During halftime of a football game this evening, we had a chance to watch the world premiere of the trailer for Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi. The only appropriate response is: “Holy Snokes!”
Here is my immediate reaction, with more analysis below.
There’s a lot going on in the trailer. First, we have a left turn from where I thought the film was going to go, and, in other places, it’s gone exactly where I thought it might.
First off, Luke Skywalker. This is the first time we’ve heard Master Skywalker speak in the Sequel Era. And, as we’ve been predicting, it seems as though he’s taken a path of non-violence. Is there anything more terrifying than seeing LUKE SKYWALKER be scared? And this all might have consequences of its own, as it seems as though Rey is being led away from the path of the light. Maybe Luke really is the last of the Jedi if Rey is going to seek out Kylo Ren for help.
But in some way, doesn’t this fit the pattern of the middle cycle of Star Wars films? The student scorns the advice of the master and ends up in the hands of their enemies?
Or maybe it’s exactly what it looks like and Dark Rey is coming.
Another thing that was overwhelming in the trailer is the sense dread around the idea that Kylo Ren is trying his hardest to kill his mother. Perhaps talk of needing to create workarounds in Episode IX were exaggerated.
I didn’t expect to see Rey facing off against Snoke so early. And it looks like I’ve been completely wrong about him being powerless. It seems as though he’s quite powerful, which changes the dynamics of what I thought as well. Who is he? It’s an even larger question now.
Notable things we didn’t see? Vice Admiral Holdo. DJ. Rose. Paige. Canto Bight. These are things that have been teased endlessly and we didn’t even get a glimpse here.
I feel like Luke Skywalker’s line in the trailer is absolutely true for us. “This is not going to go… the way you think…”
Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi hits theatres on December 15, 2017. Tickets are on sale now.