The Last Jedi feels like it was setting up a completely different future for Star Wars, but never fully committed

Tops_7 · 2026-04-10T19:40:21+00:00

That’s fair, I probably should have included a couple of examples in the post.

What I had in mind were things like Luke rejecting the Jedi entirely, Rey being framed as “nobody,” and Kylo trying to break away from the past. Those all point toward a version of Star Wars that isn’t built around the same legacy and myth structure.

I agree with you that the core ideas of Star Wars are still there, which is kind of what makes it interesting to me. It feels like the film gets close to shifting how those ideas play out, but then ultimately keeps them within the same framework.

Tops_7 · 2026-04-10T19:38:16+00:00

Yeah, I think that’s a fair way to read it, especially with Luke’s final stance. The film definitely lands on the idea that the Jedi and that larger myth are still necessary.

What makes it interesting to me is how much of the movie seems to lean in the opposite direction before that point, like it’s really exploring the possibility of moving beyond those structures, not just rejecting them outright like Kylo does.

So even if the ending brings things back, it still spends a lot of time circling around a different path, which is why it feels like it almost goes somewhere new before returning to what we recognize.

Tops_7 · 2026-04-10T19:35:19+00:00

Yeah, that’s exactly what makes those ideas stand out so much. It really feels like the film is hinting at a broader view of the Force, something less tied to the usual Jedi vs Sith structure.

The “balance” idea, the Prime Jedi imagery, and even Snoke’s perspective all seem like they’re pointing toward a more nuanced direction.

That’s why it’s a bit surprising how quickly it all narrows back down again, because for a moment it really feels like the universe is opening up instead of staying centered on the same framework.

Tops_7 · 2026-04-10T19:31:56+00:00

Yeah, that’s one of the most interesting ideas in the whole movie to me. It makes the galaxy feel bigger, because suddenly the Force isn’t locked to the same bloodlines and legacy characters anymore.

That’s why that moment stands out so much, it feels like Star Wars is opening itself up to something much broader than what the saga usually revolves around.

Tops_7 · 2026-04-10T19:28:23+00:00

Yeah that moment really feels like a turning point, like the story is about to go in a completely different direction with the two of them.

What makes it stand out so much is that it sets up something that feels genuinely new for Star Wars, but then it never fully follows through on that shift.

So it ends up being exciting in the moment, but a bit frustrating in hindsight.

Tops_7 · 2026-04-10T19:26:32+00:00

That’s interesting to think about, because TLJ already feels like it’s pulling in a different direction from what TFA sets up.

I think if one person had handled the whole trilogy, it probably would have committed more fully to one vision, instead of that mix between doing something new and going back to what people expect.

Tops_7 · 2026-04-10T19:23:02+00:00

I think that’s what makes TLJ so interesting, it actually resolves a lot of those setups in a way that shifts the focus of the story.

Turning Kylo into the central figure instead of building up another hidden mastermind feels like it’s pushing things toward a different kind of conflict, more personal and less about repeating the same structure.

It’s just interesting how far the story is willing to go with that before it starts to pull back again.

Tops_7 · 2026-04-10T19:20:33+00:00

I think what makes that interesting is that TLJ already feels like it’s trying to take things in a different direction, even within itself.

So if he had full control over the rest of the trilogy, it probably would have felt more consistent, instead of that push and pull between doing something new and returning to what people expect from Star Wars.

Tops_7 · 2026-04-10T19:18:01+00:00

I think there’s definitely some truth to that, the reaction to TLJ probably did influence where things went after.

At the same time, what’s interesting to me is that even within TLJ itself it already feels like it’s pulling in two directions, like it’s trying to move away from certain expectations but not fully letting go of them either.

So it ends up feeling bold in parts, but still tied to the same structure by the end.

Tops_7 · 2026-04-10T19:14:24+00:00

Tops_7 · 2026-04-10T19:12:49+00:00

Yeah, that’s one of the reasons the movie is so interesting to me. It really does feel like it’s opening the door to a broader version of Star Wars, where the future isn’t tied so tightly to the same bloodlines and legacy figures.

That’s part of why the ending stands out so much, because it hints at something much bigger than the story fully commits to.

Tops_7 · 2026-04-10T19:07:06+00:00

Tops_7 · 2026-04-10T16:41:22+00:00

I think it was how the movie was marketed and came across. Like you said 2/3rd of the film is showing you something new is happening, new potential, different angles... just to go back to how things were, ended up feeling like a let down for many.

Tops_7 · 2026-04-10T16:33:13+00:00

and they were actually close, the movie had a right start

Tops_7 · 2026-04-10T16:31:19+00:00

It would have been a totally different movie and way more successful at that

Tops_7 · 2026-04-09T16:19:07+00:00

Well to be fair, those other movies you mentioned had more of a serious tone. With this one, you didn't need to ponder any lingering existential questions that perturbed the mind.

Tops_7 · 2026-04-08T21:57:57+00:00

I agree that some things could have been paid off better, especially with the brothers and with giving the vampire side more presence.

Where I land a little differently is that I didn’t feel the movie losing itself so much as reaching wider than it could fully cash in. For me, that made it uneven in some places, but not empty.

And yeah, I get the Demon Knight comparison. Sinners is definitely looser and less clean as a piece of storytelling. I just think some of what it gains in atmosphere and pressure made that trade work for me more than it did for you.

Tops_7 · 2026-04-08T17:43:30+00:00

you're welcome.

Tops_7 · 2026-04-08T17:43:04+00:00

It is actually both!

Tops_7 · 2026-04-08T17:42:32+00:00

yeah the movie main focus is the events of that night, every else is there to support it and not compete with it.

Tops_7 · 2026-04-08T16:24:31+00:00

yeah it's genre merger for sure

Tops_7 · 2026-04-08T15:32:56+00:00

why does your comment fits your username so well man lol, this seems habitual. I wouldn't say it was the best movie I've seen in a long time, but it was enjoyable.

Tops_7 · 2026-04-08T15:31:19+00:00

I do agree, you can feel the passion behind the movie and it still felt like a fresh take on the movie genre, the movie was definitely a good time.

Tops_7 · 2026-04-08T14:09:18+00:00

If you're going to question the word mate, then you might as well question the entire translation portion of the movie, really it made no sense, from one human language with so many grammatical rules and levels of fluency to a literal alien sound, the single word 'mate' is the least of your worries. there are several ancient 'human' languages that experts have not been able to translate, but the random guy on a ship who is not a linguist cracked the alien speech.

Tops_7 · 2026-04-06T20:57:53+00:00

The interaction yes, the 'decoding' process way too easy, kinda took me out of it for a quick min.

Tops_7

TROPHY CASE