting out to do with this post is not just a defence of the new Disney films nor an attack on what came before them; all I want to do is express what I’ve really appreciated coming away from The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi as instalments in the Sequel Trilogy.Let’s start with The Force Awakens. Honestly it was obviously going to be heavily-inspired by the Original Trilogy straight from the first trailer but I am a little bit fed up of people parroting the tired argument that somehow it following the basic setup and a few of the plot beats from A New Hope means that it is also a worthless film that does not add anything of value to the Skywalker Saga. That argument has become such an internet circlejerk it has become ridiculous to me. I will admit the film was not perfect. But I will only concede that point because a worldwide and objective acclaim for any film, especially one in a mainstream franchise, is frankly impossible. Everyone’s enjoyment of film is subjective to their own tastes. Yes, The Force Awakens had a few flaws but when I came out of the cinema after watching it after opening night I just had this amazing feeling of absolute euphoria.What I really appreciated, and what I think is the main driving force behind the entire Sequel Trilogy, is the dynamic between Rey and Kylo Ren/Ben Solo. What was honestly the biggest twist for me in the entire film was the moment when Kylo Ren takes off his helmet and there’s this hot guy with long hair underneath it. Him showing his face in the interrogation scene instantly humanises him to both Rey and us, the audience. I absolutely love the signs of him trying to hide his internal struggle with his mask, his black robes, even the burnt helmet of Darth frickin’ Vader! Kylo Ren has already become an iconic figure but he’s also so much more interesting because his gimmicks and costume do not define him as a fully-nuanced character.Which brings me to Rey. Honestly the whole idea of anyone being able to be a powerful force-user is a much more positive one than the idea fans have from the Prequels and Originals that the Force could ONLY manifest itself in bloodlines for it to be most powerful. Anakin Skywallker was a kid when he first started to subconsciously used the Force. Plaguis and Sideous made him powerful by fucking accident! The Force being a higher power that manifested itself in Rey as a perfect foil to Kylo Ren, a new Skywalker child who is already being corrupted by Snoke and the Dark Side makes perfect sense to me. At the climax of The Force Awakens Rey is introduced to us as a nemesis to Kylo Ren, first challenging him for the Skywalker Sabre and then drawing on the Force to heighten her senses and defeat him. The film ends with Kylo Ren defeated and humiliated and Rey stronger than ever.A theme that is perfectly mirrored at the end of The Last Jedi! Kylo Ren has just killed another father figure in his life and in what should be a moment of triumph for the Dark Side he appears broken and lost as through his force connection with Rey he is spurred by her a second time after she previously rejected his arguments on Snoke’s ship. Kylo Ren’s main weakness is that he is always conflicted about who he should be, between embracing the Dark Side and reverting back to being Ben Solo. Rey is the nemesis of Kylo Ren but to Ben Solo she could be a catalyst for redemption.The main problem with why it might not be really obvious that Ben Solo, the last surviving Skywalker, is going to be redeemed at the end of the Sequel Trilogy. This is because it has not been made explicit WHY he turned to the Dark Side in the films. I honestly believe that Luke’s attempted assassination of Ben Solo in the flashbacks in The Last Jedi was not the moment that Ben Solo became Kylo Ren but that we WILL see that turning point in flashbacks in Episode IX. That is the only capacity I want Snoke to show up in this final episode of the Skywalker Saga.Because at the end of the day Snoke is a character device, not an overarching villain. In killing and usurping Snoke Kylo Ren’s character arc has become really interesting because I really doubt he is going to be a good Supreme Leader of the First Order while he is divided between the Light and Dark. But Snoke was a large reason why Ben Solo turned to the Dark Side; its implied in a couple of the books that the twisted dark side fucker has been corrupting Ben since he was a child, practically grooming him to be used as a tool for the First Order. Snoke being dead makes it more likely Kylo will turn back to the Light, and as long as we see why Ben Solo turned to the darkness in the first place we can then see that process reversed by Rey and/or Leia.Finally I would also like to say that although the overall plan for the Sequel Trilogy has changed I do not believe the overall character arcs or themes are different from the first pitch meetings in 2012. Both J. J. Abrams and Rian Johnson are genuinely competant film-makers who Lucasfilm has a good working relationship with. The Force Awakens had production problems with Harrison Ford injuring himself and many rewrites but Abrams did deliver a well-made and compelling film. I believe that is why he was offered the directing job for Episode IX after Lucasfilm realised Colin Trevorrow was a useless hack. Meanwhile Rian Johnson’s The Last Jedi has been the only film without significant production issues and Lucasfilm have approved his pitch for an entire fucking trilogy for Christ’s sake!Ultimately I am really looking forward to Episode IX, though I think the marketing is going to misdirect everyone in regards to the relationship between Kylo Ren and Rey. Honestly I think every piece of Star Wars media has brought at least something worthwhile to the Saga and if the fandom kept an open mind about this final film we’d all be a lot happier!TL/DR: Kylo Ren and Rey are the best parts of the Sequel Trilogy and I can’t wait to see how the Skywalker Saga concludes this December! via /r/StarWars https://ift.tt/2GWQrQv
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