Poll: Did You Like TLJ's Characterization of Luke?

Resist it, Musashi! Musashi!

 

Characterization? No it was character assassination.

 

First of all I will fully admit I am biased. I like the EU more than I like the sequel trilogy. I will also say I liked TLJ more than I liked TFA. I think Rian took actual risks and I commend him for that. Also I think we need to know more about Kylo's fall before I can make a final determination. We really know so little. That being said I don't see Luke even considering killing Ben like he did especially when he activated his lightsaber. But the way Rian changed Luke was interesting and brave. I do like Luke's force astral projection and think that was inline with Luke's character. I understand why Luke passed on, but I disagree with that choice. I think Luke should have made it into Episode IX and then possibly done that. I don't blame Rian but I think they destroyed Luke's legacy as was portrayed in the OT in order to give that destiny to Rey. Luke should have at least successfully trained some Jedi but instead, the new Jedi order will be Rey's doing and not Luke and I hate that.

 

Luke was always flawed, torn between light and dark.
That fleeting moment of darkness cost him.

But to those who say, "He wouldn't consider doing that ever!" to young Ben.
If you knew, and I mean really knew, your nephew was taking a loaded .45 to school tomorrow with full intent on using it....how far would you go to stop him?
You can call the cops, sure but if your nephew was an incredibly power space wizard that'd have no effect. What could a military have done against someone that powerful? He'd likely slaughter everyone before they got to him.
Luke, in that moment, had to weigh committing a soul crushing act, or letting someone who would destroy the galaxy go on. This is no easy burden to carry. Was there ever a right answer for him on how to handle Ren?

 

Yes there was a right answer on how to handle Ben, just like he handled his father, compassion, even sacrificing himself if the need arises, but never going backwards.
That was Obi-Wan's failure and Luke had already demonstrated he was much wiser.

 

Here is a question. Why would anyone want to see a perfect force-wielding superman, with no character flaws, personal demons, and conflicts to resolve? How is it appealing or serve the story in any way? The only relatable characters in literature are the messed up ones, who make mistakes and reap the results of their decisions.

I personally didn't make the mistake I have with TFA and went into TLJ with no anticipation of what I "WANTED" to see. My mind was open to a fresh, new take on Luke that I could believe and identify with. Rian Johnson did exactly that. He turned the formula on its head and gave us not a Christ figure, but a man who had still lessons to learn in the twilight of his years.

And oh, the sweetest moment with Yoda. With all other film's issues, it resonated perfectly and completed Luke's arc. Beautifully done.

****** SO CALLED FANS ASKED FOR DIFFERENT, THEY GOT DIFFERENT, STILL CRYING ******

 

Again, that was because he saw the light. He didn't see that in Kylo.
Rey thought she did but it was a manipulation.
How can you save something with no light?

 

You mean the lessons he already learned and bled learning as young man?

 

Well they want to see it if it's Luke but not if it's ANYONE ELSE.

 

Nobody expects to see a perfect Luke with no character flaws, we just don't expect him to be portrayed in ways that are a complete reversal of his story arch in the OT.

 

Why would you expect him to be the same person 30 years after? Life is the ever-changing river. The very thing this film addresses is that life hardly follows our expectations. I bet most fans didn't expect Luke to toss that lightsaber off the cliff. LoL, I felt it worked so much as did the rest of his scenes because it's not very Godly, or even Jedi-like. It's human. It's a man who's seen a lot of stuff in 30 years.

 

That's exactly what Yoda and Obi-Wan thought about Vader, and Luke proved them wrong...

 

And Rey was wrong and Luke was right.
Maybe, long run, Luke will be wrong but to say you don't understand the conflict and the turmoil he felt in that fleeting moment or that he shouldn't have felt it is bordering on absurdity and just asking him to be a Gary Stu

 

We don't expect him to be the same person either, we just don't expect him to act the complete opposite of what we have seen before. When everyone told him his father couldn't be saved he still tried to the very end, and now he just thinks hmm this kid has too much darkness, perhaps I should just kill him right now while he sleeps...

--- Double Post Merged, Dec 17, 2017, Original Post Date: Dec 17, 2017 ---

You don't know that, the most logical resolution of this saga is that Rey is proven right. Or you think the message of this trilogy is going to be that some people are just beyond redemption and should be killed?

 

Having sentiments and doubts = carrying a loaded weapon with the full intent to use it

LMFAO

--- Double Post Merged, Dec 17, 2017, Original Post Date: Dec 17, 2017 ---

I was actually quite intrigued by that at first but everything that followed was what I had the issue with.

 

You don't know that's the logical end. That's just an established predetermined guess because it's what ROTJ did.

--- Double Post Merged, Dec 17, 2017 ---

How the Blast can a lightsaber be "unloaded"
Yes he says it was a fleeting moment of doubt.

 

?? I am the one who said we don't know, you said it as fact that Luke was right and Rey was wrong...

 

In the context of The Last Jedi, she was wrong.
You brought up logic. It's not logical to just retcon it now.

 

I was referring to how you pose young Ben here. The film itself doesn't even show what Ben was doing that caused Luke to have such a reaction. It shows that Luke was considering killing his own nephew on a whim. He was made to act like a prequel Jedi may for the sole purpose of advancing the plot.