Initial Thoughts of The Last Jedi
Walking out of the theater after watching The Last Jedi, I felt a mix of emotions. While the film featured some brilliant elements, others—like the Canto Bight subplot—felt disconnected from the narrative. Poe Dameron’s arc, for instance, lacked any meaningful development for me.
I don’t love it or hate it. To me, it is meh.
However, the portrayal of Luke Skywalker in The Last Jedi stood out as one of the film’s most profound aspects. Despite being divisive, Luke’s story explored the deeper themes of failure, resilience, and heroism. This article delves into why Luke’s journey in The Last Jedi is essential to the broader Star Wars saga.
Why Luke Skywalker in The Last Jedi Matters
Many fans regard Luke Skywalker as the ultimate Jedi Knight—flawless and untouchable. However, this perception overlooks the complexity of his character. Luke’s journey has always been about overcoming pain, failure, and making difficult choices.
To understand Luke Skywalker in The Last Jedi, we must explore the trauma and challenges that shaped him.
Luke’s Journey Through Trauma
A series of profound losses and impossible decisions define Luke Skywalker’s life. Here are key moments that contributed to his character development:
- The loss of his guardians: Luke’s aunt and uncle, who raised him, were murdered not long after he meets Obi-Wan
- The destruction of Alderaan: Luke witnessed the annihilation of an entire planet while rescuing Leia. He didn’t have time to process it, but seeing the aftereffects of mass murder is heavy for anyone, much less a boy.
- The death of Obi-Wan Kenobi: Obi-Wan, his mentor, was killed shortly after entering Luke’s life. Obi-Wan gave his life a sense of purpose, but the loss of him right after must have made everything seem futile.
- The Death Star dilemma: Destroying the Death Star was heroic, but Luke had to grapple with the lives lost in the process. Yes, they were space fascists, but this is hard for lots of soldiers who are good people.
- Betrayal and lies: Learning that Darth Vader is his father shattered Luke’s trust in his mentors.
- Failing Ben Solo: Luke’s inability to save his nephew, Ben Solo (Kylo Ren), led to devastating consequences.
Even in the face of these challenges, Luke resisted falling to the dark side. His resilience is a testament to his strength, but even the strongest heroes have limits.
Heroes Are Not Perfect
In The Last Jedi, Luke’s retreat to Ahch-To is not an act of cowardice but a reflection of his humanity. His isolation represents the “dark night of the soul”—a moment of crisis where he questions his faith in himself, the Force, and the galaxy.
What makes Luke a hero is not his perfection but his ability to rise above failure. His struggle and eventual return remind us that even the greatest heroes are flawed.
Rey’s Role in Luke Skywalker’s Journey
Rey plays a pivotal role in Luke’s transformation in The Last Jedi. While Luke wrestles with self-doubt, Rey embodies hope, determination, and belief in the Force. She also represents the audience’s belief in Luke. Her reactions to him are a true mirror of much of the discourse about Luke.
We want and need him to be the hero. She reminds him of that. Contrary to criticism, Rey is not a “Mary Sue.” She is a character driven by faith and resilience. Her unwavering belief inspires Luke to rediscover his purpose and embrace his role as a mentor.
The Heroic Legacy of Luke Skywalker in The Last Jedi
Luke’s final act in The Last Jedi solidifies his legacy as one of the greatest heroes in the Star Wars universe. By projecting himself across the galaxy to confront Kylo Ren, Luke sacrifices himself to save the Resistance and inspire hope.
This ultimate act of heroism demonstrates Luke’s growth and redemption. Though his story ends with his passing into the Force, it serves as a powerful reminder of resilience, sacrifice, and hope in the face of darkness.
He isn’t gone. He is all around us, much like the force.
Conclusion
The portrayal of Luke Skywalker in The Last Jedi showcases the complexities of heroism. His journey reminds us that even legendary heroes face failures and doubts, especially those of faith. What defines them is their ability to rise above adversity.
Through Rey’s hope and Luke’s ultimate sacrifice, The Last Jedi delivers a meaningful exploration of resilience and redemption, essential themes in the Star Wars saga.
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All the points you mentioned (except failing Ben Solo) had already happened by the end of Return of The Jedi. And by the end of ROTJ, Luke has overcome them all and has a big smile on his face and all has been come to terms with. And mind you Luke, as per George Lucas himself, is the greatest/most powerful Jedi ever. So it not only makes no sense what Rian Johnson and Kathleen Kennedy did to the character of Luke, it negates the original trilogy to a very large degree. That’s simply unforgivable.
I disagree with him coming to terms with it. I can understand people thinking that he put the past behind him at the funeral pyre, but that’s not my interpretation. I always thought the smile had a lot of pain with it. And yes he is the most powerful, but he is not infallible. And the failure with Ben shows that the cycle can repeat. Now, I do understand the argument that he took much time off, and that one makes more sense.