Critics love ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ – but why do some fans hate it?
"A terrible movie that absolutely ruins 30 years of cinema"
Star Wars: The Last Jedi hit cinemas four days ago, and theatres around the world have been jam-packed ever since. Grossing a mammoth $450m globally in its opening weekend, the second film in the new trilogy was only beaten by one other in history – its prequel, The Force Awakens, and that was only by $8m.
It did well with the critics too, with most claiming director Rian Johnson totally bullseyes the womp rat:
The Force Awakens played the greatest hits. The Last Jedi flexes its fingers, then riffs over old chord progressions in ways that make you beam with elation and surprise.
— Robbie Collin (@robbiereviews) December 11, 2017
#StarWarsTheLastJedi is all-classic in feeling: adventure, big hearts, hope. But @rianjohnson added a little something else that I really fell in love with. A little extra richness, visually and emotionally. I’m so happy!
— Clarisse Loughrey (@clarisselou) December 11, 2017
When I interviewed everyone for #TheLastJedi they described the script as “unexpected”. This was NOT an understatement. I’m a wreck! Hell of an emotional rollercoaster. Hell of a film. For details you’ll have to wait for tomorrow’s review. pic.twitter.com/TU06H6VUK4
— James Dyer (@jamescdyer) December 11, 2017
However, as often happens, many fans are not on the same page as the critics. In fact, The Last Jedi could end up being the first Star Wars film to be loved by experts and hated by movie-goers.
We knew something was up as early as March, when Mark Hamill told Vanity Fair he “pretty much fundamentally disagreed with every decision” Rian Johnson made for Luke Skywalker’s journey. Hamill is the saga’s biggest advocate – his enthusiasm is boundless and his knowledge is unrivalled. If he disagreed with the direction of The Last Jedi then some fans were going to be outraged. As expected, they were. Here are some of the angriest sci-fi geeks on the Internet:
#TheLastJedi Is just a terrible movie that absolutely ruins 30 years of cinema lore, how this movie was passed and made is just beyond me, cash cow only and goodbye to all that made #Starwars great.
— Declan Moran (@dmoran2218) December 18, 2017
I was worried about fans ruining #StarWars #TheLastJedi for nothing. Turns out, Rian Johnson and Kathleen Kennedy ruined it first.
— Brandt Miles (@BrandtMiles) December 18, 2017
Saw 'The Last Jedi last night.' I kind of feel like I'm in mourning now. Not for any of the characters, but for Star Wars itself. Numb. Gutted. I think it's all over. #StarWars #TheLastJedi
— john white (@johnwhitearts) December 18, 2017
Some hated it so much that they started a Twitter hashtag – #NotMyStarWars
Wow. Why would Rian Johnson take on making Star Wars movies when he clearly hates Lucas and Abrams’ stories? That was just awful. Wonder how much money Disney fed the critics to have them praise the movie. #TheLastJedi, #notmyStarWars
— Blanche Colombe (@MaPageBlanche) December 14, 2017
I’m still confused as to why @Disney would approve of this garbage. The whole movie is just bizarre. There is absolutely no story progression. The next movie will have nothing to build on. #LastJedi #NotMyStarWars #BoycottTheLastJedi
— Zane Warren (@TheZaneWarren) December 16, 2017
Jar Jar Binks sleeps well tonight. He's no longer the most hated entity in the Star Wars Galaxy. @rianjohnson Good job bro. You deserve all the hate. #NotMyStarWars
— Notoriously Bigga (@Eggie79) December 18, 2017
But others fought back, claiming haters weren’t able to adapt to a new and exciting direction:
Star Wars purists: Oh no. The movie was terrible. Cheesy. Stick to the original story. Stick to the books.
Me: Let the past die. Kill it if you have to. #TheLastJedi #StarWars
— Discount Lee Da-Hae of the Philippines (@Gagagumball) December 18, 2017
Star Wars fans: "We hate The Force Awakens. It's too similar to Episode IV"
Also Star Wars fans: "We hate The Last Jedi. It's too different from other Star Wars movies."
Me: *literally slams head into a wall*#TheLastJedi #StarWars
— Shaurya Chawla (@_ShauryaChawla) December 17, 2017
We’re very much in the latter camp. NME‘s Olly Richards said in his review: “TLJ blasts the rule book to pieces, sending the Skywalker saga in unexpected directions. There are many, many moments that will leave you cheering or weeping, possibly both at once.”
However, Star Wars is the most loved franchise in the world and fans were always going to be picky. But there is one universally-loved addition to the galaxy that everyone agrees on – Porgs, lovely, lovely Porgs. At least that’s something we can all get behind? #PorgsForPresident
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